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PACE IS - PLAINDF.A1.F.R-FRIDAY. OCTOBER * !»'« SHERIFF URGES VOTERS DEFEAT TAX REFERENDUM (Continued from page 1) support of this tax referen­ dum." he said George <Bill> Hubbard, of Crystal Lake, chairman of the Pufrlic Safety committee, reported that his committee was informed Monday by County Auditor Al Jourdan that the county would have an "excess or cushion." of '$650,000 to $800,000 at the end of the fiscal year. Nov 30. 1977. Hubbard and his committee members. Chuck Weingart of McHenry. William Beese of Richmond. A B McConnel) of Woodstock and Diane Hasty of Cary, also announced they were withdrawing their support from the referendum "because there is absolutely no need, now. to further burden an already overtaxed citizenry." They felt there were ample funds available to hire ad­ ditional deputies, cars and other supplies for the sheriff 's department. Hubbard explained that in June, his committee was in­ formed by the Finance com­ mittee that the projected budget deficit was between $400,000 to $500,000 If ad­ ditional manpower was needed for the sheriff 's department, Tyrrell was told he would have to push a tax referendum The Public Safety Committee studied the sheriff 's budget thoroughly and agreed to recommend that the county board support the referendum and have the issue put on the November General Election ballot This has been done. Sheriff Tyrrell and the Public Safety committee said they have all been put in a very embarrassing position by this latest turn of events. When Hubbard was asked if he thought politics were in­ volved or "why this whole thing happened at all ," he said he had no knowledge that politics were behind it . "Either the Public Safety committee received inaccurate information or it misun- derstoocTthe information it was given," Hubbard advised. Sheriff Tyrrell commented. "Whatever the philosophies of a few board members may be, law enforcement is not a game when you are dealing with the securities of a community. I won't allow games to be played and I am sure the Public Safety committee won't either," he emphasized. Hubbard explained that the only reason the Public. Safety committee supported the referendum was because it had the understanding that the referendum money was the only source of revenue for needed, additional, sworn personnel "But with the true condition of the budget as we have just received which will permit the increased sheriff's budget. I cannot support a referendum which was poorly worded to begin with and which, if ap proved by the public, would be the biggest rip-off of the tax­ payer in our county's history," Hubbard said The sheriff commented, "I feel like a damn fool because I have been out there before the people pounding the pavement expressing my strong opijwon to support the referendum 1 feel l ike I 've been in a political campaign." Tyrrell added. "I ' l l have to go to the voters and apologize because it is now apparent we do not need the money from the referendum". However, he noted that if the county ever found itself in a dilemma where it did not have enough money to provide adequate law enforcement in the county," I would go to the voters again and I would be very serious in my effort to push a referendum through The referendum was seeking to raise $350,000 to pay for in­ creased manpower and pur­ chase of additional squad cars and equipment for the sheriff 's department to afford increased protection in unincorporated areas of the county. The sheriff 's budget now calls for an increase of $65,000 which the fetyrimittee and the sheriff felt could come from the county's projected general fund "cushion' ' of approximately $800,(KM). AUDIT INDICATES SOLVENT FUNDS Continued from page 1 > The matter was turned over to the Purchasing committee for study. Pepping was also assigned to work with the committee on this request. Through a misunderstanding on a motion, city police who worked overtime during Fiesta week activities were reim­ bursed at the regular t ime rate instead of overtime pay The overtime rate is $1.50 per hour over regular pay. The Council agreed unanimously to correct the mistake. The city agreed to participate again in the annual Halloween party and will donate $200 toward costs of refreshments and prizes. It will also pay the rent on the East campus gymnasium for the party. Unanimous approval was given to pay the bills as presented in the amount of $18,387.16. The money will be taken from the following ac­ counts General fund. $10,759; Water and Sewer. $5,693.10 and Library. $1,934.41. A Finance committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 13, at 8 p.m. and the next regular meeting will be held Monday. Oct. 18 at 8 p. in. START SWINE FLU VACCINE PROGRAM Continued from page 1) school Sunday, Oct. 17, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. McHenry - Parkland Junior high school - Sunday, Oct. 24, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Persons in this age category will receive a second vac­ cination one month later. Questions concerning vac­ cination schedules may be directed to Mrs. Eileen Hanson, Director of Nurses, McHenry County Health Department. CITY CLERK TO' DISCUSS CHARGES Continued from page 1) "You can't have the best of both worlds," he told Mrs. Wilde "If you truly feel you are not an employee, then we should take you off our in­ surance coverage immediately because you are not entit led to i t ," Pepping said. Mrs Wilde replied "This goes back to the way it has always been done. When I took over . Mr. Walsh had insurance also and he was an elected official." pepping said he would have considered that Walsh was an employee but the question here was not with Walsh. pepping noted that City Attorney Bernard Narusis has already given a legal opinion on whether or not Mrs. Wilde is considered an employee or elected official. Narusis said the Ill inois Municipal Retirement Fund which is closest to the situation, specifically defines employee to include elected officials. It