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• ' v-W ••• '"r4l | ftif * •/' : '•« v.- • :' p.' j ' • , '• * •• '• ' ' • - ' ' • • •n About thirty concerned Wonder Lake citizens gathered Sunday, Dec. 2, in the American Legion hall to discuss what action coutd or should be taken to prevent further burglaries in the area. In recent months, several businesses and many homes have been either burglarized or van­ dalized in some manner. "To discuss this problem with the citizens were- Detectives Tony Olszewski and Mel Hunt of the McHenry County Sheriffs department, and Hajik Sugden of the State's At­ torney office. Detective Olszewski discussed what has been done by the Sheriff's department in apprehending the guilty persons and stressed the need for cooperation among mem­ bers of the community. "I don't know why, but there seems to be a sense of apathy in the community. People just don't call to report anything that seems suspicious" he commented. Olszewski stressed that a caller may even remain anonymous if he wishes. One of the outcomes of the discussion was a feeling that a two fold approach should be put into effect. The first part entails forming a Court Observation committee that would sit in on cases of in­ terest to the community. There was a feeltag that some of the court judges were not enforcing the laws as strongly as they could, with the result that many of the repeat offenders were being released back into the community only to continue with more burglaries. The second part of the plan would be to provide some "meaningful activities" for younger members of the community. Peter Hellios suggested the use of the Harrison school gym to provide some sports ac­ tivities, or possibly even teen dances. He said this is being done in the Spring Grove area and the crime rate is at a minimum. More protection by in­ creasing the number of squad cars from the present one to two or more was questioned. Detective Olszewski said there just aren't enough funds to do that at this time. Hank Sugden, of the State's Attorney office said there is presently a freeze on all employment in McHenry county by mandate of the County board. Com­ munications will be sent to A1 Collins, a member of the McHenry County board, to see if more funding could be directed to the Wonder Lake area for more protection. There are now plans to hold a meeting with the presidents of all the sub­ divisions at Wonder Lake for further input on the burglary problem. The Master P r o p e r t y O w n e r s association meets Sunday, Dec. 9, at Nativity Lutheran church, where the matter has also been put on the agenda. MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 104 NUMBER 37 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5,1979 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 20' Validity Of Zoning Five-year-old Mika Jones, Mrs. Rob Meet City- Royal Pair [bier of Mr. and obert Jones of 2S14 Scheld lane, McHenry, and Steven Smith, 6-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith of 903 N.Green street, are McHenry's 1979 Winter Princess and Prince. They were selected in a drawing from more than 40 children whose -names had been submitted to the sponsoring McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. In the court are Mike Thomas, 7, of 4401 W. Parkway; James Schaver, 7, of 305 N. Emerald; Karen Marie Ewig, 6, of 1707 Meadow and Petrina Gebbia, 8, of 2706 Old Oak drive. In top photo, Mika and Steven are escorting Santa into his hut in the city park, where he wUl greet youngsters from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 8*9, 15-16, and 22, 23 and 24. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD In a move that took both the petitioners and the City by surprise, former City- Attorney John Looze, in effect, questioned th£ validity of the petition before the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Friday afternoon. Looze appeared as an objector to a petition which asks that the ZBA recom­ mend allowing the Residential Development Group (RDG) to build residences on about 60 acres of land in the Whispering Oaks subdivision. The tract of 140 acres (approximate) was originally slated tobe a golf course and the battpce oftfceiandwill be dorttfiitto- the City, if approved. At the end of his closing remarks, Looze reported to the ZBA that a title search had listed the McHenry State bank as record title holder of the subject property. The petition says that RDG is the record title holder and makes no mention of the land being held in trust. By not men­ tioning the trust, the petition is in violation of an Illinois state law. In addition, in neither the Oct. 12 nor Nov. 2 meeting transcripts of the ZBA concerning this petition is there any mention of the McHenry