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'wmmm * . ' • « Services For Elderly Taming The Educational Lion Wildlife Calendar Census Data Helps Cutback On Mandates Sharing The Home Page 16 • Page 14 Page lb Grass. Fire Covers 20-30 Acre Plot Fire fighters on a grass fire truck of the McHenry Township Fire Protection district use hose lines to extinguish a large grass fire that broke out last Thursday morning in the Johnsburg-Sunnyside area. All three companies of the Fire department were called to the scene. The fire involved an estimated 20-30 acres of land before it was extinguished. More information and photos appear on page 18 of this issue. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD THBMCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE€,HA!N-0-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 107 NUMBER 64 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1983 1 SECTION 2T PAGES 25' Tax Abatements Made By Council The McHenry City Council offered good news fiscally for two items considered at their regular meeting Monday. Members passed a resolution providing for the abatement of the first installment of property taxes in Special Service Area No. One that would be used to pay the $104,890 interest on the bond issue for the sewer extension to the new hospital. Because of lower construction costs, With the ideal weather enjoyed during the first week of March, it is likely we in the Midwest will have less appreciation for spring than usual. There's a smugness, too, in the smiles of those who braved the Illinois winter while their friends went South or West - into storms that passed us by. After the winter of 1982, it was easy to accept the challenges of the next season, which by comparison were minimal. A spoiled citizenry may be more critical this year. One of the plagues of spring is politicians, although we must admit that we are rather fond of the local variety. They are genuinely in­ terested in serving; they are less pushy; and sometimes they're even folks we know. So mark a plus sign for the April 12 elections, which will have only village and city office seekers. The problem of bicyclists who cause nightmares for the driving and walking public is another matter, and it will probably not improve this spring of 1983. No amount of in­ struction has had much effect in making this easy-going age group aware of the dangers of their careless attitude behind the wheel. We would like to suggest, once again, that a work program for young violators might be the best deterrent to driving through stop signs or riding down sidewalks into the path of pedestrians. The project would take a bit of city money, to be sure, since police of­ ficers can hardly be placed on bike detail. But we sincerely believe a few deputized individuals dedicated to saving young bicyclists from them­ selves would pay off. Certainly any Mom and Dad who think anything of their youngster should be happy that someone is helping him to stay alive. Drivers filled with the spirit of the season can be another menace. We don't know the underlying cause, but a lot of people develop a heavy foot on the gas pedal as soon as warm breezes blow. We've noticed it in several locations, but it's especially evident on Washington street, where the long stretch of thoroughfare between Riverside drive and Richmond road seems to encourage movement. Some drivers screech around the (Continued on pago 22) favorable weather, and earlier completion date there appears to be sufficient proceeds remaining in the bond fund to pay this first interest installment Feb. 1, 1984, Mayor Joseph Stanek noted. It might be possible to abate another payment, but it also could free money for NIMED to use ifor other "essential equipment", the mayor added. Also approved was a resolution authorizing the abatement of real estate taxes levied in 1982 for $35,493.75 that would be used to pay the first installment of principal and interest on general obligation bonds which would represent the city's share of the sewer extension project. The effect of this rebate will be a 3.7 cent reduction in the tax rate. Stanek said the sewer project should be done by June and the filling and land­ scaping restoration by August. As a safeguard, the city will receive a letter of credit from the financial institution to guarantee payment of costs. The council accepted the low bid from Northeastern Construction Service, Wadsworth. 