The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

» \ mm Rachel Denied Remodel MunicipalV Building By Angela Burden ~ • W SHAW MECMA NEWS SERVICE Open Pilot Dental Clinic At Valley Hi Home Page 17 Village Abolishes The big hullabaloo is over and Chicago almost has a mayor for another four years. In the spirit of sportsmanship, let's look at the positive side as we relegate the anti-Washington factions to the low place on the totem pole they earned when the final votes were' counted. There are many happy people, but they are not Jane Byrne and her Jay. She said in advance that the votes in the wards her husband worked (with major discretion) would show at the polis, and maybe they did. In fairness, however, one must give Jay a big hand for his low profile. Maybe Jane knows down deep in her neart that his new found silence, an emergence after a noisy start to her reign, was an important factor in bringing her as close as she came in the neck-and-neck finish. Whatever the cause and effect, she will no longer be head honcho at city hall. But can we look forward to seeing her loom on the political scene at some future time as the feisty lady we once knew? No more the soft- spoken politician in the interest of an image - we prefer the old Jane Byrne who pulled no punches with anyone! And what will happen to Richard M. Daley? Must his famous name be carried into political memory books through his fathers . political, prowess? Or will Daley rise again to head the thundering horde? The Democratic party is making few noises of joy in Washington's victory. He may be a Democrat but he was not in the seat of power and therein lies the answer. It is this seat that attracts all the little people within a party. And certainly the other two-thirds of the Democratic mayoral candidates aren't suggesting a ticker tape parade even though Washington is one of them. True to Democratic tradition, however, they will now put their differences aside for the good of the party. Or will they? Politics are changing. • On the other side of the aisle, the Republicans must have included Harold Washington in their prayers, although they dare not admit it. GOP what's-his-name, who topped his party's mayoral preference list Tuesday, hardly merited the mention of his name on TV in recent weeks, so heated was the Democratic race. What hope he can muster has to be strengthened by Washington's win. But if the unexpected should happen - if the Republicans should win - would they have the faintest idea how to run the city of Chicago? It's been so long. Here at the Plaindealer, spirit ran high Tuesday and everyone chipped in a buck. It was no lottery, just a guess as to the candidate each individual thought would win. The spoils would be divided among the winners. Jane won hands down here, and if the truth were known she would have had almost every vote except for the few greedy contributors who knew the pot would be higher if, by some chance,, someone else emerged vic­ torious. A courageous lady with the gam­ bling spirit won - the only participant to select Washington. She walked off with the $18 pot and the rest of us said goodbye to our buck as we relegated our political savvy to that of the ailing pollsters. In the Spring, they say, thoughts turn to love and love is grand. But can it compare with politics, Chicago- style? KAF A defense motion seeking a new . trial for convicted home invader Tory Rachel, 24, of Wonder Lake, was denied Wednesday in 19th Judicial Circuit court. Defense counsel Michael McNerney in his arguments before Judge Leonard Brody stated grounds for a new trial included inaccurate testimony of two witnesses, an error on instruction to the jury, an error of the court allowing into evidence testimony that should not have been heard by the jury and inadequate representation for the defense. McNerney stressed that the assistant public defender assigned to (Continued on pago 16) Candidates' Night April 6 The Legislative Advisory council of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Candidates night April 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Parkland school. "The event will take place in the very comfortable Learning center, and the public is most cor­ dially urged and invited to attend," stated Dan Curran, Legislative Ad­ visory council chairman. All announced candidates for the aldermanic positions have been in­ vited to participate in this forum. Hie general format has been set, but the final details will be decided at the next meeting of the Legislative Advisory council to be held March 18. Written questions will be accepted from the public, but all questions must bear the signature of the inquirer. Citizens are urged to reserve April 6 for this informative evening, which could assist their voting decision that must be made the following week. Remodeling work continues on the municipal building recently purchased by the Village of Holiday Hills. The ' Remodeling of the Village