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Opinions Show Return To Basic Education Needed Defends Action City Clerk To Discuss Charges In a report to the School Board members of McHenry Community High School District 156, Tuesday night, Oct. 5, in the West Campus lower library, Superintendent Richard Swantz gave a slide presentation of the results of opinions given by 1,596 high school students, 695 parents of elementary school students, 135 parents of high school pupils and 95 high school teachers. Of greatest concern was that modern education is not giving enough emphasis to basic education (reading, writing and math). It is felt that students do not know math. Very few have any idea what a decimal or percentage is. They have a hard time converting such things as 25 percent into a decimal. Some do not even kriow multiplication facts. McHenry has started in the right direction by hiring a reading teacher. In an interesting answer to the question "Should District 156 offer' more vocation courses?" 63 percent of the combined high school parents answered "yes". And yet the Career Center referendum was badly defeated last week, Supt. Swantz noted. Sixty percent of the combined students were in favor of regular high school programs offered to all students in the evening. Forty percent of the com­ bined students voted against smoking in school. According to teachers' opinions the most important need for District 156 would be; first, four year high school in one building; second, more vocational courses; third, getting rid of petty courses and get back to the basics with the high standards and better communication between East and West with a smoother transition period for students between both campuses. The board discussed the request by parochial schools for certain days off and suggested that parents should ask permission for their children to have a day off to participate in religious programs instead of the school. Board member David Benrud asked if a sub com­ mittee could be appointed to study administrative goals because of financial problems. Supt. Swantz and David Benrud were delegated to meet with a committee at the county level to inquire about the 60 percent allocation of state funds which would have been given to McHenry county if the Career Center referendum had passed Oct. 3. Bids on the specifications for concrete, lumber, excavating and sewer and water for the house which will be built by the Building Trades class were opened. J.P. Sivertsen Con­ struction Co. of McHenry was awarded the contract for concrete, excavating, sewer and water, and Edward Hines Lumber Co., of Crystal Lake, the bid for lumber. Following executive session it was announced that a student from East Campus was ex­ pelled for gross misconduct. City Clerk Terry Wilde is to appear at a Finance committee meeting Wednesday, Oct. 13, to discuss charges that she illegally retained some fees collected at city hall in a per­ sonal account, and that she did not reimburse the city for in­ surance money which she received, along with her regular salary, during a recent illness. The meeting is open to the public. According to a city official, it was estimated Mrs* Wilde collects about $3,000 a year for various fees. The insurance money involved was estimated at about $1,000. Mrs. Wilde contends that she is running the city clerk's office in the same manner it had been run for the twenty-five years she has been there. She was appointed to serve as city clerk about seventeen months ago when former City Clerk Earl R. Walsh retired after thirty-eight years in that office. Regarding the reimbusement of insurance money, Mrs. Wilde stated that she wanted to get a legal opinion on whether she is to be considered an employee of the city or an elected official. Alderman Jack Pepping, chairman of the Finance committee, pointed out that the city's sickness and accident policy, states the city shall pay the full cost of the employees health and accident insurance plan It states the city shall further agree to pay the sick or injured employee "additional amounts so that benefits based on years of service shall equal said employee's full salary for the indicated periods of time." City policy also states that adjustments will be made by reimbursement from insurance coverage". Mrs. Wilde received her regular salary from the city along with a similar amount from the insurance coverage. Under city policy, money from the insurance coverage would have to be reimbursed to the city. Pepping stressed that the city paid Mrs. Wilde's insurance premiums and if she accepted the benefits, she should be bound by the terms of that policy. (Continued on page 18) COUNCIL DISCUSSES CHARGES - After lengthy debate Monday night, city officials instructed the Finance committee to study charges presented by Alderman LaVerne Hromec that City Clerk Terry Wilde was collecting