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VOLUME 104 NUMBER 74 Dancers enliven the stage In one of their many dance numbers from "Oklahoma". The popular musical, with a scheduled opening of April 17, Is also being presented at West campus auditorium April 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. and April 20 at 2 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling West campus or can be obtained at the door. STAFF PHOTO/WAYNE GAYLORD zltoarb Winning ihtoapaper At 1979-- SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGIOSNflKNCE 1875" Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest FRIDAY, APRIL 18, .1980 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25 oblems In Initial nnexation Hearing tt New Lutheran Church Model Pictured looking at a model of a new church for Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church, 404 North Green street, McHenry, are Architect William Ewald, Pastor Roger W. Schneider; and Robert Panning, president. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Formal negotiations concerning the proposed annexation of approximately 209 acres of land at the southwest corner of the Bull Valley road and Crystal Lake blacktop began at a public meeting Monday night. The owner and developer of the majority of the property, David Faestel, of Faestel Investments, Inc., Crystal Lake, has filed a petition for annexation jointly with owners of two smaller parcels of land, Charles Allen and Werner Ellman. Faestel is represented by Attorney Richard Zukowski, of Crystal Lake. According to the sketch plan, which incorporates a number of suggestions from both jtie City of (ScHenry ^ard of AppdSsf^a&tel is asking "B-l" business zoning for 11.2 acres at the intersection and "R-l" and "R-2" residential for the balance of the property. The sketch plan illustrates the proposed extension of Curran road which would swing through the property from Bull Valley road in the northwest and exit onto the Crystal Lake blacktop in the southeast. The construction of the four-lane blacktop is designed to be part of a "McHenry bypass." The one point of contention that could cancel the an­ nexation is "who is going to pay how much" for a bridge across Boone creek, which runs through the property and over which the Curran road extension must pass. In talks between Faestel and Mayor Stanek prior to the Monday meeting, a (very) tentative agreement had been reached in which the developers would con­ tribute $75,000 toward the construction of the bridge. According to Mayor Stanek, the figure of $75,000 had been arrived at and Curran road will intersect with Route 31. In further discussion, Faestel added that other developments, like Winding Creek to the north, and City residents would benefit from the construction of the bridge. The matter of the bridge was set aside so that both sides could look into the type and cost of a bridge and what payment schedule would be acceptable. Alderman Pepping later questioned whether a four- lane road need be built immediately, building in­ stead a "wide" two-lane road. The amount of dedicated right-of-way would remain the same so the road could be widened at a later date if necessary. There was some debate agreed -upon •eft©?' con- - concerning'* time frame for A public opening of bids for a new church for the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran congregation was held earlier this month. The building committee, headed by Dr. Jerry Lingeman, and the Church council, chaired by Robert Panning, have been studying the needs of the parish and solutions to those needs for the past year and one half. After careful study and planning a new church structure was outlined by Architect William Ewald. The new sanctuary will be in a semi-round design and will provide seating for 350 worshipers at each service, with an overflow seating area for an additional 100 people. The sanctuary will be separated from a large narthex by glass doors which will enable the narthex to be used also as a cry room for mothers with younger children. The seating in the new church will be at a gradual incline from back to front, making use of the contour of the land and providing good eye contact for everyone. Seating for a 50-voice choir is (Continued on page 22) High School Board Names Officers, Committee Heads V.thj versations with Faestel and Hal Sundin, president of Baxter and Woodman, the engineering firm retained by the City. Alderman Wieser said it might be better to have the developers pay a percentage of the cost of the bridge rather than a fixed amount. After a little discussion, Faestel pointed out, "It was never our intention to bear the entire cost of the idge." Everyone - well, almost everyone - complains, and very often the target is the school system. This is no more true in McHenry than anywhere else. And why do people complain about schools? Because they toko more than 70 percent of our tax dollar, that's why! Circumstances have been such that McHenry schools, especially at the elementary level, have felt a serious financial crunch. It's the kind of problem that only adds more comment on the subject of the wise use of school dollars. Again, McHenry is just one of many educational institutions in the same situation. In the midst of this unfortunate predicament, the annual election was held to name board members last Saturday. Seven men and women came forth courageously with an offer to take on the Herculean task of running a large school system, and if unable to do this to the satisfaction of everyone, St least not to bring general wrath upon their heads. One might expect this would bring a record number a voters to the polls, but it didn't. When the votes were counted, only 851 people had bothered to go to the polls in a heated contest in District 15, and wily 191 in the Johnsburg grade-high school district election, If the public were asked why, the answer might be, "There was no money at stake". We wonder what they consider a 4 Vz million dollar business. That's real money even in today's inflation, and that's what goes into grade school public education in McHenry each year. The Plaindealer entered more than 7,000 homes last week, the majority of them in the local community, bringing information on the candidates. In the same number of homes, repeated reports of financial problems have alerted taxpayers to the fact that our schools are in trouble and need the interest and support of the public. The results of the voting in both McHenry and Johnsburg school districts may have elected just the right board members. If that proves to be true, it is a fortunate Officers and committee chairmen were named to head business activities of the board of High School District 156 during Tuesday's meeting. The election named Edward J. Neumann to seijye his second year as president. Others elected were James Tony an, secretary; Judy Zid, president pro-tem; Barbara Slater, secretary pro-tem; and Mike Kelly, treasurer. Appointed