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VOLUME 99 NUMBER 51 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 29, 1975 16 PAGES & ONE SUPPLEMENT To Make Ask Public Support County Bicentennial County Tax Collections Set Record First steps teward establishing a permanent McHenry County Bicentennial commission were taken last week with the election of te&porary officers and the decision to seek more persons to serve as a part of thijs historic-minded group. fid Hall, Woodstock, was elected temporary chairman. Jim Pearson, Ringwood, was elected temporary vice- chairman, and Bill Tammeus, Woodstock, was chosen tem­ porary secretary. Persons from throughout McHenry county were invited to this first meeting by the legislative and public affairs committee of the McHenry County board. Thore Emricson is chairman. The new tem­ porary commission wants to expand the group before a permanent Bicentennial commission is formed, and Hall this week issued an invitation for representatives of various groups, individual citizens, and elected officials to contact him if they would like to be a part of this commission. v Hall said the next meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at the courthouse'. Hall Plans can give details on the meeting site within the courthouse. The initial meeting was opened by Calvin Skinner, Sr., vice-chairman of the county board's Legislative and Public Affairs committee. Other committee members include Dick Klemm, Willis Simms, Bill Hubbard and Emricson. County Board Chairman Walter Dean was also at the meeting. Mentioned in the preliminary discussion were methods the commission might follow to help mark this nation's 200th (Continued on ppge 13) McHenry county's 1973 tax collections pushed sharply upward to a record high of $32,966,605.64, Mrs. Audrey R. Walgenbach, McHenry county Treasurer reported this past week. The collections represented 97.7 percent of the $33,716,869.73 charged as a combined total levy of real estate, personal property, railroads, railroad leasehold and pollution control facilities. The 1973 collections, occurring during the tax cycle which closed with the annual tax sale in December , com­ pared with a total collection of $30,449,528.75 in current 1972 taxes. Interest, printers' fees and other miscellaneous collection- related revenues increased the total collected and distributed to taxing bodies to. $33,023,172.49. The addition of back taxes collected and distributed during the tax cycle raised the grand total collected and distributed to $33,221,877.23, Mrs. Walgen­ bach, reported. "While the absolute number of tax dolla^ collected leaped up again thfe year, I want to point out that the percentage of collections in three categories - total. Real Estate and Personal Property - fell from their highs last year, the first decline in five years or more for this indicator," Mrs. Walgenbach said. Percentage of total collected declined from 99.3 percent for 1972 taxes to 97.7 percent for 1973; Real Estate collections dropped from 99.7 percent in the 1972 tax cycle to 98.3 percent for the collection cycle just closed. Personal property declined from 95.8 percent in 1972 collections to 91.7 percent in 1973. "What does it mean?", Mrs. Walgenbach questioned. "Well, there may be a message here for taxing bodies. The amount of true "unpaid " t&xes^rose a little from $135,000 to $160,000. However, the abatement figures jumped from $45,000 to $193,(KM), and the refunds on tax protests ($346,000 Rate Objec­ tions) and state property ap­ peals board < $50,000. appeals on values) rose tremendously from $4.4(H) to $396,000 in the two tax cycles we are com­ paring. 1972 and 1973." (The protest refunds represent rate objections for the tax years 1970 and 1971). Out of the 1973 grand total collected and distributed, McHenry county grade schools, high schools and unit districts combined for a total of $23,610,700 69, or 71 percent Junior college districts received $905,301.81 or 2 per­ cent \ % Cities and villages in McHenry county accounted for $2,377,119 79 or 7 percent of the grand total, townships received $1,984,124 27 or 5 percent, and county government received $2,313,542.42 or 6 percent of the grand total A miscellany of fire protection districts, con­ servation district, libraries, hospital, cemeteries and sanitary districts received the remaining 9 percent in tax revenue distributed Agreement THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 $720/000 Allotment Set Flood-Pollution Control JOHN REINKE John Reinke. 23, of 802 N Center street, McHenry, died in a one-vehicle crash that oc­ curred on Sullivan Lake road, two-tenths of a mile east of Brandenburg road, at 2:08 a.m. Monday, Jan. 27. The driver was taken to St. Therese hospital, Waukegan, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to Lake county police, Mr. Reinke lost control of his car as he was traveling around a curve and the auto struck a tree. He reportedly was pinned in the wreckage and Jan. 15 marked the last day trapping was legal in Illinois. This was the best news we have heard to date in 1975. Until the steel jaw traps are outlawed, the period during which this questionable sport is allowed is a source of distress to many of us. On the subject of our animal and bird friends, canisters have been placed in McHenry drug stores to collect funds which will help feed the city's duck population In compliance with a suggestion that the ducks not be encouraged to remain into the winter, no money realized from previous funds was spent on food until the weather became severe. Now that it is evident the ducks that remain are here to stay, their needs must be met. Generous, humane in­ stincts brought sufficient money into the coffers last winter to sustain them until it was necessary for the Fox Lake Rescue squad to cut a hole in the roof of the