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pAf^n-PLAlNDEALEHijyEPNESPAV. AUGUST 3, |f!7 EDITORIALS New Pace Of Radio Visitors to this country from abroad are usually astounded to hear the fast voices and noise of American radio. Most American stations are competing in a fast commercial race for the most commercials, the most words, in an hour. That speeds up announcers and commentators to the point where the calm, slow talker is out. The result is less than good listening. For news, one too often gets only a few headlines, which the announcer may or may not be able to read sensibly. The music offered is usually the latest thing, which means it gets worse and worse, instead of playing accepted, proven music primarily, with some time devoted to new ideas, gimmicks, styles and fads. There is still fine radio programming, smoothly-paced, dignified and informative. But unfortunately the trend engulfs more and more stations, which change to fast noise, fast words and fast news. A Poor Commentary A forest ranger of the federal park service recently predicted all remaining bears in Great Smoky Mountains National park would be killed within a few years. t •The ranger said poachers are now removing several hundred bears a year. Legal hunters kill others. A North Carolina law which would hamper poachers is being delayed by legal appeal. A proposed ban on aU legal killing has not been enacted. Great Smoky National park is the largest remaining wildlife sanctuary in the east, with the highest mountains this side of the Rockies. Its bears have long fascinated and entertained visitors fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of them. It seems unthinkable poachers and hunters would proceed (and be allowed to) to the point of extermination. Such a prospect is a poor commentary on our society. Bumper Crop ^Despite all the news recently of drought and ruined crops, the Ifrtest Department of Agriculture forecast is for an all-time record cifrn harvest this year. The good news, for consumers, if this forecast is accurate, is that pork and chicken prices will come c$wvn, probably next spring. there's a dark side to the crop report, it's that farmers might rifceive lower prices for their corn, especially since there's already a; sizable surplus in storehouses. •Kevertheless, with so many of the world's peoples either sttrving or underfed, the huge U.S. corn crop opens the door to new, international sales, earning foreign currency, and other fljexibilities. It shows again that in modern or mechanized farming United States remains preeminent among the world's nations. fuilding Permits Building permits recently issued by the Department erf Building arid Zoning for McHenry County include: Clioice Builders, 3129 E. Lake Shore Dr., Wonder Lake, to build a thfee-bedroom single family residence at 8410 Sunset, Wonder Late, for an approximate value of $30,000. Permit and service fee- $lt?.80. p.E. Gaines Construction Inc., 49 N. California Ave., Mundelein, to;fcuild a single family residence at 7021 Wegner Ed. in Nunda Township for an approximate value of $32,000. Permit and service fel$176. »te Schefflel Construction, 3N002 Timberline, West Chicago to d a home at 3721 Fillmore Rd., McHenry Township for an roximate value of $35,000. Permit and service fee-$156. ;e Boyd, 440 Duck Lane, Wood Dale, tobilild a house at 1801 Lane in NUnda Township for an approi Permit and service fee-$167. in Franke, 1622 N. Court St., McHenry, to build a single residence at 405 Wilmington Court in McHenry Township in approximate value of $55,000. Permit and service fee-$241. ittany Builders, 3717 W. Elm, McHenry, to build a single residence at 4216 Somerset Court in Hartland Township for jproximate value of $65,000. Permit and service fee-$225. ert Roalsen, 3514 W. Pearl St., McHenry, to build a residence Kama Drive in McHenry Township for an approximate of $48,000. Permit and service fee-$272. ild L. Wilson, 511 S. River Rd., McHenry, to build a single residence at 509 River Rd. in Nunda Township for an cimate value of $30,000. Permit and service fee-$207. ice M. Hanley, 7605 Cherry Court, Wonder Lake, to build an ition at the same address for an approximate value of $21,000. lit and service fee-$99. kul W. Bieder, 509 Lakeland, Fox Lake, to build a single family lence at 6915 U.S. Rt. 12 in Fox Lake for an approximate value $55,000. The permit and service fee of $210 was paid by the licant. Irl and Arlene Nelson, 3320 N. Oriole, Chicago, to build a three- room residence at 10016 Clark Rd., Richmond for an roximate value of $40,000. Permit and service fee-$227.96. tig Swanson, 5115 Kenton Chicago, to build a new house at 10006 Rd. in Richmond Township for an approximate value of 350OO. Permit and service fee-$205. JT.A. Builders, Inc., 5315 E. Wonder Lake Rd., Wonder Lake, to a single family residence at 4919 Hilltop Dr., Wonder Lake. Nekpproximate value was given. Permit and service fee-$207. vMark Johnson, 5902 Wonder Woods, Wonder Lake, to build a two biflroom single family residence at 5322 E. Wonder Lake Rd. in MlfeHenry Township for an approximate value of $25,000. Permit aqd service fee-$169. ;^Qdam Matheis, 7423 Hiawatha, Wonder Lake, to build a three om single family residence at 7211 Marshall Ave., McHenry ship, for an approximate value of $30,000. Permit and service 1.50. (ark Hansen, 318 Kent Rd., McHenry, to build a three bedroom at 2931 Hidden Lakes Dr. in Hartland Township for an a proximate value of $50,000. Permit and service fee-$257.48. Paul E. Campion, 224 E. Bailey Rd., Naperville, to build a single family residence at 8907 Memory Trail, Wonder Lake, for an approximate value of $55,000. Permit and service fee-$218. Brittany Builders, 3717 W. Elm, McHenry, to build a single fai$ily residence at 6918 Pheasant in Nunda Township for an approximate value of $75,000. Permit and service fee-$277.36. J Wenzel Construction, 410 Dean