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"ae MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-tAKES REGION SINCE 1875' VOLUME 102 NUMBER 13 WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1977 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 20' Buss Injunction Hearing Continues Saufen Und Spiel September Success With Ideal weather conditions prevailing, a crowd of 3,500 gather on the grounds of the Johnsburg Community club Sunday to enjoy the sixth animal Saufen und Spiel test. It marked the club's fifty- fifth anniversary. With memories fresh of this most successful event to date, plans went forward immediately for another festival next September. Berne Clary1 by the height of f< air balloon, high above Fox With complaints by the average fellow that everybody remembers him only at tax time, an effort seems to' be under way to remember him also at election time. One of these is the proposed consolidation of. elections bill in Illinois; which is awaiting the governor's signature at this writing. It is backed strongly by the State Board of Elections. Illinois presently has more elections than any other state in the union. In some areas, in order to express one's self in all of them, a voter must visit the polls seven times in three months to cast a ballot. Besides the customary elections, some votes even call for such choices as commissioners of public graveyards. Unfortunately, in some areas the voter isn't made suf­ ficiently aware of an election and small percentages of voters with their own axes to grind, push through referenda that mean higher taxes. With more than 6,400 units of vernment required by law to voters for approval in in- ing their tax levy, it's ficult, if not impossible, for watchdog groups to keep track of all of them. And in too many cases people just get tired of going to the polls and become resigned to live with the results of a minority vote. The proposed consolidation would very likely people to tiie polls good. In fact, this may be one of the major advantages for it would mean greater representation on the part of the people. The bill calls for only five election days spread over a two-year period.This would save a sizable sum of money. Very probably opponents could cite some undesirable results, but from a quick perusal the advantages stand out. Another push intended to benefit the public is the one undertaken by the Coalition for Political Honesty to place the question of an open primary on the 1978 general ballot. In fact, leaders in the movement will visit McHenry Sept. 20 to make their point known locally. In an open primary election, citizens would not have to publicly declare party af­ filiation before voting. Opponents, who have in the past included leaders of the major parties, have pointed to the weakening of the two-party system as the biggest drawback. But we understand there is a breakdown in the opposition among some political leaders in this area. Election reform seems to be in the air. Only time will tell whether or not the public likes what it may get. KAF Study The Special Zoning com­ mittee: of the McHenry County board is continuing its study of the proposed amendment to the county zoning ordinance. Due to the interest in gravel pit operations, a second meeting on this subject has been scheduled for Sept. 19, to be held at 9 a.m. in Room 101 of the county courthouse at Wood­ stock. it chairman of the event, sponsored unity club. This aerial view at the was not from the tethered hot the photographer took a ride in the snorkel basket of the PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Proposed standards gravel pit operations will discussedc^^twl ^gravel producers aha other interested parties are encouraged to at­ tend. The committee has'(now completed its preliminary work with Articles I, II, and III, and is requesting comments on these revised sections. Copies Zoning | will be available in most public libraries in the county, and they will also be for sale at the Planning commission office in the courthouie. Comments may be forwarded to either Mrs. Dianne Easty, the committee chairman, or the Planning commission, in either case at the courthouse. Hie Concerned Citizens For McHenry, the city of McHenry, and Edward Buss were scheduled to return to court Tuesday afternoon, after a hearing on a motion for a temporary injunction preventing the issuance of building permits was continued following a day long session Monday. The motion was being heard by Associate Circuit Judge Michael Sullivan in the McHenry county courthouse. The purpose of the hearing was for the court to determine whether or not the city of McHenry could issue building permits to Edward Buss for the purpose of constructing a car dealership along Rt. 31, just south and across the street from the Indian Manor restaurant. ; The Concerned Citizens group is composed of residents of Edgebrook Heights. The car dealership, if constructed, would sit west of the subdivision, with a vacant piece of property as the 'buffer' zone between the commercial business and the residential community. That vacant piece of land is presently owned by Anthony Ptntozzi, who earlier had tried unsuccessfully to have that vacant land rezoned from residential to a multi- family type of zoning so that apartment buildings could be put up there. The Concerned Citizens are requesting that the court not allow building permits to be issued before the matter comes to trial. The group is suing both the city and Buss in objection to the proposed construction of the car dealership. Both sides emphasized that the hearing which began Monday is not a trial, but is solely to determine whether or not Buss could begin construction on the property before the case does come to trial. City Attorney Bernard Narusis, who served as the city's