The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Gas Now Theft Priority The drastic increase in the price of gasoline appears to have prompted someone, or some people, to take similarly drastic, although illegal action. In the short time that elapsed between May 9 and May 11 there were six incidents of gasoline syphoning reported to the McHenry County Sheriff's department. On May 9, Alfred Wendt, 4603 Giant Oaks road, McHenry, reported the theft of about $12.00 worth of gasoline, a gasoline can and six quarts of oil As well as the headlamps from the car. Robert Sommers, 715 Wright road, McHenry, reported to the Sheriff's department that someone had syphoned off a half-a-tank of gas from his car on May 9. On May 11, James Nevismal, Wonder Lake, was alerted by his dog in time to see someone making off with a what looked like a gas can. Nevismal discovered about five gallons had been syphoned from his car. (Continued on page 23) Hints Of Gasoline Crunch? The first serious hints that the nationwide gasoline crunch might hit McHenry and the county came this week. Just how grim the prospects are for buying the skyrocketing priced liquid are not certain because of conflicting reports. A caller Wednesday morning said her husband, who is in the construction business, advised her to buy gas for the family car because of his experience in Woodstock. One service station manager there said he was closing for the remainder of the month because of short supply. A co-worker had told of a similar experience in another Woodstock station. In McHenry, the first known shutdown occurred when one station manager posted a "Closed" sign on his door for Tuesday and Wednesday because of dwindling supplies and dim prospects for receiving enough to handle trade through the month. In contrast, one dealer outside the city of McHenry but in the immediate area, told a customer he had received considerably more than his regular allocation for May. A Plaindealer reporter questioned about 10 local service station operators Friday, May 11, attempting to obtain facts or opinions about expected supplies for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Almost all were unable, or unwilling to voice their thoughts. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER N "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 103 NUMBER 84 FRIDAY, MAY 18, 1979 2 SECTIONS 34 PAGES 20* RDG Proposal Council Favors Land Option Young Thespians, Speakers Honored Shown here are the recipients of awards at this year's Drama, Debate and Speech banquet at McHenry high school's West campus. Seated in chairsr clockwise from the bottom: Derek Gilbert, Kathi Merrick, Mary Higgins, Jeanne Pitel, Peter Bender, Sandy Fuller and Debra Maris. On the floor, clockwise from the bottom right: Sandi Gilbert, Doug Maris, Julie Brooks, Russ Crittenden and Ruth Snyder. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Outstanding members of McHenry high school were honored by being recognized with special awards at this year's annual Drama, Debate, and Speech banquet. Peter Bender, a senior, was honored for outstanding per­ formance by a male in a leading role, received the outstanding Speech team member award and the most dedicated Speech team member award. Sandy Fuller was judged to have made the outstanding performance by a female in a leading role and gave the outstanding duet performance as a speech team member. Other winners were Debra Maris, outstanding Speech team member in duet com­ petition; Derek Gilbert, out­ standing performance by a (Continued on page 23) The City Council rejected Residential Development Group's (RDG) previous offer of holding some amount of money in escrow as security for the park land, in favor of another option proffered by RDG president Don Gerstad Monday night. In a letter to the Council, Gerstad gave the Council two options to choose from. The first was the money option, from the las* meeting. RDG would deed the 13-plus acres of park land north of Dartmoor road to the City within one year of signing the annexation agreement. Every year thereafter, RDG would sign over 10 acres of park, until the City owned the entire 50 acres. As security for these tran­ sactions, RDG would put $40,000 dollars in escrow for each installment that RDG could not deliver on time. If by March 1985 the entire park was not in the handa«f the City, eH the money held in escrow would be forfeited to the City. The other proposal was the land option, which says that RDG will deed in escrow 40 acres of land to assure that RDG fulfills its part of the contract. If by some chance RDG could not comply with the terms of the agreement, con­ cerning the park land donations, the City would become free-and-clear title holder to the 40 acres. The road from Dartmoor to Curran would be built, ac­ cording to the letter, upon either the completion of 639 units, a little less than half of the planned building, or, seven-years after the signing of the agreement. Neither Mayor Stanek, nor the Council, was happy at the prospect of possibly having to wait seven years for the road to be built. Gerstad pointed out that the owner of the land, Backhaus, is selling the land to RDG in in­ stallments. Gerstad went on to sap«thafe<Backhaus is unwilling to do anything before seven years, such as sell RDG the land for the road, for tax purposes. RDG cannot guarantee a road because Backhaus could void the contract by not selling the land. Alderman Wieser suggested that instead of waiting until *39 units were built, that the level be lowered to 350 or 400. He based his concern on "economics and market con­ ditions." With the current rate of 15 percent interest it just is not profitable to build rental units or condominiums, he said. Single family homes are more likely to sell, and are less ex­ pensive to build than are apartments. However, 350 or 400 units is a little shy of 25 percent of the planned construction. "Speaking of economics," Gerstad said, "Mike, what you're saying is that I'll have to build a road to the west before I've finished the east." Gerstad said that the road would cost over a million dollars to build. Alderman Pepping con­ curred saying that "while a road is nice, it is not necessary until development starts in the west." Pepping suggested tluflf the road to Curran be com­ pleted within x-number of months after the platting of the first parcel west of the creek. Stanek wanted it