THE MGHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" Vol. 90 - No. 32-2 SECTIONS --& 11 • i -- Thursdoy, March 9, 1967 - McHenry, linois 20 Pages - 10$ StStfSL Harrison Sets Tax Vote SHOPLIFTING IN McHENRY CHARGED AGAINST GARCIA Enrique Henry Garcia of the Palmer motel, Rt. 47, Woodstock, has been held in county jail this week under $2,300bond on charges arising from alleged shoplifting in the Mc- Henry Piggly Wiggly store Saturday. When McHenry police arrived on the scene, Garcia had left the store, but officers apprehended a friend, who also ran from the building. He gave Garcia's name, and the latter was arrested later by Woodstock police. Garcia is charged With taking cigarettes from the store and also for aggravated battery and resisting arrest. Joe Gitlin, representing the Mental Health'center, of which he is president, receives a check for $75 from Dr. Robert Ort, Kiwanis club president, at Monday's noon meeting of the organization. A referendum to provide funds for the important work of the Mental center in McHenry county will be presented to voters in the county's seventeen townships on April 4. MttSin' and M eanderin' We were flattered on arriving for work Thursday morning to be informed that every paper set outside for sale was gone. The ego was deflated when we realized that what we had written was not the chief attraction. Not only were the papers missing, but also the container which held them, along with an estimated ten dollars in dimes which had been dropped in the slot. All of the "action" took place on a comparatively busy Elm street before 10 o'clock at night, which is aprettygoodconvincer that today's thieves have little shyness. All of us realize tinie passes quickly, but have you ever wondered how long some of our business men and women have been serving the public? It has occurred to us that it would be interesting if we were able to compile a record of McHenry businesses, the length of time each firm has been in operation and the number of years the present owner has been at its helm. Many of our firms have long, (continued on page 12) Two organizations, the Mental Health center and the Lake Region YMCA, have benefited by contributions from McHenry's Kiwanis club. Mayor Donald Doherty, Superintendent of Public Works Fred Meyer and Chief of Police Richard Clark were guests of the Kiwanis club and talked to the Kiwanians about past progress and future plans for McHenry. Mayor Doherty discussed the progress being made on the storm sewerage project on Front street and stated that the work on the traffic" light program will start as soon as the weather warms. He estimated that work should be started in approximately thirty days. The annexation of Lakeland Park is progressing smoothly, with the city attempting to work out a program of orderly procedure regarding the necessary work. They further have under way a study, of sewerage facilities to determine what facilities should be undertaken including the location of same. This is particularly pertinent due to the fact there is another residential area planned just east of Draper road and south of 120. The annexation also brought about a review of wards whereby there are- now four wards instead of three and eight aldermen instead of six. It was explained that the city has jurisdiction regarding zoning and future expansion one and (Continued on Page 12) SWITCH .SIGNAL DAMAGED A switch signal at the North Western railroad intersection on Waukegan road was badly damaged by a hit and run driver this week, making it necessary for the early morning train to travel very slowly to avoid a possible derailment. 2500 2250 2000 1750 1500 125a 1000 750 500 250 X MS MOUSE M1W9IWGS V@t®£U Go To - Poils March 18 For Bate Increase The Harrison Elementary District 36 school board will go before the voters on March 18 for a 21-cent increase in its educational fund tax rate, to raise it to $1.17, and a 12%cent increase in its building fund tax rate, to raiseitto37%cents. There was unanimous agreement at Monday night* s special meeting that only a favorable outcome can keep the school operating properly under exist* ing conditions of constantly ris^. ing costs. The squeeze between fixed expenses, already termed a "spartan school budget", and insufficient income at existing tax rates that have not been, raised for fourteenyears, forecasts a condition of increased deficit financing unless more revenues are obtained by increasing tax rates. During the last fourteen years the educational fund has been held constant at 96 cents and the building fund at 25 cents. WARRANTS EXPENSIVE It was pointed out that borrowing money on tax anticipation warrants is an expensive means of financing, as interest paid for these warrants does not educate children. It is estimated that by the end ,of ..tfce-ftsta! year-, the will be $38,000. With the assessed valuation of the district at $9,150,340.00, the assessed valuation per pupil is one of the lowest in the county at $19,000. The latest report from the State Superintendent's financial department shows that the operating expense per student, for this district, is $461.90, which is also one of the lowest in the county. fC of C Retail fMeeting Set i A retail meeting of the McHenry Chamber of Commerce Mil take place Wednesday evenfhg, March 15, at 7:30 o'clock in Room 106 of the high school.