commercial parking lots as well as a dollar and a half on license fees. Following the discussion, Board Member George Starr of Algonquin made a motion, seconded by Thomas Huemann of McHenry, to take board action opposing the RTA. Others, however, were con cerned that this could not be done without a committee recommendation, and therefore the motion was with drawn. The RTA vote will be held March 19. To assure pedestrian and bicycle safety, the board agreed with a Public Safety committee recommendation to make a grant application for the year starting Feb. 1. The objective is to reach riders of all ages by establishing areas where interested persons can avail themselves of the safety programs. Sheriff Tyrrell hopes to work with civic organizations in conducting bicycle clinics which will include motorcycles Topping interest in any in dividual contest or special proposal in the March 19 referendum is the vote on the Regional Transportation Authority. After consideration of the critical points, the Plaindealer feels the RTA bill, as drafted, fails to provide a reasonable guarantee that McHenry and other outlying counties will gain anything of importance by its passage. Although the Northeastern Illinois Planning commission (NIPC) has endorsed a favorable vote, it is interesting to note that the division of opinion among the committee's executive committee was very noticeably along geographical lines. The five commissioners who opposed the RTA represented and minibikes. Sheriff's department identification markers would be applied to every bike, there would be checks for mechanical defects, legal requirements, and per formance tests through safety lanes for signs and signals. Warning type tickets would be issued in cases of violations, urging violators to attend clinics nearest their homes. With grant approval, the federal government's share be comes 70 per cent or $8,397.76. McHenry county will fund the program with 30 per cent, or $3,599.03 for a total of $11,996.79, Action was taken to accept the low bid of Ferris Brothers, Harvard, for three four-door sedans and two two-door compacts for $8,772 and $5,042 respectively or a total of $13,814, including trade-ins. They also approved accepting the low bid of Edgetown Motors, Woodstock, for two four-door sedans for $7,196.% for COPS grant; and expenses not to exceed $120 for the Civil (Continued on page 21) v% McHenry, DuPage, Lake and Kane counties. They supported the concept of an RTA but not the particular measures of this referendum. It is evident these men, knowledgeable on the subject of what is best for the areas they represent in future planning, feel we don't stand to benefit sufficiently for the expenditure involved. The Plaindealer believes the bill should not be passed with the idea that it can be changed later. We feel shortcomings should not exist, and if the program is defeated a new bill will be introduced where collar counties will receive more protection. From now until March 19 we will print other views on salient points regarding the RTA. Editorial Comment The RTA Proposal (Vote No) Chamber Plans Two Surveys The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, at its monthly meeting, proposed to conduct two surveys in the near future. One of them will be directed to industries, professionals and businesses. The object will be to determine what the Chamber can do to better serve its members. - Board member, Frank Colomer, remarked, "While we, the board, might think we are doing a good job, how can we be sure?" President Dave Benrud agreed and said it was also necessary for thinking to be updated on what the business community can do to make McHenry a better place to shop. Ed Samen suggested that the C. of C. conduct a second survey directed to the people of the area. Ann Zeller, Membership chairman, announced that the new dues structure cards were ready for mailing. The new assessments are described as "more equitable and easier to understand". The purpose of the Chamber is to serve all of the business community, said Ms. Zeller, who invited all of the business community to join. Early fall September or October is the tentative time for the third annual McHenry Trade Fair. Ken Sheridan advised that while the two previous trade fairs were successful, many exhibitors had expressed a desire for a fall show. To satisfy those requests, and also give other firms a chance to become a part of this annual event, the board gave him permission to establish firm dates and begin preliminary planning. |) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER ' "SERVING THE CH A IN-O-LAKE S REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 98 NUMBER 58 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1974 22 PAGES FIFTEEN CENTS ^ 1 Voice Pro-Con Arguments Hears RTA Second Guilty Murder Verdict Against Hennenberg March 18 has been set by Judge William J. Gleason for sentencing Frank Alex Hen nenberg, who was ruled guilty of murder and armed robbery in Circuit court Friday evening.^ Hennenberg was charged with the 1969 death of Martin William Zlogar of Lake Zurich. Hunters discovered the remains of the victim's decomposed body in December of that year near Harvard. Less than four hours of deliberation were required by the jury of seven women and five men to return the guilty verdict. It followed four weeks of testimony, three of them before the jury. Hennenberg was charged with hitchhiking a ride with Zlogar, robbing him, shooting him and then stealing his car. In September of 1973, the Illinois Supreme court reversed findings of a previous trial presided over by Judge William M. Carroll in 1970, at which time Hennenberg was found guilty and sentenced to death. The Supreme court's ruling at that time was made because it said Hennenberg's confession should not have been admitted into evidence. Catholic School Week Is Observed Sister Carol Mecko, left, fifth grade teacher at St. John's school, works with Sally Oeffling on a project to be used in connection with the observance of Catholic School Week, Feb. 17-23. