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1979 DAILY DRAMA - THE SLOWDOWN IN REALTY (Continued from page 1) tion to be "released of liabililty." If the seller is released of liability, in Ihe event of a default, the lender could not hold the seller responsible for the balance of the mortgage. In any event, no action such as a contract or an assumption should even, be considered without an attorney. In a recent move by the Illinois legislature to free some mortgage money, the usury ceiling of 11.25 percent on interest rates was lifted, but none of the realtors contacted were too optimistic about the measure's effect on the housing market. "It won't do a darn bit of good," Wieser said. For example, Wieser said, if the breadwinner of a family brings home $22,000, or the combined income of. the. husband and the wife is $22,000 a year, and the couple decides to buy a $60,000 house; if they put $10,000 down and have a $50,000 mortgage over 30 years, at 11 percent interest, their monthly payment would be $476.17, Wieser said, consulting the "little red book." At 15 percent interest, the payment on the same mortgage over the same lime would now be a little more than $632 a month, Wieser said. "As far as the financial institutions are con­ cerned, this guy is not qualified for a mortgage and there is no way he could afford the house." Wieser added. Another realtor said the measure really hasn't changed the situation much. Before the change when mortgage money was available at 11 per­ cent, the banks wanted 30 to 50 percent down. Now that the usury ceiling has been lifted, it is still 30 to 40 percent down but the interest is 14 percent. Gelwicks pointed out that things are not as bad as they appear. "Now is an outstanding time for people to buy either improved or unimproved land," Gelwicks said. "We have a lot of willing sellers and all it takes is a willing buyer." Gelwicks went on to say that the kind of buyers he gets now fall into two categories: the sharp, investment oriented buyer and the guy who has to move, the tran­ sferee. The investment buyer, Gelwicks said, is looking for a good deal. He is looking for a bouse that is priced ̂ xMurstically, Gelwicks observed. le other buyer, the transferee, goes to a realtor to find a house because he cannot waste time in locating and bargaining with an owner. Gelwicks said that the "for sale by homeowner" people have temporarily been forced out .of the market. Doheriy said that while --ihe outlook is not good, many home buyers and sellers were not taking advantage of all their resources « the professional. "When times are bad, we have to work harder to sell houses," Doherty said. "Sales people want to eat too and in order to do that we have to sell houses." Doherty noted that the professional realtors have a lot more contact with the financial institutions than the average person and might be able to arrange a - mortgage where the individual cannot. "With a - little cooperation from all parties concerned we might be able to turn this thing around a little bit," Doherty pointed out. Home buyers have to be a little more patient, Doherty said. Both Doherty and Gelwicks said that home sellers MUST price their houses realistically and consult a professional for "good, sound advice." "The real estate in­ dustry is much more professional now than it was even four years ago," according to Doherty. The 1974-5 recession helped to weed out the "realtors" who "were just in it for a quick buck," Gelwicks said. Doherty said the realtors have to say "Mr. Customer, your price is exorbitant. Somewhere along the line we have to say your house is 'Only worth this much." ( If a house is priced right, Doheriy added, tnere will be more active selling on our part, more knowledge that . . . i t ̂ i$ around and a faster sale. - When someone sells a house, Doherty continued, typically they will want to tell their friends they made a mint off the sale and they may up the - actual selling price. For example, Doherty said, say there is a man with a $52,000 house with two bathrooms, He tells his neighbor that he sold it for $59,000. When the neighbor goes fo.sell his house, he says -"my house has three bathrooms, so I'll sell it for $61,000", and so begins the vicious circle. Both Gelwicks and Doherty maintained that the average home buyer who waits for the interest rates to drop is "making a mistake." Doherty pointed out that a house appreciates in value at between 8 and 12 percent annually. The extra money that the home buyer will pay in interest now, he said, will be less than the extra money he will pay for. the house due to appreciation by the time the rates come down. Gelwicks said that when compared to the 14 to 18 percent compounded interest rates on cars and appliances, the simple interest rate on a home mortgage, even at 12 percent, is not that high. As to how long the high interest rate situation will last, the realtors varied a little in their predictions. Wieser said that in 12 years of business, he had weathered