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

Plan Italian Fest March 20 Observance Page 4 Absentee Ballots Available For April 12 Election Page 3 Planning For The? Future • Dis t r i c t 15 Ser ie s Page 14 Council Views Proposals For Parks THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAINO-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" \ . • VOLUME 107 NUMBER 66 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1983 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25* Spelling 'Phenomenon' New Scam Aims At Business "Countdown to the Great Balloon race begins at 2 p.m. March 21", said James LaShelle, principal of Edgebrook school. Students at Edgebrook will launch 600 helium- filled balloons as part of the nation­ wide Writing Pals Balloon contest, sponsored by a children's magazine. "A message attached to each balloon explains the project and asks that the finder return it to Edgebrook school," said LaShelle. A $500 prize will be presented by the sponsor to the school that gets back the message that traveled the farthest distance. In addition, 100 runner-up prizes will be awarded. Since the annual balloon launch began, about one and a half million free balloons have been furnished to schools participating in the pen pal program in which the firm pairs classes across the country. The goal of the program is to motivate children to write to, and to become familiar with, students in other parts of the country. "Edgebrook school pupils will write to every person who sends back a message card from our balloons," declared LaShelle. "All the kids at Edgebrook school - and teachers too - are keeping their fingers crossed that one of their balloons will fly the farthest," he continued. "I'm thrilled with the correspon­ dence the children are experiencing and so are the children," explained Miss Margo Baranowski, a third grade teacher at Edgebrook. It is Miss Baranowski's class that has been writing to Mrs. Burrough's third grade class located in Flushing, Mich., since the beginning of the 1982- 83 school year. So far, each class has sent and received three letters along with Valentine's day cards. Said Miss Baranowski. "Teachers have their students participate in the program because it's an excellent opportunity for children to com­ municate with other children from another part of the country. At the same time, it is an educational ex- (Continuod on pago 18) McHenry police reported that another scam was being perpetrated in the area; but instead of targeting the elderly, this one is aimed at businessmen. McHenry Police Chief George Pasenelli said the department had been called by a Wonder Lake resident and businessman, who said he had been contacted twice by someone purporting to work for a bank. The caller sought to verify a check and asked the businessman for the banks and his checking account numbers. The caller said he needed more information on a check sup­ posedly drawn on the businessman's account. The first time, the caller said he was an employe of the Rockford Currency Exchange. The second time, he said he worked for the McHenry State Bank. The caller also said that if the businessman did not believe him, he should call him back. However, the return number given was that of the state bank's weather phone. A further check with both financial institutions revealed that there were no such employes as the caller named. "It's just another type of scam. This time, though, they're going for businesses," Pasenelli said. "With the checking account number, a person could raise all kinds of havoc." The chief urged area businessmen to notify appropriate police authorities if such calls are received. Lest we be classified as 100 percent country rube, we put our aversion to the big city aside earlier this month to see what had been highly touted as a truly remarkable presentation of "Porgy and Bess". Gershwin's classic from the 1930's was no less than ad­ vertised and npw goes on to New york, and in the summer to Europe. Contemplating on the time and effort it would take to accomplish our mission, we decided only such an outstanding production would be worth it. We were not disappointed, even in the agony of becoming lost. Our last face-to-face encounter with the world of professional musical offering in a metropolitan setting was as long ago as the years "My Fair Lady" was wowing audiences all over the country. It was time we ventured forth again to a new location via a different route. There are few things as frightening as cruising along with the traffic and being confronted by signs above, exit directions to the side, and merging lanes where drivers seldom conform to the "yield" warning. The fear comes in knowing that in your ignorance of the territory, if you make a wrong turn you may never get home. But with a navigator at our side, the trip to McCormick Place was a complete success, accomplished in just an hour and a half. As we became ensconced comfortably, directly in front of the orchestra pit, we became confident. The