done within 12 months and Gerstad wanted 18, saying that unknowns like weather conditions could delay the building of the road. "Why not compromise at 15 months?" Alderman Nolan asked. Alderman Wieser said he would like to see part of the money option incorporated into the land option. He suggested that RDG deed the 13 acres of park over to the City within 12 months and hold the remaining 27 acres in escrow. The 40 acres of land to be held in escrow includes the park north of Dartmoor road. Mayor Stanek then voiced concern over a possible penalty should RDG not finish the road RDG vice president Jim Berg said^ that if RDG does not complete the toad it will be out- of-business and that would be penalty enough. "You've got to take into account our track record," Berg said, "we've never defaulted on a contract with the City." As it stands, the proposal is to accept the park land above Dartmoor road immediately after the signing of the an­ nexation agreement, with the balance of the park to be in the City's hands by March of 1985. The road, an extension of Dartmoor to Curran, would be completed within 15 months after the final platting of the first parcel of land west of the creek, or, within seven years of signing the agreement, whichever comes first After looking at his copy of the agreement, with all the deletions, additions and corrections. Alderman Wieser said, "I move to have the at torneys for both groups re write the agreement and bring it back to us The motion carried and so deliberations will continue on Wednesday. June 6 at 7:30 p.m. People are concerned with those about them. We hear it every day. Parents in general are particularly concerned with the safety of youngsters. Un­ fortunately, the most con­ scientious must include not only their own but the children of more relaxed Moms and Dads who have utmost trust that if something bad is going to happen, it will not be to their children. One of the concerned people is Beth Jenkins of McHenry, who echoes the fears of many for youngsters who pity in busy streets. Her observation is the age old fact that children left outside to play find another yard - any other yard but their own - has more appeal. And if the alley, street or highway comes between these yards, these little ones are totally unaware of the danger. Beth Jenkins and others see pre-school kiddies playing in these thoroughfares with no adult around to assume responsibility for them. They wonder if parents are apathetic or just feel any part of the outdoors is for little ones after a long winter. Fear generated by just one narrow escape involving a carefree child and a thoughtless driver is enough to prompt the kind of letter we received this week. And if playing tykes and their parents need a safety remin­ der, so do young bicyclists and their Moms and Dads. This is a perennial problem that is serious when the cyclist and motor-powered vehicles are merely unthinking. It becomes a real aggravation when the cyclists openly defy the driver of a car to strike them. Driving down quiet Orchard Beach road one recent evening, we braked for two pre-teens riding illegally, one on each side of the road. Until they were aware of our presence it was definitely our responsibility. But when two smart alecks decided to weave to the center each time we attempted to pass between them, the temptation to place a firm hand im­ pressively on a sensitive area became a temptation we found hard to resist. We also felt a dangerous, but nevertheless, a fast disappearing respon­ sibility for any accident that might occur. To Mom and Dad, a smart aleck can be forgiven more readily and asked to sin no more. To the stranger, he is a nuisance who hopefully will some day emerge as a responsible adult. In the meantime, he is one of life's little mosquitoes. KAF District 15 6 Take Hard Look At School Economy County To Share Road Improvement Board concern over staff jobs "sneaking back" into the budget was expressed by Judy Zid, board member of High School District 156, at the meeting held Tuesday, May 15. "If it's permanent, okay, but if it's a contingency, I question it. We will have to do the same thing over and over again", referring to the staff cutting job which she and other members of an advisory committee had to do two years ago when faced with the Johnsburg division of the district and subsequent budget restrictions. Superintendent Robert Swartzloff responded, "If we feel that financially we can do it, it's our obligation to do so - the best program which we can provide for the money available. We need flexibility. If the dollar projection dips, then we can make ad­ justments." Mrs. Zid said she was con­ cerned from the public relations standpoint, how would it look to the public when they cut the positions one year, put them back and then have to cut them again. Swartzloff reminded her, "We had to build a balanced budget and we did. We cut over $400,000 in programs and people. We won't approach that level (again) for a long time." Mrs. Zid then asked that the position authorization which the board was considering be phrased to read "reinstitute" instead of "additional half time counselors" and certain other teaching and staff positions. In reality, they were there before, she said, and it was noted that the district was still "down" three from where it was last year. Precipitating the discussion was a proposal by the ad­ ministration to add one half- time guidance counselor for the East campus to equalize the student counselor ratios bet­ ween the two buildings for next year, and also two coaching positions. Board member Paul Nitz noted that Principal Dodds had said they must cut the staff for economy. Now they are adding. He wondered what the economics were. Superintendent Swartzloff said projections of revenue (taxes) available in next year's budget made it appear possible. The half time position would be combined with other part time positions to hire one or more persons. Ms. Zid asked what would happen if the school hired a good guidance counselor who turned out to be a poor teacher. Swartzloff assured her the administration would not live with glaring weaknesses. And if the person was tenured and the position was no longer needed, reduction in force (RIF) policies would apply. But they intended to look for combinations, as they have other part time positions now in the teaching staff. A similar discussion preceded approval ot