three crunches that varied in length from six to nine months. "I think this one will last for a year or a year- and-a-half," Wieser predicted. Doherty was a little more optimistic in his prediction when he said, "Things will probably be a little dismal for the next six months or so." Regardless of their predictions, all of the realtors who were con­ tacted said that. the ; present market situation was a result of the high interest rates charged by - the financial institutions and that is the subject of part two in this series. MCC HOLIDAY CLOSING McHenry County college will close Wednesday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. for the Thanksgiving holiday recess. Regular classes and office hours will resume Monday, Nov 26, at 8 a.m. GASOHOL CONVERSION Gov. James R. Thompson has directed all departments and agencies under his administrative control to convert their gasoline- burning vehicles to gasohol within the next year. The conversion to gasohol, ac­ cording to the governor, is expected to cut fuel and maintenance costs for the state's vehicles, to assist in maintaining corn as a major product of the state and to acclaim Illinois as a leader in reducing our nation's dependence on foreign oil. tt Featuring the brand names you trust Johnny Carson, Pendleton, Alps, Arrow, Jantzen, Glen Oaks, John Weitz and more. rASHONS FOR MEN McHenry County s Most exciting men's store! it s the time of year when Sweaters are especially appreciated. Pullovers, Cardigans, and Turtle necks...are certain holiday gift Favorites. Also Available in Tall Mens izes Med-XXL Jka Top it off with his his Favorite Sport Shirt from our wide selection of popular plaids and colorful solids. Choose From name brand Sweaters ft Sport Shirts by: •JANTZEN •ARROW •ALPS •PENDLETON •H.I.S. •CAMPUS VELOURS 459-7666 4 RASHONS FOR MEN Crystal Lake (next to Kmart) Crystal Point Mall % MEDICATION POLICY BECOMES LOCAL PROBLEM * • . (Continued from page 1) that they could meet the schedules for administering the medicine. Medications varied from phenolbarbitol and asthma •• maintenance preparations, to simple aspirin. Since the school nurse is at each building only part of the time, staff people worry about mistakes and believe they could be held liable. Nilles said that he had surveyed practices in other schools and learned that they followed state recommendations which are that schools don't administer medications. This Nilles warned, could mean that they would force some kids out of school who are entitled to be there. Nilles related that he had talked to various doctors about the problem apd learned that they were unaware that nurses weren't present at ail schools during the day. The doctors said there might be some dif­ ficulty in working around the limited school hours in scheduling medications, as some school staff people suggested. Nilles noted that when various parents were contacted about justifying the need for medication for their children some were cooperative, but others appeared to react angrily. Nilles said they are proposing the use of a form "Request for the Ad­ ministration of Medicine," which would give the school more guidance. The form would be signed by the doctor and would contain a description of possible side effects. It would .also show the period of Says over which the medicine would be given and for what illness involved. At present school people have some problems determining when the medicine was last given to a child and worry about over- medication. Nilles urged a tighter policy and more responsibility on the part of parents. Dr. Farmer added that they need the reassurance from doctors that medication is necessary. At lower grade levels students cannot be depended on to * lake or report for their medications. At the junior high level students could be forced to take their own medications, but the school could run the risk of con­ fusing legitimate pill taking with the "drug problem", Dr. Farmer suggested. Board member Henry Nell, Jr., urged not setting a policy. He hated to see anyone giving medicine who is not qualified, and he wondered if nurses were available to give advice on medication. Dr. Farmer conceded that there were a number of gray areas. "The absolutes do not match the realities," he noted in connection with trying to set guidelines. He said the proposed forms, if approved for use, would also be distributed to doctors' offices besides being available to parents who requested them. It first appeared as if the schools were not going to dial down as Bill Landis, assistant superintendent for operational services, reported that his staff had . \ ' ' • • prepared exemption forms for each building (energy compliance information) for the two junior highs. He said there wasjio way to separate the sixth grade from the upper two grades in the buildings to effect a dial down to the 65 degrees required. Lower grades are exempt from the lower temperature requirement, he said. Board member Frances Larsen wondered why the school officials just wotdd not lower the thermostats since, most school rooms seem to be too hot. Students could be advised'to keep sweaters at school if they should be needed, she suggested. Dr. Farmer said they . would seek the exemption but then dial back lo something below the 72 degrees maintained at the lower grade schools. Landis said the buildings did have automated day-night set­ tings that lowered the nighttime temperatures.