State bank as the trustee, or KDG as the sole beneficial interest of the land in question. This law requires that the name, address and per­ centage of beneficial interest of all parties to the trust be identified and verified (under oath) by a trustee. The City is using this same law to challenge an ob­ jector's right to sue in the RDG Winding Creek an­ nexation case which is currently in court. In that case, the City is Arguing that since the Shamrock Beei and Cattle farm did not identify the Northern Trust bank as the title holder, it has no right to sue the City. Representing RDG, At­ torney James Green said that the petition is still valid. "No one has questioned the petition's validity." Green said. "I am asking leave to amend the petition to name the McHenry State bank as record holder, RDG as sole beneficial owner and get an affadavit (to verify)." According to City Attorney Bernard Narusis, the validity of the petition is precisely the question in this instance and he wanted some time to consider it. "I don't want to do anything to jeopardize my position in court, regarding the RDG annexation," Narusis said. Prior to this question surfacing, RDG presented the ZBA with a letter regarding a timetable for a second point of ingress- egress into the proposed construction area. The previous plan of having only one point of ingress and egress for 50.9 acres of "R- 3" and 13.27 acres of "R-5" ^ Residential areas was of major concern to the ZBA. James Berg, vice- president of RDG, stated in the letter which he read at the hearing that RDG would be "willing to stipulate, as a condition of zoning" that a second road would be built before 50 percent of the units to be built are occupied. Berg went on to say that the second road would be built within two years of the start of building construction. Board member Annie Cuda said, "You're somewhat vague on the location of the second street?" Vjt , \ - 'A'** "Intentionally so, Annie," Berg answered. "We have the potential to build either north or south and we'd rather leave it that a street would be there." Speaking as an objector, Mrs. James Erickson of 913 Oakwood, McHenry, was concerned about the use of a stub street as the primary means of ingress and egress. On the original plans, the stub street was to be a driveway to the clubhouse and the marina and not a through street, according to many of the objectors. "I'd like to do away with (Continued on page 15) t «r'rff > i " '•»• -- - 3 a M B T Ask Reconsideration OF Bus issue At Johnsburg Ed Parks, attorney for Ridgeway subdivision parents, appearing at the last evening meeting of the Johnsburg school board, asked members for ad­ ditional assurance that all educational activities would cease at the time of early bus Proposal For McHenry It's probably inflation, but something is making everyone think big - really big - these days. For instance, a bill came in the mail a couple of months ago, charging the newspaper in excess of $12 for a reporter's meal while covering the McHenry C o u n t y M u n i c i p a l association dinner meeting. It was no special occasion, just a regular gathering held once a month. Usually, the reporter said, he preferred to get on with the business of covering the meeting and be on his way, but this time his timing was off. The meal was there when he arrived so he sat down. It seemed a rather steep price to us. While the reporter described the small steak as something he would expect to pay $5 or $6 for, we realized the wishful thinking of his view as we find our­ selves in an era of bigness. Nevertheless, it was high. The bill was paid and the incident almost forgotten when we received a notice last week of the annual Christmas meeting of the same group. This time things had gotten REALLY BIG. The choices for dinner were surf and turf, $23; New York strip, $18.50; and prime rib (king cut) $18. Now newspaper folks aren't cheapskates any more than the next fellow, but the nature of their business demands that they are frugal. Maybe it's because the vast majority of the public regards a newspaper as a service. Few seem to realize that while this , is indeed true, it is a costly process to serve As the reporter agreed that the $18-plus dinners came a little high for the boss' pocketbook, we pon­ dered the plight of the , municipal people. Mostly, they tell us they're struggling along with the rest of us these days. And then, as though ESP had taken over, another letter arrived last Friday. It was the same party, the same celebrants, the same place - but the menu had been changed. Now it was Cornish hen for .