to important committee assignments were Dave Benrud, both Negotiations and Tran­ sportation; Judy Zid, Budget; Dan McNulty, Building; Barbara Slater, Insurance; and Paul Nitz, Curriculum. Supt. Robert Swartzloff advised the board of the changes in the City-School Recreational agreement which were made after the school board had voted acceptance at the March 18 meeting. Swartzloff noted the changes were made in the wording concerning use of equipment and possible improvements, alterations or modifications to property, equipment, land or facility which might entail ex- (Continued on page 22) Faestel also commented that this would be the "single most expensive stretch of road in the McHenry bypass," because of the bridge. It has been en­ visioned that eventually the dedication of the land for the Curran road extension. Faestel said he had title to all the property but the mortgage house had not yet released all the land. He said he would talk to the mor­ tgage house and see if a solution could be found. This new wrinkle, i.e. the road width and the right-of- way dedication time, was also set aside to be ironed out at the next meeting. Another clause in the proposed annexation agreement brought critical questioning from Alderman Harker. The problem was a provision in the text which would allow the developer. Faestel, to use land not yet developed for "agricultural purposes." Faestel pointed out that the houses they were planning to build were in the $100,000 plus bracket and would probably lead to slow development of the property. Faestel also said he had an interest in the Simmental farm, between McHenry and Crystal Lake, and might want to use the land for grazing. Alderman Harker said the term "agricultural" was ambiguous and, receiving some support from Alder­ man Nolan, said he would like to see "agricultural" restricted to crop farming - no livestock. "I just don't want to see any hog farms," Ms. Nolan said. Zukowski offered the approach that the City tell the developers which uses would be acceptable and which would not. Faestel told the Council that he had no problems with some restrictions, no con­ fined livestock, but said he did want to retain the option to graze cattle on the land, if there was no development. "If we cannot come to grips on the bridge question, there will be no annexation and the land will be left as a farm," Faestel said. So with questions of bridges, roads, easements and farms remaining, the meeting was recessed until 8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. Near Cooney Heights Allow Home For Disabled By a vote of 17-4, the McHenry County board voted favorably Tuesday on the petition to allow a residential facility for 11 developmentally disabled people to be built at the corner of Ponca and Valley View road, south of Cooney Heights. Voting by the six McHenry board members was split, with Thomas Huemann, Charles Weingart and Ed­ ward Buss voting in favor, and Donald Doherty, James it that really isn't the point. The point is that less than a thousand voters had enough interest in a 4fe million dollar business--their business-~to care who is wpmding their money. KAF Alcoholism Program In Two-Part Series "Alcoholism-the 'Now' Problem" will be discussed by staff members of the ? Family Service and Com­ munity Mental Health Center for McHenry County at 8p.m. Thursday, May 1, in St. Patrick's parish hall, 3500 W. Washington street, McHenry. The first of a two- part series sponsored by the McHenry Area Separated and Divorced Catholic group, the presentation will feature G.R. Waldo, MA, MS, and Ted Graves, ACSW, CSW A graduate of the University of Mississippi, Waldo holds two master's degrees, in Education from Northern Illinois university (Continued on page 22) G. R.WALDO Curran and Dean Cunat opposed. Only two of them made public statements as to their reasons. Cunat noted there was no connection to city sewers at this location and observed that the structure was a residential type and not appropriate for the intended use. He also reminded that the road on which it is located is private. Buss, on the other hand, explained that members had travelled over the road and it was his hope the city will take over its maintenance. He continued to state that these people (the develop- mentally disabled) must have a place to live and he felt there would be some objection to any location. In Buss' opinion, this was the most suitable of those locations that had been considered. The facility will be designed to provide a home environment for the residents, all of whom would be at least 18 years old. In other area zoning, the petition to reclassify property on Lincoln road, near Cuhlman road, from "A-l" Agriculture district to "E-l" Estate district was held over until the next meeting. The recom­ mendation of the Zoning board had been for denial. Tax bills will be late, according to Edward Buss of McHenry. who heads the County board Finance committee. Buss explained that work continues on the quadrennial year books, a process that will delay completion of bills until after July 1, with a payment date of early September. Members noted that this delay will cause some townships and school districts to be short of money to the extent that an­ ticipation warrants will need to be authorized to. pay current bills. Member G.B. Hubbard of Crystal Lake pointed to the large number of objectors in the Algonquin area and said he believed there were more who objected to tax bills there than in the remainder of the county. Several suggestions were made concerning the possibility of speeding up the bills. One member asked why more help couldn't be employed to assist. Phyllis Walters of Crystal Lake asked which would be more economical, em­ ploying more help or having the various governmental units purchase anticipation warrants. It was a question no one could answer. There was previous discussion at a Finance & Salaries committee meeting regarding accelerated tax bills being sent out at some future time to relieve the taxing units that will be handicapped by late arriving lax money. However, it was the impression of depart­ ment heads involved that costs would not justify this type of action. In discussing the Health and Agriculture committee activities. Al Collins of (Continued on page 22) Miss McHenry-Charm Class Opens April 22 RAMONA ZMICH NANCINETT Two pretty entries in the Miss McHenry contest are Ramona Zmich and Nanci Nett. Ramona, who attends the Alternative school, enjoys cooking and art among her school activities, and has hobbies of photography and writing.. Nanci, who attends West campus, is a member of the Student Council. Her pastimes are running, dancing and golfing. The first meeting of the Miss McHenry 10-week charm course offered to eich participant in the 1980 competition will be held Tuesday. April 22. at the American Legion hall on Ringwood road Plans have been in progress by the Miss McHenry Pageant com (Continued on page 22) <1 . ?• I r . v • r