St., Woodstock, to build a single family residence at 7911 Bennington Court in McHenry Township for an approximate value of $50,000. Permit and service fee-$250. James P. McNulty, 5415 E. Lake Shore Dr., Wonder Lake, to build a single family home at 6414 Greenwood in Hebron Township foff^m approximate value of $30,000. Permit and service fee-$241. J* PUBLIC PULSE (The Plaindealer invites the public to use this cohimii as an expression of their view on subjects of general interest in our community. Our only request is that the writers give signature, full address and phone number. We ask too, that one individual not write on the same subject more than once each month. We reserve the right to delete any material which we consider libelous or in objectionable taste.) PKT PROBLEM "Editor: "i reside in Whispering Oaks and have come to the con­ clusion that other residents here do not read the mail that comes to , us from the Whispering Oaks association asking pet owners to please curb their pets and to pick up after them. Maybe if this letter appears in your paper they will see themselves as they really are. I'm sure I am not alone in feeling this way. "The thing that bothers me the most (not to mention that you can find them walking their pets seven days a week along the parkways without the proper materials to pick up after them) but the fact that they walk them through West campus field where constantly you can see people jogging or practicing their golf games and when there are baseball games in progress the players bring along their little ones who play and run in the field (and step in the mess). "I have nothing against pets, but I do not understand why these people can't let their pets go potty on their own property and then proceed to take them for a walk. I gave my pet away to a good home before I moved to Whispering Oaks, knowing that I could not have a fenced in yard and I did not want to of­ fend my neighbors in case my pet got loose. Now I know I did the wrong thing and could have kept my pet and walked her all over every one else's grass and not have to worry about picking up after her. "I confronted a gentleman (?) who had stopped by my back yard to let his pet relieve itself and was told by him that it was common property. This may be true, however, he did not bother picking up the common mess his pet had deposited so I had to do so. If people, cannot pick up after th£u- pjetfe then m^ybe they snouldnot be allowed to have them! "Thank you for listening "Marie Volpe" INTEREST IN U.S.A. "To the Editor: "I am a girl, 15 years old, presently attending a high school in Seoul, Korea. In my country we are taught the English language from the first year of junior high school as the most important required subject. To improve our English, we practice not only in the regular class but also through our English club of which I am now the leader. "My English teacher told me that letter writing would be a great help for improving our English and suggested that I write to you on behalf of the boys and girls in my school. Many of them would like to exchange letters with boys and girls from your country. Therefore, we would very much appreciate your putting this letter into your newspaper. "Through the letters we hope to learn more about your customs, student life, and many other things, too. Of course, we will have the pleasure of introducing our ways as well, while improving our English skills. "So if you can print our request in your paper, we shall Who Decides What Children Learn? (The following is the second of a two-part story, "Who Decides What Children Learn? written by Sanford Patterson. The first part was on the Look Say method of teaching reading. Today's story deals with the New Math. A free lance writer and columnist, Patterson is a retired utility company supervisor. Mr. Patterson lives in Lincoln, 111. Once again, the bureaucrats attacked another basic teaching method. This time it was the old concept of how to teach mathematics. They introduced a new math teaching method at the elementary level. It was called the New Math. The educators at the university level hailed it as a necessary teaching concept for the coming computerized society. This was to be the training our children needed to run this new technocracy that would revolutionize the world. The textbook companies smiled all the way to the bank. What a bonanza! All the math books would be scrapped at the lower grade levels. No wonder they were smiling. Their lobbying was about to pay off in a big way. The university educators believed this new math teaching method was the way to go. They had tested it at the college level. It was designed for the college- oriented students. Little thought was given atyout the students with no desire to seek a higher education. Not everyone can or should go on to college. Less than one percent of those that do will ever be associated with computer science in any manner. The opposition came from the teachers at the grade school level. This has a familiar ring to it. This was the same group that protested against the Look Say method. ' , _ They were labeled as obstructionists then and now the charge was repeated. Workshops were set up by the textbook companies to train the teachers in the New Math teaching method. Mathematics by problem solving and by rote became a dirty word. The new guiding principle was the understanding of the process used and it was no longer important that students reach a conclusion (answer). The parents were unable to understand the new method. They couldn't help the children with their math lessons. The parents had sold their birthright (local control) for state aid administered by bureaucrats they couldn't reach. They had trusted these highly educated people to give their children (not just the ones that would go on to college) the best in education. The good math students accepted the new method and it had little effect on them. t It did affect the others. Their potential for mathematics wasn't reached. The kind of math they would need in the work-a-day world wasn't available. The bureaucrats had deprived them of a basic educational need. This quest for quality education had established standards many of the marginal students couldn't reach. The schools didn't have the funds to separate the two groups and it may not have been a desirable thing to do. Our educational system has to be designed to encompass all of the students and not just for the college- oriented. TTiere has been a rash of articles lately on the lack of basic educational skills among our young people. Why Johnny can't read, .write, or do simple arithmetic is some of the subject matter covered. They have their basis in the failure of Look Say and the New Math to teach these basics at the elementary level. Shades of Archimedes! This society is lost if large numbers of our young people can't figure the grocery bill or balance the checkbook without an electronic calculator. , The bureaucrats and the textbook companies sold the school districts on a new system without a guarantee it was better than the old one. There was a lot of good in the old math teaching method. The bureaucrats wouldn't admit this because then there wouldn't have been any need for new textbooks. The new math is on the way out. The school administrators would have discarded it two years ago if the textbooks had been available. New ones have incorporated parts of both methods. Problem solving and mathematic drill are returning. Let the electronic calculator become a tool and not an answer to the lack of mathematic skills. It is ironic that the textbook companies will profit through the sale of new textbooks. Back To Basics Back to the basics is the cry heard around the land. We have to establish what we mean by this phrase. We can't go back to the one room school days of readin', ri'tin', and 'rithmatic. No one ^suggesting that. There are conflicting opinions about the basics in education. They can all be worked out at the local level ^ It is not as simple as it sounds The present state regulations prevent any attempt to limit the curriculum. t • Language, physical education, safety education, science, health education, American education, mathematics, career education, consumer education^art- All of the above are required subjects by the State Board of Education at the elementary level. The state uses the carrot and stick approach with the represented as a donkey. The carrots (state aid) become a necessary part of the donkey's diet He must comply with all the regulations to get his folly quota. Failure to do so will bring the stick into play, the stick being the withholding of state aid. The poor donkey will starve without his carrots. . The school districts faced with rising costs and little or no control about the subjects they must teach are forced to reduce their personnel. This will lead to,. crowded classrooms and less time per pupil for instruction. The administrators and teachers'are asking, "What does the public want. What are they willing to pay for? How long will they put up with an arrogant bureaucracy?" The bureaucrats and legislators have lost touch with the people who pay their salaries. % - ^ ^ l * Possible Actions . ^ Writers have a hindsight >f8ionof 20-20. It is easy to point out the mistakes of ttie past. We must profit by those mistakes and fight for more local control. The bureaucrats that affect our school systems and cost us money don't face a challenge at the ballot type, We can't throw the pascals out but we can and must limit their powers. • The public needs to seek a constitutional amendment to limit the authority of the State Board of Education and the state legislators. The legislators' past reconi and their failure to set ethical standards for themselves make them suspect in the^ public's eye. Many of them have been willing tools of special interest groups such as the textbook companies. • This amendment should include a provision that regulations requiring additional taxes shall not be passed unless they are adequately funded by the state. We need to examine closely every proposed change in the textbooks and teaching methods. There have been two radical changes in the past twenty years. Both of them have done more harm than good. The textbook companies have proved by their past actions they are more interested in selling books than quality education for all of the students. The late Franklin D. Roosevelt was once asked, "What is the most difficult job in the world? "He replied, "A boy scoutmaster. To be a successful one, he must think like a boy." Our educators didn't think at the student level or how their radical changes would affect them. We must seek the counsel of the teachers. They are the ones in close personal contact with the students. Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of their schools. Governor Thompson said, "The schools must cut costs." - There is little they can do under the present regulations. Contact your state legislators and let them know how you feel. Public action can muzzle the bureaucrats and keep the donkeys from starving. ffp ; !'•>>* .'-v.-.* *• * eagerly look forward to receiving letters from your country and will answer them promptly. Thank you for your attention. "Sincerely yours, "Dam-dang Ja "P.O. Box 100 "Jung-Ang, "Seoul, Korea" July 18,1977 (Because of the nature of this letter, an exception is being made to the usual policy of publishing only letters from the McHenry community.) LET S GET TOGETHER AND TALK ABOUT LOW-COST AUTO INSURANCE. Tony Fick Slow Horse A slow horse often keeps a man from making a fast buck. :For Your Information Dear friends, Your funeral director stands ready to advise you and to guide you in the selection of ap­ propriate funeral merchandise. 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