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> "SERVING THE CHAIN O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" • ' . " 5 ! - . r • ' • T • VOLUME 107 NUMBER 41 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1982 2 SECTIONS 22 PAGES Consider Future Of Chain-Fox Commission #nrtea an «**$reen on the family wood, an art at which ike has became It was considered along with her numerous other skiffe lb capturing tor thfe iS-year-tffilgiH one of six national awards in the 4-H Forestry program presented at the National 4-H Congress held in Chicago. CTAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Following A 4-H Tradition When 15-year-old Susan Thompson of Greenwood road captured one of six national awards in the 4-H Forestry program, she was following in the footsteps of her two older brothers. Susan was also maintaining a 4-H leadership tradition that started many years ago when her mother became active in the program as a youngster. That activity brought the former Charlotte Hogan of Ringwood the first 4-H queen crown in McHenry county. One of the loudest cries to be heard when less money became available at the federal level focused on the tightening of money for college students. Some of the complaints may well have legitimacy; others do not. As the new school year got under way, nearly seven million college students were looking to the federal government for about $7 billion in student aid to help finance their educations. Experience tells us that a fifth of them will earn less than a C, or 2.0 grade point average, by graduation day next year. \ The finger points to abuse of federal student aid programs at many of the post secondary institutions. Take the example of one student who received more than $4,200 in federal aid to get a degree in social science at a four-year public university. It took him five years. He took 13 physical education classes, including Cped Billiards, Coed Bowling and Coed Jogging. His best grades were independent study courses known as Sexuality and the Male 4Athlete and Behavior of the Christian vs. Non-Christian Child. The young man drew 4 F's, 11 D's, withdrew from eight courses and had agrade point average of less than a C. Tbe school waived its standards to let htm graduate. While ne was not the average sgident receiving help, neither was he the exception. 'Another student in a private four- year college received $15,587 in aid over five years and earned 65 semester hours and a D average. During the five years his grade (lonimuod on page 12) Recently, Susan received a $1,000 scholarship at the 61st National 4-H Congress in Chicago. Selected by the Cooperative Ex­ tension Service, winners were presented their awards by In­ ternational Paper company, the program sponsor. Awards are arranged by National 4-H council. Susan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Thompson, is a high school sophomore and plans a career in public relations in the forestry ind­ ustry. The McHenry county girl learned to plant, prune, thin and shear trees. "I understand the importance of clear cutting, selective cutting and reforestation," she said. "I watched a project of three acres of abandoned farmland grow to 20 acres of managed tree plantation with hardwoods, pine timber, post wood, Christmas trees and seedlings." "Owning forest land is more than just planting and harvesting trees. I know that forestry management decisions can affect an entire com­ munity for many, many years." As a result, the seven-year 4-H'er learned about soil management practices to prevent soil erosion and water pollution when logging. "The skid row plan I developed for logging purposes received a merit award in county judging," she said. "The brush pile covers I built to enhance wildlife protection was another merit award winner." Susan has marketed Christmas trees and wreaths and also sold fuel wood and pulp wood, netting a profit on her project. She has learned and met requirements of the American Tree Farm system to become a certified tree farmer. She has given numerous demon­ strations and served as a junior leader. Susan, a sophomore in Woodstock high school, has found time apart from her 4-H activities to serve as a class officer both years. She is also a varsity swimmer, a pom pon girl, and a 'B' plus student. When she won her national award in Chicago, it was added to the family accomplishments of brother, Bob, now 22, and Steve, 20, both of whom had similar success in the forestry program. Bob graduated with a major in electronics and is now working in the field of nuclear medical equipment. Steve is a junior at the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater. About 10 years ago, as young boys, (Continued on pogo 12) by Anthony Oliver The continued existence of the Chain O'Lakes-Fox River commission was brought into question at the last meeting, held Dec. 9 in Fox Lake. That question will be addressed at the next meeting. A commission created by the state legislature, the Chain O'Lakes-Fox River commission is the only advisory body that lobbies for state and federal monies to benefit the Chain and the Fox river. Plagued by studies and little action, the commission has questioned the need for its existence. "I'm not going to chair any com­ mission that does another study," said Sen. Jack Schaffer (R-Cary), com­ mission chairman. "It's more obvious today that we must either pull our­ selves out of the silt by our own boots traps... or do nothing." Schaffer pointed out that a "clear picture" of government support for the Chain and the Fox had already been painted. The federal government might be coaxed into limited support, but the state's ability to help has been "dramatically deteriorated" in light of recent flooding and budget cuts across the board. Support and management of the Chain and Fox rioter would more likely have to come from a consortium of local govern­ mental bodies in McHenry and Lake counties. "From my perspective, we either have to take another look at '1174' or freely admit that nothing will, be done," Schaffer said. Known as SB 1174, a bill passed the senate which would create a water management agency for the Chain and Fox river. Trie agency would be funded by boat user fees and the bill called for 75 percent of the fees to be used for "hands-on" projects -- dredging, «aqp*nction and the like. Schaffer noted that there were flaws in the bill and said SB 1174 was sent to the senate only to bring the matter up for discussion. Objections to the bill ranged from a lack of a ceiling on the user fees, objection to the fees themselves, to the claim that an existing govern­ mental body should assume the responsibility, rather than create another. To that end, the commission sent letters to 21 anvernment officials in McHenry and Lake counties and received six written responses and one verbal. Five of the six written responses said the government en­ tities were indeed concerned, were interested in a consortium but could not guarantee funding to support