111., of $21,403.58 for work on the Riverside-Venice watermain extension. The 13 proposals ranged from $21,403 to $36,415. The low bid was questioned at first because it was accompanied by a bid bond instead of the certified check for the 10 percent guarantee. However, city Attorney Berfard amended the taxicab ordinance to reduce the number of licenses available from three to two. Stanek noted that one cab company has gone out of business and this would eliminate the open license. New ap­ plicants would have to come before the council and license committee for another license, he indicated. The Council approved the an- Narusis said the bid specs ind •+. JBfefttion, without any preconditions of regulations contained clauses per­ mitting this procedure. When Mayor Stanek suggested whittling down the low bid by the city doing some of the blacktop work and ground restoration with the topsoil, which the city has stockpiled, Councilman Ray Smith pointed out that cutting items off the proposal might be unfair to other bidders since it could change the ranking of the bids. He recommended the council accept the proposal as it was bid. In other business, the council Klemm Addresses Concerns On Ailing State Budget State Rep. Dick Klemm addressed some of the concerns of local officials and businessmen at Monday's city council meeting and gave Governor James Thompson credit for guts in calling for revenue increases for the ailing state budget. Mayor Joseph Stanek, earlier in the meeting, had remarked, "The Springfield rascals have been at it again, eliminating cities from par­ ticipation" in income and other tax distribution, which he said would be damaging to their financial positions. Stanek also urged the council to support the proposed state gas tax increase with the provision that 2 cents of the proposed 3% cents go to local governments. When Alderman Jack Pepping directly asked how Springfield lined up on cutting off the local shares of income tax, Klemm emphasized that legislators were looking for $500 million to balance the state budget judging from the discussions. If there is new revenue, they want to share it with the municipalities. Klemm noted a perception that people in this district felt the governor had done a complete flip-flop on his tax position after his recent close election. Klemm explained that legislators were considering the governor's proposal to eliminate the one-twelfth municipal share in the income tax, but were working on alternate proposals that avoided increases in corporate or personal income tax. Klemm also suggested the state could cut out more things. As an example, he suggested it could delay a number of studies coming costing millions of dollars. He noted that the governor seemed to be making across-the-board cuts on programs of vital interest to many groups such as for schools, mental health, public aid, where the need has actually been aggravated by the unfavorable economic climate. The pain, Klemm reminded the council, could bring additional votes for the revenue increases. Klemm noted there are numerous small items, such as amounts spent for magazine subscriptions for legislators and agencies, which could be reduced or eliminated, and more important, the government could shift its spending priorities. Klemm added that as things got more hectic in Springfield, he came back to the district to listen. And he advised the council, to illustrate the sensitivity of the governor's position, that so far they had found no sponsor for the bills containing Thompson's budget and tax proposals. Klemm said they could detect local sentiment supporting road im­ provement measures and the proposed "sin tax" on tobacco and liquor had few objectors. Alderman William Busse, noting that Illinois was competing for new business with expensive ad cam­ paigns but had an economic climate that was worsening. He noted the highest workman's compensation rate in the nation and a large unem­ ployment compensation debt which threatened to raise the insurance rates for numerous small businesses which usually are not involved with the massive layoffs of big companies. Busse wondered what was being done. Klemm said they were working on eliminating some frills and expenses, but the $2 billion debt for unem­ ployment compensation was demanding an annual $50 million interest payment to be charged by the federal government, besides arrangements for its repayment. This is considered an obligation of the businesses, Klemm explained. And he predicted that they would work out some compromises, which probably means some increases in rates to (Continued on pago 22) three lots at or near 3014 Victoria on the petition of the owners. It was noted that the lots met the conditions for annexation and were contiguous to the city limits. The Council approved payment of the Northeast Illinois Planning commission request for the annual $678 contribution based on the city population. Mayor Stanek reported that the state had rejected a Greyhound petition to remove bus service on routes affecting McHenry and other cities toward Chicago. The Council okayed the motion of Councilman Liz Nolan to permit the Jaycees to hold a carnival June 9 to June 12 on the vacant land on Crystal Lake road at Royal drive. The $30 permit fee was waived because the mayor suggested the proceeds would all come back to the city in the form of a community project. An alderman questioned if using this piece of ground was becoming an annual af­ fair and was, in effect, turning it into a "carnival spot". The Interstate Commerce Com­ mission (ICC) is expected to make a decision in the next few weeks con­ cerning the fate of the 19 miles of Chicago and North Western (CNW) track between Ringwood and Lake Geneva. The rail company has been trying to abandon the line for the last seven years, but has met with opposition from a consortium of businessmen and