tne two coaching positions which Swartzloff said would fit into the balanced budget for next year. When asked why two cross country coaches for McHenry when most area high schools show only one, the administration said it was because of the winning teams. Board member Barbara Slater suggested that it (more coaches) might help the teams not to dwindle as they did this year. It was also pointed out that McHenry athletes compete at six dif­ ferent levels which places a large workload on coaches. Authorized were the half- time guidance counselor positon and an assistant boy's swimming coach and an assistant basketball coach for the 1979-80 school year. After listening to building committee chairman, Dan McNulty, report on a building tour and needs study, the board authorized spending $22,000 for equipment and safety and appearance items for both East and West campuses. This in­ cluded in equipment $3,121.22 for East and $3,287 for West; and for tour items, $7,034.62 for East, and $8,930 for West. Swartzloff said the money was available for the equipment items in the current budget. The other items will be in next year's budget. McNulty said the needs in­ cluded a number of custodial equipment items to replace broken down units which the school had not purchased in recent years. Business Manager Michael Kelly said that all items qualifying under Life Safety Code requirements had been removed from the list. Included in the approval for the expenditures were provisions for sharing the equipment between the two buildings and for listing or inventorying the tools so that custodians could be held responsible for them. McNulty also outlined the need for a building to store grounds maintenance equip­ ment and supplies at West campus, which he said could be of concrete block 24 by 40 in size with an estimated cost of about $10,000. He suggested that building trades students might be used to construct it and the board might help to determine its location. Board president Edward Neumann said beside the storage so badly needed at West, such a building could provide rest-room facilities for people using the tennis courts and other facilities, and maybe could solve all their problems. He wanted clarified the question of whether such a building could be erected without a referendum. Swart­ zloff believed that it could be done. Swartzloff reported that the district had been notified of its continued accreditation by the North Central association with no deficiencies noted. Ad- ditonally, the state had ap­ proved a Title IV project amounting to $7,672.80 Jbr library materials and anAe- visual equipment. - Swartzloff also outlined plans to establish a District Safety committee for which he roughly indicated goals. It would cover two categories: facilities and procedures or practices. He said that the Diuldings at East and West campuses would be evaluated, as well as McCracken field. The architects will be in­ cluded in the survey for life safety code items as well as health items. This fall he an­ ticipates a thorough survey of the district's safety procedures. Neumann asked if the superintendent knew what the recommendations might include and suggested the various activity sponsors be covered also Swartzloff announced that the architects O'Donnell, Vicklund and Pigiozzi will be presenting the finalized plans for the East campus Health and Life Safety work at a session scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, May 18. He said they were close to the end of their planning and were preparing for bid letting the end of June, if the progress of the architects permits it. Swartzfoff also requested a meeting the budget com­ mittee in the near future to look at next year's budget figures and projections of income. t In other actions, the board approved a number of bids and proposals for cafeteria non­ food supplies, bread, ice cream, milk, athletic supplies and equipment, tractor and grounds equipment and some custodial equipment Tree Branch Pickup Effective immediately, city crews will pick up tree branches and limbs piled at the curb on the first Monday morning of every month When damaging storms occur, a pickup will be made also Acceptance of a county-state agreement for improvement of a local intersection, and the appropriation of $3,450 as its share of the project were two actions taken by the McHenry County board in session Tuesday. Those actions followed an­ nouncement, through a Transportation committee report, that the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is proposing to improve the intersection of Rt. 31 and Johnsburg road. This will in­ clude the widening of the high­ way to provide a left turn bay and the installation of traffic signals. The total project is estimated to cost $333,500, with 85 percent federal and 15 percent local participation. The county was asked to participate financially to the extent of a share of the local cost of traffic signals only. Costs are estimated at $264,500 for roadway, with 85 percent federal share, 15 percent state share and with no county participation; and $69,000 as total cost for traffic signals intersection in­ stallation. The state share is 10 percent and the county share is 5 percent of the latter figure. The board took action, through a resolution, to discontinue the issuance of building permits in Woodland Springs subdivision, located in Greenwood township, until the roads are brought up to an acceptable standard. The deadline date is June 1 of this year. Glenn Peterson of McHenry, building and zoning officer for the"co'unty, and James RakoW, supervisor of highways, had reviewed the status of roads along with Susan Fayette of the State's Attorney's office, who (Continued on page 23) Merit Award Winners The Kiwanis club of Wonder Lake area recently held its thirtieth annual Merit Award dinner at the Ringwood United Methodist church, honoring eighth grade graduates of the area. Club president, Richard Zell, is shown presenting awards to Angela Anderson and Jeff Lomax of Harrison school, Deanna Kearns and Mike Rowden of Johnsburg Junior high school, Patricia Ullrich and Paul Metzger of St. John's Catholic school, and Pat Dernelle and Rich Parups of Wonder Lake attending Northwood Junior high school. Speaker for the evening was the Rev. Mr. Jerome Tobin, deacon of St. John the Baptist Catholic church. -••• i s*>; • • 1 " STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD