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McHenryj «since 187 5 aindealer 2 Sections 38 Pages 25* Friday December 9, 1983 Number 36 Volume 108 Council passes 'no smoking' ordinance Forbids practice in grocery stores by Anthony Oliver Shopping in food stores with cigarette, cigar or pipe in hand may become a tying of the past, if people obey an ordinance passed by the McHenry City Council Monday night. The ordinance declares that •noldng is indeed a nuisance and makes it illegal to smoke a cigarette, cigar or pipe in any "grocery store, meat or fish market, delicatessen store or convenience food store in McHenry." The newly-passed ordinance does make provision for smoking areas to be set aside, at the discretion of the proprietor, but these should be in areas where merchandise is not displayed for sale. Aid. Cecilia Serritella (4th) questioned the enforcement of the ordinance. "Why should we pass it if we can't enforce it?" she asked. At the extreme, enforcement could mean one citizen signing a complaint against another and the matter going to court. The fine ranges from a $10 minimum to $500 maximum. In a vast majority of cases, enforcement is more a matter of common courtesy. When a smoker is asked politely to extinguish a cigarette, most people will do so. City Attorney Bernard Narusis pointed out that this was not an uncommon ordinance and, in fact, was less restrictive than many. In Wisconsin, the state legislature passed a law prohibiting smoking in food stores. In one city in that state, smoking is prohibited in all retail establishments. Aid. William Busse (2nd) made the motion to pass the ordinance. Voting in favor were Aldermen Snell, Smith, Mc- Clatchey, Datz, Busse, Nolan and Bolger. Aid. Serritella opposed. In another matter, Lynne Donarski asked the council to place on the next ballot a "Taxpayers Relief Resolution" which calls for a decrease in the state tax on utilitites. Ms. Donarski pointed out that the advisory resolution was non- binding but would serve as a public opinion poll. The resolution requests legislators cut *he five percent tax on utilities to 2.5 percent. "We pay the highest rate in the country and provide loopholes to multinational corporations. This is a starting point," she said. The council unanimously approved the measure to have the resolution placed on the next ballot. In other business: -The council voted to ap­ prove the annexation of property near the intersection of Route 31 and Bull Valley Road. The owner of the property, Hal Paul, requested the annexation. -The council voted to prove an extension for payment of developer for Woodcreek subdivision. The extension is for one year. -The council is considering the implementation of an in­ filtration study in the golf course subdivision area. The study could be broadened to other areas if it is warranted. - R e p r e s e n t a t i v e s o f Residential Development Group (RDG) and the city will meet to reach an agreement concerning final platting of a 17-lot addition in Winding Creek subdivision. $he city is concerned about future sewer line capacity * guarantees. -In a matter raised by Aid. Raymond Smith (3rd), the council gave its okay to having #ne or two workers represent Hie Public Works Department at budget or benefit meetings. -The council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the McHenry Township Road District which provides for the exchange of equipment and services in certain instances. -Development of a playground in the Fox Ridge area was approved by f unanimous council action. -Hie council voted to prohibit parking on the north side of Lillian Street between Route 31 and Sioux Lane. No action was taken on a proposal to prohibit left turns from Third Street onto Elm Street. -The council approved Christmas gifts to the em­ ployees in the amount of $25 for full-time, $10 for part-time. Unchanged for seven years, AkL Gary Snell (4th) opposed the measure because he felt it should be more. Seek to develop marketable skills in school By Carol A. Stevens At the last meeting of the Johnsburg school board, Steve Pollock reported on the results of the recent Vocational Ad­ visory Council meeting. Ttm concern of the Council i* to develop marketable skills in high school students enrolled in the vocational program. To do this, a very thorough study has been proposed which would involve many area residents. The first step is to identify which skills are most important to be taught to the students. To decide this, the Council will be forming apporoximately 14 ad hoc committees of eight which will meet once and discuss which skills need to be taught at the high school level. Once these skills have been identified, teachers will be able to develop programs to teach these skills. Upon completion of the program, students will receive a certificate that list those skills at which that student is proficient. When applying for a job, the student need only submit the certificate to the employer as proof of proficiency in the listed skills. These programs include skills as those required for a nurse's New committees were ap­ pointed by Heidler, with the following chairmen: TWC - J. Sobiesk; Building, K. Schaeffer; Transportation, S. Maiorca, and Finance, J. Heidler. Aide* waiting for the test to be sent to an outside source for scoring. The package is compatible with the Apffte computer now owned by the School and would require thefiiirchase < only of the scanner gsMWfc fyniwpiMWft, as part of the mini-course purchase of an extra heater to including carpentry, electrician and drafting, factory skills, etc. This study is expected to take approximately two years to complete. The skills should be chosen by March and will be reported back to the Advisory Council in April. At that time, instructors will begin to design programs to best teach these skills. Some programs will be able to be put into the curriculum by next fall, but most will not be ready until the following school year. Hie new Johnsburg School Board held its nrst meeting with John Heidler as the new president. James Preston was reelected as board Secretary, and new member Tom Walsh was welcomed to the board. program held each year during the Easter break. Ap­ proximately 20 seventh and eighth graders will have the opportunity to travel to the nation's capital to see govern­ ment in action as well as the well known landmarks. A lengthy discussion regar­ ding the purchasing of a soft­ ware package for scoring achievement tests was held. The package that was discussed seems to be the only such computer software of its type in existence. It is designed to score the tests taken by all school students each fall and spring and would enable the school to score the tests in a matter of days rather than be installed in the newly pur­ chased van. This heater is necessary to heat the back section of the van. The cost will be approximately $200. The vandalism to the junior high roof, which amounted to $1,138, has now been taken care of. The insurance covered $638 and the remaining $500 has been covered through the Court Services which is handling the punishment of the teens who were involved. Also, insurance has covered the replacement oi the equipment stolen over the Labor Day holiday. There may be some further developments in this theft, but no details were available at this time. STAFF PHOTO WAYNI GAYIORO General Chairman Bob Schaefer, right, opens Santa's hut in Pearl t_ „• i. Street Park as Parade Chairman Jerry Lazalde looks on. It's in lltlCTI ^atlLa S nilL preparatlonforthearilvalofSartfaandMrs. CIausSaturday, Dec. 10. if Children are invited to join in Santa's parade from East Campus * parking lot, with departure time at 1:30. STAFF PHOTO WAYNE GA YLOftD The battle of man and his shovel versus winter and its snow was waged Tuesday morning in McHenry. This resident of Whispering Oaks was losing the fight in mid- morning, but emerged the victor when the fall ceased about noon. cornpei Increased asked for airport damage By Kurt Begalka Shaw Free Press Media Art Gait, owner of Gait Flying Service, Inc., wants com­ pensation for damage he said the Air Force caused to his airport during the 1982 air crash salvage operation. An Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 tanker jet exploded over the village of Greenwood, killing 27 servicemen and raining debris over the area. Gait charged that the heavy trucks and helicopters used in the salvage operation cracked his runways and entrance road. Gait asked for $25,000. The Air Force said no. "They simply said that's what they thought was right for me," Gait said. "They didn't tell me what their feelings were. They just jotted down the notice and left." Robert Bell, defense legislative aide for Illinois Sen. Charles Percy, said he met with Air Force officials last month- "We pinpointed what ac­ counted for the difference between the $15,000 offered and the $25,000 claim," Bell said. £ Bell promised that he woufck monitor the case. "You have a difference in opinion in a factual matter. Certainly Senator Percy would have preferred to settle this legal matter without having to go to this step," he added. Gait is appealing his way up to the top brass in the Air Force. The difference in opinion, he said, concerned damage done to taxiways between the hangers. Although a chain is across them now, it was dropped during the Air Force cleanup, Gait said. "We tried to keep them on the parking lot. Of course while they were here, they went anywherfe they wanted to." Gait said he would present this information within the next few weeks, after conferring with his lawyer. I A look inside... 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