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McHenry Plaindealer (McHenry, IL), 24 Apr 1968, p. 8

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PG. 8, - PLAINDEALER- WED., APR., 24, 1968 I Township Government A Bulwark Against Bigness - (Fourth in a new series of articles on township government, and how it looks on behalf of the people). "Democracy, to be truly responsive to our aspirations for individual freedom, must increasingly develop and nourish and strengthen local institutions of government." A curious thing about that quote is that it was made by a New Dealer, and chairman of the Tennessee Valley Authority David Lilienthal. He said it in 1949, after he was no longer associated with the original New Deal. "I deny that Big Government is inevitable", Lilienthal said. "I assert that there is a workable alternative, and that we should pursue that alternative . . .so that the American people and their great heritage of localized democracy do not become powerless." The workable alternative? Let's explore one. Hie individual, of course, represents the most local institution of democracy. One step removed is the most localized governmental organization. This may be municipal, village or township government. Even though the individual may live in a city (other than Chicago), a township government functions on his behalf within eighty-five counties in Illinois. The township is a legal unit of the state government, functioning within county government. No changes in the township's relations with the county, nor with any other governmental body, can be m|de without the sanction of the state legislature. But the township functions on a district basis, administering on an inter-community basis. It administers sonte countyregulated affairs, and may very well carry out policies and programs that stem from state or federal levels. Yet it is still very local. The people have ready access to township government and its officials. They serve as a vital part of it at town meetings, where they vote to approve or disapprove township govern merit policies, budgets and programs. The character and structure of township government lends itself well to the task of preserving local freedom and democracy. Although it is not always authorized by law to handle or administer certain functions, it has much to say and do about tax matters, welfare, health, juvenile as well as old age problems, roads, certain phases of land use, and some educational matters. Through authorization by state law, township functions can be increased. This, in combination with appointment by federal agencies, could very well make townships become district administrators of federal functions. Instead, federal agencies have tended first, to centralize in Washington, then set up separate districts to administer this centrally controlled function. Even in cases where functions could be combined, this has been done. For example, establishing separate districts and separate handling of public health and mental health affairs. Such procedures not only makes Big government bigger but also more expensive. But Big Government will get bigger, more centralized and more expensive unless there isa determined, continuous and creative effort to reverse the trend. The machinery is there, in the form of the township governmental structure. Why cannot some federal activities be de-centralized, if not in whole, in part? Must every federal program be centralized, even down to local administration? Even assuming that it is desirable or necessary to establish policies at a national level, this does not mean that administration of that policy must necessarily be on a federal or nation-wide basis. This distinction -- and this conclusion -- can help much to keep our state and our nation safe for democracy. It is the administering and by Illinois State Bar Association SILENT PHONE CALLER VIOLATES STATE LAW A telephone call in which the only "message" is one of complete silence -- or the sound of heavy breathing--is in violation of Illinois law. According to the Illinois State Bar association, the person who makes such a telephone call knowingly and with intent to annoy another person is guilty of disorderly conduct. The fact that no conversation ensues is of no consequence in the eyes of the law. The offender, if found out, may be fined up to $500. The bar group noted that women who live alone are the special target of "silence" calls as well as of obscene telephone calls. Such calls, it said, should be reported to the police or the telephone company, or both. If only one annoying or offensive call is received, it may pe difficult to detect the caller. Butifaperson is persistent in making the calls, the telephone company may be able to trace them. The law defines an obscene telephone call as one in which "obscene, lewd or immoral" language is used with intent to offend. And the law says that the use of such language is "prima facie" Evidence -- that is, all evidence that is necessary -- to establish intent to offend. The penalty is a fine of up to $300 or jail term of up to six months or both. K also is illegal to use the telephone as the instrument of a prank. Thus, anyone who dials a number at random and asks the policing of policies that become stricter and stricter, year by year, that threatens our freedom. It is this that can turn us into a nation of sheep, ripe for " Caesarism" or dictatorship. Overcentralized administration is purely and simply a hazard to freedom. It becomes more and more a remote-control, mechanized, think-aiike, numbers and paperwork operation. It loses personal understanding and perception of re-v ality, as well as of human beings and human problems. person who answers a trick question, could be found guilty of disorderly conduct. Again, the fine may be as much as $500. To deal with <>bscene or nuisance telephone calls, 37 states have laws similar to those of Illinois. One of the first such statutes was enacted by Texas in 1909. The bar group suggests that a woman who lives alone should not advertise this fact by listing herself in the telephone directory by her first name, such as Mary L. Smith. Instead, she should use initials , such as M.L.. Smith. An unlisted number is not the recommended solution since the telephone calls a person might wi$sh to receive could be missed. NEW VICE-CHAIRMAN ARCHIE R. BOE Archie R. Boe, 1012 Cherry Valley road, McHenry, has been elected vice-chairman, a new position, and W. Boyd Christense/ i has been elected president of the Allstate Insurance companies and Allstate Enterprises, Inc. Before assuming his new position, Boe, 47, served as Allstate's president. As vice-chairman, he will concentrate on the companies' corporate planning, product line extension, pricing and consumer and general research. SHOP IN MCHENRY r O 157 Get a fresh new start for spring cleaning. Reg Reg. 2.98 Reg. 1.49 44 qt. rect or 2 gal. size 60 qt. round PLASTIC WASTE BASKETS WATERING CAN 1J9 1.00 Reg. 4.99 Beg. 2.99 Metal - adjustable 3 PC. TANK IRONING BOARD COVE! SET 3J9 LSi Beg. 1.39 Reg. 1.50 - 2.00 HOUSEHOLD BOXES OF BROOM LOO GREETING CARDS SBe • Reg. 49c pr. Reg. 59c Bag BOY'S STHETCH SPHIWG CREW SOCKS CLOTHES PINS 3 pr. 99c 48c Reg. 16.98 Reg. 69c 20" ELECTRIC CLOTH CLOTHES FLOOR FAN PIN BAG 2 14 op SPEED *",0° 58c Rtg. 2.98 Mmdm of Whtto Plastic! Interesting garden accent attracts beautiful birds to /our yard. 24-inch high. Daily pickups make big cleaning easier. BUY YOUR EVERY DAY DRUG NEEDS AT BEN FRANKLIN Listed Below Are Just a few of the many items reduced -- Not for just a few days -- But all the time! Reg. 1.15 LISTERINE 99c Rep. 1.45 SCOPE 1.17 Reg. 1.05 LAVORIS 93c Reg. 98c BAYER ASPIRIN 83c Reg. 1.79 BAYER ASPIRIN 1.41 Reg. 1.19 DRISTAN 97c Reg. 95c TOOTHPASTE 81c Reg. 1.00 v RIGHT GUARD 83c Reg. 1.00 SECRET DEODORANT 83c Reg. 1.00 BAN ROLLON 83c Reg. 1.50 V05 HAIR SPRAY 1.28 Reg. 1.00 TAME RINSE 88c Reg. 1.79 TAMP AX 1.41 Reg. 47 i TAMP AX 43c This.new toy crazefas- p cinates children. Reg. 1.00 BRUSH ROLLERS / 88c Reg. 2.00 HAIR RINSE 1.53 Reg. 1.00 Maybelline Eye Makeup 88c Reg. 1.39 GET SET HAIR SPRAY ,99c Reg. 99c AQUA NET 66c Reg. 2.00 TONI PERM. 1.47 DAILY 9-6 FRI. 9-9 Ben Franklin McHenry, Illinois IN THE GREEN STREET MALL FOOD STORES jUTWMi, : mxm A --:'Jk MAW*" HATH* j, '

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