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Record The governing boards and the mescal staffs of McHenry hospital and the Memorial Hospital for McHenry County, Woodstock, have failed to reach agreement on a proposal to consolidate the two organizations, according to a joint statement issued Tuesday by LeRoy E. Olsen, McHenry What would you do if you saw 3,000 dogs and cats lined up before the firing squad and someone was ready to give the signal? It's a safe bet a good per­ centage of the population would rise up in protest. But it's just as good a bet that this many animals will be put to - death in another manner in McHenry county next year. Because the method is less -^dramatic, most people-even a -good number with otherwise .^yery humane instincts-will look the other way. Helping Paws, the volunteer, non-profit society that has been reducing the number by about a third each year, is just about ready to take down its shingle and call it quits. It isn't what these dedicated volunteers want to do, but merely a matter of economics. As an example, let's consider the case of Sweetheart, the office kitty taken in by Helping Paws. The owner vowed the cat, soon to give birth, would be drowned. , Volunteers kept Sweetheart < in the office, cared for her and for her kittens until they found good homes for the "youngsters". < Because of shots and follow- •: up calls to check on the homes, > it was impossible to make up money lost on the mother cat. Her expenses, including spaying and medication, cost $66. The adoption fee of $20 left Helping Paws in debt by $46. * This was the story of one cat. Last year the organization ' saved 900 other cats and dogs t from starvation or death in ' < some other form. If Helping Paws is forced to close its doors in the near future, this nvujiber will be added to the almost 2,000 that will be euthanized by Animal Control in the year ahead. During the last eight years, between ISO and 200 volunteers > have given generously of their time, their concern and their services to the less fortunate animals in our midst that are unwanted. They have given, as strangers, when owners have j added to their burden, many hospital president, and Farlin Caufield, Memorial hospital president. McHenry hospital's board and medical staff endorsed the recommendation of the health planning consultants to con­ solidate the two institutions. The board of the Memorial Hospital for McHenry County at its meeting last week decided not to consolidate, at least for the present. However, both Olsen and Caufield stressed that the two hospital boards have many areas of common interest and plan to continue joint ventures to assure quality health care at the lowest possible cost. Cost control is one factor that has been of concern to the ad­ ministrative staff members at both hospitals for several years. The in-depth study of con­ solidation began in January, 1979, according to the joint statement, "in response to contemporary crises in health care - notably rising costs and increased governmental times with little or no feeling of responsibility. The story has been told and repeated week after week in the columns of Helping Paws that appear in most of the county newspapers. And while it was told, those who took the most and gave the least have remained anonymous. And so who will take over their responsibility? Animal Control, which receives support from most of the county municipalities, and which was heavily supported by Helping Paws in its more affluent days, is not the answer. The more than 1,700 euthanized last year testifies to the inability of this county pound to handle the growing load of unwanted pets. Will it be city governments? Helping Paws has not overlooked this possibility. Members went to city fathers in Crystal Lake whose answer amounted to...."It would be nice...but". Will it be the township governments? Helping Paws contacted Nun da township officers who said there was no available money. Will it be the United Way? Helping Paws made a try but found they would be bound by regulations of an organization not acquainted with this type of business and also there were "too many strings attached". There would be no other method of solicitation allowed. And so as the matters stand now, tax money to our municipalities is being used to a large extent to destroy stray animals. It isn't that Animal Control wants it that way. On the contrary, it tries to save as mdny as possible, but there is a limit to the space available and to the help to care for them. And our money - at least our government money - is really laving a very small per­ centage. Helping Paws does not destroy unwanted animals. It has foster homes where, despite inconvenience and cost, they are kept until a home is found. (Continued on page 20) County Confronted By Need For Construction Construction requirements confront McHenry county citizens on two fronts -- space for the burgeoning county government and space for a number of citizens seeking a home at Valley Hi, the county home at Hartland. The Courthouse Operations committee is reevaluating proposals to find more space for county offices with the Sheriff's department and the Health department perhaps the most seriously crowded, Ron Morris, Harvard, chairman, said. The committee is reevaluating the glass block building on Russel court, as the structure south of the cour­ thouse has become