•"S? A., 15 Q THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER •W- "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 \ > . frlra-nZl Giiiiil 15 VOLUME 98 NUMBER 69 FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 1974 20 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS Interest Light In Five School Board Elections Interest in serving on local school boards is at its lowest ebb in many years if one can judge by the few filings for vacancies. The last day for filing found only two contests in five districts, and in one case there were not enough candidates to fill the openings. One of the contests will occur in Consolidated Grade School District 15, where Dorothy Vick, a long time member and board secretary, is completing a three-year term, and Marilyn J. Munz is finishing a one-year term. Both have filed to fill two three-year vacancies. A new candidate will be Jon Gealow of 2903 Bayview road, McHenry. Mrs. Vick resides at 5206 W.« Parkview and Miss Munz at 5208 W. Parkview, McHenry. In High School District 156, Howard Weiss of 310 N. Country club drive is completing a three-year term and will seek re-election but only for the one- year term that is vacant. Philip E. Bartmann of 4002 N. Blitsch, who is filling several months of an unexpired term on an appointment, will run for a three-year term. Lloyd Freund, a long »time member, has not filed for re election. The third candidate is R.G. Newport of 1616 N. Ranch road, who filed for the one-year post. The decision of Weiss to seek the one-year term brings about an unusual occurrence. There are two candidates for the one short term vacancy and only one candidate for two three- year openings. A contest is evident for McHenry County College board, where three have filed for two vacancies. Thomas J. Leahy of 720 St. John, and Gerald M. Smith of 4320 Doty, both Woodstock, seek re election to three-year terms. A third candidate is David Jones of 321 Highland, Woodstock. At Harrison school. Wonder Lake, where three vaca rides exist, there are that many candidates. Jay Cristy Jr. of 3137 E. Lake Shore drive and Dr. S. L. Ruggero of 4712 E. Lake Shore drive again seek" support of the public for three- year terms. Mrs. Theo. C. Dass of 3202 E. Lake Shore drive has filed to fill the post occupied by her husband. Elmer Pflug of 1412 W. Bayview and Stevan Petrov of 6003 Fox Lake road have filed for re-election in Johnsburg District 12. The elections will be held Saturday, April 13, in all districts. Eagle Scout Presentation Scoutmaster Ray Jensen of Troop 459, at right, makes Eagle presentation to Doug Viita in special ceremony Tuesday evening at the Lakeland Park Community house. Looking on, at left, are Doug's parents, Mr. and Mrs. U.E. Viita. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Farm Bureau Musin' and Meanderin' The ballyhoo has subsided and for the moment the Regional Transportation Authority, popularly (or unpopularly) known as the RTA, appears to be here to stay. When all the votes were in and some reviewing had taken place, it was announced Wednesday of this week that the issue had the pleasure of only a 1 per cent margin of victory. This is probably the closest vote in one of the most hotly contested proposals made to the public in any recent year election. According to the rules, the slimmest of margins is enough for victory and ordinarily ends all arguments. But the RTA is different than most such proposals, and it doesn't necessarily indicate poor sportsmanship that the losers are still in there fighting. We talked to Rep. R. Bruce Waddell when he was in McHenry Tuesday to learn what was being considered in the way of further action. The legislator believes it will originate with those state Representatives from the five- county area who protested the RTA proposal from the beginning. The argument will be made on the grounds of constitutionality. No one can predict the outcome, but it appears that results hinge, to some extent, on whether or not the matter comes before the court in Cook county or in one of the outlying counties. Certainly a protest on the grounds that most of the collar counties will 'not be fairly represented seems valid, especially with the present emphasis on the need to meet the Supreme court's one-man, one-vote ruling, i McHenry county's legislators -- all of them we believe-- voted against the proposal which finally brought the matter to an election. At the polls, individual voters expressed themselves 10 to 1 against the proposition. We couldn't do more than that. It was very nearly the same situation in the other five counties outside Cook, none of which favored RTA. Yet here (Continued on page 9) Doug Viita, son of Mr. and Mrs. U.E. Viita of 4613 W. Willow lane, McHenry, received his ,Eagle award Tuesday evening, March 26, at 7:30 in an impressive rite held in the Lakeland Park Community house. The honor was bestowed on the 14-year- old youth just three and a half years after he became a Boy Scout, which occurred three days