communities known as the Geneva Lake Area Joint Transit Association (GLA). A spokesman for the ICC, in Washington, D.C., said the case is still active but was delayed because of several other larger matters before the commission. Lake Geneve Chamber of Com­ merce director and leader of the GLA, George Hennerley, said there con­ tinued to be a "concerted effort" to purchase the 19-mile stretch of track. But, funds are short. Hennerley lamented that many of the supporters of the project were doing so in name only and not coming through with the money. the sale price of the line was the subject of another ICC struggle and was eventually set at $1,300,321. The amount is about $500,000 more than the GLA wants to pay and about $1 million less than the CNW wants to receive. Recently, Hennerley admitted the association was about a half-million dollars shy of where it had hoped to be at this time. In addition to the Ringwood-Lake Geneva line, the GLA is also looking at the line between Fox Lake and Walworth, Wis. The present plan is for the association to purchase the line, if it can come up with the money, and then turn over the operation to Milwaukee, Wis., businessman, John Zerbel. Zerbel intends to start with freight Service and add passenger cars at a later date. MCCD $68,000 Grant Denied The McHenry County Conservation district will have to do without $68,000 in grant money it requested from the Illinois Department of Conservation this year. Don Schellhaass, MCCD land manager, said the state set aside $2.4 million in land and water conservation grants for distribution in May. There were 42 project requests totaling $6.3 million. Only 13 were approved. "That means quite a few people (Continuod on pago 22) For the first time in many months, the price of gasoline has dipped to below the dollar mark. This was the sign on one McHenry station Mondays morning. STAFF PHOTO- WAYNE GAYLORD Gas Prices Take Plunge Dropping gasoline and fuel prices in the wake of the OPEC price war have brought joy to the hearts of com­ muters and travelers. The Chicagoland area has noted substantial drops in the pump price of fuel since the beginning of the year. So, too, in McHenry, where some gasoline retailers have recorded as much as $.15 lower per gallon costs in late February as opposed to Jan. 1. In the Chicago metropolitan area, average gasoline prices dropped to levels not seen for three or four years, according to a recently released survey. The survey results showed a price range of between $1.02 to $1.58 a gallon for regular gas at a full service station and the prices have been dropping steadily. At self-service stations, per gallon prices dropped to double digits for the first time in many months. Where will it end? None of the retailers contacted in the McHenry area had any concrete information. One said, however, it was rumored the prices would con­ tinue to fall. Another retailer added, "I have no idea where it will end. Our prices are set by the main office. We just keep changing them." According to various watchers of the oil situation, moves by non-OPEC (Continuod on page 22) State Scholars At MCHS Fourteen McHenry high school students are included among State Scholars named throughout Illinois. Named from West campus are Darren Cepulis, Debra Laskonis, Hallie Miller and Patty Schillaci of McHenry ; Angela Anderson, Theresa Gallo, Julie Gildemeister, Donna Hoch and Jason Warren of Wonder Lake. From East campus they are Joe Gattone, Larry Kenyon, James Wynveen, Tresa Gorski and Chris Stumbris. The state has the distinction each year of recognizing outstanding achievement by the state's high school students. For consideration as a State Scholar, seniors had to take the American College Testing examinations or the Scholastic Ap­ titude test on the February, March, April, or June, 1982, test dates. The Illinois State Scholarship Commission (ISSC) awards State Scholars a certificate of merit and a congratulatory letter. Additionally, the scholars are identified to the state's newspaper, radio, television and General Assembly members. Although they do not directly receive monetary assistance from ISSC by being named a State Scholar, they are nonetheless highly recruited by colleges and universities which may in turn offer scholarship awards. About 10,000 of the more than 38,000 students who participate in the competition will be named State Scholars. These students are from a statewide student population of ap­ proximately 100,000 who are eligible to participate, if they so choose. Kiwanis To Serve Dinner Preparing for their annual corned beef dinner, Kiwanians George Lane and Jeff Rudge look over a cookbook while Bryce Klontz appears ready to follow instructions. McHenry Kiwanis club welcomes the public to the annual dinner March 17 at the American Legion clubhouse, 2505 N. Ringwood road. Limited tickets will be sold at the door so Kiwanians urge the public to buy them in advance. They are available from club members and at several McHenry stores. Interested persons may call 385-7353 for the most convenient location. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD A wait Decision On Fate Of Track