* tThe retail committee has as its new co-chairmen, Donald Weingart and Allan Leibsohn. Scheduled for adoption at this meeting will be new by-laws and rules. Other discussions will be held on the recent February Dollar Days, plans for the Easter promotion and, in general, new ideas of interest to retail merchants. NAMED TO JURY Petit jurors scheduled to appear in court March 20 include Elsie Gustfson, Marion Hocker, Helen Nuber, John Huehne, Helen Fleck and Jack Schramm of McHenry and John Van Kanegon of Wonder Lake. Legion Plans For Dedication A committee appointed by Commander Frank Ficek of McHenry Legion Post 491 is making plans for dedication of the new Legion home on Ringwood road, which will take place May 21. Legionnaires promise that it will be an occasion long to be remembered by all who attend. Ceremonies are scheduled for 2 o'clock in the afternoon, immediately after which the public is invited to an open house celebration. A highlight of the day will include the presence of many dignitaries. The Legion rifle squad will perform, the Legion's own Viscount drum and bugle corps, the national and state champion color guard -t&api, Knownames. and Yi- Kettes will be present, and the Legion-sponsored Cub and Boy Scout troops will participate, along with many others. In honor of the dedication, the Legion is planning a pictorial book which will consist of the history of Post 491 and its subsidiary units. It will include the history of World War I barracks, the history of the city of McHenry and surrounding areas and that of other McHenry organizations.' It promises to be a collector's item for many years in th^future. Legionnaires hope for cooperation from their many friends in McHenry in preparation for the dedication. Watch the thermometer rise each week toward the $2,760 goal set in McHenry High School District 156. More than fifty M.C.HJS. students will travel to Rock Falls, 111., Saturday to participate in the annual state music contest. Twenty-eight schools, with more than 800 are entered. INSTITUTE DAY The public elementary schools and high school will be closed Friday, March 10, when county Institute day is held. GIFT TO LIBRARY Q£NF&STATE BAN MBMENHYILL! Greater Circuit C©urt William Bolger, president of the McHenry Public Library board, accepts check for $600 from members of the McHenry Woman's club, representing this year's proceeds from annual St. Valentine's Day event sponsored by the organization. Pictured with Mr. Bolger, left to right, are Mrs. William Givens, Mrs. Harry Ecklund, Mrs. Frank Steffek, chairman; M!rs. Joseph Flicek and Mrs. Hugh Locker, president of the club. Members of the benefit committee lor the St. Valentine's Day card party and dessert luncheon, sponsored by the McHenry Woman's club, are congratulating each other on what turned out to be the club's most successful benefit to date. Mrs. Hugh Locker, the club president, and Mrs. Frank Steffek's benefit committee welcomed approximately 275 guests to the annual charitable event, which was held at the V.F.W. clubhouse Feb. 15. A check in the amount of $600, representing this year's proceeds, was presented to William J. Bolger, president of the McHenry Public library. Mr. Bolger has addressed the following letter to the McHenry Woman's club: "Last year the McHenry Woman's club made a contribution to the McHenry Public library that was truly astounding. To our pleasant amazement, you are contribut- (Continued on Page 12) The concern of local officials as to the extent of use of the Circuit Court branch in McHenry was eased Monday night when City Attorney John E. Looze reported that Judge William Gleason would hear all cases here which do not require a jury. Of greatest concern was the prospect of arresting officers being required to leave the city for many hours for court appearances elsewhere, leaving the city without adequate police manpower during their absence. An election ordinance was passed at the meeting, with polling places designated for the April 18 aldermanic