labeled. Possible purchase of the building with use of the third floor as soon as remodeling is completed is one pqsntftlity. This would enable the County board to construct a three- floor, 48,000 square foot structure costing an estimated $4 million on the south end of the present building. "The committee has not., decided on a recommendation yet," Morris stressed, "but that combination of steps would help alleviate the pressure to find space for the most crowded departments. The Sheriff's department alone could use all the present first floor, leaving the present second floor offices the sheriff occupies for ex­ pansion of the state's attorney office, for example. We hope to have a proposal by the Sep­ tember meeting." Requests for space by county citizens unable to pay their own way has caused the Valley Hi committee to consider renovation recommended by William Morefield, ad­ ministrator of Valley Hi. Morefield said the method of care and state regulations have changed since about half Valley Hi was constructed in 1959. Renovation would increase efficiency of the home and enable the staff to provide better service as well as im­ prove the quality of its service. With renovation, 24 current beds could be replaced by 30 beds. "Of the six added beds, it is hoped two could be reserved for emergency admissions," said Morefield. The committee is to obtain information on future needs, requested by View McHenry's Future Members of the McHenry- community representing business, schools, the magical community, police and civic groups will meet TRMday morning for an unique experience. Between 8 and 10 o'clock, at the McHenry Country club, 32 men and four women will participate in the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored "Future of McHenry" breakfast meeting. They will present ideas they believe will be important for the McHenry of 1985. The sixteen men and women on the Chamber's board of directors will then shape the ideas generated at this meeting into a plan establishing the objectives of the organization over the next five years. Health Systems agency of­ ficials, Committee Chairman Lou Anne Majewski told the County board. Morefield said that as of July 1,1981, all nurse aides will have to be certified by the state, and prior to that time it will be necessary for Valley Hi to establish a training program (120 hours), establish approved (Continued on page 20) pressure for regional health­ care planning and cost con­ tainment." In view of the rise in population and growth in health-care needs of this area, the governing boards of both hospitals expressed a need for a joint exploration on the feasibility of consolidation. From January until May 10, the feasibility study was conducted by a Joint Venture Steering committee composed of representatives from the governing boards and the medical staffs of both in­ stitutions. The committee was assisted by two consulting firms in evaluating possibilities for consolidation. After studying materials from the consultants over a period of four months, the Joint Venture Steering committee on May 10, 1979, presented its resolution "recommending to the respective boards of directors of McHenry and Memorial hospitals that there be a corporate consolidation of both institutions and a single governing board of directors." The Steering committee endorsed consolidation, ac­ cording to its report, "in order to attain the following ob­ jectives: eliminate un­ necessary duplication of ser­ vices; achieve economies of scale and management ef­ ficiencies in operations; organize the health care ser­ vices needed by the community in a more effective manner; maximize potential of patient care resources; develop ef­ fective systems for coordinated planning and resource allocation; promote im­ provement in the quality of patient care; develop physician recruitment and retainment resources; and develop the potential for a new hospital to replace the existing facilities." The committee's recom­ mendation for a merger was presented to the boards and medical staffs of both hospitals for approval, rejection or further comment. To assist them in their deliberations, the boards -- meeting jointly -- viewed presentations given by the health planning con­ sultants, as did the medical staffs, meeting jointly. In subsequent voting, McHenry hospital endorsed the committee recommendation, and requested that the con­ sultant's plan of im­ plementation be accepted as outlined. Its resolutions con­ cluded, "This resolution as adopted is and shall be for the purpose of building a new consolidated hospital facility." The Memorial hospital board, in its resolution, did not » endorse the Joint Venture S t e e r i n g c o m m i t t e e ' s recommendation "inasmuch as the health planning consultants stated that a 22-bed replacement facility does not appear to be economically viable at the present time." Financial obstacles were cited by the board. The joint statement con­ cludes with an endorsement of continuing dialogue concerning subjects of mutual concern, " including cooperation in the development of clinical ser­ vices, support services and programs to meet the long range health care needs of the county. The door will continue to be open to consider any viable option." LUCKY RIDER -- This motorcycle was damaged extensively *- lts"arms" torn from the sockets, while relatively minor damage was suffered by