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Santa Arrives! It was a big day in the park last Saturday when Santa made his first appearance in McHenry. Along with Mrs. Santa, he is shown distributing candy to local youngsters. Excitement ran high, and all through the afternoon, little ones paid the Ug man In the red suit a visit inside his cheery hut. He will return again Saturday, Dec. It, from 1 to3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, McHenry's 1981 Christmas theme, "Home for the Holidayfc", combines the magic of visiting Santa in the park, with some top-notch bargains for mom and dad at the skate-sled-toboggan exchange sponsored by the city's park district. Pete Merkel, director of the Park district, announced that the expanded sale will provide a wide variety of winter sports gear for parents looking for good condition skates, sleds, and toboggans in different sizes, or to fit a growing family's changing needs. Beginning at 12:30 p.m. the Parks and Recreations department staff will accept the equipment for resale or exchange in the Pearl street park picnic shelter. The sale will begin at 1 p.m. and conclude at 3 p.m. Santa will be in his cozy hut from 1 to 3 as well, and will be listening to the wishes of McHenry's youngsters, while mom an<J dad find some choice buys and, enjoy the caroling of the St. Mary's boys' choir, the Marioleers. Coffee, hot chocolate, and doughnuts add the final STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD festive touch. Throughout the holiday season, McHenry merchants, the city , and the Chamber of Commerce, have worked to present the charm of a small town Christmas with the variety of larger shopping centers, proving once again that there's no place like "home for the holidays". - \ MCHENRY PLAINDEALER •SERVING fjflfJB,£JiAIN• O-LAKES REGION SINGE. 1875" VOLUME 106 NUMBER 40 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16.1981 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 25' Oppose Land Use Proposal by Anthony Oliver A petition before the City of McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) met with stern opposition from four area businessmen last Friday afternoon at city hall. The petition, brought to the ZBA by Crystal Lake realtor John Fuller, sought Zoning ordinance variations to permit the construction of a one-story building, from the southwest corner of Green and Elm street to the alley Last week a call to our desk brought tout of an early morning lethargy len the voice on the other end of the e said an eagle was sitting in her tjee. Indeed, it was. When the photographer arrived he found the huge bird higjh in the tree and it refused to budge. No amount of noise and "flapping" on his part would encourage the proud flyer to leave his roosting place. A few days later it was a parrot in Cooney Heights. The normally saucy, green bird had visited the home the previous week and feasted on food thrown for the birds. After an absence of several days he returned. But as our conversation continued, the lady of the house looked out and he had departed. On the same day, in the mail, there was a booklet from the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C., on Winter Survival which we intend to share with our readers as winter progresses. It occurred to us that the eagle and parrot might need the advice more than we do at this time. Weather-the universal conversation piece - is something that will never satisfy everyone. Drivers have been happy with the late fall weather to date. Certainly pre- Christmas planners like those who carry out the Pearl street park ac­ tivities, or who depend on snow-free roads for holiday concert audiences, should feel some relief that we have escaped the fury of Mother Nature. But for store owners, there is another consideration. In our inquiries, we have learned that some merchants were not happy with November sales. Another (Continued on page 14) abutting the George M. Justen & Son funeral home. According to Fuller, the architecture of the proposed structure would be similar to that of the McHenry State bank. Registering as objectors to the petition were Mark Justen, Donald Doherty, Bruce Koepke and Robert Smith. ZBA member Fred Kupstis asked to be excused from the hearing, citing a possible conflict of interest considering his employment with McHenry State bank. Fuller testified that he has owned the corner property for about eight or 10 years, having purchased it from the Justen family. The petitioner told the board that a furniture store had been built on the property, but burned to the ground prior to the purchase of the property. One of the variations sought is to allow the construction of the building to the property line, which would be in keeping with other buildings on the block. In response to a question from ZBA Chairman James Fouse, Fuller noted that the foundations of the old furniture store were still visible. Fuller noted that to meet the requirements of the zoning ordinance, any building constructed would have to be much smaller than what he had envisioned. Presently, Fuller said, the vacant lot is being used as a parking lot for bank employees and he said that im­ provement on the parcel would help ease traffic congestion at the corner. Fuller explained that he had con­ sulted with a person from a state high­ way department who had surveyed the parcel on his own time. The tran­ sportation official, he said, concurred that this location was probably not the most ideal place for a parking lot. "The less cars pulling out of this lot, the better it would be," Fuller said. Fouse also noted that according to the zoning ordinance, the planned structure would require 23.8 parking spaces. The petition calls for no off-street parking. The four objectors present were unanimous in their concern over this single factor. Fouse also asked if a single, 10.6-foot service area at the rear of the lot would be sufficient to service six small businesses. Fuller commented that the building could also be used for professional offices as well. "Have you considered a two-story building with some parking?" Fouse asked. J "We could go with that," Fuller said. "But, we still think that parking is a hazard and that is why I'd like to go witt} a longer, stretched-out building." ZBA member Suzanne Kauss asked if a fire wall would have to be built to protect a neighboring building, Bolger's Drug store. Fuller pointed out that he would have to comply with whatever the fire codes required. Annie Cuda, ZBA member, asked if service trucks would not also create a traffic problem at the corner. Fuller replied that the problem (Continued on page 14) A representative of the Prevention Resources Network (PRN) addressed committee members at the first meeting of the McHenry Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Planning committee, which met last week. Larry Didier, of PRN, which is af­ filiated with Northern Illinois university, provided a model and made suggestions which the committee may use in the development of preventive programs concerning drug and alcohol abuse. The committee was developed from a need recognized by McHenry High School District 156 as involving a community approach to the promotion of health and primary prevention of drug and alcohol abuse. According to West Campus Principal Gregory Johnson, the community in­ volvement approach was an outgrowth of a high school committee which received approval from the school board. The program, he added, is aimed at promoting healthy attitudes towards the use of drugs and alcohol. In subsequent meetings, the com- of the community and determine what programs would be necessary to achieve a desired change in the present condition. A plan is expected to be presented to the high school board in February. Committee members include representatives of the student body, Chamber of Commerce, Family Ser­ vice and medical personnel, parents, law enforcement and local government They are: Ms. Alice Arneson, Tom Boyd, Larry Didier, of PRN; Greg Johnson, West campus principal; Ms. Kate Hamilton, A1 Jourdan, McHenry county auditor; Ms. Susan Low, Ms. Jackie Mansholt, department of Family Services; Don Meyer, Charles Neugebauer, Ms. Vicki Osness, George Pasenelli, chief of McHenry police; Mrs. Eleanor Pawlikowski, Ms. Debbie Pockat, Frank Rhode, Dr. James Skopec, Mrs. Jacie Smith, Joseph Stanek, mayor; Mrs. Mae Stinespring, RonSvoboda, Jeff Wallace, Mrs. Karen Wheeler and Norb Wolter, District 156. Con Game At Holiday Time With the advent of the holiday season, warnings have been received by the City of McHenry Police department from other law enforcement agencies that "con game" operations have been noted in northern Illinois. McHenry Police Chief George R. Pasenelli urged McHenry area residents to be particularly wary of someone who alleges to be a "bank examiner" juvd asks to withdraw money. Typically, the examiner will take the person's money back into the bank, supposedly to re-deposit. The con man then slips out another door and is never seen again. The chief commented that this type of scam is flexible and can be geared to the holiday season. The chief pointed out that the primary target of the operation is the elderly resident. He advised McHenry area residents to notify the police department of anything suspicious. Head-On Crash Injures Two Park District Vote Loses SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE In a close vote Sunday, the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners association (WLMPOA) retained control of the Wonder Lake dam, scrapping a proposal to