was also the intent of the city to include elected officials under the term "employee" when the sickness and accident policy was adopted, Pepping emphasized. Stanek said, "I feel the city has the insurance money coming." I just don't know, Terry, how you cannot- read that definition to indicate that the insurance money is actually the property of the city, he stated. Mrs. Wilde stood firm in her position that it would have to be determined whether she was an employee or acting in the office of city clerk. "It will have to be determined what I am," she insisted. Alderman LaVerne Hromec said she had spoken with an attorney who said the State Constitution nullified any revised state statutes that contradicted it . She also mentioned that she has filed a complaint with the State 's Attorney's office regarding fees and insurance money collected by Mrs. Wilde. Mrs. Hromec questioned whether Mrs. Wilde should even be getting the hospitalization benefits because the state statutes and the City and Villages act for­ bids the granting of extra compensation for elected of­ ficials. The hospitalization benefits should be considered extra compensation, she contended. Alderman William Bolger moved that the matter con­ cerning fees and insurance from the city clerk's office be turned over to the Finance committee. Bolger. who serves as a member of that com­ mittee, said it would review the matter and he would like to interview Earl Walsh at such a meeting. He said he would like to say the committee could report back in 30 days "but it would certainly have to get back before the first of the year because people will be fil l ing out petit ions" for the city election by that t ime. Mayor Stanek told Bolger, "If you are making a motion directing me to refer it to the Finance committee, I will not do that. I think this is such a serious thing that we should discuss it before the entire Council ," he said. Bolger explained that he was not asking the Mayor to refer it , he wanted the Council to vote on it . Alderman Ray Smith seconded Bolger 's motion and on a roll call vote, i t passed 5 to 2. Aldermen Pepping and Hromec cast the negative votes. Pepping said he objected to having the matter being referred to the Finance com­ mittee because that committee cannot make legal rulings and it seemed the only questions Mrs. Wilde was raising were legal questions. "We can interview her and other people until hell freezes over but that is not going to be resolved by the Finance committe," Pepping insisted. Bolger said the whole matter has been handled "like boxing gloves in a china shop". He pointed out that a lot of things are involved in this matter and not just one or two years but many, many years. "Maybe Mrs. Wilde's at­ torney can tell us something, maybe this will become a court battle or maybe it will be resolved between the two at­ torneys. I don't know," Bolger stated. After that remark, Stanek interjected sharply, "It 's not going to be resolved between two attorneys. I ' l l tell you that." Bolger advised he thought the matter could be discussed better in a committee meeting rather than a council meeting "where the sides are already polarized." Stanek^ closed the discussion by stating he felt the question of whether she was an employee or an elected official "has already been answered by our city attorney." The city has waited long enough and some action must be taken im­ mediately. Stanek commented. "I 've got a helluva lot of responsibili ty and when I don't do what they say I should, the hammer drops on me," Stanek said "We can't wait forever for the legal opinion from your attorney", Stanek told Mrs. Wilde. America Supplies The United States will supply 50 per cent of the wheat and about 70 per cent of the soybeans mov­ ing in world trade in 1976 Pumpkin Theft Leads To Gunplay, Multiple Charges William Holland, 20, 175 Delvin, Ingleside, was arrested for aggravated assault , unlawful use of weapons and possession of a firearm without firearm owners identification card after he fired a gun at people who were pursuing him. The incident began when it was reported shots had been fired at the Edward Sikorski residence, 6522 Maple avenue. Spring Grove, last Thursday night. In­ vestigation revealed that Hol­ land and a juvenile companion had stolen two pumpkins at the Sikorski residence. As they left the property, they met Anthony Sikorski who asked where the two had gotten the pumpkins. The two offenders ran from Sikorski and other people at the scene and took refuge at the Robert Peschke residence. 107 Kohl avenue. Holland and his companion took shotguns from the Peschke home and pointed them at those in pursuit in an effort to chase them from the property. Holland fired one shot into the air No one was injured prior to deputies arriving to arrest the two of­ fenders. Holland's bond was set at $3,000 with court appearance scheduled for Oct. 17. Holland's companion was turned over to juvenile authorities where he was charged with aggravated assault , possession of f irearms without requisite firearm owners identification card and unlawful use of weapons. People putting it together...and... Winning!! A newspaper is more than paper and ink, and the Plaindealer has a working team of talented PEOPLE that consistently put forth issues, features, photographs and sections that bring honors every year. i , m Our latest recognition from the Illinois Press Association was received in two categories for our 1975 Centennial edition. A second place in "Promotion of Newspaper" classification was won for preliminary issues containing Centennial features as well as for the section of the August 6th Centennial issue containing information on the history of the newspaper. Also an honorable mention in the "Best Special Section" category. - « These awards are now added to the impressive list you see below. AWARDS 1954- 1970- 1970- 1971- 1971- 1971- Illinois Agricultural Association First Place - Best Editorial Northern Illinois Newspaper Assoc. 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