$7.50 and red snapper and prime rib (king cut), each for $12. That's more like it. We don't like to think our municipal leaders around the county can dine in places where a mere newspaper reporter would fear to ask for a hotdog! KAF Mayors Include New Bridge In Approvals McHenry county mayors yoted approval for a list of proposed road projects designed to use federal and state money originally earmarked for the Crosstown Expressway in Chicago, but freed for other use by agreement between Governor Thompson and Mayor Byrne. This action took place at last week's meeting of the McHenry C o u n t y M u n i c i p a l association after provisions for a bridge study insisted on by four southeast county villages along the Fox river was included in the list. The projects covering major im-arterial provements, were scheduled for completion over the next four years, through 1983, and will be funded by the county's portion of about $1 billion expressway money and from other federal in­ terstate transfer programs, according to Karen Kar- powich, transportation planner for McHenry county. Improvements slated for the McHenry area included replacement of the Route 120 bridge over the Fox and signalization of intersections at Route 31 at Pearl street, McCullom Lake road, and Bull Valley road; and lane improvements on Route 31 at Johnsburg road, and from Route 120 to High street. On Route 120, proposed are intersection improvements (Continued on page 15) dismissal. Parks also made a formal request for the board to reconsider the busing issue decision not to hire a daily supervisor for the first grade-high school bus. Parks said that when focus is on a problem it ceases, but his concern was that when "the heat is off" the problems might start up again. The parents still want a supervisor on that bus. Board president, Charles Boak, said "We will take it under advisement." A dialogue on the con­ sideration of a senior smoking lounge resulted in a negative vote and the non­ smoking policy was upheld. The consensus was that smoking is a health hazard and could not be encouraged by school policy. John Senkerik, Junior high social studies teacher, proposed a Washington D.C. mini-trip that would include seventh graders, eighth and freshmen who were unable to go last year when the trip was canceled. He explained the need to open the trip up to a larger group because as the expenses increase the number of students able to afford the trip declines. The estimated cost for this year's trip is $275-$300 which will include an extra day. A non- returnable deposit of $50 will be required to insure an adequate number of students. Ken Falkinham, business manager, explained dif­ ficulties with the high school well saying that the problem occurs only in maintaining pressure during back- washing the system. Normal use of water in drinking fountains and plumbing is not affected. He pointed out that the Capital Develop­ ment board is investigating the problem and "will assist us up to the state obligation - which is full funding." Dr. Andreas and Falkinham presented an architecural drawing of the new high school wing. Colors have been chosen and work (Continued on page 15) Adelines In Holiday Harmony Crash Injuries Fatal To Wonder Lake Man A Wonder Lake man, Glenn P. Doles, who was hospitalized after a traffic accident on Nov. 24, died Friday afternoon, Nov. 30, at St. Joseph's hospital in Elgin. He was 34 years old. A department manager at Oaks in Crystal Lake, Doles was originally taken to McHenry hospital by the Crystal Lake Rescue squad after his car was struck head-on. The driver of the other car, Russell P. Austin of Ringwood, had pulled out into the southbound lane of Crystal Lake road to pass another vehicle and ran into the Doles car. Mrs. Joy Doles and her son, Andrew, both passengers at the time of the collision, were taken to McHenry hospital, where they were listed in good condition. Two McHenry area residents, Robert A. O'Neil of Wonder Lake and Thomas S. Jablonski of 1502 Court street, McHenry, were taken to McHenry hospital by the McHenry Rescue squad following a two-car collision on Lincoln road. O'Neil told police that the other auto pulled out in front (Continued on page 15)" SWEET ADELINES OF McHENRY When the curtain opens at the Johnsburg high school, 1750 N. Ringwood road, Saturday, Dec. 8, at 8 p.m. the audience will be treated to a performance by the McHenry chapter of Sweet Adelines. Their provocative theme will be "Holly and Harmony". Directed by Pat Gattone, the singers will feature Christmas music, bar- bership style, as well as old favorites. The program will highlight the Happy Times quartet, a group from East campus, and a guest men's bar­ bershop quartet, the Allied Four. Final preparations are being made by co-chairmen, Lorraine Blonv and Ann Matthesius. The ticket chairmen, Harriet Bell and Vonnie Wynveen, announced tickets will be available at the door.