Illinois News Index

McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 27 Apr 1983, p. 1

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Six-County Map Available Free Rose Bushes Historical Museum Opens Revised Regional Base F o r N e w P l a i n d e a l e r S u b s c r i b e r s Community Focus Page 16 F o r D e t a i l s P h o n e 3 8 5 - 0 1 7 0 Page 12 • Council Adopts Budget by Anthony Oliver Three months of cutting, paring and arguing led to the City. Council's approval Monday night of the 1963-84 control budget for the City of McHenry. Finance Committee Chairman Aid. Jack Pepping (1st) commented before presenting the budget that "the picture has not been good." He said the number one source of income for the city, the sales tax, had not grown to the same degree it had in the past. Likewise, the slump in the con­ struction industry has had a direct negative impact on building permit revenues. The combined General fund budget projects revenues in fiscal year 1983- 84 of $2,440,300 and expenditures of IS,376,947, leiving a projected surplus of 968,398. Salary increases, which were' later approved, amounted to $37,824 and narfow lHe surplus margin to $25,529. The revenue and expenditure projections represent 6.3 percent and 3.7 percent increases over last year's figures. Pepping said the council would start the next fiscal year with little, if any, reserves. "Last year, we operated with a planned deficit," Pepping said. "This cannot continue. The budget is as close as we can get to a balanced budget. We have fully utilized other funds." Aid. Edward Datz (2nd) said he had "a lot of problems" with various budget revenue projections, saying that the committee "far overestimated" what would actually be received. Datz also said he did not know how the department heads would be able to cut back to projected levels. He added that the council was spending more revenue sharing money than it received. Pepping pointed out that there were revenue sharing funds from previous years which had been allocated but not used. These totals were carried over to this budget, he said. "I'm just fearful that we'll be fighting deficits all year long," Datz said. "The expenditures (cutbacks) are the result of many meetings with the department heads and they feel they can operate within the parameters of this budget," Pepping said. As far as the income projections were concerned, Pepping said the sales tax projection was based upon the current levels of reimbursement. "If the governor does anything to withhold the income tax, then the council is back to the drawing board," Pepping said. The projected increase in building permit revenues was predicated on an increase in building activity, which has started in the last few months Aid. William Busse (2nd) supported Pepping and the budget sales tax projections, especially in light of the current trend and expansions of businesses in McHenry. Busse said the projection was eight percent over last year, while the last six months have shown receipts (Continued en pof e 22) Take 15 pupils and their teacher from an old one-room schoolhouse. Let all of them grow and mature for 62 years and then put them together in one room to become reacquainted. It's a recipe for one of the most enjoyable,, emotion-packed evenings one could imagine. That every recipe was concocted by Time, a Special Occasion and Chef Everett Thomas, who blended the ingredients skillfully for a most delectable treat. It was the McHenry high school tribute to alumnus Howard V. Phalin and participated in by the grown-up pupils who had once studied in his one-room Ostend school. The importance of "roots" to McHenry residents of more than a half century ago was evident by the number who were present. Of the 19 students who made up the entire school enrollment (two are deceased), 15 came to let their former teacher know he is held fondly in their memory. But they were paying tribute not just to memories of a teacher, but to the success of a man whose entire life has been lived in the pursuit of goals that benefitted others. When given a picture taken almost 62 years ago outside the school, Howard Phalin quipped, "I'd hate to bf handed this on a dark night and be a :ed to identify the faces". The jfexchange of treasured memones brought classmates and teacher into small groups long after the plates had been cleared from the tables and other guests had gone. There was a recollection of the old wood stove. On cold winter days the youngsters helped to carry in the wood but it was the responsibility of the teacher to start the fire. One grown student remembered days when the wind blew snow thfUigh a wide crack at the bottom of the door and the accumulation ex­ tended several feet into the classroom. He also recalled that in extremely severe weather, they would heat bricks on the stove, then place them on the floor beneath each desk to keep their feet warm. (Continued on poge 22) By Marion Olsen The District 156 school board pulled its fiscal belt several notches tighter April 19 by adopting a $74,000 cost reduction program at McHenry's high schools. The list of 20 cost cuts results from expectations of lower revenues and less state aid in 1963-84, according to Supt. Robert Swartzloff. The cuts are in addition to last month's reduction in staff of the equivalent of 2.3 full-time teachers, a savings of about $40,000. The subsequent total reduction would faD between $114,000 and $115,000, he said. A budget freeze at the 1962-83 level was placed on supplies and equipment for"" the Building instruction, Vocational, Athletic, and Custodial and Maintenance departments. Eight of 20 cuts affected summer activities and employment. These included a reduction in employment time of guidance counselors, cooperative work program coor­ dinators, district psychologist-teacher coordinator, summer student help and level III secretaries. The program eliminated the summer contract of the Truancy Intervention program coordinator. Summer school and summer rentals will be moved to East campus, and West campus will not be air con­ ditioned except in the main office. The summer administrative planning retreat was eliminated. Regular school year cuts included elimination of two instructional aide positions, and reduction in hours of work of some library aides, typing aides, receptionist-guidance office aides and instructional aides. Other reductions involved the lowering of audio-visual stipends for librarians, lowering sponsor pay for the activities program, and lowering administrative travel costs to national conventions. Three items were eliminated: one of four editions of District 156 Hotline, infrequently used itinerant special education tutorial and speech- language services and the stipend at East campus for the calling of sub­ stitute teachers. Swartzloff noted, "Everyone who (Continued on page 22) Departing Alderman Observations In his parting remarks to the McHenry City Council Monday night, Aid. David Gelwicks (3rd) offered some observations. "I've been on the council for three months and I am no expert," Gelwicks began. "But, I have made a few observations." First, he predicted, the next two to five years will be critical to the growth of McHenry and said the council must be prepared to act, if the city is not to be outstripped by neigh­ boring municipalities. Gelwicks said the council has a marked inability to make things happen. "The council only reacts. It reacts to requests for zoning, to requests for payment, to requests from residents," Gelwicks said. "It must be responsive to the community, but I would like to see it make plans and set goals." He suggested that once a year, the councilmen get together for an entire day to look at what is good and bad in the city and make plans for the future--a day of brainstorming, to act instead of react. "You have to do more than react," Gelwicks urged. He noted a 240-acre parcel north of Bull Valley road which is slated for industrial development. Sooner or later, he said, some (Continued on poge 22) A weary Capt. Wayne Amore, of Co. 1 of the McHenry Township Fire department, leans on a smoke ejector at the door of 910 West boulevard in Lakemoor as Co. 1 Asst. Chief Chris Bennett gives directions. STAFF PHOTO--WAYNE GAYLORD rest of the house, and especially the attic area. Co. I Asst. Fire Chief Chris Bennett said the cause of the blaze was under investigation by Fire department officials. Bennett said it took about 35 minutes to bring the fire under control and he said it was a tough one to fight. "There were a lot of false areas in the ceiling," Bennett said. "We'd open up one area and extinguish the flames, only to find it wasn't the seat of the fire/' The damage was extensive throughout the residence and there was no room that was not touched by fire. As the Plaindealer went to press Tuesday morning, McHenry Township Fire department was called for a standby _ to Wonder Lake Fire department. In addition, Woodstock Rural Fire depart­ ment was called for additional manpower and a tanker to assist at a house fire at W ./Wonder Lake road and Sunset, in/Wonder Lake. Fire caused extensive damage to a Lakemoor home when-it broke out shortly after 1 p.m. last Thursday afternoon. All three companies of the McHenry Township Fire Protection district and the McHenry Area Rescue squad were alerted simultaneously when the call was received of a structure fire at 910 West boulevard, in Lakemoor. Hie fire reportedly started in the kitchen of the residence, owned by David Metschke, and spread to the When the fire really took hold in the structure, McHenry Fire officials called for mutual aid from Wauconda Fire department, which responded with a tanker. Bennett noted that the fire was a particularly hot one and required extra effort from the fire fighters, (Continued on page 22) Set Hearing On Chain-Fox Agency The "Guys m * Johnsburg high school theatre presents the musical comedy "Guys and Dolls" April 28,29 and 30 at 8 p.m. From left to right are Randy Beck, Ken Schoenig, Dave Drogosz, Ed Foster and Paul Metzger as Sky Masterson. Tickets will be available at the door. The Chain of Lakes-Fox River commission will conduct a public hearing to discuss a proposal to create a Chain of Lakes-Fox River Waterway Management agency, it has been announced by Senator Jack Schaffer, R-McHenry county, chairman of the commission. The hearing will be held Saturday, April 30, at 10 a.m. at the Fox Lake Village hall. "While there appears to be a great deal of support for creation of a waterway management agency," Senator Schaffer commented, "there are still many questions and possible reservations that need to be answered and discussed concerning the creation of any new unit of government." The new proposal we have developed, which is a rather complete rewrite of the earlier bill, " he con­ tinued, "requires the agency to be created by referendum, places a ceiling on boat fees which could be levied, and clearly states that the agency in no way relieves the state or federal government of their responsibilities for maintaining or improving the waterway and provides an automatic repealer after ten years." Senator Schaffer encourages fell interested persons to attend the hearing and participate in the discussions. Copies of the new proposal, which was introduced in the Senate (SB 1199) and in the House (HB 1778) are available by writing or (Continued on page 22) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER I "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 1 0 7 NUMBER 7 8 W E ONESDAY, APRIL 2 7 , 1 9 8 3 1 SECTION 2 4 ~PAGIS 2 5 * Flames Damage Home New City Aldermen Sworn Into Office McHenry Mayor Joseph B. Stanek (far right) administers the oath of office to four incoming aldermen (from left to right): Gary E. Snell, 4th ward; William J. Busse, 2nd ward; William J. Bolger, 1st ward; and Frank S. McClatchey, 3rd ward. Bolger, a former alderman with many years experience, walked away in his election bid polling 537 votes. He defeated four contenders--Nina Keen, John C. Cunat, Bryce C. Klontz and Thomas E. Miller--in the race for the alderman's chair. The new first ward alderman replaces incumbent Jack Pepping, who announced his intention not to seek reelection. An appointee to the position when Aid. George Harker retired for reasons of health, William Busse garnered 596 second ward votes to capture the seat April 12. Busse defeated rivals Donald "Butch" Meyer and Harold Sanford for the post. In the third ward, Frank McClatchey emerged the victor, running under the Conservative party banner against incumbent David Gelwicks. Gelwicks was appointed to the position to replace Aid. Michael Wieser, who resigned for personal and business reasons. Four candidates ran in the fourth ward, but when the votes were counted, Gary E. Snell was the winner by a nearly 2-1 margin. He defeated incumbent Ronald Meurer, former alderman Ernest Schooley and contender Ray "Buzz" Bujak for the seat. All were declared winners without contest. STAFF PHOTO--ANTHONY OLIVER f 1

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