fees through her office and not depositing them in the city treasury. Listening to the debate are, left to right: City Attorney Bernard Narusis, Mayor Joseph Stanek and City Clerk Wilde. STAFF PHOTO - BARBARA GILPIN i THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CMAIN-O-LAKES PEGION SINCE I8?5 VOLUME 101 NUMBER 20 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1976 2 SECTIONS 44 PAGES 20* Audit indicates Soivent Funds "The city is solvent in the General fund and other funds. It really is." That was the good news city Councilmen heard Monday night from Auditor William Froehlich during his review of the audit for the fiscal year ending April 30, 1976. The city had an excess of $93,073 for the fiscal year. This added to the beginning balance of $57,971 resulted in a balance on hand of $151,044 for the start of the present fiscal year, April 30, 1976. Froehlich complimented the city for its fine investment practice. He commented, "The city is earning good in­ vestments on its money and I want to compliment the Council on that." City Treasurer William Brda and Arnold Rauen, former chairman of the Police Pension fund, who were at the meeting, were commended by Mayor Stanek and the Council for their fine work investing city money. Illinois sales tax contributed the most during the last fiscal year toward city revenue with $592,887. Other large sources of revenue were: 1975 real estate taxes. $92,024; Illinois income tax. $89,821; fines, $45,748; building permits, $22,166; parking meters, $17,151 and liquor licenses, $14,290. The largest share of ex­ penditures was charged to the police department (including salaries) at $408,622. Other large expenditures were: administration costs, $152,607; salaries, $71,882; public property, $72,554; streets and alleys. $166,987 and legal and court fees. $21,413. Even though there was a $443,797 loss in estimated revenue for the fiscal year, a favorable balance resulted because there was also a $536,87Q decrease in estimated expenditures. Actual revenue for the year was $1,008,648 with actual expenses at $915,575 Froehlich. a partner in the auditing firm of Lester, Witte and Company of Crystal Lake, informed the Council that when a contract was signed with the city to do a complete audit of the books, he had no idea he would run into the many problems that developed. The contract was $6,000. However, Froehlich said that additional work needed to get the books into shape could run from $1,500 to $2,000 over the contract price. He mentioned there was nothing posted in the General ledger for twelve months when he was hired to replace former city auditors William R. North and Associates. Another problem he cited was that the books for fiscal year ending April, 1975 were closed April 19 instead of April 30 and it took three months to get the bank reconciliations from North before Froehlich s firm could fill in needed data. Alderman Jack Pepping, chairman of the Finance committee, stated he thought the format of the audit was superb. Peppiite has been "wrestling" witH the problem of setting up a good city bookkeeping system for three years. "I would like to commend you for a superb system," he told Froehlich. "From my point of view, I think this audit is worth every penny," Pepping said emphatically. Alderman Ray Smith, however, questioned where Froehlich got his authority to proceed with the work for that additional money. Alderman William Bolger also expressed concern about the extra costs. He told the auditor, "I will have to do some deep soul searching to see if I am convinced that this ad­ ditional cost is justified." Froehlich assured the Council he understood their concern. He commented that he was "absorbing a substantial amount" of the extra costs. Mayor Stanek advised he had seen much of the work done by the auditing firm and observed the many, many hours that had been spent on the books. "And when he says he is eating some of the costs, I can guarantee he is," Stanek stressed. Following a report by Alderman Smith, chairman of the Insurance committee, and Alderman Edward Datz of the committee, the Council decided to change its policy on pur­ chasing insurance coverage The committee was in­ structed to pool the city's in­ surance coverage into a single package policy for bidding. Datz noted there would be a savings in "going the package route" because discounts run from 15 to 25 percent. The committee was also authorized to get the professional help it needed to establish proper evaluations on city property to draw up specifications for bidding. Alderman James Wegener pointed out that he was "a firm believer in knowing your in­ surance agent." He urged this be taken into consideration. City Attorney Bernard Narusis explained that the city has the authority to evaluate the people who are bidding and price is just one factor in evaluating bids. Local bidders could