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1 y •m* Xt u * *•" '¥ 1 "S:.. | 4 * a VOLUME 106 NUMBER 7 " S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - O - L A K E S R E G I O N S I N C E 1 8 7 5 1 FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 1981 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 25' S jfikA m Si H . V ; A . i Discuss Cooperative On Sewer Plan by Anthony Oliver Officials of the City of McHenry and Village of McHenry Shores met in an informal session this week to discuss a rative effort regarding the sewer m improvement grant applied for McHenry Shores. William Cowlin, attorney for the and Richard Panerali, president pro tem following the --'nation of David Grimes, said the schedule public participation, as a ted by grant requirements, had been met. "The whole thing came to light only ntly," Cowlin said uirements indicate that the end of this month, an advisory ttee should have been appointed public hearings scheduled. The committee is comprised of two people McHenr Henry, another Keeping Fit Early morning travelers on Bull Valley road, between Route 31 and the Crystal Lake blacktop, know well the sprightly young man of 60 who has been roller skating that stretch of highway for the last seven months. Edward Mesmer, of the Orchard Heights area, has been actively in­ volved in roller skating for the last 40 years and feels that it is good aerobic exercise. Rounding the S-curve and taking off down the straightaway is Edward Mesmer, who roller skates an average of nine miles every morning on Bull Valley road, between Crystal Lake road and Route 31, weather permitting. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD ted part of the "facilities nning area." fcHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek noted it an attempt to build a sewer plant had been denied by the state Environmental Protection Agency (EEPA) because no area study ha a been made. The agency is promoting the regional rather than local facility concept. The facility planning area includes the Village of McHenry Shores, unincorporated areas and the southeastern part of the City of McHenry. Both the city and the village have been designated as water management agencies by the 206 plan, completed in recent years. The McHenry mayor also pointed out .that the city had hedged on earlier cooperation due to a concern about the loss of rate-setting authority and local control because of strings attached to federal monies. "We want input into the plan," Stanek said. "We have everything to lose because of the various requirements of the EPA." The existing city sewer charges are less than in many areas of the county and state. Cowlin commented that the procedure and efforts of the EPA were similar in nature to the thoughts behind hospital development, with which the city is familiar. The attorney noted that state agencies will not permit a hospital in every municipality and are forcing the development of regional systems. Likewise, he said, the EPA is also requiring regional planning. The person who was in charge of this (David Grimes) resigned," Cowlin said. "He was the only one who knew about it and was dilatory in his actions." The village is asking for speedy consideration of the cooperation in the planning, the appointment of two people to the advisory committee and the scheduling of required public hearings. "I think you have the right to withdraw at any time," Cowlin noted, addressing a concern of Mayor Stanek. "We're saying two things," he explained. "First, we're sorry it happened but we didn't know. And second, we're asking you to go along with the Step I grant." Concerning the City of McHenry, the matter will be brought to the City Council for discussion and decision. "I planned to enter the Brooklyn roller marathon, but it was cancelled this year because of a lack of spon­ sors," Mesmer explained. Next year, Mesmer said he hopes to take part in the Long Beach marathon - the "Boston Marathon" of roller skating. Weather permitting, Mesmer is out every morning, skating an average of nine miles a day - forwards, back­ wards and every which way. Mesmer said he has been stopped by police twice since he started his variation on the morning constitutional. "They were very good about it," Mesmer said. He noted that the roller skater is required to obey the same rules of the road as the bicycle rider and Mesmer uses the same hand signals. Marching Band Role Boosted Vote Plat Approval When Governor Thompson signed a bill this month designed to protect senior citizens and others by allowing new helps in self-defense, it was another indication that the general public is demanding some help for the "good guys". There have been increasing com­ plaints that the criminal is protected. Now John Q. Public is demanding his rights, and apparently getting some support. The new bill allows those aged 18 or older to legally carry canisters of non- lethal substances. These objects, such as a spray canister, may be concealed in a woman's purse or in suit coat pocket$. The law becomes effective next Jan. 1. In the same type of effort, a new clearinghouse operation is aiding anti- crime cooperation between citizens and law enforcement officials. The National Neighborhood Watch association is expanding and strengthening the community crime prevention programs by working with member citizens and neighborhood groups. This non-profit citizens' organization draws advice, materials and services of security experts. It emphasizes public awareness, crime prevention education and community cooperation. Leaders in the movement have been encouraged by what has been done by watch groups working together with (Continued on page 16) The City of McHenry Plan com­ mission voted unanimously last Thaafijy "M* ,«• recommend ap- proval of the preliminary plat of Unit III of the Winding Creek subdivision. Unit III, which was presented by Roger Muterspaugh of Residential Development Group (RDG), includes 108 "R-3" Residential single family units and 72 "R-5" multi-family units. Muterspaugh noted that a couple of minor changes in the roadway align­ ments were the only changes that had been made in the original site plan. "We changed no zoning and we did not violate any of the zoning requirements," Muterspaugh said. The preliminary plat is one portion of a 385-acre development that was an­ nexed by the city last year after nearly a year-and-a-half of public hearing. The ^subdivision is part of the Backhaus farm, located on the northwest con&r of Bull Valley road and the Crystal Lake blacktop. The total development will contain an estimated 1,278 units, both single and multi-family. Questioned by Plan commission members regarding flooding problems along Boone creek, Muterspaugh responded that the plat was in com­ pliance with the 100-year flood, plain determined recently by the Army Corps of Engineers. Commission member Robert Mortell made the motion to