- Althoff warned that lowering the nighttime temperatures too much resulted in a loss of heat savings when they tried to recover the needed tem­ perature the next morning. And he urged Landis to check with an engineering firm which was being paid by the U.S. to look into school heating systems. Althoff also answered Dorothy Vick's question about reduced fresh air requirements that these had been cut back from 20 percent to 10 percent and may be reduced further to 5 percent.. . Dr. Farmer noted that the board should also look into its four-day a week plan which they had developed previously. The Iranian crisis and other problems may well make the school system a victim. Nell urged looking into all areas of costs, maybe e l i m i n a t i n g s o m a telephones, checking into the water bills and other ex­ penses. He admitted, "I've gotten conservative; in later years." Fred Goering, director of transportation, reported on ihe method determined by his committee for paying the annual five-day bonus pay incentive to bus drivers. Since this was .a rein­ forcement device to help maintain a dependable staff, the reimbursements would ;..be credited each week and paid each period. The bonus „is based 6n attendance, he said. Goering estimated the extra payment, if fully earned, would amount to 57 cents per day. NP wfe; Strive For New Radios McHenry Rescue squad members, Tom Uttfch (left) and Carmon Hodges display the old and the new. Uttlch holds the two parts of the old equipment which has been serving the Rescue squad for the last eight years. Hodges shows the newer, more compact scanner that the squad wants to purchase. The Rescue squad is funded entirely through citizen donations and is currently striving to raise the funds necessary to buy the new radio equipment. STAFF PHOTO-ANTHONY OLIVER McHENRY STORE EMPLOYEES VIEW SHOPLIFTING (Continued from page 1) on," Smith said. Smith told the employees that the best defense against shoplifting is a good offense. "Greet the customer when he walks in the door so that he knows he's watched," Smith said. Most shoplifters, Smith observed, are amateurs. "The pros will hit you big once, and then leave you alone for awhile," Smith said. "The amateurs will' nickel and dime you to death." Smith explained that the retail theft law, which "had some teeth put in it in 1975",. gives retailers the right to detain a person for a "reasonable length of time" to determine and verify someone's identity, to inquire if someone had unpurchased merchandise on his person and to keep someone until the police arrive. Smith said the ideal situation is to wait until the person leaves the store before confronting him. The law does allow an employee to stop someone in the store, but Smith said it was very difficult to prove intent in court when the person is still in the store. Smith also cautioned employees to make sure that the suspected person has stolen something, or the store could be facing a substantial lawsuit. One of the employees asked about being assaulted. "I am a security officer. I put myself in a- position where someone will have to hit me to get away." Smith said. "You are merchants. A $20 item is not worth a $1,000 hospital bill." "You have a right to defend yourself, but you can't forcibly detain someone. If the person starts walking away from you, let him go and try to get a description and license plate numbers." "It can be dangerous, there is no getting away from it," Smith added, "they might pop you in the nose, kick you, and smack you in the side of the head with a purse or an umbrella." In response , to another question, Smith said that the influence of drugs or alcohol is no defense in court. "It gives the police another charge to throw at them," Smith pointed out. "But it also makes the person very dangerous." Smith said that the worst thing a merchant could do is to retrieve the stolen mer­ chandise and let the person go. "He will go back and tell his friends and you will be marked as a soft touch," Smith said. Smith also ladvised the employees to be prepared to sign the complaint if the police are called. "If you don't sign the 1 m m GUARANTEED SATISFACTION OR MONEY REFUNDED UPPER OR LOWER FULL DENTURE •175 SENIOR CITIZENS (OVER 65 YEARS) $25 DISCOUNT PER PERSON ON DENTURES DENTURES REPAIRED WHILE YOU WAIT Cracked Denture r $20.00 Replace One Tooth * 15.00 Each Additional Tooth.... . .*10.00 Reline Upper or Lower Denture *50.00 VINYL UPPER OR LOWER DENTURE guaranteed not to break for 8 years • . - " '• \ PLEASE CAUL FOB AN APPOINTMENT 587-5053 FOX LAKE DENTAL CENTER 18 E. GRAND AVE. FOX LAKE. ILL. . 