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9?\IE W/y File Suit For Bog Acreag g Numerous Burglaries In ° ° Community Investigated Attorney General William J. Scott hasVfiled suit to acquire approximately 155 acres sur­ rounding Volo Bog, the Lake county 12,000-year-old geolog­ ic phenomenon. Scott's suit, filed in the 19th Judicial Circuit deurt in Wau- kegan, seeks to obtain the land fo? the Illinois Department of Conservation for "public use, namely for a nature preserve and for conservation pur­ poses." The Attorney General said that acquisition of the land is necessary because it is needed as a buffer zone to maintain the delicate ecological balance of the bog. Scott pointed out that the bog is important became it has preserved animal remains and a record of climatic activity ov­ er the past 12,000 years. "The bog serves \as a val­ uable tract of land for sci­ entific research into past an­ imal, plant and climatic his­ tory, and is a rare and val­ uable source for continuing ec- ologic study and research," the Attorney General said. Ownership by the state of the 155 acres in question would not only help to maintain the del­ icate balance of Volo Bog, but would also permit the establish­ ment of a nature preserve that could be enjoyed by the citi­ zens of Illinois, he explained. The suit is part of a con­ tinuing action to save the Bog, which began when Scott filed suit to prevent a private de­ veloper from draining the bog in order to construct an apart- rment and business complex and recreation area. In Aprils of 1970, Scott filed a successful suit to halt con­ struction of the proposed de­ velopment on the Bog and ad­ jacent land. At that time, Scott explained that the proposed drainage would result in a fatal lowering of the acidic water in (Continued on page 12) When Sunnyside Standard Service station at 4207 Wilmot road, McHenry, opened for bus-' iness Sunday morning, the at­ tendant, discovered that the building hadbfeen entered during the night. TheMntruders gained entry by crawling through an opening in the station which was made for the watchdog to enter the premises. Once in­ side, the burglars forced open the cash register, taking $25 in cash. The cigarette machine was also opened and $30 in cash was removed. Thieves obtained $22 in cash w}ien they robbed the Kean Oil " ompany service station at 3111 W. Route 120, McHenry, about 4 o'clock Monday afternoon. James C. Smith, the attendant on duty, told deputies a late model white car with two male occupants drove into the station and ordered/$i worth of gas. The male passenger entered the station while the attendant was bus.v at the pump. After they (Continued on page 12) VOLUME 96-NUMBER 49 FRIDAY, JANUARY 22, 1971 12 PAGES-TEN CENTS Schedule School Tax Rate Vote The local public has taken more than ordinary interest in two actions of the state of Ill­ inois which could have a direct effect on residents of our com­ munity. The first was in regard to steps initiated by the Depart­ ment of Conservation, and an­ nounced by the Governor, to save the Volo bog. A final ef­ fort in the form of an offer to purchase 155 acres of prop­ erty adjacent to the bog to act as a buffer zone was rejected. During the past week Attorney Wm. J. Scott began proceedings to acquire the property for "public use". Since the property is located in Lake county, it is the pow­ ers-that-be in that county around which the controversy has centered. The McHenry county board of supervisors en­ tered into the discussion at one point in making an objection to pollution which might result in McHenry county through de­ velopment ota $94 million com­ plex of homes, condominiums and a shopping center. The pos- ibility of such a predicament came about when Lake county approved rezoning of the area from an agricultural class to high-density residential use. In another area, the fourth week of testimony was conclud­ ed recently regarding the plan for a gravel mining operation in Nunda township, and at the same hearing a plan was set forth by the Department of Con­ servation for the purchase of acreage for a large state park. A department representative said the area encompassing Lake Defiance was considered for purchase due to the location of bogs, Indian mounds, sloughs and wild life, as well as the drainage of the lake. Plans call for development, not neces­ sarily immediate, to include ar­ eas for camping, fishing, pic­ nicking and outdoor education provisions for county schools. The Lake Defiance Develop­ ment Corp., which plans a grav­ el mining operation, has been contacted concerning purchase of 322 acres. A letter also has been sent by the state to the county board, confirming plans to acquire 1,200 acres adjoining the pre­ sent 94-acre McHenry Dam state park. A zoning board recommen­ dation is anticipated withinter- (Continued on page 12) The urgent need for funds to operate the two high schools in District 156 resulted in a unanimous vote among board members in session Tuesday night to'adopt a resolution set­ ting Saturday, March 20, as the date for a public vote on an increase in the tax rate for the educational fund. The board is asking for a .40 increase from .92 to $1.32. In discussing the matter be­ fore a vote was taken, Edward Neumann, a new member, ask­ ed if others thought the new fig­ ure was sufficient to meet op­ erational needs. President James Althoff responded with an emphatic "no", but saidthis rate would raise money to meet the most critical needs to op­ erate the schools. Althoff stressed the point that money realized through approv­ al of the new rate could not be used for construction of any kind, but only for educational purposes. The serious need for funds has been emphasized by the fact that personal property tax re­ ceipts for schools will be cut about in half this year, and will become nonexistent next year. In addition, the delay in tax bills this Spring will neces­ sitate the issuance of anticipa­ tion warrants in larger amounts, resulting in added in­ terest payments. (Continued on page 12) Conservation District Petition Hearing Set Petitions containing 674 sig­ natures have been filed with the circuit clerk of McHenry coun­ ty, peeking a referendum on a proposed conservation district forTthe county. A hearing on the petition will be held before Judge William M. Carroll Feb. 