car to ex­ tricate him. The deceased was a graduate of McHenry high school and received his B.S. degree in Marketing last June from Southern Illinois university, Carbondale, where he was an honor student. Joseph G. Flicek of 2017 N. Ringwood road. McHenry, was charged with improper lane usage and leaving the scene of a property damage accident Friday evening about 6 o'clock. The incident occurred on Ringwood road, just south of West Shore drive. According to the accident report, Helen M. Burlack of 2611 Walnut drive, Wonder Lake was north-bound on Ringwood road when Flicek's pickup truck entered her lane of traffic. She swerved onto the shoulder to avoid a collision but her vehicle was sideswiped by a plow on the front of the truck. Flicek left the scene of the accident without exchanging information or notifying police. Ms. Burlack obtained a license number and deputies traced the vehicle to Flicek's residence. Blue paint from the Burlack auto was found on the plow. Flicek said he was south­ bound on the roadway when the other car entered his lane and he hit it. spring and to buy the first feeding last December. Even small donations help. Knowing one has made a cold winter day more bearable for these small feathered friends also gives a lift to the donor. Did you vote Nov. 5? Were you registered but did not vote? These questions are among several included in a census about voting activity in the 1974 election, held the week of Nov. 18-22. The survey will provide a profile of the typical American voter and non-voter. In a similar survey following the 1972 presidential election, about 63 per cent of the civilian population of voting age, ex­ cluding persons residing in institutions, were reported as having voted. This compares with turnouts reported in previous surveys of 68 per cent in 1968 and 69 per cent in 1964. K.A.F. A Mundelein man was charged with driving while intoxicated after he hit a car driven by Nick P. Miller of 1513 N. Draper road, McHenry. The accident occurred Sun­ day morning about 12:45 at tne intersection of Route 120 and Ringwood road. Albert J. Smith of 155 S. Chicagoavenue, Mundelein, told deputies he had no idea how the accident happened. He thought he was on his way home from Ivanhoe to Mundelein. Miller, his wife, Freida, and a passenger, Donald G. Ross of 1841 Poplar, Waukegan, were not injured. Another passenger, Margaret Ross, of the Waukegan address was slightly injured and was taken to McHenry hospital by the rescue squad According to deputies, Miller was stopped on Ringwood at the intersection waiting for traffic to clear when he saw the Smith car west-bound on the highway. It suddenly left the road, went into a ditch, hit a sign and came toward Miller's vehicle. He pulled forward in an attempt to avoid impact but was hit in the rear by Smith's car. A rear-end collision Friday afternoon at the intersection of Staff reports will call members' attention to the varied programs and significant areas of important developments when they attend the annual meeting of the Family Service and Mental Health clinic Wednesday night Jan. 29. The dinner meeting will be at the Branded Steak House at Crystal Lake with a social hour at 6:30 p.m.4 followed by dinner at 7:30 p.m. Dr. Anthony Becker, Elgin Catholic priest noted for his counseling skills, will be guest speaker. The topic is, "Motivation: YOU Are Really Your Interest." Among staff reports, which will be incorporated into an annual report and distributed for discussion, is the review by Kenneth Deal, chief psychologist. Deal outlines the first major research efforts by surveying a group of patients whose cases had been closed "to see how they felt about us." Deal discusses direction of future research, indicating it Route 120 and Lakeview drive, Lakemoor, resulted in two tickets for Michael E. Nixon of 1413-A Richmond road, McHenry. He was cited for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and improper use of registration and title (fic­ titious plates). Nixon told officers he was talking to a passenger, and when he looked up at the road, he saw a truck had stopped in front of him. He applied his brakes but began to slide and spin and hit the rear of the other vehicle. Loren G. Miller of 522 Lakeview, McHenry, was stopped at the intersection waiting for traffic to pass when he saw the car approaching from the rear at a high rate of speed. He started forward in an attempt to avoid a collision but was struck in the rear by Nixon's car. A two-car accident at the intersection of Alden and McGuire roads Saturday af­ ternoon resulted in a ticket for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident being issued to Todd L. Johnson of 16914 Oak Grove road. Harvard. Pheba E. McGee of 5114 (Continued on page 13) will be aimed at learning causes of patient dissatisfac­ tion and to assess in an ob­ jective manner when therapy has succeeded. Another staff report will be heard by Dr. Salvador Mar tinez, medical director, who recalls the milestone passage of the referendum that allowed Mental Health Board 708 to increase taxes by a small amount for mental health purposes in McHenry county He looks to the future, outlining the possibility of comprehensive mental health services and some of the challenges involved in this urgently needed "bold step forward." J Scott Campbell, com­ munity referral service coordinator, will discuss the scope of the clinic's out-reach services. Six clinic offices are located around McHenry county to -takeVthe services closer to the people, at McHenry, Woodstock, Cary, Crystal Lake, Marengo and Harvard Musin' and Meanderin' Annual Meeting Set Review Varied Programs Of Mental Health Clinic Members of the Chain O' Lakes-Fox River commission are shown |eft, they are Rep. Donald Deuster, Peter Drabek, Chairman in left photo at meeting held in the McHenry city hall