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y.i- rV ' ("(h :rv' e ,: » : ,' ' > » I' - • & • ;• :; •••: » >( • • * ,'A* ' , / •. ' ' ** gt'i&f .:•'•••' ;r ': ' •KfiJi ' - 7 s • ^ i||||2 lilNcIL, - . .*>v"' ; .mWrn :~m&£ i ;.v • , Heated Discussion On City Policy Having fun with the snow they are unaccustomed to seeing in their native Lima, Peru, are Roxa Ruiz and Karen Cuhaa, pictured in center. The girlt are spending 10 weeks to McHenry by way of the American Youth Exchange. Baxa, who is attending West campus, is staying with the Thomas Hankins family. Karen, who is at Eas^ campus, b residing with the Joe Podpora family. Stephanie Hankins is shown at left and Lvnne Podpora ft right. Any student enrolled In Spanish has an opportunity to spend the summer in South America, hut the deadline Is March IS. For more information about the exchange program, Miss Baldwin may be contacted at 385-1145. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD by Anthony Oliver Six proposed revisions of water line extension policy, sent to committee by Mayor Joseph Stanek, sparked a long, arid sometimes heated, debate at Wednesday night's meeting. The issue began with a challenge to the committee report written by Utilities committee chairman George Harker. A committee member, Alderman Michael Wieser, said there were factual errors in four of the six items on the report. "I have been on the council for 11 years and have never lied and I'm not going to start now," Alderman Harker said. Alderman Raymond Smith, who attended the meeting, said that when he saw the report, it was the exact op­ posite of what went on at the committee meeting. "Maybe I don't understand English," Smith said. "I distinctly listened to George (Harker) and Liz (Nolan) and this is not what was said while I was there." Alderman Harker pointed out that Alderman Smith left the meeting early and added that there was much discussion after he departed. Alderman Cecilia Serritella com­ mented that she stayed for the entire meeting and came away with the Opinion that only one of the proposals would be recommended. The gist of the Stanek proposals is simply to require the benefitted property owner to pay all costs in ex­ tending a service line from the main, in the public domain, to the private property. Stanek argued that this was consistent with city policy that has been followed for many years. Taking an opposing view, Wieser said the problem boils down to a question of interpretation. Wieser said the or­ dinance, as it stands, was adequate. The third committee member. Alderman Liz Nolan (1st ward) said she felt the property owner should not bear the expense of running the water line through the public easement. "Since the city forces the owner to use city water, the city should bear the expense," Mrs Nolan said Alderman Jack Pepping noted that he lived in a subdivision where there was no water service. "If the city extended a main and the main was on the other side of the street, would you compel me to run the service line under the street?" Pepping asked. "I've just tried to protect the tax­ payer," Stanek said. Alderman Smith said he had been on the council since 1961, with the ex­ ception of four years, and commented that it was accepted practice that the city pay for the service line extension to the property line. "In three separate votes, one of which overrode your veto, the council has decided that, with existing lines, the city shall pay to the property line," Smith addressed the mayor. Alderman Nolan removed her second of an earlier motion that the committee recommendations be adopted and the matter failed for lack of a second. A suggestion that a committee i MB - 1 Meanderin It wouldn't seem logical that the average, nice individual could enjoy the discomfort of someone arrested for anything but the most heinous crime, even if it meant that justice was being served. But that was yesterday. Although 'enjoy' may be too strong a term, it must be admitted that many otherwise nice people are feeling good/ not only about the apprehension of criminals but of the punishment they are assessed today. Twice in recent days this has hap­ pened to young people in our own community, and twice they have had to pay in one way or the other. The most recent culmination of a occurred in Small Claims courU-. i a judgment in the amount of $993, phis court costs, were assessed against the father of an Elementary District 15 boy for vandalism at Edgebrook and McHenry Junior high schools last Dec. 8. It was necessary for the school district to replace glass breakage in the amount of $1,986. The family of another youth involved paid half of the expense immediately and he later served as a witness in court. Earlier this month, a Neighborhood Watch combined vigilance with knowledge of snow tracking to lead them to the home of a young burglar in a subdivision to the north of McHenry. It took the cooperation of everyone involved, and a special attention to happenings around them, to bring success to their assignment. Neighborhood Watches are gaining in popularity, largely out of necessity. Even with increased police forces in some areas, the number of petty thefts (Continued on page 16) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER ' 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 " VOLUME 106 NUMBER 59 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1982 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 25' Debate Station Agent Future by Anthony Oliver Stressing the advisory role of the county Transportation committee, county board members Edward Buss and Clint Claypool noted that the committee has no control over Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) spending in the county. Claypool was responding to a statement made by RTA general manager, Bernard Ford, who said he saw no reason why the RTA board would go against the recommendations of the county. Ford also said, at a meeting in McHenry, that the people seeking to retain the station agent should address their concerns to ttie county Transportation committee. A former Transportation committee member, Claypool said the committee plays a "minor part" in the final out­ come of any decision. "The RTA respects our dollars but not our suggestions," Claypool ob­ served. "As a committee and county board member," Buss commented, I have to look at a wider picture. I have to act in the interests of the total citizenry." "Woodstock and Harvard want trains, Harvard Crystal Lake and Marengo have dial-a-ride, and so on," Buss said. Buss noted figures received from James Macdonald, of the Chicago and North Western (CNW), which showed that in 1980, the average ridership from the McHenry station was 171. In Oc­ tober of 1981, the average ridership was 123 people who boarded the train in McHenry. "Of those people, 90 to 95 percent buy monthly tickets and never use the ticket agent," Buss said. He added that if the trade area around McHenry was considered, which includes about 20,000 people, then less than one percent of that population used the train from McHenry and a much smaller percentage used the ticket agent. "You can't call for reform in Downers Grove, in Mount Prospect, in Arlington Heights and not in McHenry," Buss said. The CNW has said a savings of about $26,000 would be realized if the ticket agent were removed. Those in favor of some sort of ticket agent service, part-time or whatever, have argued that when an agent is removed, the station declines, service declines, ridership declines and the station is then closed. "I don't think I can argue with that," Buss said. "Personally, as a man who has a business two doors away, I am the last person who would want to see the station closed." "I ani flexible and I can change my mind," Buss commented. "But, they're (agent proponents) going to have to give me some pretty convincing arguments." In a letter from Transportation mittee chairman John Murphy to Henry Mayor Joseph Stanek, it was :ed thai the county committee had met with the Municipal association Transportation committee and would do so in the future. Murphy said the RTA staff was developing background information on cost and operational structures for the various transit programs in the county. "When sufficient material is available to form the basis of meaningful discussion, the two tran­ sportation committees can again meet in an attempt to jointly agree on the future form and extent of transit ser­ vice in the county," the letter said. Claypool said the RTA would (Continued on page 16) meeting be held to deal with the policy issue was rejected by Utilities com­ mittee chairman George Harker. "There is no point in a special meeting," Harker said. "The consensus is to leave the ordinance as is." Alderman Pepping said there was amibiguity in the ordinance that should be resolved. He argued that the two situations, existing lines versus those extended by the city, may require different treatment. City Attorney NaruSis pointed out that if the council's intent varied with his trained, legal interpretation of the ordinance, then there is ambiguity and the council "should clean up its act." The matter was dropped without action at Wednesdav night s meeting. Voter League: "Meet The Candidates" The Crystal Lake-Cary and Wood- stock-McHenry Leagues of Women Voters and the McHenry County Defenders will sponsor "Meet the Candidates" Tuesday, Feb 23. at 7:30 p.m. at the Branded Steak House, Rt. 14 and Rt. 31 in Crystal Lake. Everyone is invited. All candidates for the Illinois Senate from the 32nd and 33rd districts, as well as for the Illinois House of Represen­ tatives from the 63rd, 64th and 65th districts have been invited to par­ ticipate. The candidates for the 32nd senatorial district are Sen Jack Schaffer, Republican, Cary; Rep. Donald Deuster, Republican, Mun- delein; and Darlene Degenhardt, Democrat, McHenry. In the 33rd John Friedland, Republican, Elgin, is running unopposed. Candidates for the 63rd represen­ tative district are Rep Dick Klemm, Republican, Crystal Lake; James Bishop, Republican, Crystal Lake; and Frank McClatchey, Democrat, McHenry. For the 64th they are Rep. James Kelley, Republican, Rockford; Ronald Wait, Republican, Belvidere; and Judith Weiher, Democrat, Belvidere In the 65th Rep. Jill Zwick, Republican, Dundee, and Robert Kudlicki, Republican, Hampshire, seek office. Following introductions, each can­ didate will present a three-minute (Continued on page 16) Council Okays Schlack IDRB Request by Anthony Oliver A request to the McHenry City Council for Industrial Development Revenue bonds for a company located outside the city limits was approved by a 7 to 2 vote at Wednesday night's regular meeting. The request, made by Fred Schlack, owner of Custom Composites, Inc., 4506 W. Hi Point road, McHenry, prompted considerable discussion among council members. Realizing the precedent-setting nature of the issue, Finance committee chairman Jack Pepping had suggested that Schlack make some contribution to the city, if the municipality were to authorize the issuance of the low- interest, tax-free bonds. At a previous meeting, Alderman Pepping reported that Schlack had balked at the request for a $3,000 contribution, which was roughly equivalent to the capital development charges that would accrue if the business were located in the city limits. Aid. Pepping reported that the matter had been resolved at a meeting called by the Economic Development commission (EDC). Schlack had recognized the value of the precedent and had offered $1,500 fpr the use of the city's bonding power. "The EDC presented excellent rationale for the city to be open to development outside of the city," pepping said. He noted information presented at the meeting which showed the financial benefits of an increase in jobs ' As an example, an increase of 100 jobs would mean an increase in annual retail sales of $1,451,000 from which the city would derive at least some sales tax revenue. The increase in jobs would mean an increase of 351 people, living in 97 more households, making a total of about $2,440,000 in personal income annually. Grocery stores would realize a sales increase of $310,000; gasoline and service stations, $110,000; eating and drinking places, $128,000; etc. The information was provided by the state Chamber of Commerce. Expressing one of the two dissenting views, Alderman Michael Wieser (3rd ward) asked what the possible con­ sequences would be to issuing the bonds. Attorney Narusis said that if there was a default, the city would be party to any court action. The costs would in­ clude the legal fees involved in making sure the credit rating of the city is not impacted. Wieser also asked why Schlack did not approach the county for the bonds, since the county was the "proper" authority. "I don't like to see us overstep our bounds," Wieser said, adding that the council should concern itself with (Continued on page 16) MCHS Honors Graduates A McHenry doctor and a legislator, both deceased, have been selected by a seven-member committee as 'distinguished graduates' of McHenry Community high school. They are Dr. William Nye and Thomas A. Bolger. The committee also selected a lawyer, John Albin Anderson, Jr., and an editor, Adele Froehlich, as living graduates to receive similar awards. Voting took place last Monday by secret ballot, and only those receiving a unanimous vote of the six members were selected in this first year of competition. Norb Wolter, who serves as assistaht superintendent in District 156, was chairman of the committee. Speaking for its members, he said Tuesday morning that the committee regarded each of the 15 nominees as meriting serious consideration. Names not selected this year will remain in competition to be considered next year. The maximum number of persons to be recognized was set at 10 for the first year, and only five of these could be among the living. After the first year, a maximum of five will be selected each year, living or deceased. Wolter explained that the committee chose not to limit its selection to only success in a chosen field. Instead, he added, criteria also included impact on the community, service to humanity, inspiration to others, and difficulties overcome in attaining achievements. (Continued on page 16) Hold Medieval Festival M Baroque and medieval music was heard in the halls as John- sburg Junior high school took a day to live history. The theme was centered upon medieval Europe as students and faculty, appropriately attired, lived and acted out the days of old. Junior high school principal James Van Bosch said the idea for the project was rooted in class projects planned by social studies and literature classes, which were studying this period of history. The idea grew and more and more teachers and classes became involved. On Thursday, Feb. 11, the entire Junior high school took part in the pageantry and regalia that benefitted the era. The day's activities included a chess game, on a somewhat larger scale than usual, as the pieces were people who moved where the players directed on a SCENE FROM MEDIEVAL FESTIVAL chessboard laid out on the gymnasium floor. Shortly thereafter, students seated in the bleachers watched a moment of history as one of their number was made a knight. There was homeroom com­ petition in medieval games which included archery, a jousting-type activity, rope climbing, pyramid building and foot races. The junior high students also put on various plays and dances that stemmed from the earlier age. Each junior high grade was represented by a king and queen, who reigned with their bishops and attendants at a feast in the cafeteria. Each of the rooms was decorated in a manner that typified different aspects of life in medieval times. One room, for example, was an inn where games were played and minstrels performed. Another room depicted an apothecary's shop. complete with a skull and various primitive medical supplies. ' The day also included a per­ formance by the McHenry high school West campus madrigal singers. The public was invited and community participation was noted as parents and onlookers mingled with the students and faculty. Van Bosch said the film, "Robin Hood", was shown in November as a means of building interest in the project. "The idea was to have the students live the period they've been studying," Van Bosch said. "All 588 students had a chance to participate." Van Bosch commented, "If the key to the success of the program was dedication and commitment from the faculty, then I'm sure we'll be planning another one next year. It's the people who make things work." Ask Freeze On Filling Vacancies McHenry County Board Page 16 FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition McHenry Schools In Festival / Fox Valley Choral Event Page 16