be taken into con­ sideration in this manner, he indicated. In other business, the Council agreed to continue the leaf pickup program as in past years. Chief of Police Kenneth Espey presented a request for replacement of the LEADS machine in his department. He said it was becoming obsolete and suggested replacing it with a CRT machine which was quieter, faster and had a memory factor for monthly reports. Rental per month on the present machine is $248.27. The new machine would be $445 per month (Continued on page ia; SENTENCED TO DIE - The proud old Pearl street bridge gleams as she awaits her fate and like a prisoner looking at the gallows from its cell, the bridge watches as the noose on the crane appears ready to deliver the sentence. Bridge traffic was closed at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning as workmen began the job of demolishing the structure. William Ziegler and Son of Round Lake are in charge of building the new bridge which is expected to be completed by the late Fall of 1977. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Start Swine Flu Vaccine Program The McHenry County Health Department received its shipment of bivalent vaccine (Swine Flu and Victoria A). All persons over 60 years of age and those between 18 and 60 years who are suffering from chronic cardiac, respiratory, kidney or metabolic disease (high risk) may receive bivalent yaccine in accordance with the following schedule: The early excitement among scientists in particular, and the public in general, about the possibility of life on Mars, has lessened with recent findings that the planet probably has no living beings. We are left then with the conclusion that only the earth among the sun's solar system contains life as we know it. And maybe it's just as well. If Viking had discovered men living on Mars, surely they might have found some way to apply for a loan from America. And Congress would have found some way to grant it -- with the taxpayers' money. For fiscal year 1975, state and local taxes in Illinois amounted to $755, an increase of $56 per person over the previous year. But let's realize how lucky we are. In New York the figure was $1,009. No figures on the federal level are at our disposal at this writing, and that may be just as well. One can accept just so much bad news in one day. K.A.F. Chamber Members Plan Christmas Promotion Annual March Of Dimes Walkathon October 10 The monthly board meeting of the Chamber of Commerce was held Tuesday, Oct. 5, in the city hall. New board members, who will take office in January, were in attendance. The Christmas promotion program was discussed. The official opening of the season will be Nov. 26 at which time there will be a "Christmas Walk", parade, lighting of Christmas trees and the crowning of the Prince and Princess. Santa Claus will make his appearance. The Chamber is sponsoring the Future Business Leaders of American (FBLA) at the high school. Edward Buss will provide transportation for the group to the convention in Springfield. Sheriff Urges Voters Defeat Tax Referendum "Defeat the Sheriff's tax referendum." That was the surprising announcement made by Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell and members of the McHenry County Board's Public Safety committee at a news con­ ference Tuesday morning. "I now feel there is enough money available in the next fiscal year to support the ad­ ditional manpower I have requested," Sheriff Tyrrell stated. "I, therefore, must reverse my thinking for the (Continued on page 18) COLUMBUS DAY RECESS Classes at McHenry County college will not be in session Monday, Oct. 11 in observance of Columbus day. This includes all day and evening classes at the campus and all Adult Education classes held at different locations throughout the district. Class will resume Oct. 12. Post Office Observes Two Holiday Schedules The U.S. Postal Service will operate on a holiday schedule on Columbus day, Monday, Oct. 11 and on Veterans day, Monday, Oct. 25. Postmaster Leroy Smith said there will be no regular residential or business mail delivery. Special delivery and lock box service will be provided on a Sunday schedule Mail will be collected from one and twostarU.S. mailboxes as late in the day as possible to meet First Class mail service standards. Collection also will be made from most boxes located in residential areas. Normal weekend service will be provided on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 10. Also Oct. 23 and 24. The date of the fourth annual March of Dimes Walkathon is rapidly approaching. Sunday, Oct. 10, is the big day for the protest march against birth defects. Walkers will congregate at North Junior high on Oak street in Crystal Lake or at the fair grounds (Building D) in Woodstock at 10 a.m. The 16 mile round trip will continue all day until about 4 p.m. Hold Conferences At Cast Campus