recommend ap­ proval of the preliminary plat. The motion passed 6 to 0. Recognizing the tradition of the gODular drum and bugle corps, the HCHS board okayed staff recom­ mendations to continue the marching band for both schools on a co-curricular basis which would place this band activity outside of regular school hours. Principal Bill Dodds of East campus and Principal Greg Johnson of West recommended board approval of the continuation of the marching band program during the coming fall season as a co-curricular programi. Band Directors Bill Toalson and John Leighty had pointed up the necessary |*r£mgements and the need to set in- Tenflverfor students* to join, including making the band a requirement fof all instrumental students. Instead, a system of merits and demerits is to be established giving credit for attendance and deducting for absences with an opportunity to make up deficits with performance in the freshman, varsity and stage bands. Also proposed is to award a music letter < in the shape of a lyre) to all students who do participate in the marching band. Because this program will add responsibilities to the band directors, additional compensation was approved totalling $580 for both men. Dodds noted School Budget Restraint Continues A second year of serious program and staff reductions will get under way for McHenry elementary school pupils Mon­ day, Aug. 31. Superintendent of schools, Richard Farmer, stated that the financial deficit which escalated to crisis proportions during the 1979-80 school year is responding favorably to the emergency measures taken by the school board in the spring of that term. Those measures were to give official lay-off notices to 19 professional staff members and to more than 40 other employees in non-certified jobs. Also or­ dered was sufficient other per­ sonnel reassignments and budget cuts to prevent bankruptcy and stop all deficit expenditures. Farmer reports that the deficit previously created is being retired and the district should be out of red ink in a few years given the present economic conditions of local tax income and govern­ mental aid. The superintendent stated emphatically that improvement in the financial position of the district is due to the program and personnel cuts rather than to significant increases in taxes or state aid. "Our increases from multiplying assessed values and state aid is only allowing us to pay for the very basic education now offered in the district and to begin retiring the operational deficit", said Supt. Farmer. The district has eliminated all art teachers, all vocal music teachers, all guidance coun­ selors, all junior high school home economics and industrial arts teachers and all assistant principals. Also cut was one of two instrumental music teachers, one of two school nurses, two full time administrators, and one- third of all custodial personnel, in addition to all classroom teacher aides. that in order for the marching for­ mations to work properly they needed numbers in the band and they would like to see it reach the size of 80. Although approving the concept, board members expressed some concerns. President Ed Neumann asked Swartzloff, "Why didn't you do this years ago when we had 600 more kids to draw from?" Swartzloff responded .that the program was available then but on a curriculum basis and there were scheduling problems so underclassmen were unable to participate. It's now open to freshmen on up for all band students. He; id the ^administrative staff thought it was now worth a try again and they needed more people for a good marching band. This prompted Ms. Zid to recall her four years in a high school marching band and missed opportunities to at­ tend events with her friends. She commented, "I question the educational value of marching. I wonder if this is the way which $580 is to be spent to develop music. It would be better spent on traditional (band) music programs." Swartzloff claimed, "Part of this proposal meets your concerns (em­ phasizing music)." Ms. Zid continued, "I can't see pretty formations on McCracken field." She said the stands, even the press box were not high enough. All people could see would be the front rosty,<of the band.) Dodds explained, "We're not going so (Continued on page 16) Guilty Plea On Morals Charge Former Prairie Grove Village President David L. Masters pleaded guilts Wednesday to. a charge erf con­ tributing to the sexual delinquency of a child. Judge Warren Fox, presiding over the 19th Judicial Circuit Branch court, assessed a fine of $500 against Masters and placed him on probation for one year. The court stipulated psychiatric evaluation of Masters under the court services direction. Masters, of 3120 S. Barreville road, Crystal Lake, has been free on $50,000 bond since his early July arrest on a charge of taking indecent liberties with a child. The file on the charge against Masters was impounded by the court at the request of the state's attorney's office to protect the victim in the case. Cyclist Dies In Crash SHAW MCOIA NEWS SERVICE Gilbert H. Anderson III, 33, of Fountain lane, McHenry, was pronounced dead Tuesday at the scene of an accident involving his motorcycle and a vehicle driven by 28-year-old Dennis J. Burmeister of Schaumburg. The crash occurred on Rt. 31, north of Virginia road, near Algonquin. Algonquin police and fire depart­ ments, in addition to McHenry County sheriff's police, responded to the ac­ cident. The motorcycle caught fire after the collision and firemen extinguished the blaze. Sheriff's police report that statements from witnesses and physical evidence at the accident scene indicates both vehicles were south­ bound when the motorcycle went onto the shoulder of the road and then started a U-turn in front of the Bur­ meister vehicle. Burmeister is reported to have braked and swerved his vehicle but was unable to avoid the collision, police said. McHenry County Sheriff's police (Continued on page 16) Does the thought of going bock to school disappoint or excito you? (This question was asked of McHenry area young people gathered at the new Kcm park pool this past wiftk. Other pictures and comments appear in the special Back-To-School sup­ plement to this issue of the Plaindealer.) Photo* by Anthony Oliver Interview* by Joal Wakittch • x ' "M > M ,'j* DON ADAMS Junior High "School sort of excites me because I get to meet new friends." LISA MOORE Junior High "I'm happy to see my friends, but school itself is pretty boring." DAVID FLATHAU Parkland - "They give you too much homework and now they'll make me study." TOM HUNTER Edgebrook "I'm excited because it's boring at home and I like gym class." BUTCH AISSEN East Campus "I'll love to see all my teachers and give them a hassle. They always yell." Back To School News Special Supplement Today's Plaindealer FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition Reorganize Administration Marian High School Page 5