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VOLUME 105 NUMBER 37 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1980 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 25' Ralph Ott is busy making sure everything is just rfjght as he decorates his home and yard for the Christmas season. Nearing dusk one afternoon (below), lights adorn the yard and house of the Ott residence. The project became an annual event, after making its first appearance tome 18 years ago. Present More Bond Requests The McHenry City Council listened to two more requests for the issuance of commercial revenue bonds to aid financing from two developers at Monday night's meeting. Edward "Ned" Neumann, Jr., told the Council that his attorney will ap­ pear at a later Council meeting with a "memorandum of agreement" which, when signed, indicates to money len­ ders that both parties are amenable to the idea. Neumann is in the first stages of building a health and exercise center on a 10-acre tract of land near the in­ tersection of McCullom Lake road and Route 31, a part of the Falcon development. According to Neumann, the finished site will include raquetball and squash courts, a swimming pool, a motel facility with 20 rooms, a banquet hall, restaurant and cocktail lounge. The estimated cost of the development was set at $3.76 million. The Council appeared pleased at the idea of a motel in the City and Alder­ man Michael Wieser asked Neumann about any plans for expansion. Neumann said expansion was possible and pointed out that only one acre of the entire 10-acre site would be .under roof in the mall structure. In response to a question from Alderman Elizabeth Nolan, Neumann said he would like to start construction in the Spring. Regarding another development, Attorney Sam Diamond presented the Council with a memorandum of agreement for the issuance of com­ mercial revenue bonds, which allow the developer to get money at substantially lower interest rates and because they are issued in the name of the City, are tax-free. The use of this type of bond for commercial development was made possible by a recent change in state law. The property in question is just south of Illinois Coil Spring, between Boone creek and Industrial drive at the Market Place shopping center. The plans for development, according to developer Charles Margosian, of Naperville, include two buildings. Mayor Stanek asked just what Margosian was planning to build. Margosian said, "I assume you're asking who?" Then he revealed that he has been in negotiations with the Jewel- Osco chain for tenancy in one of the buildings. Margosian noted that at the last Council meeting, another developer, planning to build at the Ringwood road- Route 120 intersection was also in­ volved with the Jewel-Osco chain. "I seriously doubt that you'll have two stores within a mile-and-a-half of each other," Margosian said. "I think tnKy&tffftiti&h mortf favorably disposed to the Route 120-Industrial drive location." The same building, estimated at 60,000 square feet, would also contain room for a number of small local shops. The other building is projected to be used for some type of restaurant, but no plans have been definitely set. In other action, the Council voted to rescind the municipal sales tax on farm implements which was reimposed after a recent change in state law. Earlier this year, the state legislature voted to remove the 1 percent tax from farm implement sales of $1,000 or more. The legislature did, however, leave the municipalities with the option, which McHenry exercised, of reinstituting the tax after passing a resolution. The motion to rescind the earlier Council action passed unanimously. Mayor Stanek also announced that he was going to veto two measures passed at the last City Council meeting which regulated parking in diagonal spaces and right turns from Waukegan road onto Front street. Police Chief Pasenelli reported that not less than five cars and not more than 10 had backed into a diagonal parking space in the last three months. He also said that approximately 20 cars were found to have backed into spaces in City parking lots. The Chief recommended that the City adopt a "courtesy ticketing" program to cbssttade drivers from the practice. The mayor also vetoed the posting of a sign at the intersection of Waukegan and Front street which would prevent cars from blocking the intersection in order to get into the left turn lane for turning west on Elm street. v Chief Pasenelli reported that there were really only two hours s day where a problem existed and pointed out that any problem that existed cleared up when the light at Route 120 and 31 turned green. It was also mentioned that there had not been an accident at the intersection since the cement median was built last summer. Pasenelli reported that a representative of the Illinois Depart­ ment of Transportation recommended that no barricades or restrictions on turning at the corner be imposed. Alderman Adams said that as long as there had not been any accidents there was really no reason to regulate the corner. - The action was taken at the last meeting after a couple of aldermen mentioned the problem of traffic back­ ups at the Intersection. The Council also indicated its desire for more participation in the hiring of instructors and teachers for the various programs sponsored by the Park department. With an unanimous vote, the City Council decided to table a request from Residential Development Group for flhal plat approval of the second phase of the Winding Creek subdivision until certain road width questions are an­ swered. Ralph Ott is known by many McHenry area residents as the owner of "that house on Main street with all the lights," as it has been known for the last 18 years. Ralph said, when the Plain- dealer reporter spoke with him recently, that he usually has his yard decorating completed by Thanksgiving each year, but broke two ribs in a fall a couple of months ago. When asked why he began this annual project, he said, "Well...I've always liked Christmas lights and I've always enjoyed Christmas time and there are so