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the court house in Woodstock. The petition asks that the court order an election to de­ termine whether or not such a district can be formed. Under the Illinois Conservation Dis­ trict act, a conservation dis­ trict is charged with preserving and maintaining wildlands, oth­ er open land, scenic roadways and pathways, to be held for the education, pleasure and rec­ reation of the public or for other open space values. Also a Conservation district is char­ ged with the preservation of parts of such lands in their natural condition and with un­ dertaking the development of other parts of such lands and to otherwise promote the con­ servation of nature, flora and fauna, natural environment and natural resources of the dis­ trict. The petitioners' intention is to have a referendum on the subject held April 6, 1971, at the time of the regular town­ ship elections TSr supervisors. Delinquent Tuitions Montini School Problem Delinquent tuition accounts and unreturned milk money were subjects under discussion at the Montini school board meeting held Wednesday, Jan. 13. The committee appointed at a previous meeting informed the board that letters had been sent to all delinquent accounts ask­ ing that they pay a portion of their account or contact the school as to the reason for the non-payment! of their tuition and book bilte. Very few replies were received. Father Lawrence Urbaniak, Montini school administrator, reported that as of Jan. 1, $2,194 was outstanding on«tu- ition and $950.55 is still due on book bills. "If this tuition problem continues," he said, "it may well be that we will have a deficit of approximate­ ly $7,000 by the first of June." To date, fourteen families have paid no tuition for the school year. The committee will con­ tinue to work on the problem. A financial report covering the first semester of the school year was submitted for review. The board was encouraged by the fact that in projecting the figures on the report to the end of the school year, it appears the school will be able to op­ erate within the present budget. This depends largely on the payment of all tuition bills. The board was made aware that approximately $1,600 still remains in the school treasury as a result of unrefunded milk money. Since Montini school has now been included in the hot lunch program, the milk money paid by parents at the begin­ ning of the year is being re­ turned. Notices were published in both St. Mary's and St. Pat- continued on page 12) Board Okays Bill Payments Twice Monthly The McHenry county board has approved a proposal made by County Auditor Jack Schaf- fer that will allow payment of bills twice a month, effective Jan. 20. Auditor Schaffer des­ cribed the change as a major step toward modernizing coun-» ty government. In addition to the fact that vendors will not have to wait thirty to fifty days to have their bills paid, the work load in the auditor's office, the county clerk's office and the county treasurer's office will be evened out because of this improvement. The new bill payment system provides for a special meet­ ing of the Claims, Labor, Fees and Supplies committee at a s mid-way point, for approval of payment for all bills under $1,000 (which would include al-* most all routine bills). This means that any bill under $1,000 which is properly submitted will be paid within three weeks. McHenry County auditor Jack Schaffer urged all county suppliers to take advantage of this new system by submitting their bills as soon as possible. Two Arrests Made Following Attack On Officer When sheriffs deputies ar­ rived at 1903 Rt. 31, McHenry, to investigate a domestic prob­ lem, they not only arrested the person responsible, but also the complainant. Officers learned through in­ vestigation that Bernard A. Vo- gel of the Rt. 31 address was wanted on a warrant in Peoria county for not having a valid driver's license. While making the arrest of Vogel, Miss Car­ roll A. Swett of the same ad­ dress, who was the complain­ ant, attacked the officer with a butcher knife. She was also ar­ rested and charged with aggra­ vated battery. Both were taken to the county jail. COLLEGE MEETING The McHenry County college board will hold a regular meet­ ing at the interim offices, Crys­ tal Lake, Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7:30 p.m. DOLLAR DAYS McHenry Dollar Days will be held Jan. 28-29 and 30. IN CONSTRUCTION -- Work is progressing accordingto schedule in the construction of the new Municipal Equipment Storage build­ ing at the location of the city water plant on Green street south. The city has been renting space for storage and work shop and the Council decided the time had come to construct thjf new INTER-FAITH SERVICE -- The first of two inter-faith services during McHenry*s Week of Prayer was held last Monday evening in St. Patrick's Catholic church. In top photo are some of the members of local congregations who attended the service in Barbara Zamastil To Head March Of Dimes Campaign Phil Wertz McHenry