Tuesday, Oct 12 East Campus Parent- Teacher conferences are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 12, from 12:30 to 3:30 and 6 to 9 p.m. Appointments are preferable but not necessary and can be made by calling the school between the hours of 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Since three weeks remain before the next grading period, parents are urged to attend in order to assist any student who may be having difficulties at the present time. There will be student guides available, refreshments in the cafeteria from the Homemaking class and class administrators and counselors welcoming parents with questions and comments. Everyone can w alk at their own pace, enjoying the beauty of the back roads of McHenry county. Envelopes can be pfeked up at any of the schools in McHenry county or the Chamber of Commerce in Crystal Lake (on Rte 14) or at the C. of C. in Woodstock, 109 Dean street The necessary safety precautions will be provided by the Civil Defense and the S h e r i f f ' s D e p a r t m e n t throughout the day. Refresh­ ments will be available at either end of the route, water and candy will be available midway. Evelyn Yerkey, a committee member, hopes for a big turn­ out of walkers and volunteers to assist where necessary. Sheriff Tyrrell will walk as he's done in the past and is counting on lots of company. There will be prizes for those bringing in the most con­ tributions, plus other awards Come walk with us. we need you on Sunday, Oct. 10. Huntley Trinity Lutheran church - Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Cary-Grove Community high school - Saturday, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Woodstock (Marian high school) - Sunday. Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marengo Community high school - Monday, Oct. 18, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Harvard Moose lodge - Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Crystal Lake (M.C.C.) - Saturday. Oct. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. McHenry (Parkland Junior high school) - Sunday. Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Persons over 60 years of age will be required to have verification of their age to present to site officials prior to receiving vaccination. All high risk patients between 18 and 60 years of age (suf­ fering from chronic or metabolic disease) who wish to receive bivalent vaccination on the above dates should contact their physicians as soon as possible to receive a card verifying their high risk status. The supply of bivalent vaccine is limited so it is important that high risk patients have their status verified by their physicians and that they present a validated card to clinic personnel at the sites prior to receiving vaccination For the convenience of the high risk patients (between 18 and 60 years of age) and per sons over 60 living in the Huntley area, the Trinity Lutheran church in Huntley has been added as an additional immunization site (Oct 13 - 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) High risk patients between 3 and 18 years of age who have a validated card from their physician verifying their status may receive their vaccination 4n accordance with the following schedule: Woodstock - Marian high (Continued on pa*e 18) Liquor And Drug Charges Confront Wonder Lake Youths George Morris, 18, and Scott Buss, 18, both of 4017 Seneca, Wonder Lake, were ap­ prehended along with two juveniles Friday night by county police as they exited the driveway of an unoccupied farm near Woodstock. When deputies stopped the car to investigate, the odor of burned cannabis prevailed and open liquor was observed in the vehicle. Morris, the driver, was charged with possession of cannabis, transportation of open liquor in a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of alcoholic liquor. His bond was set at $2,050. Buss was arrested for unlawful possession of alcoholic liquor. His bond was $1,000. They are to appear in court Oct 7. Two juveniles were turned over to juvenile authorities. BOARD MEETING The next meeting of the McHenry County Mental Health 708 board is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 12, 12 noon at Pal's restaurant. The agenda includes Family Service and Mental Health clinic and Pioneer center's contracts, committee reports and discussion of Joint commission standards. -4 V OPEN HOUSE - The Marketing and Distribution class of McHenry Community high school will be showing the Building Trades home Oct. 9 and 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The house is an L-shaped ranch with three bedrooms, large basement, attached two and one half rai garage. wall to wall carpeting, patio and two baths. It is located at 904 Front Royal drive. Refreshments will be served during the tour. Any further information can be obtained by contacting the high school.