of Holiday Hills .municipal building is expected to be complete in about a month, according to some of the volunteers working there. Authorization came at the Nov. 18, 1982, meeting of the board of trustees and later a house for sale at 3014 W. Sunset, Holiday Hills, was purchased for about $40,000. All the materials for the remodeling effort were purchased through a community house fund and donations building will serve as a meeting room and offices for the clerk, police department and public works department. STAFF PHOTO--WAYNE GAYLORD from the property owners' association. The labor for the project was donated. The three-bedroom ranch style house is being converted to a meeting room and three offices, which will house the village clerk's office, police department and public works department. The building was un­ dergoing some paneling and painting as well as the building of a 500-square- foot meeting room. The decision to purchase the municipal building did not go un­ disputed. Some area residents voiced concern and anger, charging that better roads and other community services were more important than a community building. Village officials argued that the community needed a secure place to store village records, an established meeting place for the board, com­ mittees and local groups, and a base for the Police department. World Day Of Prayer Observance March 4 Page 16 FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition Police Department DA NEWS SERVICE City Sewer, Water Project Trenches are dug and utility pipes are laid sooth on Route 31 toward Bull Valley road. The extensive sewer and water line project will eventually connect the new Northern Illinois Medical Center (NIMC) to the City of McHenry sewage treatment facility and water system. If the city receives the appropriate grants, the lines will be connected to the proposed south sewer plant. The utilities are also expected to service many properties along Route 31 south and Bull Valley road. STAFF PHOTO--WAYNE GAYLORD THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 107 NUMBER"6T FRIDAY, FEBRUARY~25, 1983 1 SECTION IF PAGES 25' Delay Vote On Business Zoning At the petitioners' request, the McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) held off voting last week on a petition to reclassify a two-acre ' to B-l business because two ibers were absent. ZBA members Fred Kupstis and Annie Mae Cuda were excused for cause. The petitioners, Michael J. Wieser and Dennis A. Conway, are seeking to have a two-acre parcel at 409 N. Front street reclassified from R-2 single family residential to B-l business. The parcel was most recently used as the McHenry Alternative high school. Testifying before the board last Thursday, Conway said the proposed widening and rebuilding of the Route 120 bridge would wipe out parking in front of his insurance office, at least temporarily. The proposed bridge construction calls for modifications in W. Elm street from the bridge to Park street. Conway said he would probably move his office from Elm street to the subject parcel if the bridge work is done. ...... Conway also commented that there had been some problems in getting tenants who were able to afford the rent. "The residential housing market was up when we purchased the house, but since then, the property is not suitable for sale as-residential at just a break even point," Conway said. The petitioner commented that the trend of development on the west side of Front street (Route 31) was business. Conway also said the economic strain of keeping the property residential, when they cannot break even, made it difficult for the owners to justify putting more money into it for upkeep. "Originally, we could get a return from the rent," Conway said. "The people who could pay the rent, typically would noJLvaptJo live along a major highway witna trend toward business." Conway pointed out that there was potential for other "compatible" uses to move into the structure and added that the building could be expanded. When questioned further about the reason for the petition, Attorney Sam Diamond said, "We're not coming here with a specific useor a specific contract. We're coming here for the highest and best use of the property. We would like B-l - the least intensive use." Michael Wieser affirmed Conway's testimony and reiterated that there was no market for renting the building as residential. New Trial For ZBA member Kay Halverson questioned Wieser about the rent charged for the house. "I don't know if it's proper, but *w#re willing to divulge the in­ formation. It would be somewhere in the neighborhood of $700," Wieser said. The board expressed concern about some of the permitted uses in the B-l classification, i.e. dance halls, taverns, garages, etc. Wieser noted in response that there were no objectors present and said the ordinance was written with these as permitted uses. "I believe all are compatible," he said. The vote was postponed