after his eleventh birthday in September of 1970. Dr. Dale McDowel, vice- chairman of the Kishwaukee district, Boy Scouts, gave the main address, asking the question, "What Are We Prepared For?" Brief talks also were given by Frank Meenach, district executive, and William Grog, district chairman. Mayor Joseph Stanek and John Bokhas, assistant district commissioner for the McHenry area, were among the many friends and relatives to witness the presentation. Clyde Kangas, district commissioner, gave the Eagle charge. Ray Jensen, scoutmaster of Troop 459, made the Eagle presentation after a candlelight ceremony. In addition to the Eagle award, Doug also received presentations from the Sheriff's department by Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell, American Legion, given by Wilbur Haak, and from the Elks club by Robert Wienke. Requirements for the Eagle award include earning twenty- four merit badges, holding a position of leadership in the troop, and organizing and completing a community <J- service project. Back Efforts To Negate RTA Vote The McHenry County Farm Bureau supports the efforts of those seeking ways to negate the narrow vote in favor of the establishment of a Regional Transit Authority, Ervin Walters, Hebron farmer who is president, said this week. Meanwhile, should the RTA vote go unchanged from the present narrow majority in favor of its establishment in the six-county area, Walters wants members of the state legislature and citizens of the surrounding counties to take certain positive steps. "I believe we should pay strict attention to who are proposed members of the board of this RTA. I want the strong negative vote of the area outside Chicago reflected in the choice of board members," he asserted. "I believe our legislators, most of whom worked earnestly to defeat the RTA referendum, should continue their efforts by seeking amendments that a large majority of fair-minded citizens want adopted." Walters said he believes the whopping vote against the RTA in McHenry county - 93 per cent - and the comparatively large turnout of 47 per cent - reflects the concentrated efforts of the Farm Bureau along with many other organizations and responsible civic leaders. The negative vote in the rural area was significantly large. Walters said he believes the narrow margin of victory overall places special responsibility on advocates of RTA to be sure the outlying communities obtain significant public transportation service and facilities. He also asked that (Continued on page 9) Business Firms, Homes Targets Of Burglaries Driver Escapes Serious Injury As Auto Roils Frank A. Ehredt of 3220 Idyll Dell road, McHenry, escaped serious injury early Wednesday morning when his car rolled over several times on Route 176 west of Ballard road, west of Crystal Lake. Ehredt fell asleep behind the wheel and the vehicle left the A calculator, a portable color television set and about $350 in cash were taken from Hansen Marine, 3112 Lincoln road, McHenry, sometime last Wednesday night. The burglary was discovered by employees Arrest Juvenile, Seek Others In Auto Theft Variety Show At East Campus Friday and Saturday evening, March 29 and 30, at 8:00 p.m., McHenry high school, East campus, will be presenting its first variety show, "Phase 74". Both performances will be given in the East campus gyn»?^ Five students, will act^ as emcees for the evening. They Calenda Leonard, left, Karen Day, Brenda Love (seated) Cindy Landin and Kim Curry will be among participants in the variety show, "Phase 74", to be presented at East campus high school Friday and Saturday, March 29 and 30. Brenda will play a classical piano solo. The other girls will be heard singing "What A Great Thing It Is". STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD are sophomores Maribeth Karas, George Keenev and Bryan O'Neill and freshmen, Betty Winters and Kim Kantlehner. Providing some of the music for "Phase 74" will be vocal soloists Julie Guettler and Bret Jackson. Also singing will be a quartet composed of Cindy Landin, Karen Day, Kim Curry and Calinda Leonard, and a trio consisting of Selena Mays, Cherly Ripley and Scott Chessler. Karl Hughes, Elaine Palmer, Maryann Smith. Virginia Wilsman, Margie Zielinski and (Continued on page 9) highway onto the right shoulder. When he awakened and attempted to regain control, the car traveled sideways and rolled over. His auto was totaled in the accident. Jo Ann F. Bronkhorst of 420 James street, Crystal Lake, was ticketed by sheriff's deputies for improper passing and for driving while license was revoked or suspended following a two-car collision at the intersection of Route 31 and Idyll Dell road, south of McHenry, Monday afternoon. Gloria M. Aissen of 3613 W. Idyll Dell, McHenry, was south bound on the highway. As she prepared to make a left turn onto Idyll Dell, the Bronkhorst auto pulled alongside and they collided. Ms. Bronkhorst said she failed to see any turn signals in operation before she started to pass