ease with which we accomplished the first half of the trip would dictate that more were in order to entirely de-rube ourself. But the return trip was another matter. Still shaking from a close encounter with a young lady driver rehearsing a Dukes of Hazard trick, (Continued on peg* 18) Countdown To Balloon Race The City Council met Monday as a committee-of-the-whole to consider recommendations from Parte Director Pete Merkel for park improvements and capital development. A recom­ mendation by Merkel to replace the two tennis courts in the Pearl street park with playground equipment drew fire fttjtai Mayor Joseph Stanek, who said ne would like to see the courts remain. Alderman Liz Nolan noted that at first she also objected to the plan, but whenjreveiw of facilities indicated plenty of courts in other areas and the fact that these Pearl street courts received very little use. she now supported the recommendations. Alderman Ray Smith, whose ward includes this park, said he could agree with the change, but he would want to tie this in with proposals for other places. He was aware of buildings being planned and didn't necessarily want money saved at this park spent for doubtful facilities elsewhere. Alderman Ron Meurer reminded the council that tney were seeking upgrade of facilities and not removal. Merkel rationalized his proposal by noting there were 3Q courts presently available in McHeoty and tiilt standards for most communities were one court for each 2,(100 to 3,000 residents, and McHenry is far over that standard. He asserted that the elimination of these four courts would not hurt, and ideally 50 percent of the courts should have lighting for night playing. Only seven in the city now have this. He also pointed out that if the courts were to be salvaged by resurfacing, they should be brought up to standard dimensions. Presently both end spaces and side spaces are inadequate. He reminded that there were courts available for those serious players in the area who want them at Freund park. Merkel said improvements for Pe­ arl street should include moving and adding playground equipment in the court area after its removal and putting in a layer of sand. Improved lighting should be installed in the park tp light UP dark areas for better police patrtfiuig' that would reduce ~ven- dalism. Alderman William Busse observed that in the Pearl street area the park land, because it is not large, is valuable and the tennis court use seemed inefficient considering the benefits of other uses. Merkel, noting the clutter of facilities - band shell, picnic areas and benches, playground equipment, horseshoes and basketball and tennis - courts said much of this was done when the park was the only one in McHenry" and "and had to be all things to all people". Appearing at the meeting was a citizen who asked that she not be identified. She objected to adding recreation facilities especially in the Fox Ridge area. She believed it would draw children who would harrass her. She said the city is asking older resident to pay for everybody's children's recreation. T*'visitor commented that her generation took their youngsters to recreational areas. She noted that she had livedin another part of McHenry for years where she had been harrassed by children and then moved to her present location. Now, a park improvement proposal would put the kids across from her again, she said. "Is there no place on earth where we can feel safe?" she asked. "Why not take the kids to Petersen park?" she concluded. Alderman Smith took exception to her arguments and pointed out that someone usually has to live next ot a public facility of any kind. People even live next to Petersen park, he emphasized. Continue Service Area Debate Jeff Glab, third grader at Edgebrook school, places his message on card attached to balloon. It gives his name, age and the words, "Looking forward to hearing from you". Jeff told the photographer he was "excited" aboujfthe contest as he waits to see if his balloon may travel the farthest. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE The debate oyer whether to form a special service area to fund needed improvements of the Wonder Lake dam continued at a Sunday meeting of the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association (WLMPOA). "In order to have a special service area, Wonder Lake would have to be public," association President Ed Beard said. He added he spent more than 10 hours researching the feasibility of financing repairs to Wonder Lake dam by forming a special service area. "If they (subdivisions) spent the same amount of energy collecting dues, they wouldn't have to look for some government agency to do it (finance repairs) for them," Beard said. Beard's position that public funds cannot be spent for private pur­ poses was backed up by McHenry County State's Attorney Theodore Floro and county board Chairman C.B. "Clint" Claypool.» Supporters of the special service area were not convinced that all the aspects of flood control have been examined. Claypool appointed a committee to look into the matter, which has not yet reported its fin­ dings. "I would suggest we let it go its course," said William Fitzgerald, former county board member and resident of Wonder Woods sub­ division. "When we finally get down to the last line and we can't do it, we can't do it. It isn't costing anybody anything. We should hear them (committee) out." As Frank DeCosta, director of In­ dian Ridge Improvement Association Inc., said, "The final answer rests with the county board." According to a private legal opinion requested by Highland Shores Property Owners Inc., the prospects don't look good. Crystal Lake Attorney Michael Poper said that even if the county did consider repair of the dam as a flood control project, the financing would be done through the sale of bonds. Because bond counsel can be liable for the full value of the bonds, they are "relatively conservative," Poper wrote in his opinion. Chapter 120 of the Illinois Revised Statutes states that "the corporate authorities of the municipality or county shall be the governing board of the special service area." Thus, Poper believes the county would be the governing body, not the master association. "If a county resident (who was not a Wonder Lake area resident) demanded use of the lake, the county board would have difficulty denying him access in light of the county's participation," Poper wrote. Claypool said, "a special service area is definitely out." But last week he appointed the committee of local improvements to investigate what he called a "quirk in the law." A provision in the state statutes requires the county board to "supervise, regulate and control the fflow within the boundaries of the county of waters of any river, stream or water course over and through all existing dams." Committee Chairman Tom Huemann is out of town and Claypool could not say when the report would be made. Business Takes A Look At Crime The potential for damage when a "visible" thief strikes a business is high, but it is the "invisible" invader who makes the best use of an op­ portunity -- an unprotected business. Prevention is the name of the game and the McHenry Chamber of Com­ merce is sponsoring a prevention program for businesses, to'be held by the McHenry Police department. The program will highlight many of the safeguards that a McHenry businessman can take to insure the integrity of his or her business when closing for the night. In addition, measures will be presented to warn against the highly visible thieves, the Gypsies, the shoplifters and the bad check writers. The one-and-a half hour seminar in business protection is designed to help local businessmen and women prevent crimes of opportunity in the McHenry area. The program is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday March 16 in the teaching theater of East campus. Doors will open at 7 p.m. There is no admission fee. The police representatives will offer procedures to guard against burglaries and stow-a-ways, who hide in a business until after the doors are locked. The program will give business people important tips on what to do if they are confronted by a potentially violent assailant, i.e. someone with a weapon. "Implementing solid and consistent security measures and training the staff to abide by them are elements of good business," Pasenelli said. "It's not that difficult. It is absolutely necessary." The days of small-town McHenry where "it'll never happen here" are numbered. If necessary, Pasenelli said the Police department would be happy to act as a private consultant to suggest measures of safeguarding a business. Although its jurisdiction is just the City of McHenry, the program is open to all businesses in the McHenry area. In addition, the invitation is also open to all businesses regardless of Chamber membership. Julie Ann Stumpf, a Montini Middle school seventh grader, spelled her way to winning the sectional spelling bee held at Johnsburg high school last week. Besides Montini, six other schools participated at the sectionals. They were Parkland and McHenry Junior high, both from McHenry; St. John's and Johnsburg Junior high, both from Johnsburg; Spring Grove elementary, and Richmond Junior high. A panel of three judges and a spelling master conducted the bee. Besides the attentive audience of students, parents, coaches and friends, county Supt. of Education Edward Hall and Supt.-Elect Dixie O'Hara were on hand to cheer the spellers on. Approximately 82 words of the intended 200-word list were given. Miss Stumpf won on the word phenomenon'. Brian Nemtusak from Parkland was runnerup. Both Julie and Brian will go to the county spelling bee to be held at Woodstock high school March 28. Julie Stumpf studies her list of words as she prepares for the county spelling bee. Julie, a seventh grader at Montini Middle school, was declared winner of the sectional spelling bee last week when she correctly spelled the word 'phenomenon'. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD