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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER @ "SERVING THE CHA1N-0-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" | l VOLUME 107 NUMBER 39 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1982 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25' J Displaced Homemakers Program O f f e r s T r a i n i n g P a g e 1 4 Mental Health Funding Restored $5,000 includes some actual funds and cash equivalent items. A group of Alternative high school board members, represented by Ira Johnson, made a special appeal for continued funding in order to salvage some of the financial help from other sources which depend on evidence of local support for their continuation. High tuition charges, loss of CETA furfding, and reduced enrollment had jeopardized further existence of the high school program, and the 708 board had backed away from com- . mitting funds for its support for these reasons. Funds allotted after this last board action are $11,000, Ann Patla, assistant director of the 708 board, said. Funding for the family support program remained at the reduced figure of $1,000 as well as the elimination of money allotted for interest on tax anticipation warrants. County board members had assured the 708 board (hat if additional funds within the budget were needed to bridge the different fiscal years which the mental Tffealth programs en­ compass, the county would advance the money interest free. Because of differing fiscal periods the mental health program does not always have a consistent flow of money, according to executive director Dennis Smith. As a result the 708 board frequently had to issue tax anticipation warrants for these periods. Supplementary emergency funding was granted to Pioneer center following a special presentation by its directors. Thev exdained that the (Continued on page 22) B u s i n e s s - I n d u s t r y L u r e Focus On McHenry County A color video tape feature highlighting McHenry county as a most desirable location to live and work is now ready for circulation locally, nationally and even abroad. "The Quality of Life in McHenry County" was produced by the Economic Development Committee (EDC) of the county board, to attract new business and industry and to keep existing companies. A survey un­ dertaken by the EDC disclosed 37 percent of responding firms had been approached one or more times to consider relocation out of state. The idea to do a video tape came from the Illinois s Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, which works closely with the local EDC to promote new employment and a favorable business climate. Ac­ cording to Chairman Bill Hubbard, "Their representative told us this is the very best way to show what we have here and to create interest in a short time." The state agency has copies of the tape for national and international distribution. The narrative will be translated into German and Japanese for use in those nations. (Continued on page 22) FREE Trees For Conservation TV Guide In A v a i l a b l e F o r S p e c i f i c U s e s ' Today's Edition Page 4 How To Hold On To Your Money. by Anthony Oliver The yuletide season generally brings joy to the hearts of people throughout MeHenry and the country. So too, does it to those engaged in the art of theft. McHenry Police Chief George R. Pasenelli noted that people typically become more lax during the holidays and they carry a lot more money, all at a time when there is traditionally an increase in theft activity. One approach, to which women are particularly subject, occurs in the large grocery stores. Many women are inclined to leave their purses in a shopping cart as they scan the aisles for things to buy. Several police departments in the Chicago area have noted thefts of purses from unattended carts. "There is a group working the larger, chain stores," Pasenelli said. "It doesn't take much time, all you have to do is look away." In recent years, thieves were in search of cash and threw away credit cards, identification cards, checkbooks and the like.' "Now, there is a market for all of these things," Pasenelli pointed out. "Once they have the credit cards, checkbook and identification, they have everything they need to start cashing checks." The crime, known as deceptive practice, is on the rise. Pasenelli said there were known rings of people who specialize in cashing checks or making credit card purchases on stolen cards -- in addition to the "everyday" people who occasionally make a, mistake with their checkbooks. "We'll see a rise in the amount of shoplifting," Pasenelli said. "But, not to the same proportion as cities where the professional shoplifters work. McHenry is very fortunate that the business people know a lot of the residents by sight. The pros really stand out." The police chief commented that, more and more, business people tend to follow through by reporting instances of shoplif­ ting. "Shoplifting is a punishable offense," PasenelU said. "But the real punishment is the record that you'll carry with you for the rest of your life." This, he explained, is usually not taken in consideration by someone who is on the verge of stealing something, for whatever reason. What are the implications? For someone age 17 to 21 who is thinking about entering the service and gets caught shoplifting, the implications are serious. "You can't get a security clearance in the service if you have a record," Pasenelli said. "Most of the service training schools demand a security clearance." He also noted that few em­ ployment applications are without the question, "Have you ever been arrested?" The police record, as a young adult, -.will follow through the person's life. The Christmas season is also Jfcnown to police departments as a time when the number of thefts from homes and autos takes a step up. "There are three things that thieves don't like: light, noise and dogs," Pasenelli said. "We're trying to tell the people to do as much as they