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McHenry Wednesday March 21,1984 Number 65 Volume 106 Since 1875 7 Sections 32 Pages 25* Chicago woman suspect as attempted child abductor (Plaindealer photo by Wayne Gaylord) Winter in rambunctious mood Winter, in a reluctant mood to leave, canted problems galore for and John Streets attempt to get their vehicles started. The first day of motorists last Saturday. Above, drivers at the intersection of Green spring was Tuesday, but when is the last day of winter? City garbage rates will increase Council divided on new charge Lake drawdown begins soon By Anthony Oliver Plaindealer staff writer City residents will be paying 65 cents more each month for garbage disposal as a Jfftit Of an increase approved at fre city council meeting Monday night McHenry-Woodstock Disposal Company representatives sought a 15 percent increase, $1 per month, but met with con­ siderable opposition from about half the council. The company had the support of the license committee, which heard the request last week, but whose r e c o m m e n d a t i o n w a s overridden in a 54 vote. License committee chairman Aid. Cecilia Serritella (4th) pointed out to the council that rates had not been increased in more than two years. She also noted that unlimited pickup was not a standard and the company was aware the city's ordinance would permit competition from another firm. "I am not in agreement for a raise. I hear enough complaints from my constituents," said Aid. Elizabeth Nolan (1st). Ms. Nolan received support from Aid. Frank McClatchey (3rd), who said the increase was not justified, and Aid. Edward Datz (2nd). "We only get one side of the ii going Up, too," Representing McHenry- Woodstock Disposal, Tom Scolaro responded, "I have made myself available to an­ swer questions. I was at that meeting (committee) and only two aldermen showed up. I don't know what Mr. Datz expects. He hasn't asked me anything." Aid. William Busse (2nd) questioned. whether the proposed 15 percent increase, from $6.60 per month (existing) to $7.60 per month, was justified. He argued that the Consumer Price Index, an artificial economic indicator, had risen about 10 percent in the two-year time frame. "Does this justify a 15 percent increase?" Busse asked. "Our landfill closed down," Scolaro said. "Just because it's closed, does that raise the cost?" Busse asked. "Yes," Scolaro replied. Busse also suggested that the citizenry be informed that there are other companies that will provide the service. firm received support William Bolger ly Smith (3rd), commented that the rate would be "in­ line" with surrounding com­ munities in northern Illinois. Smith contended that the council should not enter into advertising for other companies and added this should not be a made a requirement. "I pay too much for groceries, cars...it's regrettable," Smith said. "The man is just trying to operate his business. His profits or losses have no effect on me." The motion to approve the 15 percent increase, $1 per month, split the council 4-4, with Mayor Joseph Stanek breaking (be tie. Voting in (aver were Amntftai Bolger, Smith, Snell ami Serritella. Voting against wire Aldermen Nolan, Busse, Mc­ Clatchey, Datz and Mayor Stanek. A second motion, to approve a 10 percent increase, $.65 per month, passed 5-3. Voting in favor were Aldermen Busse, Bolger, Smith, Snell and Serritella. Opposed were Aldermen Nolan, McClatchey and Datz. By Kurt Begalka Plaindealer news service Approximately 60 members gathered last week at the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners Association's directors meeting in a chilly Highland Shores community building. The spring drawdown of Wonder Lake will continue on schedule, provided that the ice has melted. The lake committee recommended and the directors approved a drawdown beginning April 1, weather permitting, and for two weeks. The Johnsburg High School adds to computer program By Donna Bertulis Plaindealer staff writer Johnsburg School District 12 will be adding to its already impressive list of computers, as the result of school board action last week. The board voted to put $35,000 'Zeke' Bacon 1984 distinguished graduate Haruld "Zeke" Bacon, a 1925 graduate of McHenry Com­ munity High School, -has been selected as 1984 MCHS- Distinguished Graduate. A committee of eight studied the accomplishments of 18 nominees before casting votes. No more than five persons may be recognized in one year and the honor goes to the graduate(s) who is either the unanimous choice or receives the greatest number of votes. Bacon, who now resides in Tucson, Ariz., went to work Immediately after graduation for the West McHenry State Bank, where he was employed as a clerk and later assistant cashier. Ten years later he went to the Cary State Bank as cashier, where he 1 remained until becoming chief executive officer in the Home State Bank of Crystal Lake. During the next 38 years he was advanced, serving before his retirement as president and board chairman. Hie McHenry native served both as treasurer and president A look inside. . . State Tax Refunds Page 2 An American in Russia Section 2, Page 10 Regular features Crime of the Week Page 4 Obituaries Page 11 Classified Reader Ads 344-4800 Display and Classified Display 385-0170 of the Illinois Bankers Association and at one time was a member of the Executive Committee of the American Bankers Association. His interests have been diverse. In the sixties he served as president of the Blackhawk Area Boy Scouts and was winner of the Silver Beaver and St. George Emblem awards. He served as a director of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce from 1965 to 1971 and also was president of the Crystal Lake Lions Club. At one time he was named chairman of the McHenry County for War Bonds. Long time residents still remember his outstanding athletic ability during high school days in McHenry. Later, he was instrumental in organizing the McHenry Amateur Athletic Club. For several years he wrote a column, Bacon's Strip, and edited sports for the McHenry Plaindealer. The newly elected Distinguished Graduate joins five others named for the honor in 1982 and 1983. he will be given ! special recognition at the annual MCHS senior awards dinner to be held April ?5. continuing lake level will drop a maximum or5.5feet, and will be completed by May 1 at the latest. MPOA President Ed Beard estimated it would take seven or eight days for the lake to fill up. Beard warned boaters that Illinois Conservation police plan to step up patrols of the lake. Violations mean $50 cash on the spot, he added. Hank O'Pensky, former Wonder Lake Coast Guard flotilla president, was the un­ contested candidate for the first vice president slot vacated by Jon Gallo. The vote was unanimously in favor. O'Pensky, of Norridge, has been a weekend resident of Wonder Lake for 22 years. He served as president of the Wildwood Property Owners Association for six years and is its present director. "My main goal is to clean up the lake," O'Pensky said. In other business: -The directors approved the purchase of liabilitv insurance into its 1984-85 budget to pur­ chase various pieces of com­ puter hardware and software. Approximately. 