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McHenry ainilAalAr QAM 1%JK3 CH At31 2 Sections 44 Pages 25' Wednesday November 2, 1983 Number 25 Volume 109 Johnsburg PTO vice-president Wendy Turner works the telephone to confirm student absences as Bush- Ringwood principal Kim Perkins looks on. The PTO has launched the program to initiate calls to parents vtfio fail to report their child's absence to the school by 9 a.m. so that it could be discovered immediately if a child were actually missing. Initiate call-in program for abs6h"ce from school simple telephone call. A calls school to confirm i child's absence. It takes less than a minute, but it could determine a lifetime. The Johnsburg Parent- Teacher Organization is reminding parents of the im­ portance of calling school between 7:30 and 9 a.m. to report whenever their child is absent from school. If a con­ firmation call is not made by patents, then the PTO will take the initiative at the elementary school level of contacting the parents. School secretaries phone parents who fail to call at the secondary school level. The purpose of the call-in program is to prevent this kind of scenario: 8-year-old Michelle walks to the bus stop, but she never arrives at school. The parents are unaware she is missing. Without the PTO to take the initiative in confirming ) the child's absence, the school would also be unaware of why the child is absent. Is it truancy? A lost child? An abduction? An accident? No one would ever know the child is missing until the youngster fails to report home after school. By then, much time has been lost. On Oct. 31, the Johnsburg PTO launched the program to contact parents who fail to report their child's absence. But PTO representatives remind parents that the success of the new program depends upon their cooperation. If too many parents fail to take the initiative of calling school, then it will cause a monumental workload for PTO callers. The PTO service is designed to help protect the children of the community. The parent phone call takes less than a minute, but it is improtant. New. law gives some EPA Power to local government Local governments will be able to inspect and investigate possible environmental violations within their jurisdictions and enforce EPA regulations against violators, under a measure sponsored by state Rep. Richard C. Klemm (R., Crystal Lake) and recently signed into law by the governor. Klemm's measure gives the Environmental Protection Agency authority to delegate these powers to local governments. "Many local governments have the expertise and would welcome the opportunity to help A look inside... Broadcast from Granada Section 2, Page 14 Regular features New classified ad number Obituaries Twice Told Tales Mostly Social 344-4800 Page 8 Section 2, Page 2 Pages 10-11 gives proposal for medical arts building S' Donna Bertulis cHenry Hospital's plans to build a medical arts building on the new hospital site was given a nod of approval by the city council Monday. Construction of the two-phase building may require a special arrangement for the hookup of sewer and water services. The council voted unanimously to allow a variance of certain building code requirements to allow the building to open on schedule. Nora O'Malley, executive director of McHenry Hospital (Northern Illinois Medical Center) explained to the council NIMED, a private present ordinance that corporation of the new hospital, wishes to build a professional arts building west of the new hospital. Completion of the new hospital, originally targeted at September, 1983, has been moved up to June 15. It is hoped the medical arts building will be opened at the same time. "We have two options for sewer and water connection," explained Ms. O'Malley. "We can go the standard way (hooking up to city sewer and water service); or we may ask permission to hook to the hospital water and sewer, which is not allowed under your She added that both options will be considered by the hospital board of directors, who are yet to decide which option would be more cost effective. "We prefer to go the long way, but cost is a factor," said the hospital director. Put suing a new and separate hookup would require extensive construction costs and more time. The second solution would be only a temporary one: hoc* up both buildings to one connection for a period not to exceed = five years. This, however, would involve a cost outlay several years from now, to bring the buildings in line with the ordinance. pref but The council stated that it jferred independent hookups, )ut agreed to grant the temporary variance, should the hospital opt to do so. A ground breaking for the professional arts building is expected next week. It will f as a 24,000 square foot U which would contain a laboratory on the lower level and offices for physicians on the second floor. A second phase addition is planned after the first phase offices are rented. Ms. O'Malley added that the hospital intends to approach the council next week regarding the issuance of industrial revenue bonds. McHenry joins drug and alcohol abuse fight by Donna Bertulis McHenry is joining in a nationwide effort to fight the growing problem of teenage drug and alcohol abuse. On Wednesday night McHenry will be one of hundreds of communities to hold a town meeting in coiy unction with the airing of the public television series, "The Chemical People". Meetings will be held at 8 p.m. Nov. 2 and Nov. 9 at the McHenry High School West Campus auditorium. It is a community, rather than a school effort to get citizens involved in the fight against drug and alcohol abuse. The goal is to organize a local task force to continue work following the two meetings. * Citizens for Community Action, "CCA: A Better Way" is the coordinating council of the local effort. "TUfe Chemical People", a two-part documentary focusing on the teenage drug and alcohol abuse problem, will be shown on Channel 11 on the two evenings. Organizers of the town meeting encourage the community to watch the programs at the assembly, rather than at home, in order to benefit from a panel discussion which will be held immediately after the programs. "The panel discussion is what will 'hit home' for those in attendance," commented Greg Johnson of CCA. "This panel of eight or nine professionals will speak on their perception locally and initiate conversation." % Individuals who will sit on the anel include: Det. Gary is not an