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Form New School Task Force Jerry Buckley, planner and designer of the plans for a new subdivision in McHenry, presented his plan to the City Council at Monday's meeting. The property owners, Tim and Phil Wheelock, asked the city for annexation of 126 acres of land south -of-fU. 120, just off of Draper road, which will be the site of the new subdivision. By a 6-1 margin, the city approved, in principle, the request for annexation. Legal documents must be drawn up and signed before the annexation becomes official. STAFF PHOTO-J EFF BONATO Faced with momentous decisions in anticipation of losing several hundred students to the new Johnsburg District 12 high school, Supt. Richard Swafitz of High School District ° 15(b is asking for advice from the citizens of McHenry. Swantz made his wishes known when he asked the board Tuesday night to submit names of citizens who might be willing to serve on a TasK" Force committee. He emphasized that parents, teachers, \ students, civic organizations \and associations should be represented. r There will be no school board members on the committee. In outlining Hhe need for such a group, the superin­ tendent explained that the primary function will be to advise on possible curtailments when the local district must operate with substantially less funqs\ ^an probably eliminate Mf of the $1 million \reductiofi that must be made through reducing the teachingv staff by thirty to thirty-five ', he noted. "The problem is where to start in the elimination of programs and services? VThe board wants the Task Force committee to look at the situation and make recom­ mendations", he stated. The board, he continued, « feels the citizenry should become acquainted with the tremendous problems that await District 156. j, Swantz hopes to Ujold the committee to twenty per*Sqps or less to make it wieldy. "This is an intensive effort," he pointed out, "that will be concluded June 1 to give the board and administration a year to act on suggestions and prepare for a financial dilemma." Persons interestedjn serving on the committee need only call the administration office, 385- 7900. Mrs. Catherine Alvary, who* heads the Budget committee, discussed a review made by that committee and soryie five- year^projections.,T1mS revised budget for ^kefiscal year beginning Jufy 1, 1976, fs- on file for public inspection at the administration building, 3926 W. Main street, and will remain until 7 p.m. Feb. 15, whe^t at ' tion will be taken. > Mrs. Alvary pointed out that \ her committee was able to project sufficiently well over the next two^years to establish future plans. However, beyond that time there are too many factors over which there is no local control, she said, so that any accurate planning is im­ possible. The committee chairman mentioned the uncertain financial status of the state; changes that have already taken place and possible future changes concerning county'Iax revenue because of a new sfate equalizer ; and |the uncertainty of federal changes in aid to education. In a discussion of board policy, members adopted a policy statement recognizing the value of providing students alternative ways to earn credit that will be applied toward graduation, and in particular designated one of them to be the successful completion of approved correspondence courses. In the future, the School will grant credit for courses by correspondence, without local examination, provided the work is successfully completed through \a recognized in- stitutipn offering such a programs.' AH students wishing to enroll for the purpose of having the credit apply toward graduation must first secure approval of the principal. At the recommendation of Supt. Swantz, a committee of James Tonyan, David Benrud and Henry Nell was appointed to work with administrators regarding questions associated with classified persiWinel. The purpose is to better evaluate personnel for performance. The request from SEDOM - the Special Education District of McHenry County .-- for names to be submitted for the Executive board and the board of directors resulted in discussion but no action. Mrs. Alvary indicated she felt it would be in the best in­ terest of all concerned that she not serve on the SEDOM boards because she is presently working in education on the county level with County Supt. Edward Hall. At present she serves both SEDOM groups. In other action, the board approved the employment of John Tierney to replace Greg LaPlante as the cooperative Work Training coordinator at West campus. Diane Turk was named a supervisory aide, Dolores Oakley was transferred from supervisory aide to library aide, and Cheryl krystosek became a full teacher sub­ stitute. Mrs. Jan Klontz, Special Education teacher at East, was granted a leave. The City of McHenry is ex­ panding again Just one month ago, the City Council approved the an­ nexation of 146 acres of land which is owned by the McHenry Sand and Gravel company. Now, at Monday night's Council meeting, the alfl9rmen, by ^P f 4 margin! approved a basic plan for annexation of 126 acres of property owned by Phil and Tim Wheelock, just off of Draper road. All that is required now, is for the legal papers to be drawn up, and .then presented again before the Council Following that step, the city wil! be 126 acres larger. The annexed area is land behind the Sand and Gravel mpany, south of Rt *120. While the gravel pit was zoned neavy industrial", the Wheelock annexation will be zoned R-l, "residential,'single family dwellings." Thus, when the new development, called Rolling Green estates, is completed, it should increase the population of the ever­ growing city. The Wheelocks had gone before the planning com­ mission several weeks ago, presenting their plan for the annexation. It was the unanimous recommendation of the cotft^ mittee that the plan be ap­ proved by the full Council. Jerrv Buckley, planner and designer for the subdivision, addressed the Council Monday night, with the proposal he had drawn up.~ "We're stressing a one-acre minimum home site," he said. "To eliminate destruction of as many trees and wooded areas as possible, some of the lots are greater than one acre in size, "The most difficult portion of the subdivision will be redesigning the roads to concur with subdivision ordinances," he added "We plan on putting in the roads in three stages." A total of 80 lots are planned for the subdivision, with 5 acres being the largest single lot. Alderman Edward Datz spoke in favor of the an­ nexation "At this point in time, the property is not served by city water and sewers," he said. "The petitioners want to be self-serving, with individual water and sewers. "In view of the attractive nature andxlesign," he added, "I think it's worthy of con­ sideration r Alderman Walther Schaedel, who voted against the an­ nexation, stated, "Presently, there's only one way in and out The reading public may have noticed that RTA is evidencing some..interest in McHenry county^ Why? Maybe because the Regional Transportation Authority can't possibly be unaware of its unpopularity in the suburban - area and wants to make some effort to remedy the situation. Or perhaps it's because there has been some nudging by county officials who are afraid any token effort put forth by RTA locally might serve no purpose Whatever the reason, RTA is requesting McHenry county employers to provide detailed information on work travel patterns vvftnin the county. Questionnaires have been mailed to a representative sample of ninety-four em­ ployers. This is one of three county studies designed to help RTA design public transportation proposals. Another is a com­ muter rail survey. RTA has indicated that a September questionnaire designed to determine the transportation needs and desires of the senior citizens of McHenry county brought poor response initially. This led to a request to survey seniors at their meetings. An analysis of the data received will be made this month. ^Preliminary alter­ native service proposals will be forthcoming early in February and be ready for review by local officials in the near future. RTA plans in the county have had special interest for Ed Buss, who until recently was chairman of the County board Transportation committee. Under the new assignment of responsibilities, Tom Huemann of Johnsburg is vice-chairman of this important committee. Both have been instrumental in working out a plan to assure that any RTA money designated for local use will not be for appeasement but in areas that prove of benefit to the greatest number of people. Huemann has listed one of his priorities as possible tran sportation assistance to workers within and outside McHenry county. K.A.F. (from Draper road). If something, God forbid, should happen, these people would be trapped." Buckley explained that ultimately, land south of the annexed property^ will most likely be annexed, and roads will lead from one subdivision to another. Long range developments also include a pond at the en- Jxance to the subdivision on Draper road. Alderman William Bolger suggested that the Council approve in principle, the an­ nexation to the city. That brought about the 6-1 vote, with Schaedel voting no. Alderman La Verne Hromec, was absent. Following the meeting, Mayor Joseph Stanek ex­ plained that, "the property is not annexed yet. We have tentatively agreed to annex, providing the legal documents are drawn up properly." Assuming those papers drawn ud, the city will have an^altractive and subdiv/simi bolstering south^dfeorner. In other Council action is no longer any such McHenry named Sorenson. By an unanimous vote,/ the aldermen changed Sorenson street to Anne street! j Lillian street will now<stretch from Rt. 31 to Crystal^ake blacktop, with the remainder of the throughway remaining Grove. The effective date for the change will be March 1. "I'll notify the post office of the name changes," Superintendent of Public Works Fred Meyer said. "However," Alderman George Harker added, "it will be up to the individual families to notify other people about the new street name. If they get six magazines a month, they will have to contact those people themselves." Harker noted that for one year, the post office will con­ tinue to deliver mail addressed by the old street names. The Council also voted, 6-1, to require the boui i of educ-llen- to purchase vehicle stickers for its fifty buses. The cost to the (Continued on page 14) [ep. Waddell Minority Whip For 80th Session Rep. R Bruce Waddell (R- Dundee) was named Minority whip for the 80th session of the Illinois General Assembly as it convened this month in Springfield. » Selected for the Republican leadership team by GeoVge Ryan (R-Kanltakee), Holse Minority leader, Rep. Wadflell is in his fifth term as a voi/e in Springfield for the I3rd (Continued on page 14) * The McHenry County board, subdivision roads. In the past, learned at Tuesday's meettfig through approval by state law FROZEN WATER TIP Because the frost level has extended so deep this winter, the city receives numerous complaints daily of water freezing. Supt. of Public Works Fred Meyer urges everyone to leave one faucet open, allowing a stream of water the thickness of a box match. that a lengthy procedure leading up to a special assessment for improvement of portions of roads 'in the, Huemann subdivision com­ munity, north of McHenry, has been halted. In a recent decision, Judge Charles S. Parker ruled that the county has no right to levy a special assessment over the streets and roads and the petition must be dismissed. In making his decision. Judge Parker noted he was limiting his decision to one of several objections, that the county has no authority under the County Special Assessments act to improve the streets in question because they are private, but that the authority under this act is limited to public streets. The board also received a detailed report from County Supt. of Highways James Rakow, who described "private" or "non-dedicated" of the Board of Local Im­ provements, in the case of subdivision roads brought up to \specifications, maintenance was^ taken over by township hlgfiway departments. *%ie recent court ruling pertaining to Huemann's subdivision is important to other communities awaiting action to improve roads. Another legal step, on the state level, is said to be required before