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Plagued By Irregularities State Makes Last Effort To Save Surplus Warehouse The Department of General Services will attempt to save the controversial McHenry county federal surplus warehouse through additional staffing and funding. The department closed this warehouse for thirty days last September because of irregularities extending over three years, according to Roland Burris, department director. Burris said: "The warehouse has operated in the red since its move from St. Charles to the McHenry site in 1971. The present location is highly un desirable, but this warehouse and the one in Springfield are the only two from which we administer the state's federal surplus program. "To terminate this program would be a great loss, we do not want to do that, and therefore, we are determined to make one last effort to save it, despite all the problems we have inherited. Our best alternative is to restaff and additionally fund the facility to try to put it on a paying basis." Burris expressed confidence that the McHenry warehouse is now a "clean" operation. He said the staff there will run it on a business-like basis. It will extend donees authorization cards only to eligible recipients; it will cut off questionable donees and it will tighten up the system of compliance checks. Burris ordered the warehouse closed for thirty days on Sept. 13, 1973, when a routine check found that goods purchased legally from the warehouse had been resold illegally for a profit. At the same time, significant in ventory discrepancies were uncovered. The federal Department of Health, Education and Welfare, which turns over the goods to the state for distribution, requires that the goods be sold only to institutions such as school districts, hospitals, colleges and homes for the elderly. The institutions pur chase the surplus goods at cut- rate prices and are required to use the goods, ranging from beds and lathes to trucks and airplanes. In September, 1973, authorities learned that more than $400,000 worth of goods earmarked for Lake Forest college had ended up in private hands. Evidence in that in- Few people are in for as much criticism as school board members. The reason is simple, but not always fair. Without question, the operation of schools in 1974 constitutes any community's biggest business. It is a paradox of a sort that the men and women who must make the decisions on huge expenditures for education are unpaid, even though the task often becomes monumental in the amount of time required. It is no wonder that they are often at a loss to explain the apathy of the public in the operation of our schools. The annual budget for education runs into several million dollars for this area alone. Seldom do we hear an in dividual express an opinion for solution of a problem unless it is given "off the top of the head" or as a means of ex pressing opposition to something that is more per sonal than general. Right now the high school board is considering plans for the future. At the east end of Main street stands East campus, a 50-year-old building which probably held less than 200 students when it opened as a four-year school. Today, if all McHenry high school students were enrolled on that campus, the number would be a staggering 2,200. Even with only freshmen and sophomores currently attending classes there, 1,218 in all, capacity (1,250) is expected to be reached in the next school year. ' Many possibilities have been vestigation has been turned over to the appropriate prosecuting officials. A lively controversy on the proposed RTA legislation oc cupied members of the McHenry County board in session this past week. A discussion by the board followed ten-minute talks by James McDonald of Cary, representing the North Western railroad, who spoke in favor of the RTA, and Rep. Calvin Skinner, Jr., who is opposed to it. Rep. Bruce Waddell sup ported Skinner in his presen tation. The Rev. Marx Jones of Crystal Lake, a board member, pointed to the 5 per cent in crease in gasoline which passage permits. He asked, "What will happen to Illinois stations near the Wisconsin line - how can they compete"? to which no one had an answer. Others questioned the representation on the board, which would be four members from Chicago, one from Cook county outside Chicago and the other four from the remaining five counties. Members pointed to the apparent control by Chicago. McDonald replied that he thought members of the board, regardless of their location, would be fair. He added that to make the RTA successful it would be necessary for all to work together. Rep. Skinner pointed to the fact that 63 per cent of the working force of McHenry county is employed within the county. "Many others commute by train", he continued," and the railroad is profiting from commuters who pay their own way." McDonald countered by citing the importance of Chicago mass transportation to everyone. "If they go down the drain, we all go", he retorted. Skinner then plunged into the subject of guarantees. There are none, he stated, only a mention of things that may be done. "I'm not against RTA, only the way it's set up" the legislator continued. Waddell asserted further that this is the only legislation in which nine directors who are not elected can tax the public. Skinner added that the proposal also allows a tax on Appeal Conservation Tax Levy Court Decision The board of trustees of the McHenry