Friday. From William Brook, Vice-Chairman William Bolger, Senator Jack Schaffer, Mrs. Rita Zeleny, secretary, and Rep. John Matijevich. an engineering agreement in the amount of $120,000 to control In photo at right, interested citizens hear the commission approve flooding and pollution in the river and lakes. PHOTOS BY BARBARA GILPIN The Chain of Lakes-Fox River commission met Friday afternoon at McHenry city hall and approved an engineering agreement which allots $120,000 toward the control of flooding and pollution along the river and lakes. During the meeting, state policy on maintaining water levels at McHenry dam was also explained by an of­ ficial of the Illinois Division of Waterways. The engineering agreement proposes to determine procedures, preliminary plans and cost estimates for the restoration of public recreational boating channels in Grass Lake, Nippersink Lake, Fox Lake, Pistakee Lake, Channel Lake, Lake Marie and the Fox river; evaluate methods for restoring acceptable boating and fishing depths; develop a system of channel changes and sedimentation areas between the Fox river and its entry to Grass Lake; make recom mendations for the con­ struction of boat launching facilities, water access picnic areas and for upgrading of the recreational navigation and flood control facilities at McHenry dam Engineers also agreed to augment existing data and make recommendations for development of recreational boating channels and water access areas on the Fox river between McHenry dam and the existing dam at Carpentersville in Kane county. John C. Guillou of the engineering firm of M&E -Alstot, March & Guillou, Inc., Springfield and Chicago, reported his company was prepared to present detailed proposals to the Illinois General Assembly by March 1 in order to qualify for further funding. Guillou said base maps were finished, traverses were laid out based ' on available navigational charts and equipment was on hand and calibrated. "We are ready to start right now," he said. Capt. James Van Epps of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACE) reported that $80,(KM) had been alloted by the federal government to coordinate "a plan of study on how to attack the problem". Van Epps felt a major problem would be the "cataloging of resources and the cataloging of problems". "I understand people are tired of studies and would prefer to see something on the ground but the fact of the matter is that it is your money that is being spent and the federal government will not release that money unless there is a proper plan of study," Van Epps reported. Commission members stressed that flooding was the main concern of their study. Van Epps said ACE would not go into the study with anything definite in mind but would make a complete study with several alternatives and come out with the best solution. ACE has been authorized to conduct their study on the Fox river from "deep in Wiscon­ sin" to the Illinois river The Chain of Lakes-Fox River commision's area of study encompasses the river from the state line to south of Car­ pentersville in Kane county Commission members felt that in order to avoid duplication of efforts and overlapping of various Studies, information should be gathered from other groups and com­ missions who have made or will be making studies of the Fox river To encourage this, the commission moved to send copies of its agreement for engineering services to. other study groups along with a request for information they have obtained during their investigations. Van Epps said ACE would cooperate with the commission and would appreciate any help and information from other agencies which might speed up their study. Greg Parker, Project Management engineer for the Illinois Division of Waterways, pointed out that the state study would be used as in put into the ACE study He felt it was very important that ACE gets the kind of recommendations from local and state agencies that "will develop a program we want to live with". Parker urged that priorities be set up as soon as possible, "certainly this year", so that the long range study can be of real use and can be used for recommendations for con­ tinued funding "because the Fox-Chain is going to be a never ending problem that is going to have to keep someone's attention all the time" Parker mentioned he has heard general discussions about the state actually putting in additional funding levels so that the A('K study can proceed (Continued on page 13) John Reinke Dies In Crash Dollar Days In 30 Stores Thirty McHenry stores are making plans for January Dollar Days, which are ex­ pected to bring out a large segment of ^he local buying public. The "sale days are Thursday, Friday and Satur­ day, Jan. 30 and 31 and Feb. 1. Participating stores are Weathervane Shop, Vycital's Pro Hardware, Riverside Retail, Riverside Bakery, McHenry's Favorite Sports Center, McHenry County Well & Pump, Mr. Don's Cleaners, McGees, Inc., Marc Home Decorating, Inc., Lol's Uniforms, Laverne's Town & Country Gifts, Knick-Knack Gift and Variety Shop, Karen's Hallmark, Kadisak Tile, Jos. H. Huemann & Son, Inc., Horns- by's, Holiday Sun Discount, Gladstone's, Geis Shoes, Genevieve's, Fashion Shoppe, Coast to Coast, Casual Shoppe, Carey Appliance, Brouhaha, Bolger Drug Store, Ben Franklin, Beard & Stovall, Bath Shop and Ace hardware. All kinds of sale items will be offered, including gifts, housewares, hardware, auto supplies, sportswear, footwear, (Continued on page 13) Art Fair Plans Under Way When the McHenry Country Art Fair committee held its first meeting last week, dates for the 19th annual event were announced as June 20, 21 and 22. Chairman Miss (ireta Martin, left, welcomes new members, Mrs. Marie Martin and Mrs. Frances Schneider, v\ho will be in charge of the children's division. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD