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"SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 107 NUMBER 100 WEDNESDAY, JULY 13. 1983 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 25' Ask Study Of Critical County Airport Need by Anthony Oliver The McHenry County Economic Development Committee (EDC) on Monday illustrated its concern over the critical county airport situation by voting unanimously to support a feasibility study by federal and state aviation agencies. In a report to the EDC, Dean C. Cunat said he had met with Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) and Illinois Division of Airways officials who expressed shared concerns that McHenry county could be soon without any hard-surface airports. Cunat reported that Elgin airport had been sold and would be developed into industrial sites, the future of Lake In The Hills airport was in doubt and Gait airport was up for sale. The future of the former Crystal Lake Airport, now Lake In The Hills airport, is apparently in limbo awaiting appellate court action on the city of Crystal Lake's condemnation petition. Cunat said another concern was that Gait Airport on 258 acres ad­ jacent to Greenwood Road was on the sale market. Asking price for Gait is $2.25 million. corporations which have to house their aircraft away from the county." Cunat, an EDC member, continued Dean Cunat: "The commercial airports...are not as conducive to private and corporate planes...The trend Is toward municipal or county takeover." "There could be no facilities for corporate jets or the larger twin engine planes," Cunat said. "This has caused some problems for local to say the Division of Airways, a section of the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the FAA were concerned about the airport situation *> - Hospital Progress A 15,000-pound boiler is being hoisted into position at the new McHenry hospital site on Rt. 31. A total of three boilers and a pair of air conditioning units, also topping the scales at 15,000 pounds apiece, were installed last Thursday. A spokesman for the contractor stated that these units can produce enough heat and cool air for 236 average homes. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Lakeland Park No Water Rate Increase by Anthony Oliver « Residents of McHenry's Lakeland .Park subdivision will not have to worry about a water rate increase for iat least six months, and possibly up to ;18 months, as a result of recent Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) action. City Attorney Bernard Narusis said Monday the ICC dismissed the petition for a rate increase that was filed last year by the Lakeland Park Water company. "We went down there (to Chicago) and found that the hearing had been cancelled," Narusis said. "Ap­ parently, on Thursday, an order was entered dismissing the case." The original petition called for an increase in water rates which would have netted the company an ad­ ditional $150,000 (estimated) an- It it isn't the "root of all evil" as the old adage tells us, money is at least the root of almost any street corner conversation, and it has been for some time. There is too little of it - what there is falls into someone else's pocket - these are common complaints. Fifty years ago it was the first class postage stamp that went from 2 to 3 cent* that had people talking. This past week it was the first installment of the three-year tax cut and this was brighter news than usual. In the last four years, a growing number of people have been finding out what to do when they lack suf­ ficient money. With the lenient bankruptcy law of Oct. 1, 1879, more and more individuals and businesses have been allowed to go bankrupt with no strong incentives for payment of debts In fact, the annual rate has soared to more than 400,000, about 20 percent higher thaif the years before the new law was on the books. Under that law, debtors can choose between one type of bankruptcy in which they discharge all their debts, and another which calls for repayment of part or all of the debt under a court-supervised schedule. A current bill has passed the Senate to change conditions under which one can file bankruptcy. The issue is now before the House as HB 1800. It would give bankruptcy courts discretion to dismiss relief when a judge is con­ vinced a stricter proceeding would better serve the public interest. The proposal also would end the abuse of credit cards in which a person filing bankruptcy is allowed to heavily charge debts within 40 days of filing. The bill accepts a recommendation that says when a person seeks bankruptcy relief he should be counseled on the options available under both types. The reasoning is that the lenient filings need not occur if debtors knew the advantages of the stricter type bankruptcy in protecting their future ability to obtain credit. ' Small businesses are often the loser under the current law since creditors can divide only the person's assets. The proposed bill would allow a judge to determine a person's ability to pay debts from future earnings. It is no wonder the topic of money is on the street corner because at this time consumers are paying higher ! >rices -for products and are seeing imits on credit availability. » It would seem to be time for a change. KAF nually. When the rate increase petition was filed, the City of McHenry opted to appear as an ob­ jector on behalf of the Lakeland Park residents. The objector status gave the city the opportunity to cross- examine company witnesses and provide testimony. At the last ICC meeting, the hearing officer had actually suggested dismissal of the case due to difficulty of getting accurate financial testimony from witnesses of the Lakeland Park Water company. The company is one of six water companies, including McHenry Shores Water company, owned by T.P. Mathews. Narusis commented that part of the bookkeeping problem stemmed from common ownership, common officers and common em­ ployees among the six companies. The city attorney said a web of inter­ company loans further hindered getting accurate financial in­ formation from company represen­ tatives. Regarding this matter, the ICC came down hard on the Lakeland Park Water company. In addition to the order dismissing the existing petition, the ICC further ordered that the company get the books in order for all six water companies within a six- month time frame. When the books are organized, the company is to notify the ICC. When that notification is received, the ICC ordered its ac­ counting department to audit the companies' financial books and the audit is to be completed within a year. According to Narusis, the im­ plication of the stern order i§, that the ICC will probably not consider any rate increase petitions from any of the companies until the provisions of the order have been met. This means a respite, however brief, for residents in Lakeland Park and McHenry Shores. The old rates will continue and the proposed rate schedules were can­ celled and annulled. Manslaughter JaiL Sentence For Orton Terry Orton, who was charged in connection with the death of Jeff R. Novotny last October, was sentenced Monday to three years in the state penitentiary. In May, Orton, 26, of 856 Coventry lane, Crystal Lake, pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter. He was sentenced Monday by Judge Roland Herrmann in the 19th Judicial Circuit Court, Woodstock. The charge stemmed from a fist- fight that occurred the night of Oct. 11, 1982, outside of Raymond's Johnsburg Bowl, 3312 N. Chapel Hill road, McHenry, in which Novotny died as a result of injuries. Novotny, 28, was Orton's brother-in-law and both men were sons-in-law of the bowling alley owner, Ray Kuna. Herrmann gave Orton 10 days to put in the entire northeastern collar- county area. They characterized the situation as "critical." "The commercial airports-- O'Hare, Midway and Meigs--are not as conducive to private and corporate planes," Cunat pointed out. The trend, he added, is toward municipal or county takeover. In response to a question from member Thore Emricson, EDC staffer Robert Morris noted that DuPage airport had been taken over by the county and was slated for expansion. Likewise, Palwaukee airport is being operated by two municipalities. The EDC member also noted that a minimum 5,000-foot hard-surface was needed and said 5,200-5,400 feet was preferable. Cunat said a feasibility study was needed and this study would be funded 90 percent by the FAA, five percent by the state and five percent by the county. "I have discussed this with the county board (committee) chairmen and they feel it would be good to have the study," Cunat said. Cunat, an EDC and county board member, was appointed by the EDC to investigate the matter. Cunat commented that local government agencies are often able to get grants for expansion or im­ provement that private owners are not. He also reassurred EDC mem­ bers that the proposal would be for a strictly private county venture. "This is strictly private. We won't have Delta Airlines flying out of here," Cunat said. The board's Planning and Zoning committee passed a resolution last week calling for a study to be made with county participation not to ex­ ceed $5,000. The EDC passed a similar motion Monday morning. William Hubbard, chairman of the county's Economical Development Committee, explained that criteria for the airport study would include land use., around the airport, the ap­ proaches, sounds and sites. (Royal G. Alcott, a Lake In The Hills resident, presented an outline to the (Continued on pago 20) Select Judge Candidates by Angela Burden Shaw Media News §ervice Candidates for associate judgeships in the 19th Judicial Circuit, McHenry and Lake counties, were selected this past week on votes of the full circuit judges. Four associate judge positions are open in the 19th Circuit and on cer­ tified receipt of the named can­ didates, Judge Roy Gulley, ad­ ministrative officer of the Illinois Courts, Springfield, will mail ballots to the full circuit judges for their final selection. The eight candidates named are Ward S. Arnold, Conrad F. Floeter. John Goshgarian, Charles D. Maley, William J. Nemanich, Haskell M. Pitluck, Thomas A. Schermerhorn and Henry C. Tonigan III. r. Floeter and Pitluck were not retained as McHenry County associate judges after four years on the bench in McHenry County on a recept vote of the full justices of the circuit. The McHenry County Bar association released last week results of its recent poll on area lawyers seeking the position of Associate Judge. "The McHenry County poll was limited to those Associate Judge applicants who were more or less identifiable to the McHenry county area and most likely to be appointed to sit at the