create a park district in order to raise funds for dam repair. Following presentations by Crystal Lake attorneys Jim Bishop and Rich Flood, the formation of a park district was defeated by a three-vote margin, 40-37. The association, however, did vote to take initial steps to begin repairs. The WLMPOA approved a contract with the Waukesha, Wis., engineering consulting firm of Donahue and Associates for the phase two study. Dan Lau, who spoke on behalf of the firm, said the study will include repairing the rip-rap and embankments, developing a maintenance plan and measuring the spillway capacity. A preliminary analysis of the sluice gates also will be made, Lau said. The estimated cost is $22,000. Secondly, the Master association directors were authorized to negotiate a contract for the replacement of both sluice gates, with a price limitation of $90,000 to $120,000. The gates would be installed pending approval by the state and in accordance with the engineering plan. The association was also given the authority to borrow up to $150,000 to pay for the gates. According to President Ed Beard, the Wonder Lake State bank has approved a line of credit. Progress is important since the sluice gates are deteriorating rapidly. In a slide presentation by Craig Pfannkuche, delegate from Highland (Continued on page 14) Volunteers from the McHenry Rescue Squad and Fire department clean the roadway following a head-on collision Sunday evening on Lincoln road. Bottom, one of the cars involved in the accident had extensive front end damage. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORp Two drivers were injured in a head- on collision that occurred at 7:55 p.m Sunday, Dec. 13, on Lincoln road, near Woodlawn Park. According to McHenry County Sheriff's police, Scott R. Johnson, of Cary, was driving east on Lincoln road when he took the curve too wide and struck a westbound auto. The driver of the westbound auto was Pamela L. Roberts, of Algonquin The McHenry Area Rescue squad and Company 1 fire fighters responded to the scene. Both drivers were tran­ sported to McHenry hospital for examination and treatment of repor­ tedly minor injuries. One of two drivers involved in a collision Dec. 9 on High street at Dale, was issued four citations by the McHenry Police department. Gregory V Murphy, of 3902 High street. McHenry, was cited for disobeying a stop sign, improper lane usage, failure to signal a right turn and driving with unsafe tires following a collision with an auto driven by Elaine M. Browne, of 22517 Grange road. Marengo. Ms Browne told police she was driving west on High street, ap- (Continued on page 14) Rescue Child From Lake by Anthony Oliver The scene was set perfectly - a weekend day, four children playing on the ice, a relatively warm night before, and crash, one child through the ice. With the prompt aid of bystanders, a possible tragedy was averted this weekend on Pistakee Lake, near the Oak Park hotel, where the scene described actually happened. The child who went through the ice^was pulled from the cold water and brought to shore. The other three children ran to a small island, not too far from where they had been playing. It was left to members of the John- sburg Rescue squad to make their way to the island and back with the youngsters. Squad members Don Bentz and Greg Burg tied two boats together and pushed them across the ice to the island. With the children in the boats, the two headed for terra firma. On the way back, however, there was another break in the ice and squad member Burg went through. Shortly thereafter, all reached land safely. In McHenry this weekend, a 16-year- old bicyclist went through the ice of McCullom Lake, bringing immediate response from McHenry police. Fire and Rescue squad personnel. The water was hip deep and treat­ ment was refused. However, these events and those that could happen, have prompted McHenry Police Chief George Pasenelli and McHenry County Sheriff's department Crime Prevention Officer Joseph Eisele to advise area residents to use extreme caution when going out on the ice. "Personally, I feel that it is a little early yet for skating," Dep. Eisele said Chief Pasenelli urged residents to stay off the ice of McCullom Lake, and more important, the river, until it is thick enough to be safe. Dep. Eisele suggested that parents check the ice and set limits before allowing children to skate or play on lake or river ice. "At the very least, someone should know when children are going to be on the ice and keep an eye out." Dep Eisele said. "Safety first, it's not going to hurt." Initiate Meetings For Drug, Alcohol Abuses Village Hall Opens Last Minute Christmas Supplement Keep Holiday Trees Fresh At Sunnyslde Super Bargains T i m e l y T i p s r v' ' Page 5 Part o f this issue P a g e 1 3 V