many others who like it too, that I just kept it up." Ralph said emphatically that he never intended to do it for the prizes, although he has won the Chamber of Commerce Home Decorating contest a number of times. The extensive front yard display of lights and statues usually makes its first ap­ pearance on the night before Thanksgiving and continues every night thereafter until about Jan. 5. Ralph estimated that it costs him an extra $100 a year on his electric bill to keep the 3,000 lights (mostly miniature) lighted throughout the Christmas season. He also guessed that he has accumulated nearly $1,000 worth of statues and decorations through the 18 years that he has been decorating his yard. "My big revolving snowman went kaput in a snowstorm two years ago," Ott said. One year, Ralph kept track of the number of hours spent in erecting the extensive display and found that he invested 108 hours. He explained that the first thing is to string wires across the yard, to which everything is eventually attached Then the wires are wrapped with garlands and finally the lights are strung. Ott said he'U continue to build the displays as long as his health holds up and the vandals don't make it too costly an endeavor. During last year's mild winter, the vandals were particularly active, i.e. cutting strings of lights and damaging the various decorations on his property. "I wouldn't have minded if they just stole the bulbs - those can be replaced. But when the wires are cut...," he sighed. Vandals also tore out two small Christmas trees that adorned the corners of the lot, but through this Ott remains determined to put on the display because for him and the many people, young and old, who take special joy at Christmas, it's worth it. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-lAKES REGION SINCE 1875 9ut when the gasoline shortage became very evident a few years ago, many of these traditional customs began to disappear. We weren't asked if we wanted the oil checked, no one appeared to clean the windshield, and to ask for air in the tires was un­ thinkable. But in recent months there has been* an ample supply of gasoline and this I has produced a return to good and fast service at some stations. To those owners and managers who never allowed their service to deteriorate, even when they could get more customers than they wanted, motorists owe a loyalty. Those who are more expert on such matters tell us that just as the current over-supply of fuel is, at best, tem­ porary, the modest decline in prices seen in some areas also is temporary. It's believed over the long haul, prices inevitably will continue to rise if for no other reason than just to keep up with inflation. Keeping this in mind, it's interesting to take a look at prices and see where that buck-and-a-quarter per gallon is going. The answer may surprise you. Looking back a bit to the last full year for which figures are available, the at- the-pump price of gasoline was about 86 cents. Of that figure, 4.4 cents was the profit of one big oil company. More than 41 cents was the govern­ ment share of the price. This included all sorts of taxes - income, federal and foreign governments; also royalty payments and direct purchases of oil from governments and government- owned companies. The cost of producing and refining the gasoline came to about 40 cents. This included wages, salaries and benefits paid to the big oil company workers, the cost of raw materials and supplies, interest, etc. With no intention to protect anyone, the facts ^peak for themselves. Again, government is not blameless. KAF Set Dec. 7 Open House At Day School For Disabled At Johnsburg Schools Sunday, Dec. 7, the Day school Respite Care and Follow Along staff of Pioneer center will hold an open house from noon to 2 p.m. at the newly remodeled facility that has centralized the agency's Children Services. The location at 5005 W. McCullom Lake road, McHenry, formerly housed a Pioneer Center Vocational Rehabilitation Training program. All community friends are cordially invited to tour the facility and become acquainted with the curriculum and the wide variety of specialized services the Day school offers. The program is designed to meet the needs of severely disabled children ages 3 to 21 who are unable to qualify for public special education programs. The Pioneer Center Respite Care coordinator and Follow Along coor­ dinator will be on hand to explain their areas of service. The Respite Program is designed to provide temporary care for the developmentally disabled child or adult during a family's absence from home. The Follow Along program provides referral, follow-up and assistance to these individuals. RTA Public Hearing Dec. 11 Attempting to halt a threatened shutdown of public transportation in Northeastern Illinois this winter, the Regional Transportation Authority board of directors has voted to hold public hearings for a fare increase and service cutbacks. One is scheduled in the McHenry area. • -- A total of 11 public hearings will be held in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties Thursday, Dec. 11, to seek public input on a proposed fare increase and reductions in bus and rail service. Locally, the hearing will be held at Johnsburg high school, 2002 Ringwood road, at 7:30 p.m. In a statement to the board of directors. RTA Chairman Lewis W. Hill said, "We as the board of directors of the RTA cannot hold out any longer for promised funding from the state. If we don't take action now, transit ser­ vice will come to a halt this Winter. We must start the process of public hearings on fare increase and service cuts." Despite several successful cost saving measures, RTA is projecting a shortage of $150 million in fiscal year 1981. Last June the board of directors scheduled public hearings for a fare (Continued on page 18) Increase Substitute Pay In Grade Schools He Brings Spirit To McHenry (Photos by Wayne Gaylord, story by Anthony Oliver) One of tke very interesting topics of recent y*ars has been that scarce commodity, gasoline. We're told that for many decades foreigners coming to this country