igman, juvenile officer of the McHenry Police Department; Jackie Smith, McHenry High School phychologist; Maureen Durgan, Mental Health and Community Service; Dave Myars of the Youth Service Bureau; Steve,Kuntz, local citizen associated with drug and alcohol abuse groups; Dr. James Mowery, local MD; Kate Hamilton, McHenry High School counselor; and a representative of the clergy. The same panel will be present at both town meetings. Refreshments will be served. The series has received much attention and has received the endorsement of many organizations and public figures. First Lady Nancy Reagan will be the narrator. Locally, the town meeting and program viewing are backed by many community groups, including the Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Rotary and Knights of Columbus. "The first program will be a dramatization, with well-known figures, dealing accurately with the drug and alcohol abuse problem nationally," explained Dennis Welter, high school a d m i n i s t r a t o r a n d representative of the Rotary. "The second program will dialogue ways to attack the problem as a comprehensive, community effort." "This project is trying to deal honestly and thoroughly with the problem. It inquisition." The public meetings will be ecumenical and non- denominational. But organizers of the meeting are quick to stress that the real work will begin after the town meetings are over. • "We must recognize that we can't just view the films and walk away," said Welter. "We must roll up our sleeves and get involved." The idea is for a task force to be organized in hundreds of cities nationwide. The task forces will continue to address the problem in the months and years to come with regular meetings. "The Chemical People" makers distribute literature to the task groups suggesting programs and activities for the future. It has also provided educators with a manual which details integration of the program into the school curriculum. "As far as I know, this is the first national effort to blow the lid on this problem," said Johnson. "It's important we stress that this is a community-based activity," added Welter. "Until all people get involved, it (the project) can't fly." Covalt heads Chamber second term keep their jurisdictions environmentally safe," Klemm said. These governments would be in a much better position to detect possible violations before they become major problems, ana could work with businesses to help prevent environmental violations." "I want to stress that the bill is permissive-the EPA doesn't have to delegate these powers if those officials feel their department can better handle the job," Klemm said."But the bill does give us the opportunity for more efficient environmental monitoring." The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce recently an' nounced members of the 1984 board of directors and the of­ ficers of the board. President Trey Covalt remains in office for a second t£rm. Two other officers also remain in their positions. They are the vice-president, Sue Low; and the secretary-treasurer, Keith Leathers. They will be joined by the retail council coordinator, Carol Nelson, who has been elected second vice-president. Continuing directors are Tim Althoff, Mike Cajthaml, Brian Cunat, Dave Gelwicks, Dr. Fred Hult. George Lane, Jerry Lazalde, and Dewey Lytle. New directors include Chuck Gillum, Kathy Marinangel, Bobbie Wiltse, Norb Wolter, Vince Rotello and Barb Zamastil. New directors are elected by the membership from a slate of nominees presented by the (Continued on pog* 3) McHenry school candidates will meet public Nov. 3 Voters who reside in the boundaries of McHenry Elementary District 15 and McHenry High Schooi\District 156 will have an opportunity to meet candidates for the Nov. 8 school board elections at a Candidates' Night Thursday, Nov. 3. Candidates' Night, an* idea orginally conceived by the McHenry Community High School Teachers Association, will be held in the library on the second floor of East Campus, located at 1012 N. Green Street. The candidates in District 15 will be introduced by Dr. Farmer, superintendent, and the candidates in District 156 will be introduced by Robert Swartzloff, superintendent. Following introductions, the candidates will be allowed five minutes each to speak on their backgrounds and general philosophy regarding education. Next on the agenda is a five minute response period allowed each candidate to reply to three prepared questions.; The last part of the program will allow the candidates to field questions from the floor and to personally meet with those in attendance. Coffee, ^punch and re­ freshments will be served. The meeting is open to the general public. The doors will open at 7 p.m. with the scheduled time for the meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Everyone interested in education is urged to attend the meeting and question the candidates. It is very important that voters express their opinion through the use of their ballot AFf PHOTO-WAYNE GAYIOCD Karen Fowler/ a student at St. John's School, talks with the newest staff member in the Learning Resource Center, Lillian the Librarian. . Learning with Lillian ough t Tuesday, Nov. 8. Candidates in District 15 are Nicholas Groh, Kevin Barber, Kenneth Bruce, Ed Samen, Joan Miller and Arthur Newbrough. In District 156, the candidates are Robert Anderson, Don March, James Tony an, Michael Low, Steve Cuda, Edward J. Neumann, and Barbara Slater. A new member joined the staff of St. John's School, Johnsburg, this fall in the person of Lillian, the Librarian. She is assisting Nancy Kelso, learning center director, and Gayle Bonus, her aide, in guiding the children through learning experiences and library skills. St. John's School board approved the creation of the Learning Resource Center last spring. After a summer of hard work by staff, parents and parish community members the LRC became operative this September. Children and parents have been delighted with the exciting learning - motivated atmosphere of tne LRC which encourages children to reinforce basic skills and explore enrichment projects in grades 1-8. The enthusiasm to return to school this fall has also been heightened with the addition of an Apple II computer and computer curriculumior grades 1-8. Mrs. Julie Smith, director of the computer program, began implementing the curriculum this September with "hands-on" experiences for all the school's children.