County Conservation district at the February meeting, voted to appeal the decision of the Circuit court of the Nineteenth Judicial circuit, sustaining objections to the tax levy of the McHenry Countv Conservation district for the 1971 tax year. Judge Leonard Brody, ruled in his memorandum decision issued Jan. 3, that the McHenry County Conservation district's tax levy for the year 1971, in regard to certain objectors, is Noted Cardiologist Speaks To Nurses outlined. One concerns the sale of East campus. We are not sure, but very likely the suggestion may have resulted from complaints of some parents that their children are attending an "old school". No amount of updating will con vince some parents that their children are not being cheated. On the other hand there are those taxpayers who will view selling the campus with some skepticism in view of today's building costs. Regardless of assurances that sufficient money would need to be made before a sale is consummated, doubting Thomases will make their opinions known. At present, the District 156 board is evaluating various organizational plans. Projected enrollment needs must be determined and costs estimated for various kinds of facilities. Human nature being what it is, complaints will probably be more numerous than praise as choices are outlined and finally made. It might be encouraging, and certainly helpful, to the board and administrators if more people exhibited an in terest and expressed their opinions before a decision is made. Anyone elected to a non- salaried school position does so as a public service. It is hardly conceivable that his first in terest should not be toward providing the type of educational system desired by those who put him in office. K.A.F. DR. HONEID BAXAMUSA A noted cardiologist will speak to the Greater Northwest chapter, Emergency Depart ment Nurses association (E.D.N.A.) when it meets Thursday, Feb. 21, at McHenry hospital. "Emergency Care of the Patient with Myocardial In fraction, Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Edema" will be the subject of Dr. Honeid Baxamusa, car diologist at McHenry hospital. Dr. Baxamusa, formerly chief cardiologist at Cook County hospital, is the featured guest in recognition of Heart Fund month, according to Vivian Johnson, R.N., president of the E.D.N.A. chapter. "As emergency room nurses, we are interested in prevention as well as treatment," Mrs. J o h n s o n a n n o u n c e d . "Therefore, we are cooperating with the McHenry Countv Heart association both in im proving our own competence and in helping to detect heart problems before they become acute. Members of E.D.N.A. will take blood pressure readings of interested citizens at various shopping centers, banks, and so forth throughout McHenry county during February." A total of forty-one registered nurses and other health team members attended the Greater Northwest chapter's first seminar, "Emergency Nursing Care in Multiple Internal In juries" Jan. 19 at the Wood stock Residence. Dr. Amito K. Sircar spoke on the surgical role in thoracic and abdominal trauma; Dr. Ray J. Pensinger, on the medical role in thoracic and abdominal trauma; and Dr. Daniel E. Horan on the role of radiology in emergency care. invalid because of a failure to publish the district's ap propriation ordinance within the time required by law. It is expected that an order will be entered in the Circuit court in accordance with Judge Brody's ruling at the next tax hearing date of Feb. 26. Then the McHenry County Con servation district, through its attorneys, will file a notice of appeal with the Appellate Court Second Judicial district, Elgin, within thirty days of the date of the Order entered by Judge Brody. Durand Girl Killed Sunday In Two-Car Crash Marilyn E. Bymaster of Rt. 1, Durand, was killed in a two- vehicle accident which oc curred Sunday on bypass U.S. 14, at the intersection with State Rt. 47, Woodstock. The girl, 20, was a passenger in an auto driven by her mother, Berrpee Lucille Bymaster, of Durand. The Bymaster auto was traveling east on U.S. i4, ahead of a semi-trailer truck driven by Dan W. Stirmel of Delavan, Wis., who was preparing to turn south on Rt. 47. Stirmel told Woodstock city police the other driver failed to remain in the same lane but he thought she had finally brought her car to a stop. Stirmel locked his trailer brakes in an apparent effort to avoid jackknifing. In doing so, the vehicles collided. Hurt in the accident were Sandra Bymaster, 14, and William J. Gesell, 21, of Belvidere, both of whom were in serious condition Monday, and Mrs. Bymaster, who was reported in good condition. Stirmel was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident. File Petition For Hearing On Zoning Change Five persons have filed a petition for hearing before the McHenry county zoning board of appeals regarding a reclassification from "F" farming district to "B-l", "B- 2" and a variation, The land contains three parcels on the east side of Rt. 31, about two miles north of Rt. 120 and south of the intersection of Rt. 31 and Johnsburg road. Petitioners are Victor A. and Florence M. Miller, Fred Matthesius, doing business as McHenry County Well and Pump, and Ernest A. and Adele L. Muzzillo. The hearing is scheduled for the City Council chambers of McHenry Feb. 20 at 2 p.m. All persons wishing to be heard may attend. County Board Discussion On 0 j-, .. Brad Scott, center, Ringwood farmer, is honored as the C<w- OCOtt r amily servation Family of the Year. Presenting the awards are Robert J Fleck, right, president of the McHenry County Soil dnd Water T D • i Conservation district, and Charles Budreck, representing IS £\eCOgniZea McHenry County Livestock Feeders association. (DON PEASLEY STAFF PHOTOGRAPHY) \