election. The first day for posting or publishing notices is March 19, Alderman William J. Bolger, who is very active as chairman of the library board, was pleased to announce that the McHenry Woman's club had donated $600 to the library following a receqt benefit party. EVIDENCE OF GROWTH One of the many evidences of activity' and growth in the city was a twenty-seven page report submitted by City Clerk 250 Girl Scouts In Area Plan Celebration Week mm - "vW-. * / . . J.. i x >;v"> »VV Mayor Donald P. Doherty studies proclamation declaring the week March^l2 to 18 as National Girl Scout WeelTvvhile Celeste Doherty, left, a member of Junior Troop 436, Mrs. William Quast, neighborhood chairman, and Karen Foszcz of Oadette Troop 295, McHenry, look on. ARREST THREE JUVENILES ON THEFT CHARGE Three juveniles were apprehended by Woodstock police last Saturday on a. charge of stealing a car in McHenry. Two Of the youth were from this community and a third from Winnebago county. They were 15 and 16 years of age. A car owned by Otis Smith of Harvard was reported stolen from near the Riverside hotel in McHenry. A description of the vehicle was broadcast by McHenry police, and later in the afternoon the three boys were apprehended in the car by Woodstock police. The three were turned over to juvenile authorities. LAURA SHERMAN, AMONG OLDEST RESIDENTS, DIES McHenry lost its second nonagenarian in one week when MrS. Laura G. Sherman of 806 Center street died Saturday, March 4, in the Woodstock Residence. Death ended an illness of about a month. Mrs. Sherman, 90, was born near Woodstock Sept. 13, 1876, the daughter of Julius and Lucy Thomas, and had always made her home in the McHenry area. Sherman hill, west of the city, was named for the family. The deceased was a member of Fox River Valley Camp, R.N.A., and in 1966 received a fifty-year pin from the camp. (continued on page 12) The week starting Sunday, March 12, marks National Girl Scout Week, when the approximately 250 Girl Scouts in fifteen troops in Sybaquay council, Valley View Neighborhood, will join in celebrating the fiftyfifth anniversary of Girl Scouts, U.S.A. The girls have their $rst introduction to scouting a* Brownies when they are in third and fourth grades. Fifth and sixth graders become Junior Scouts, seventh, eighth and ninth graders, Cadette Scouts, and girls through high school, Senior Scouts. There are thirty leaders in the local area, which includes McHenry, Johnsburg, Sunnyside, Holiday Hills and Ringwood. A service team of five also assists. (Continued on Page 12) faster Seal Cam! Earl Walsh, with an observation that for the same month one year ago his report covered eighteen pages. Mayor Donald Doherty advised the Council of a zoning hearing on March 22, at which time Dr. Lee Gladstone will petition the county zoning board for a change of classification of an area on the west side of Riverside drive, north of McHenry, from farming to special use for construction of a center for the care of aged persons, with emphasis on self care for many. The possibility of future annexation of the area was pointed out by the mayor. NO HOLIDAY While problems in local government usually keep Council members in serious thought, a lighter side broke through Monday night when Alderman Huck proposed that Mayor Doherty proclaim St. Patrick's Day a holiday in McHenry. The idea failed to get off the ground and died in good.natuged discussion with consensus of opinion that the "great day for the Irish" would not pass by in McHenry without the time honored wearin* *o the green and proper celebration. - P n. •'*. w-Jm "V X * Kevin Neeley, 4 years old, of Cary smiles as he anxiously tries to reach the outstretched arms of Robert Steffi, physical therapist and executive director at the Easter Seal center. Kevin, the 1967 Easter Seal child, has been "raking treatments at the center for a spastic quadriplegic condition since June Of 1966. Children like Kevin, and adults are benefited through the Easter Seal campaign now in progress. This is the time of the year when the McHenry county chapter of the Illinois Association for the Crippled, Inc., starts its campaign for funds for the benefit of the Easter Seal Therapy center. The goal this year is $16,000. Chester Gould, internationally known cartoonist of theOick Tracy comic strip, will again serve as campaign chairman. Gould has served in that capacity for four years, contributing much of his time in the effort of a successful campaign. In the mail last week an estimated 30,000 letters containing the Easter Seal stamps went out across the county under the direction of the mail campaign chairman, Mrs. Carol Anderson. (Continued on Page 12)