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* THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER VOLUME 106 NUMBER 31 " S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - O L A K E S M E G I O N S I N C E 7875 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 1981 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25* Restructuring Work By Council Continues by Anthony Oliver Efforts at restructuring the municipal pay and job schedule con­ tinued this past week as an attempt was made to reach consensus on a number of different questions about the relative level of each job. Just prior to the restructuring discussion, Alderman Jack Pepping, chairman of the Finance committee, reported that originally the budget had projected a decrease in reserves of about $160,000. He noted that now there is a possibility that there will be no decrease in reserves if the year-end projections hold. A projected $80,000 General fund surplus dropped to bet­ ween $10,000 and $15,000 as the com­ mittee, the department heads asd concerned council members made a line-by-line evaluation of the budget. The council felt that the issue of any possible salary increase or bonus m 4 Veteran's Day A Community Tribute McHenry Mayor Joseph B. Stanek (left) addresses more than 125 people who attended the Veteran's day ceremony at the American Legion clubhouse Tuesday morning. Stanek cited the contributions of the American veteran and noted that the torch of honor and patriotism should be passed to the youth of today. Above, Ernest Stetz, a Vietnam veteran and Illinois commander of the Polish Legion of American Veterans, Liberty Post 188, promises that the veterans of the Vietnam war would carry that torch in the tradition of the American veteran. The McHenry mayor also commented on the "deceitful peace" that exists in the world and warned against disarmament and neutrality. STAFF PHOTOS-ANTHONY OLIVER Lockwood Retains Presidency As Grade Board Reorganizes The wheels of justice grind slowly - an old adage that is evident every day. Some people believe the long process was worthwhile as a result of recent action by the Illinois Legislature. It all started with a four-bill package of proposals in the Legislature designed to improve the Illinois Court act. Presented by Hep. Donald Deuster, two passed. Deuster, it will be remem­ bered, was the legislator who authored the 1977 Illinois law allowing judges to sentence criminals to perform public service work. But he believes local police depart­ ment juvenile officers should have similar authority. Undo- the terms of the new bill, after a juvenile is arrested for violating the law, the local police juvenile officer (Continued on page 18) Gary Lockwood retained his presidency of the board of education for Elementary School District 15 in the selection of officers following the canvassing and certifying of the totals from the Nov. 4 election. The reorganized board also retained Eileen Zurblis as secretary and chose Karen Salman as president protem and Joan Miller as secretary protem. The abstract of ballots cast submitted by the county clerk of McHenry showed that Lockwood received 538 and Frances Larsen, 474 votes. Both were candidates for reelection. Thomas Przetacznik, the unsuccessful can­ didate, received 380. The Lake County clerk reported no votes cast for board candidates in the portion of the school district in that county. The board also agreed to continue the annual election of officers and amended the board policy manual to reflect this decision. During reorganization, the board redesignated the McHenry State bank as depository for district funds, established a calendar for meetings (business meetings generally at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the central office), and retained the law firm of Robbins, Sch­ wartz, Nicholas, Lifton and Taylor, Ltd., to continue to represent the district in legal matters. The board also adopted new and amended policies that had been con­ sidered in the past year. The an­ nouncement of new standing committee appointments was deferred until the next business meeting to allow mem­ bers to voice their preference for assignments. David Cain of M. David Cain, Ltd. (Continued on page 18) should be discussed as a separate topic, distinct from the restructuring question. Voicing his opinion on the matter, Pepping said that in lieu of a per­ centage salary increase, he would prefer that a bonus be paid to each employee. He commented that the pay increase would be an ongoing expense to the city. Alderman Raymond Smith, a sup­ porter of an employee salary increase, pointed out that a commitment to review the situation had been made. A Finance committee meeting to review the situation was set for Mon­ day, Nov. 23, at city hall. In discussions Monday night, the council said there should be some differential in pay between the sewer plant operator and the water plant operator. Mayor Joseph Stanek commented that it was more difficult to become a sewer plant operator than a water plant operator. Supt. of Public Works Richard Weber clarified the difference in the jobs saying, "The tests and the studying (for each job) are just as hard, but there is more responsibility with the sewer plant operator." Alderman Smith voiced a concern that perhaps the city would not be able to afford the different job levels being created by the restructuring. Alderman Pepping commented, "We have to look, not at the existing people, but at what the city should have and how it ought to be structured." One of the positions created but not yet filled was that of the "public works foreman." Supt. Weber said he envisioned this job as someone who would take responsibility on weekends or during his vacation, etc. "What about when you're around?" Alderman Pepping asked. "Then I don't need him," Weber said. "Dick, I think you're too damn loose in your definition," said Alderman Edward Datz. "You need a first class foreman." Pepping supported this position and noted that the superintendent, at this time, has 17 employees to supervise. "You're pay is based on how well the sewer department works, how well the water department works, and you've got administrative work to do," Pep­ ping said. "You need a working foreman - one who works with the men." The council agreed that the level of the assistant sewer plant operator and the public works foreman should be the same. Alderman Smith urged the council not to think solely in terms of pay when addressing the restructuring. "The reason for this is so that the employees know who tells who what to do," Smith said. Regarding overtime, the consensus of the council was that no overtime would be paid to any of the department heads: the city clerk, the superintendent of Public Works, the chief of police, thfe park director and the building and zoning officer (a position not filled at this time). In emergency situations, overtime would be paid to the lieutenant of police, the chief sewer and water plant operators, the shop foreman and the park maintenance person. The council felt that the position of the building and zoning officer might (Continued on page 18) Ask "Open Door" In Rehabilitation SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE An ex-convict from McHenry has been