county chairman of the March of Dimes, has named Mrs. Bar­ bara Zamastil chairman for the 1971 campaign for the McHenry area. Mrs. Zamastil did an out­ standing job last year for the March of Dimes, exceeding her quota by a considerable amount. Again this year, Mrs. Millie Miller will act as chairman of the Mother's March and reports enthusiastic response from the people she has asked to help on this very worthwhile drive. Mrs. Miller, a polio victim herself, has been a most de­ voted worker for this campaign. The Mother'e *-.ii w il be held on Tuesday, ; •. JC. Workers are asked to uake returns be­ tween 7 and 9 p.m. at the Mc­ Henry city hall on that date. Coffee and rolls will be served to the workers as they check in. Albert Vales of the McHenry State Bank has accepted the chairmanship of the Men's di- Boy Struck By School Bus Hurt; Motorists Injured the newly remodelled and redecorated church. Below are members ' of the clergy as they participated in the rite. Next Monday night, Jan. 25, a similarjservice will be held at the First United Meth­ odist church at 8 p.m. PLAINDEALER PHOTOS Rev. Edmund Petit of St. Patrick's Catholic church will be guest speaker at the inter- faith service to be held at the First United Methodist church on Main street, McHenry, Mon­ day evening, Jan. 25, at 8 p.m. It is the second of two rites in McHenry during the annual Week of Prayer, Jan. 18-25. The first was held last Monday at St. Patrick's church. Rev. Raymond White of the host church will give the call to worship to open a service which will include hymns, pray­ ers, a reflection period, a con­ fession of faith, and lessons by laymen representing St. Pat­ rick's and Faith Presbyterian churches. Rev. Willis Walker of Mount Hope United Methodist church will present one of the pray­ ers, and Rev. Fr. Eugene Baum- hofer of St. Mary's Catholic church will officiate at Bene­ diction. vision and will also act as treasurer. This year's teen-age chairmen are Kevin Doran and Sue Vycital of McHenry. The group, composed of teenagers throughout McHenry county, do an outstanding job in planning and conducting a dance mara­ thon by famous name bands. The net proceeds from this partic­ ular program is one of the larg­ est to be turned into the county fund. building, 60*xl40', to house all of the city-owned equipment. With regard for the residential section nearby, it was decided to construct a bruck building rather than concrete block or steel. Landscaping is also planned for next summer and all parking will be south of the building. Seven-year old Thomas M. Novak of 1507 W. Cedar street, Holiday Hills, McHenry, was reported in satisfactory con­ dition Wednesday morning af­ ter he was hit by a school bus Tuesday afternoon about 3:20 near the intersection of Hickory and Oak lane in Hol­ iday Hills. Driver of the bus, Richard E. Stratton, of 4313 W. South street, McHenry, told officers he had stopped on Hickory and discharged his remaining pas­ sengers when one of tfi'e chil­ dren came back on the bus and told him that some of the children were hanging on the back of the bus so they could be towed on the ice. He start­ ed forward at approximately 2 m.p.h. and began to make his left turn when he saw shad­ ows of the children who were hanging on the back of the bus. He applied his brakes and at that moment he heard the chil­ dren scream. Stratton left the bus and found the Novak boy lying next to the left front wheel. He said he saw no one in front of the bus before or during his left turn. No statement was obtained from the boy due to his con­ dition. Officers noted that the boy apparently walked behind the bus, started running a- cross Oak lane, slipped and fell under the left front wheel of the bus. Both Hickory and Oak lanes were icy and snow-cov­ ered at the time of the ac­ cident. (Continued on page 12) Plaindealer The Citizen The McHenry Publishing Co., publisher of The Plaindealer, has purchased The McHenry County Citizen newspaper, ac­ cording to an announcement re­ leased today by Larry E. Lund, publisher of The Plaindealer, and Alan Cummings, publisher of the Citizen. The Citizen was founded in 1965 and was purchased by Cummings in 1969. It is a con­ trolled circulation newspaper containing approximately 75 per cent advertising and 25 per cent news --- the material cov-- ering McHenry and the sur­ rounding counties. Purchases Newspaper iThe Plaindealer was founded jn 1875 by J. Van Slyke and was published on a weekly basis until 1967, when it became a twice-a-week publication. The newspaper will be celebrating its 100th birthday in three years, and plans for a special edition commemorating this e- vent are already under way. Since its founding, The Plain- dealer has been under various ownerships and was published by the A.H. Moshers during the 1930's and '40's. The present owner purchased the paper in 1949. Larry E. Lund has headed (Continued on page 7) Kiwanis Club Commemorates Anniversary" In commemoration of the fifteenth anniversary of < their charter by Kiwanis Inter­ national, the McHenry Kiwanis club enjoyed a dinner and pro­ gram at the Legion clubhouse Tuesday night. The club was chartered Nov. 24, 1955. Highlight of the evening was the awarding of a plaque to Bob Mortell, club treasurer, as out­ standing Kiwanis member this past year. Also recognized were former presidents, Dr. U.V. Comes, 1955-56; Dr. Leonard Pawl- ikowski, 1957; Clarence Nie- sen, 1958; Vaughn Jones, 1959; Ed Guettler, 1960; Clint Clay- pool, 1961; Gene Adams, 1962; Roland Herrmann, 1963; Frank Gregory, 1964; Dr. William Kohl, 1965; Virgil Pollock, 1966; Dr. Robert Ort, 1967; (Continued on page 12) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875