because only five ZBA members were present. By law, five votes are needed for a positive recommendation to the city council. The vote on the petition was recessed to 7 p.m. March 3. SHAW MIDI* f^The^Village of Wonder Lake board of trustees voted 3-2 Tuesday night to abolish the Wonder Lake Police department. Trustee John Sorenson said simply, "We can't afford it." Wonder Lake Polic^Chief John Bender said he will continue to work until he is officially notified by Village President William Andrea. "I just can't believe your memories are that short," Andrea said. "I remember what this area was like before we had a police department. I can remember tires squealing at three o'clock in the morning. Sure, county will cover us, but they can't cover us like our own department." Trustees Sorenson and David Kuziel said the Police department accounts for half of all expenses if legal and court charges are added to operating costs. The trustees contended that 45 percent of the budget is too high a price for what is received. Susan Sturwold, village treasurer, countered these allegations saying the Police department uses the same portion of all revenue -- less than one- third. Ms. Sturwold said records show a balance of $27,000 to $35,000 is carried over each year. The contingency money is invested to cover emergencies and in the hope of building a village hall. She argued that the percentage figure is misleading. Other than the $3,000 in the municipal police protection fund, all money is drawn from the general fund. The police fund receives 15 percent of the property tax revenue. Trustee Richard Matthei said the Police department cost the village $16,000 in 1982. "We're not getting our money out of it," Matthei said. President Andrea said the depart­ ment brought back $7,000 in fines. After an hour-long executive session to discuss personnel matters within the Police department, Matthei refused to disclose specific charges. However, charges had been made at previous board meetings. At the Jan. 25 meeting, Matthei blamed a $7,600 squad car repair bill on imprdper maintenance. He blamed Bender for not changing the oil, which he charged was part of an overall lackadaisical attitude in village police enforcement. Bender said an oil leak was reported Dec. 28 and no action was taken. The oil was checked on a regular basis by Off. Steven Young, himself, and gas station attendants, he said. Concerning charges of speed traps and not patrolling effectively, Bender cited a 98 percent conviction rate. "We average 20 tickets per month over the course of a year," Bender said. "How can we be a speed trap?" The chief said he and Young have received the weapons training required by the state and added that they attended 30 different schools throughout the state and avarage 14 classes per year. "Whatever we can get, we get," Bender said. "I'm a stinker for that. I believe a policeman can't get enough training." "This is about the most downgrading thing you can have. You're trying to do the best job you can and you have to fight the politics of the village on top of it," Bender said. Andrea, and trustees Brian McLaughlin and Anita Vanderwiel were strongly opposed to the executive session, believing the charges should be aired in public. Andrea called on the board to hold off voting until after the April elec­ tion. "We should let the people decide whether they want a Police depart­ ment," he said. Mrs. Vanderwiel asked, "If we're going to dispose of this thing, why did we give raises? Why did we fix the dumb car? Why didn't we just put it up on blocks? Why did we spend the money for the radio, the cage and all this other stuff to update the depart­ ment? For somebody else?" Sorenson said these considerations were no longer important and added the money could be recouped. "It's not only distasteful, I think it's disgraceful," Andrea said of the vote. As far as McLaughlin is concerned, the vote did not solve the problem. The board, he said, needed to develop budgets and policy guidelines. School Relaxes Policy On Student Transportation By Marion Olsen McHenry high school District 156 school board policy was changed last week to allow students to be tran­ sported to school-sponsored activities in private vehicles. The new policy is subject to the following provisions: - A school bus must be used for more than 10 students. -The private vehicle driver must be an adult employee or parent and the vehicle must carry policy-approved insurance. -- The owner of the passenger vehicle must attest in writing to the safe operating condition of the car. - The number of passengers may not exceed the legal limit of the private vehicle. - The transportation plan must have the approval of the school ad- ministrator. _ - A discussion at a previous meeting led to rewriting the proposal. It disclosed the policy then in effect which resulted in fewer than 10 students being transported in a 60- passenger bus or as few as two (Continued on page 16)