1 , 00 complaint, you are wasting his time and your own." Smith said. The officer is not going to want to come back the next time, Smith added. The first retail theft of­ fense is a misdemeanor under the statute, but all other offenses are felonies, regardless of the amount taken. "If you let them get by, you're only defeating yourself," Smith said. YOUNG BICYCLIST KILLED (Continued from page 1) at 7:36 a.m. at McHenry hospital. Lang was later contacted by the Sheriff's police and ticketed for leaving the scene of an accident, failing to notify the police of an accident and failing to give aid or information. The investigation is continuing. A car-tree accident at about 8:30 p.m. Friday night resulted in the death of Dennis J. Pettigrew, 25, of Harvard. * According to the police report, Pettigrew's car was heading west on Route 173 when Pettigrew lost control and it slid into a tree. Pettigrew was pronounced dead at the scene by Deputy Coroner Stafford. Early Sunday morning, a two-car collision resulted in the hospitalization of Michael J. Bitto of Palatine. According to the police report, a car driven by Robert C. Wolter of Ringwood swerved into Bitto's lane and struck his car Wolter told Sheriff's police he fell asleep at the wheel. Bitto was taken to McHenry hospital, where he is listed in satisfactory condition, by the McHenry Rescue squad. HORSE RACING Gov. James R. Thompson has signed legislation, after recommended changes were sustained by the House and Senate, increasing stale support of the Illinois horse racing industry by $26.1 million annually. Sponsors of the bill were Rep. Richard A. Mautino, Spring Valley, and the late R. Bruce Waddell, Dundee, and Sen. Sam Vadalabene, Edwardsville, and Sen. Stanley B. Weaver, Urbana. Gift Ideas With the Tuesday following Thanksgiving traditionally Shopping Day in McHenry, the annual Christmas sup­ plement to the Plain- dealer appears as part of today's issue. More than 60 business .people are making the local shopping public aware of their vast merchandise in a 44-page, ^multi-color section " featuring hundreds of gift ideas. IV.A. NEWsj Q-I have moved to a new address. I have informed the post office of the change and have assurance my mail will be forwarded. Is there any additional action I must take tosmake sure I receive my VA checks at my new ad­ dress? A--You must also notify your VA regional office of your change vPf .^ddress as soon as possible. Q-I have aNdisability rating of 30 percent and receive $121. ^njonth. A friend has a 60 percent rating and receives $292. Why don't I receive half as much as he does? A-The amount to be paid a veteran for a particular ' disability rating is set by law. These ratings do not relate in an exact pro rata way to the 100 percent disability rate. The more disabled a veteran is, the heavier the impact on his employability. So the law provides proportionately more compensation to those with the most severe im­ pairments. v . . Q -I bought a home with a GI loan after World War II and paid the loan off several years ago. I am now con­ sidering another loan and wonder if the old regulations limiting you to the purchase of conventional houses still apply. A-Today's GI loan program is much more flexible. You may now buy mobile homes and con­ dominiums with loans guaranteed by the VA. 81 Hospitals May Be Exempt From Surveys In accordance with a cooperative agreement between the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH), 81 of the 134 hospitals in Illinois outside the City of Chicago, may be eligible for exemption from state surveys. The agreement has been en­ dorsed by the Illinois State Medical society. The 81 hospitals are those which have received two- year accreditation from JCAH and have previously been surveyed by both the state health department and the Joint commission. According to Dr. John Francis^ acting director of the Illinois Department of Public Helath, "Under the terms of agreement, hospitals will be selected for exemption from state survey based on a thorough review of JCAH survey reports and oh a history of consistently good survey reports in the past." He; said that the agreement stipulates that the state health department reserves the right of choice in making these selections. Francis said that 20 hospitals which have one- year JCAH accreditation will be co-surveyed annually by the state health depart­ ment and the Joint com­ mission. Thirty-three hospitals not accredited by JCAH will continue to be surveyed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. " T h i s a g r e e m e n t , " Francis said, "will not only eliminate the duplication of svurveys in some hospitals, but will also enable the state health department to (dace increased emphasis on surveying and working with those hospitals which have not received accreditation." Life would be much simpler if we didn't try to make people think we're what we're not. , . The reason some peo­ ple talk so much about themselves is that they know so little about any­ thing else.