Woodstock courthouse," said David N. Stone, bar association secretary. He said of the 198 ballots mailed to members, 134 were returned. Results of the balloting concern the final question on the poll as to whether or not the candidate was recom­ mended for judgeship, according to Stone. The candidates and results are: Ward S. Arnold, 99 yes, 12 no and 20 no opinion; Conrad F. Floeter, 108 yes, 18 no and 7 no opinion; John T. Licastro, 27 yes, 78 no and 28 no^ opinion; Haskell M. Pitluck, 83 yes, 37 no and 12 no opinion; Frank J. Rhode, 42 yes, 41 no and 49 no opinion; Thomas A. Schermerhorn, 79 yes, 20 no and 33 no opinion; Henry H. Sugden III, 53 yes, 42 no and 37 no opinion. "The poll included other questions relating to legal ability, legal ex­ perience and personality traits. The response to these questions have been reported by the bar association to the Circuit Judges. However, the polling on those individual questions will not be made public," Stone said. Chief Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit Jack Hoogasian, Waukegan, expects ballots for the associate judgeships to be mailed from Springfield to the local judges this week. City, Pioneer Center Grants Get State O.K. Two grant applications which have been in the forefront of concern for officials of the City of McHenry and the Pioneer center have been ap­ proved by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). . McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek and Pioneer Center Executive Director Robert Lambourn confirmed Tuesday that the block grants had been received. "We are very pleased. A lot of hard work went into this." Stanek said. Details of the two grants will be released by Gov. James Thompson and DCCA Acting Director Michael Woelffer at a press conference Wednesday at McHenry Country Club. The City of McHenry applied for approximately $155,000 to improve the Green street sewer line. The im­ provements would provide increased capacity in order to handle sewage from the new hospital site and would relieve some backup problems. The Pioneer Center grant will allow for expansion of the Dayton street facility, in the Tonyan Industrial Park. Under DCCA guidelines, a private organization needs a governmental sponsor to apply for a grant. In January, the McHenry City Council opted to act as the sponsor for the Pioneer Center grant. Robert Lambourn commented, "We look forward the r^ew partnership between the city and Pioneer Center. We appreciate the cooperation of the city in acting as the sponsor for our grant." $35,000 Damage In Fire his affairs in order before having to turn himself in to officials of the Illinois Department of Corrections. He was also given credit for 15 days served in the McHenry county jail last faU. Orton was originally charged with murder and bond was set at $250,000. The charge was reduced later to in­ voluntary manslaughter. The fist-fight began at about 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot outside the bowlingv alley and county police believe it started over a family dispute. Novotny was struck in the head several times and was taken to McHenry hospital by the Johnsburg Rescue squad. He was later transferred by Lifeline helicopter to St. Anthony's hospital, (Continued on pago 20) An early Saturday morning fire caused an estimated $35,000 damage to the home of Ron Patterson, 4120 W. Crystal Lake road, McHenry. Shortly before 3 a.m., Company 1 firemen responded to the home, where flames were showing in the rear of the building. McHenry Fire Chief Glenn Peterson said the fire appeared to have been started by a faulty electrical ceiling outlet. Peterson said the only occupant of the home, Patterson's 17-year-old son, smelled smoke and escaped through a bedroom window. The youth then roused neighbors and called the Fire department. The fire started above a washer and dryer on the lower level and progressed straight up the rear of the building. Co. 1 Asst. Chief Chris Bennett said the home was totally involved with smoke when the department arrived and the flames went out the back of the structure and up to the roof. "It was extremely hot and it took a while to ventilate the building," Bennett said. The assistant chief also noted that the lack of wind added to the problems because, once ven­ tilated, the heat had no place to go. Bennett said the fire was brought under control in about 15 minutes. One fireman, Daniel Miller, was taken to McHenry hospital, where he was held overnight for observation. The 17-year-old Patterson youth was also taken to the hospital for examination and treatment of possible smoke inhalation. Youth Hurt In Pool Accident A 10-year-old McHenny youth was injured Monday afternoon when he fell from a diving board at the Knox Park swimming pool. According to the McHenry Police department, witnesses said the youth, James Mays, 10, 3115 Kinley, McHenry, apparently lost his balance and fell to the cement next to the pool. McHenry Park department lifeguards rendered first aid until the McHenry Area Rescue squad arrived. The squad then took Mays to McHenry hospital for examination and treat­ ment. Mays was later transferred to St. Joseph's hospital, Elgin, where he reportedly underwent surgery for the head injury. Junior. Olympics New Fiesta Days Event Page 19 Six Vie For 4-H Queen Title McHenry Girl Candidate Page 18 Award Access Bid MCC Entrance Page 20