the Aissen vehicle. Gary B. Jurs of 210 Elmhurst, Crystal Lake, was cited by city police for violation of classification of driver-special restriction-after the truck he was driving hit two parked cars at Garden Quarter apartments. Jurs had unloaded a chair Friday afternoon from the back of a truck and taken it into the apartment building. When he returned, the truck had rolled into the parked autos of Raymond H. Watkins and Frances M. Blair, both of 4707 Garden Quarter road, McHenry. Driver Of Semi Improves After Crash Injuries Richard L. Penny of 4609 Lake Shore drive, McHenry, was reported in satisfactory condition in the intensive care unit of the local hospital Thursday morning. He suffered injuries Monday evening when the truck he was driving and a north-bound Chicago & Northwestern commuter train collided. The accident occurred at 5:47 p.m. on East Prairie street in Crystal Lake. The train struck the front of the semi-truck as it was crossing the tracks, causing it to jacknife. An explosion followed that destroyed the tractor. Penny managed to jump just before impact • 4-- One juvenile was arrested and another is known to be involved in the theft of a Lincoln Continental car from Elm street Wednesday mbrning. Three other young people also are believed to have taken part in the theft. At 3:15 that morning, Richard Jager of 3311 W. Elm street reported his auto stolen from a parking area at the rear of his business. Two hours later Zion authorities told McHenry police they had sefcn the car in that city at 2:40 a.m. At 3 o'clock Thursday morning, while on regular patrol duty, Officer Molnar of the local department noticed the stolen car traveling south on Crystal Lake road. He radioed to another squad car in the area that he was heading south on the blacktop with the intention of stopping the auto at Hanley drive. (Continued on page 9) when they arrived for work Thursday morning. Entry was made through a door near the showroom. The office area had been ransacked along with file cabinets and the cash register. The Crystal Ball Inn, 2028 W. Route 120, McHenry, was entered in the early hours of Sunday morning by forcing the front door. Several areas of the business place had been searched and the following items were taken: several boxes of cigars, boxes of chewing gum, assorted linens, two cases of liquor, cases of beer and a dozen lobsters from the freezer. ^ Harvey Brown of 617 Lily I^ake road, McHenry, reported his home had been burglarized Wednesday night while he was away for the evening. Taken from the premises were a portable television, a stereo turntable, two speakers, a box containing personal papers and an undetermined amount of coins. Entry was made by forcing open the front door. When Andrew Schwartz of 501 N. Country Club road, McHenry, returned home from work early Friday morning, hie found his home had been entered. Missing were a television set, a radio, a stereo (Continued on page 9) FULL HEARING About seventy-five people, most of them from McHenry county, attended the Northeastern Illinois Planning commission public hearing concerning the proposed Regional Wastewater plan Wednesday night. They protested strongly the plan which would pipe effluent into the Fox river somewhere between Pistakee Lake and' Johnsburg. More details concerning the meeting will appear in next week's issue. Cancer Crusade Leaders1 At Work Starting April 1, the annual Cancer Crusade will open in McHenry and throughout the county. Among local leaders preparing for this important drive are. from left, Elmer W. Stange, township chairman; Charles "Chuck" Peterson, township co-chairman and Catherine Weber, chairman for the city of McHenry. Last year $37,842.98 was collected in behalf of the cancer drive in the county. Of this amount, McHenry township contributed $5,247.58. only slightly less than the top township of Nunda. which includes one of the county's largest city. Crystal Lake. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD When volunteers go out on the street April 1 in the annual Cancer Crusade, they will be collecting money for one of the most popular campaigns of the year. Tliirty per cent of the amount collected will go for research which took, nation-wide, an expenditure of $25,652,737 in 1973. Another 17 per cent went to public education in an effort to reduce the tragic figure of 5,000 needless deaths in Illinois alone last year. Professional education accounted for 11 per cent, aimed at keeping medical, dental and nursing professionals informed of the latest advances. Service claimed 21 per cent of the funds collected to help cancer patients through loan closets, grants to agencies serving patients, transportation and rehabilitation. Eleven per cent was used to reach as many persons as possible for crusade purpr - sending out a message u many people as possible to protect themselves. Another 10 per cent was um. i lor management and in general to administer the society's research, education, service and fund raising programs.