have been astonished to see how service static^ attendants provided such fast and /aried services. Apparently these courtesies aren't expected in other parts of the world. Park Program Officially Proclaims Christmas Season All the final preparations are under way for the Chamber's first of a series of Christmas events Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. The official Country Christmas tree in Pearl street park has been laced with hundreds of tiny Italian lights by Dick Weber, City of McHenry shop foreman, and his crew, Pat Stanek, Randy Meyers and Ernie Pieroni. It stands in darkness, however, awaiting the or­ naments that have been promised by the students of Montini, St. John's, Fox Valley Christian, McHenry and Johnsburg schools. The tree trimming will be assisted by Dick Weber and Pat Stanek from the city, Marge Olszewski and Sue Schaefer from the chamber, Miss McHenry contestant, Nancy Nett, and Miss Congenialty, Sundae Morrison. No matter what the weather, the tree trimming ceremony will be held. However, the length of the event will be determined by the weather. Hal Thompson, director of the Johnsburg chorus, and Bill Toalson, director of the McHenry select chorus, have prepared their groups to brave the wind and weather and delight the audiences with seasonal songs for over an hour. Weather permitting this performance will be a sneak preview of the concerts being presented by these groups Dec. 17 at Johnsburg senior high school and Dec. 9 at East campus auditorium, respectively. While enjoying the music or watching the symbol of Christmas take shape and character, hot chocolate and coffee will be served by committee members, Dolores Ball. Liz Nolan, Fran Olsen and Miss McHenry contestants, Juliette Barnes and Debbie Turner. When all the ornaments are in proper nosition, the music directors will lead the entire assemblage in singing "Christmas Tree" as Mayor Stanek throws the switch to bring the Country Christmas tree to illuminated life. Included in routine business tran­ sacted at a recent meeting of Elementary School District 15 were approval of increased pay deter­ mination for "long-term" substitutes and the employment of a heating company to update controls for energy saving at Parkland school. In addition, the Citizens Legislative organization reported recommendations to monitor closely legislation affecting education because of financial needs of elementary school districts. The policy on substitute teacher pay resulted from the finance committee recommendation which read, "If a substitute teacher for one teacher is needed for a period extending beyond 15 consecutive school dsys, the ad­ ministration must obtain board ap­ proval to retain his or her services prior to the termination of the 15 day period. If approved, the substitute will be paid at a daily rate of $66 for each day thereafter." (Continued on page 18) National Awards For McHenry Girls SUE MALENIUS Two McHenry girls had the honor of being among only 12 Illinois 4-Hers who claimed $9,600 in scholarships at the 59th National 4-H Congress held in Chicago this week. Judy Vyduna and Sue Malenius were named winners in programs arranged by the National 4-H council and supervised by the Cooperative Extension Service. Selected for outstanding ac­ complishments in 4-H projects and activities, leadership development, personal growth and community and civic responsibility, 287 winners JUDY VYDUNA nationwide shared $265,250 in educational grants. Nineteen year old Judy Vyduna of 1218 W. Oakley, who has carried out a number of projects to aid the blind, was named one of nine national winners in the 4-H achievement program. Miss Vyduna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Vyduna, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois, champaign, and plans to become an art teacher. Her most recent project to aid the blind is an ongoing one at the U. of I Rehabilitation Educational center. She reads college textbooks into a tape recorder so that "the blind can have the same opportunity to study and learn that I do." The 10-year 4-H'er also has collected eyeglasses for the Lions club by ad- vertising in newspapers throughout her county. "I explained how the lenses are re-ground, made into new glasses and sent to underdeveloped countries," she said. After learning about the Illinois Eye bank and how a person's eyesight can be restored with a donor eye, she launched a public education program to convince people to donate their eyes to the blind. When she reached 18, she signed her own donor card. When the local Rescue squad needed triangular bandages, she hunted up old sheets and started work. This led others to help out. The 4-H'er also has raised money for a number of charities as part of her community service work. Judy said she particularly liked the 4- H home environment and home management projects during her 4-H career and said these will give her "a head start when I have an apartment or house of my own." The nine winners were presented their awards by the Ford Motor Company fund, sponsor of the 4-H achievement program. Seventeen-year-old Sue Malenius, who raised more than $7,000 for the handicapped by twice dancing for 24 hours in two separate Easter Seals dance-a-thons, has been named one of eight national winners in the 4-H health program. Sue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. Edwin Malenius, is a high school senior and plans a career as an elementary special education teacher. She appeared on National Easter Seal Telethons after both of her 24-hour stints, the first time with actor Jack Klugman and the second time with entertainer Suzanne Somers. The five-year 4-H'er was featured in a story in Seventeen magazine as a result of her Easter Seal efforts She also took part in a third dance-a-thon, her first, dancing for 12 hours on that occasion and raising $124. The 4-H'er alao wanted to give the public an idea of what it would be like to Uhnndliappsdend so she gave a State fair demonstration on the use of a wheelchair and crutclies. She let people try out the equipment to get an idea of (Continued on page 18)