such an idea. The verbal response from the City of Fox Lake was also in line with this train of thought. One written response, from the City of McHenry, indicated that the city was interested in the consortium and would contribute funds to its support. Other governmental units contacted included the McHenry County Con­ servation district, the Lake County board, the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation district, the McHenry township board and the Nund%jjoy?n9mp board. are/interested, all are con­ cerned afitf all have limited budgets," Schaffer said. "If we look at the mandate of the commission we have three options," Schaffer said. "We can do studies and fumble around, say 'phooey' and disband or we car rewrite 1174, eliminating the problems and en­ courage local governments to par­ ticipate." Commission members Sen. Karl Berning (R-Deerfield) and Rep. Richard Klemm (R-Crystal Lake) advocated drafting an improved version of SB 1174 and resubmitting it to the legislature. In favor of maintaining some lob­ bying group, Berning said, "We have to lobby. Anything of any semblance of benefit to our area will have to be done locally. The user concept is the only way to go and welr^ allused to it. Locally, we have to get "something done every year." "I'm in favor of trying 1174 again," Klemm said. "I would hate to abandon everything." Concerning the proposed boat fees, Schaffer said that a ceiling on the fees could easily be written into SB 1174. He noted that the most vocal op­ position to the fees came not from the boat owners, rather from the business community along the Fox river and the Chain, particularly the taverns and the marinas. Business owners on the waterways charged that the boat fees would drive boaters from the Fox and the Chain, to areas where no fees existed. The Fox river and the Chain O'Lakes are more , heavily used by recreational boaters than any other area of the state, with the exception of the Mississippi river and Lake Michigan. Noting this intensive use of the. Chain and the Fox, Schaffer pointed to the results of a survey sent out by the commission in rebuttal of the ob­ jection. The survey had been sent to property and business owners along the various waterways but also to registered boat owners, many of whom live more toward Chicago. Schaffer said that, by and large, the boet owners were not opposed to paymg a user fee and would support the idea. The question of what to do about SB 1174 will be addressed at the next meeting of the Chain O'Lakes-Fox river commission, which is expected some time in January, 1983. Reorganization Of Student Assignments In Johnsburg A surge in the elementary school population for School District 12, Johnsburg, resulted in the board of education considering and approving a reorganization plan for student assignment over the next four years at Tuesday's meeting. Starting the next school year, ac­ cording to superintendent/ Dr. Duane Andreas, only the 45 first graders will be housed in the Ringwood school. Not too long ago the board had considered closing Ringwood completely because of a projected decline in elementary enrollment. Now the decline appears to be in the upper grades. The long range plan adopted by the board was No. 4 of four alternatives presented by the administration. Dr. Andreas noted that planning began when a demographer hired by the district had discovered a bulge in the school population line about four or (Continued on pogo 12) Study Alternative Methods Of Financing Dam Repairs SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE Alternative methods of financing an estimated $400,000 to $500,000 worth of repairs slated for the Wonder Lake dam during the next five to 10 years, were considered at a meeting Sunday of the Wonder Lake Master Property Owner's association (WLMPOA). Donald Coumbe, treasurer of the association, told the directors Sunday that, contrary to past legal opinions^ he believes the special service- tax area represents a workable method of financing dam repairs. ^ I He said that when the dani com­ mittee explored the idea in 1981/it was felt a special service area could not be established since the lake and dam are privately owned. But Coumbe is convinced now that there is a substantial public purpose: flood control. And he believes repairs are in the best interest of the farmers and homeowners below the dam. He asked the board for up to $500 for legal fees and a committee to in­ vestigate the matter. The directors and fellow officers were hesitant. » "All together, we've been arguing over one gimmick or another in ex­ cess of two years," said Frank Higgins, director of Wonder Center subdivision. "A private lake cannot be maintained with public, funds." Higgins argued that the opinions by Chicago attorney Louis Ancel and Lynn Tolle Burger, economic development specialist with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs, supported his opinion. "We're wasting our time and wasting our money if we spend another $500," Higgins said. Coumbe disagreed. He is afraid that continuing the $10-per-lot-per-acre (Continued on pog« 12) Await Change In Presidency Trey Covalt, right, gets the feel of gavel he will be using when he assumes the presidency of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors in January. Retiring president, Bryce Klontz, is shown at left. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD by Anthony Oliver Three incumbent members of tfie McHenry Area Chamber of Com­ merce board of directors were reelected to three-year terms and five new directors will be seated on the board in January. Incumbents Carol Nelson, Charles Neugebauer and Robert Schaefer retained their positions by a vote of the Chamber membership. Newly elected directors include Brian Cunat, Michael Cajthaml and Jack Spellman, who assume three-year terms. Dr. Frederick Hult will fill the unexpired term of Bryce Klontz ana tieorge Lane will take the seat vacated by Barbara Gilpin. Hult and Lane will serve one-year terms. According to Chamber Executive Director Frances Olson, the Dec. 14 meeting of the board served as an orientation meeting for the new directors. They will be seated on the board at the meeting scheduled for Jan. 11. 1983. Chamber officers for the next term ^include Trey Covalt, president; Susan sow, vice-president; Charles N\ugebau6r, vice-president; and Keith Leathers, secreiary-ireasurer. Mrs. Olson also pointed out that under the restructuring of the Chamber of Commerce, councils representing various aspects of the business community (professional, industrial, etc.) will be working in the coming year. These councils will arrange for speakers and luncheons that deal with issues of concern to the various groups. The councils will also play a larger role in the planning for the 1983 Trade Fair, set for April 8-10, and Fiesta Days, July 22-31. Dec. 23 Blood Drawing increased Holiday Need Section 'Z, Page 1 Santa To Area's Needy Wonder Lake Man Section i, rage 5 FREE TV Quideln Today's Edition