the rider. The lucky rider was Richard F. Rosing, o' 3702 W. Maple, McHenry, who reportedly Injared his wrist In last Friday's collision. Rosing told McHepry police that the Jeep tamed in front of him while he was southbound on Crystal Lake read. Scott R. Shu Ida, of 512 Bald Knob road, McHenry, said he was, taming left and did not see the motorcycle. Shalda was ticketed for failure to yield the right-of-way turning left. Rosing was taken to McHenry hospital but not admitted. SfAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD} • - 'Wb-' ' V THE VOLUME 104 NUMBER 11 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1979 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 20* Agreement Attempts Fail No Consolidation For Hospitals •'ifc MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875' y ' 3toart> Winning ihtospaprr 1978---- uP^ Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest Interested young stu­ dents, happy for an ex­ tended holiday week­ end, watch as picketing teachers march in front of Junior High school in photo at top. Below, younger children, being returned home by bus when it became certain a strike would take place, wave greetings to the teachers. Sttffi Photos/Wayne Gaylord After a three-hour mediation session on Monday between the board of education of McHenry Elementary District 15 and the McHenry Classroom Teachers association, the MCTA broke off negotiations and initiated a strike against the board of education. A school spokesman said the action is in violation of a no-strike pledge contained in their existing contract. It is the first strike ever held in the McHenry school system. The teacher strike, which began Tuesday, closed the district's six schools. The present dispute centers around increased salaries, sick leave, personal leave and payment for extra duty assignments, as well as class size, time off for union activities, dental insurance, "planning time", and college credit reimbursement. No date has been set for future negotiations sessions. Stanley Eisenhammer, chief negotiator for the board of education, stated that the association's position has remained unchanged since negotiations began. He said, '"Hie board's initial offer was a $1,000 raise for most teachers in the district. The average teacher's salary last year was $14,967. The Teacher's association countered by raising their original demand of 9.25 percent to 10 percent. Despite the board's willingness to negotiate teachers' salaries and fringe benefits, the Teachers association has not moved from their original positions". The school said the teachers have also demanded to be paid $500 per year for every student over what they determine to be maximum class size and two days paid personal leave which may be taken at the teachers' discretion. Also being negotiated is the right of all association ' members to be released one-half hour earlier than normal dismissal time once a month to attend union functions. Dr. Richard Farmer, District 15 superintendent, estimated that the teachers' demands would cost the taxpayers of the district an additional quarter of a million dollars over last year. Only three teachers out of ten approached by a Plaindealer reporter Tuesday morning would comment. Cheryl Toalson, Art teacher at Junior high, expressed dismay over the situation, saying, "The teachers do not want to be out on strike. They would rather be in school." A1 Jovanovic, a Science teacher at Junior high school, also expressed strong feelings. "It was hard turning away those kindergarteners at Landmark", he noted. "I don't know why the administration put the kids through it. The board knew at 11:30 last night that we were going out." Jovanovic observed that the teachers had received "a lot of support from the kids, their parents and the church." Kathleen Shea, a guidance counselor, admitted that she "felt kind of silly standing out here with this sign." Ms. Shea was strong in her opinion. "I don't think you'll find one teacher who wants to be out on strike", she said. a'-: M ' But the counselor added the strong convictions of the teachers when she pointed out that in her opinion, she didn't think there was one of them "who doesn't think this (the strike) had to be done." She observed that there had been some bad feelings about having a Chicago-based lawyer as the "go-between" whereas previous negotiations had been conducted directly between the board and teachers. A suggested meeting of the two negotiation teams for Wednesday morning by the McHenry Clergymen's association was turned down by the school board. # Both Tim Althoff, president of the board, and Dr. Richard Farmer, superintendent, said a clause in the teacher-board contracts specifies that in case of an impasse in negotiations, a federal mediator would be called in. which has been done. Both Althoff and Dr. Farmer said they were highly ap­ preciative of the clergymen's' efforts, and those of others whd had offered help, but for the *" present it would be necessary to turn down their offers. ^ Both said efforts were being made to schedule anothe£< meeting between the two sides; Althoff said if this failed, there was a possibility the clergymen's offer might be accepted, with the federal mediator also present. Fact and fiction were ram- / pant as passing citizens whose interest was sparked by the strike made their own ob­ servations. (Continued on page 20)