can to make the thief believe someone is home." Noting the early dusk and darkness hours, the chief suggested leaving an extra light and-or a radio on if someone is to be away from the home. "Double and triple check locks on all doors and windows," he said. The chief advocated the use of the deadbolt lock on doors and said there are devices sold commercially which act as a wedge on windows, preventing the window from being raised even if the lock is broken. "The thief would have to break the window and climb through broken glass," Pasenelli said. The chief also advised residents to avoid keeping large amounts of cash on hand, if possible. Safety deposit boxes, he added, are well worth the extra money and slight inconvenience for storing valuables. "Above all, use the buddy system...let your neighbors know when you're going to be away so they can keep an eye on yo»r home and then do the same for them,'*' he said. Thieves, too, are subject to the* video cassette recorder craze and more of these devices are being stolen from homes every day. At the very least, the chief said, note serial numbers of all valuable appliances and gadgets and keep, the list in a safe place. Photos of pieces of jewelry, etc., are useful, but etching initials, social security numbers, etc. into the appliances is perhaps the most useful deterrent. All these techniques assist the police in the investigation when items are stolen. Serial numbers, the chief noted, can be entered into the computer for use as positive identification when stolen goods are recovered. "We are very concerned about thefts of firearms from the home and advise people to keep an inventory of firearms and am­ munition," Pasenelli said. "When one is stolen, that means there is one more gun on the street in the hands of someone who probably should not have one." Pasenelli suggested that McHenry merchants be ever more mindful of shoplifters during the holiday season. He also urged more frequent trips to the bank so as not to have large amounts of cash in the store. "Call the police department if you're going to make an unescorted drop at the bank," Pasenelli said. "We'll be more (Continued on page 22) Christmas - 1582 Style The McHenry County Mental Health (708) board restored funding to two programs which they had cut earlier to stay within budget restraints im­ posed by the McHenry County board. The county board had reduced the proposed mental health budget and appropriation for the locally tax supported fund by $48,000 to the present total of $1,206,752 for the 1983 fiscal year effective Dec. 1. Mental health (708) board members at the last meeting restored $10,000 to the alternative high school program, and reinstated funding for the financial counseling program to $5,000. This had been cut to $1,062. The Chills down the spine are not un­ common with the approach of winter, but not all of them are caused by in­ creasingly cold winds. The economy of December, 1982, has been sufficient in itself to provoke chills. We are living through a time no one asked for - no one wanted - and to which no one would utter a hearty goodbye and close the door without a sigh of relief. The only good to come of such times may be memories, and they fade slowly. This is encouraging for they often have a way of bringing forth the better part of us. Just ask Waldo Poerschman. He is a friend of the Plaindealer staff who calls occasionally to share a happening. On Monday it was a request for the FISH organization number. "That sharing with others is something", he said with an emphasis that showed his sincerity. And then, after we had complied with his request, his story unfolded, a story he never expected to see in print. It was only after our con­ versation ended that we realized his was a story that should be shared. It was a story of Depression days and a particular incident that has remained indelible in his memory for almost a half century. It was his personal story of sharing, and at this Christmas season should be an inspiration to everyone who reads it. The month was July, the year 1932, and the Depression was anchored deeply throughout the country. Waldo Poerschman was a yoiing man sup­ porting a wife, a 2-year-old son, his parents-in-law and a brother-in-law on his $20-a-week salary. The money came from an 84-hour week job in a garage at Navy Pier. One day he was approached by a group of people he later found to be a family - parents and three children. They had eaten nothing all day and were in dire need. As their story unfolded, young Waldo learned they had left Ohio on (Continued on page 22) McHenry Police Sergeani Patrick Joyce (lefl) demonstrates one of the safer places for a man to carry a wallet, in order to avoid pickpockets. Police advise people to carry wallets either in the front pants pocket or the breast pocket of a coat. Virginia Jourdan (center) shows the Jim Knaack, left, Patty Schulaci, Cheryl Buchhollz and Bill Cassell will be pari 'of ihe annual Renaissance Madrigal dinners this Saturday, Dec. 11, and Sunday, Dec. 12, at West campus. The Madrigal singers will be joined by the singing 'Wenches', a recorder consort, and a brass quartet, to celebrate the 1582 Chrisimas feasi of Cornish hen, Yorkshire pudding, and flaming plum pudding. A jesier will be on hand 10 add a lighter touch to the festivities. Dinner reservations can be secured by calling 385-7077 or 385-0251. recommended manner to carry a purse. McHenry police advise carrying purses without straps, or not wrap the straps around one's wrist or arm, in order to avoid injury from purse-snatchers. Police pointed out that instances of pickpocketing and purse-snatching are rare in McHenry, but it is better to be safe. A more common means of jheft is being perpetrated in grocery stores, particularly the larger ones, where women often leave purses unattended in a shopping cart. This type of theft takes little time and it is easy for the thief to slip away, especially if the store is crowded. STAFF PHOTOS--WAYNE GAYLORD