action on the roads jean be undertaken. Walter Dean of McHenry, who heads the County Board of Review, disclosed the happy news that work will be com­ pleted by Feb. 28, earliest date in many years Only McHenry and Algonquin books remain unfinished. Dean also noted he thought the $30,300 rental paid annually for property used for Mental Health board was excessive. He said the land, located on Armed Robbery Charge Made Against McHenry Resident , In a preliminary hearing Tuesday at the Woodstock courthouse, probable cause was found against a McHenry man on a charge of armed robber v. Stanley F. Miller, also known as Frank Vincent, 4315 Sioux lane, McHenry, has been charged with armed robbery in connection with the alleged theft of 100 pounds of sausage from a meat truck Jan. 6. According to the police report, a meat truck driven by Frank P. Rossi, River Grove, was having difficulty, and the driver pulled into the parking lot of Fergie's Farmhouse tavern, Rt. 31, McHenry, to call for help. ^ While Rossi was inside the tavern. Miller apparently began taking meat from his truck. When Rossi attempted to stop Miller, the^atter allegedly produced a gun and threatened RQSSL _ Miller was subdued and taken to the McHenry county courthouse and , charged with armed robbery. At 9:15 a.m. Sunday, Dave Wilcox, 334 W. Riverside drive, McHenry, reported to county police that some time during the early morning hours, (Continued on page 14) Waukegan road in McHenry, is valued at $140,000. Dean feels the County board should look into the matter. Some debate took place over payment of the 1977 annual dues in the amount of $3,300 to the Northeastern Illinois Planning commission (NIPC). A1 Collins, chairman of the Planning and Zoning com­ mittee, informed the board that after some investigation he found certain counties pay nothing, while others pay only a part* of their assessment. He suggested the McHenry County board give only $2,200 of the amount asked. Added to the ^put of discussion was the observation by Edward Buss of McHenry that "it is better to fight on the inside than the outside ". He favored full payment. Member Diane Easty suggested making a study and possibly withdrawing from NIPC and set up a planning group for the rural area, where problems would be mutual. Generally, members agreed to study her recommendation for future action. In the meantimt^vote was taken on sending NIPC the full amount of $3,300 and it passed by a vote of 12 to 8. A ^resolution was passed recommending that future guidelines allow for certain project funding proposals to be judged on their own merit. Action concerns the role of NIPC, which is the area-wide planning and development clearing house for the review process leading to the release of federal funds. Project The county was prompted to pass the resolution because of recent action by NipC in drawing up a tentative set\of guidelines to ^fikermine whether a particular suburb is doing its fair share toward providing housing for low in­ come workers and minorities The locally passed resolution urges consideration only on the merits of the particular project for which funding |s ^sked The board gave Health Administr Wissell to wri engineer, givi minimum r cerning a ho state. It is loca' ed thofity to r Richard the state a list of ments con- wned by the in the path of the proposed lit. 420, in Or­ chard Beach subdivision. A septic failure exists on the property and the state has requested several variations to permit it to retain the house for the next couple of years when it will be moved to make room for the newlighway. However, the Healtlv/department recom­ mendsLhe variations not be granted and that the system meet the requirements of the building ordinance Chairman A1 Collins of the Zoning and Planning com­ mittee issued a public in­ vitation to attend a meeting planned Monday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m. at the courthouse, when a discussion of the new zoning ordinance provisions will be held. Collins said the first draft of the ordinance is expected by July 1 Approval was given to a (Continued on page 14) One Hospitalized, Others Huft At Intersection Crash A serious accident af* the intersection of Rt. 14 and Rt. 31 Wednesday night resulted in three people sustaining' in­ juries. Frank Dobler, Car- pentersville, was taken by the Crystal Lake Rescue squad to Sherman hospital for treatment of injuries received when a car he was driving collided with a vehicle driven by Richard Kotiw, 3608 Middle street, McHenry. Kotiw was also injured in the collision, as was a passenger in his vehicle, Dennis Klein, 312 N. Hill road. McHenry. Neither Kotiw nor Klein was taken to the hospital. According to the sheriff's police report, Dobler was westbound on Rt. 14 when he lost control of his vehicle and crossed into the /eastbound lanes. r Kotiw was apparently driving in the eastbound lane of Rt. 14, slowing and preparing to turn onto Rt. 31, when Dobler's car slid across the median strip and crashed into his car. A witness to the accident confirmed Kotiw's explanation of the accident. Betty D. Kline, 2720rMyang avenue, McHenry, was injured in a two-car collision Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the intersection of Elm street and Riverside drive. The driver of the other car, Charlotte V. Sayles, Fox Lake, was not hurt in the crash which caused $80 damage to her car, and $50 damage to Ms. Kline's car. No ticket was issued by McHenry police in connections with the accident. Ms. Sayles stated she was stopped for a red light at the Elm-Riverside drive in­ tersection, when the Kline auto (Continued on page 14) Classroom Castles The sixth grade Social Studies class at Montini Middle school was very busy recently constructing a Medieval Castle, along with models of people who lived during Medieval times. Pictured with the castle are Susan Tonyan and Gary Freund. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD VOLUME 101 NUMBER 39 FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 1977 ^ 1 SECTION 18J^AGES 20* ." . • ' * . , o ^ ~ - ." • \ "SU^s _ ^ ^ •" * --\ ' . * Council Approves 126-Acre Annexation THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" -r~