25 more computers will be in and operating by next school year, said Dr. Duane Andreas, superindendent, bringing the total of computers in the district to about 75. The new computers will be purchased through a consortium of schools. "Our goal is to have every student in the district be com­ puter literate," said the superintendent. The Johnsburg School District points proudly to its computer education system. Presently, computers are used in all grade levels, including kindergarten. Many computercelated groups have organized throughout the district and a computer ter­ minal is not far from any classroom. They are even located in many of the school's learning centers. The 25 new computers will also be distributed throughout the district. Of the 21 school districts in McHenry County, only the Crystal Lake School District can rival the computer literacy of Johnsburg School students, said Andreas. Another outcome of the March 13 school board meeting is the tentative purchase of two classrooms adjacent the Johnsburg Junior High building. The board agreed to enter negotiations for purchase with the Special Education District of McHenry County (SEDOM). According to Andreas, the classrooms were built at the same time as the junior high Continued on pof • ) for themselves and MPOA of­ ficers. The $1 million policy, with a $500 deductible, is ex­ pected to cost $500 to $600 an­ nually. --A concept of a calendar lottery will be investigated and information brought to the June convention. Beard said a private high school in Chicago used the concept to earn more than $200,000. As Beard en­ visions the system, people would buy a calendar for around $20. Participants then would be eligible to win money each day. "What a beautiful way to raise money for dredging," Beard said. -Beard referred two policy questions brought up by Frank DeCosta, director of Indian R i d g e I m p r o v e m e n t Association, to the bylaws committee for study. DeCosta questioned a board policy of not allowing citizens to speak at meetings of the MPOA directors a n d $ 1 0 - p e r - l o t - p e r , - u n s u b d i v i d e d - a c r e d u e s structure. Article eight of the MPOA's general -bylaws states: "No increase or decrease shall be valid unless applied to both lots and unsubdivided acreage proportionately." This means owners of unsubdivided property should pay twice as much per lot. DeCosta was upset with Beard's decision. "He ruled before I had a chance to make my case," DeCosta said. "In­ stead of being brought up for discussion it was ruled by him." Highly acclaimed choral group in March 25 concert Hie New Oratorio Singers, highly acclaimed choral group under the direction of Thomas Wikman, will present its first concert of the 1984 season with a performance of the Rossini Stabat Mater and the Bruckner Te Deum Sunday, March 25, at 5:30 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. This marks the seventh major concert given by the New Oratorio Singers at St. John's since the group's founding in 1979. Thomas Wikman says of these two works: "The contrast of the lyrical operatic style of Rossini in the Stabat Mater with that of the power and grandeur of Bruckner's Te Deum makes this program one of the most ex­ citing the New Oratorio Singers has ever done." The concert will feature the 85-member chorus chosen by audition, professional soloists and orchestra, composed of members of the Chicago Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Milwaukee Symphony. Thomas Wikman, director, is the con­ ductor of the prestigious Music of the Baroque of Chicago, a noted voice teacher and concert organist and harpsichordist. Tickets for the March 25 concert will be reserved numerically to assure in­ dividuals of proper seating. Because most performances are sold out ahead of the concert date, it is advisable to purchase tickets early. Tickets can be ordered through the ticket chairman, Shirley Beers at (815) 459-8033, or through Michael Emrich at (815) 459-0455. Some credit cards are acceptable. McHenry hosts municipal group Mayor Joseph B. Stanek and the City of McHenry will host the McHenry County Municipal Association. The meeting will be held March 28 at Chapel Hill Country Club. The program for the evening will be "Drug Abusers." The social hour at 6:30 will be followed by a 7:30 dinner and the program. By Angela Burden Plaindealer news service A suspect in a Thursday home invasion and attempted child abduction in Wonder Lake was being held in the McHenry County Jail on a $79,000 bond following several felony charges placed by the McHenry County Sheriffs Department. Marrietta Kovacs, 33, 3151 Ainslie Ave., Chicago, is charged with home invasion, armed violence, attempted child abduction, residential burglary, battery, two counts of criminal damage to property and violation of a protection order. A court hearing is set for March 22. Sheriff's police responded about 2:55 p.m. Thursday to the report of a home invasion and attempted child abduction at 5205 Lear St., Wonder Lake, where the offender had already fled the scene on foot before arrival of police. Police said a description of the offender was obtained and the suspect was observed boarding a Regional Transportation Authority bus on Wonder Lake Road. Sheriffs police stopped the bus and Kovacs, who was armed with a knife, was taken into custody without incident, police said. According to the sheriff's department report, the suspect forcibly entered the Wonder Lake residence by breaking a window. The victim fled with her children to a neighboring home. Police said the victim was pursued by Kovacs, who pun­ ched and kicked the victim and attempted to abduct the child from the victim's arms. The offender was fought off by the victim and the neighbor before police arrived.