named job developer for a new, non-traditional program of community services offered through McHenry County college to aid people returning home to the county after serving prison or jail sentences. Randy Marchese, a graduate of McHenry high school, has been out of prison for about 4V-. years. Ex-convicts found to be job-ready will be referred to him. "I'm very excited about the county's program. I wouldn't be here if I didn't visuklize success," Marchese said. When asked why he has taken on tue position of job developer, Marchese says: "It's part of my debt to society. I owe some time because of the help I have personally received from others during my own rehabilitation." He says he will strive to open the doors for the community to accept the people enrolled in the program and he also will be looking for job offers for the participants. "We're not looking for any extra considerations. We do need help, but just because we're ex-prisoners we don't expect anything extra," Mar­ chese said. Dr. Robert Meyer, coordinator of the MCC Jail Rehabilitation program, said it has been developed to rehabilitate the ex-convict through counseling, job placement and acceptance into the community The doctor said when initial contact is made with a former convicted person, on referral, he or she will be BCieeued for education requirements, mental health, skills, problems and em­ ployment needs. Meyer emphasized the program will be conducted on a "one-on-one" basis throughout "We are hoping various community groups would commit themselves to one person in the rehabilitation program, not with Propose Park District To Raise Money For Dam Repair SHAW MiOtA NEWS SERVICE The dilemma of collecting enough money to repair the Wonder Lake dam may be realized through formation of a park district if some residents of that community have their way. As a government body, a park district has the ability to tax the public as well as the advantage of greater credit loans, if needed. Those people favoring that plan point to the advantages. By deeding the dam and spillway to the district, the land would go on the county tax rolls, ac­ cording to Diane Rogers, a member of the Indian Ridge subdivision's board of directors. She explained that the district, not the Master Property Owners association, would be responsible for repairs and collecting money. Ms. Rogers pointed out that the cost of repairing dam gates will require more money than the property owners around the lake can collect. * Indian Ridge is one of the member subdivisions and voting bodies that comprise the Wonder Lake Master Property Owners association, a dues- collecting body whose job it is to act on behalf of unincorporated area residents. Association President Ed Beard has estimated the sluice gate repairs will cost $150,000, plus another $20,000 for the phase two engineering study. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Water Resources, land owners around the lake are legally responsible for maintaining the lake. If the MPOA fails to act, the state will breach the dam and charge residents for the work. When the state stepped in several years ago at Lake Marian, near Car- pentersville, the project's price tag was about $90,000. (Continued on page 18) money, but with personal com­ mitments," he said. The program coordinator said the people participating in the program will be helped through all phases of rehabilitation and will be given any needed counseling while in the program. "We'll stay with them until they are stabilized," Meyer said. To introduce the community to some of the artistic talents of the in­ carcerated, the Jail Rehabilitation program will present an art exhibition in the near future. "I've dealt with people behind prison ^(£tiMfMu<dfoh page T8) Waigenbach To Quit Post Audrey Waigenbach, treasurer for McHenry county, announced to the McHenry County board Tuesday that she would not be a candidate for reelection next year. That an­ nouncement brought praise from board member Edward Buss of McHenry, and a standing ovation from the board. Ms. Walgenbach's decision ends more than 40 years of service in the treasurer's office. For the past 17 years she has held the position of treasurer. "At the end of this term, November 1982, I'll have worked in the treasurer's office 43 years", she announced. The veteran office holder said there is no specific reason for not seeking reelection. She added that she wants to step down to start some volunteer work for which there has not been time by holding a full time job. The early announcement, she ex­ plained, was made to give any prospective candidates time to make plans for next year's election. Effort Falls To Cut County Budget by Angela Burden SHAW MHMA MfWS SERVICE • "Despite a last-minute try by -McHenry County Board Chairman •Ronald Morris to reduce some proposed ~ expenditures during the next year, the -board Tuesday adopted a budget with ' total appropriations of $17 million and a projected deficit of $504,000. 11»e board approved general fund appropriations at $8,864,388 for the fiscal year starting Dec. 1, while in­ coming revenues are projected at $8,359,626. Two of the 23 board members voted against the deficit spending, Ann Hughes of Woodstock and A1 Collins of Wonder Lake. William Caveny of Algonquin said his yes vote was a reluctant one. Before the issue went to the vote, Morris told the board it was his opinion "the budget can stand further cuts and come closer to being better balanced with less deficit." Morris said many departments, through their liaison committee, "did come up with many cuts of their own and others came up with increased budgets over the past year. "I've been told 'what's the worry? Our proposed total tax rate is less than last year.' All I can say is the tax­ payers' bill will be up next year -- because our valuation in the county is up about $106,000,000. "We could, by putting our house in Order and better balancing this budget, relieve our taxpaying public by a few dollars ... certainly our multiplier will hit the taxpayer again by a 10 to 12 percent increase in tax bills," Morris said. He suggested a total freeze in all departments on positions that are open now, but have been appropriated for in the new budget. This would have amounted to an approximate cut in the budget of $150,000 he said. Morris also suggested eliminating some positions in county offices. He suggested cutting out a $31,025 special study, reducing the Building and Zoning department staff by one, cutting the Planning department staff down from 13 to eight -- a savings of $70,000 -- and not filling an opening in the state's attorney's office. Morris said the Sheriffs department needed more patrolmen on the road. "We could use less chiefs and more Indians and still increase three patrolmen's positions," he added. Morris' proposed cuts totaled about (Continued on page 18) "Kind Lady 99 Paul Metiger, Lisa Kelly, Kathy Wester and Mary Dvorak are shown in a scene from the suspense drama, "Kind Lady", to be performed Nov. 12,13 and 14 at 8 p.m. in the Johnsburg high school auditorium. Tickets will be available at the door. Children's Book Week At McHenry Library Page 20 FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition Deer-Auto Collisions On The Increase Page 19