defense counsel, during the hearing, told the McHenry City Council Monday night that last Saturday, a request was made to Supt. of Public Works Fred Meyer asking for building permits so that work could begin on the auto dealership. "Fred called me and I told him that the city shouldn't issue the permits," Narusis added. The attorney also told the Council that if the temporary injunction is issued, Narusis expects Buss to ask for money from the Concerned Citizens to cover added costs due to a delay in construction. This assumes, of course, that Buss wins the trial. Also, Narusis said that the procedures in Monday's hearing "were very loase," in his opinion. Regardless of whether or not the temporary injunction preventing the issuance of building permits is granted, the entire matter will come to trial' at a later date. In its suit, the Concerned Citizens are asking for, am< other things, that a pei injunction be issued whi< would prevent the city amg Buss, co-defendants, from utilizing or permitting the use of the land in question "for any, use other than that authorized and permitted under the R-l (single-family homes), classification." The hearing which began Monday differed from tha permanent injunction in that the temporary injunction would only prevent the issuance of building permits, and therefor^ construction, until the trial is held and the issue is decided once and for all. The Concerned Citizens sulf also asks that the city action taken to reclassify the land from residential to commercial "be declared invalid, void, and of no force and effect."1 The McHenry City Council, following extensive discussion, voted to approve the recoiling request by Buss, although Pintozzi's request, at the same time, was denied. The Zoning board recommended denial of Buss' request for rezoning, but the Council chose to go against the Zoning board recommendation, and granted Buss his desired zoning. Mayor Joseph Stanek then vetoed the Council action, but the aldermen voted to override the veto. The lawsuit was the result Two Saturday Fires Arouse Strong Suspicion Of Arson Minor Crash Brings Seven Tickets To McHenry Youth A McHenry youth was arrested' and charged with improper passing, driving too fast for conditions, tran­ sporting open liquor in a motor vehicle, possession of alcoholic liquor by a person of non-age, aggravated assault, unlawful use of weapons, and con­ tributing to the delinquency of a minor, all stemming from a one-car traffic accident early Saturday morning on Rt. 12 and S. Solon road in Solon Mills. The beleagured youth charged was Steven Flick, 18, 1308 Lily Lake road, McHenry. The entire episode unfolded beginning with a prior accident at the intersection. While county police officers, the Spring Grove Police depart­ ment, and the Richmond Rescue squad were at the accident scene (no area per­ sons involved), the Flick auto was observed sliding out of control on Rt. 12, eventually smashing into a telephone pole. Police rushed to the scene, and discovered that there were no injuries. However, the oc­ cupants of the vehicle were observed throwing beer bottles beneath the car. Rescue squad members noticed that one of the occupants of the car had a knife in his hand and allegedly used it in a threatening manner before being subdued and arrested. In making a statement to police about the accident, Flick stated that he was eastbound on Rt. 12 and was passing a car as the vehicles came around the curve into Solon Mills. He added that he could not get back into his lane due to other eastbound traffic, so he applied his brakes, lost control, (Continued on page M) Investigation is continuing into two fires which broke out Saturday morning on Oak Grove road in Rolling Acres, near Pistakee Bay. One of the fires damaged a barn adjacent to the Oak Park hotel, 801 Oak Grove road, while the second caused structural damage to Adams Bait shop, 80S Oak Grove road. According to reports, at about 2:45 a.m. Saturday, Companies I and II of the McHenry Fire department were summoned to the Oak Park hotel, where a barn was reportedly on fire. Firemen spent about forty- five minutes at the scene, with daipage estimated at about $200. The fire appeared to be of suspicious origin, according to a department official, so in­ vestigation is continuing. Then, at about 10:05 A.m. Saturday, Company II was summoned to Adams Bait shop, where another fire had broken out. Firemen remained at the scene for approximately fifty- five minutes, with the minor Maze causing only about $200 damage. The'origin of this fire was also deemed suspicious, with investigation continuing. Besides the fires on Oak Grove roati, the . McHenry department was called to (Continued on page 20) A Bit Of Sweden Government Intervention Farm Bureau Focus On Old Problem When an expected 600 members of the McHenry County Farm Bureau gather for their sixty-fifth annual meeting Monday, Sept. 19, the main topic of discussion may well be the return of an old problem-government in­ tervention in agriculture. This year's annual meeting will be held at Andre's Steak House, Richmond. The unsettling matter likely to occupy some deliberation time concerns falling farm prices and efforts of the U.S. Congress and President Carter to meet this depression at­ mosphere in rural America with government price sup­ ports and a government- controlled grain reserve. Policies will be decided during the business session. The resolutions committee headed by Elmer Hill, Union, is working on some proposals, and they include some local issues. One local matter may be a request to affirm the present policy on preserving prime farmland and putting some restrictions on the minimum number of acres classified as "F" farmland. The present recommendation Name Township Directors Nominees for township directors on the board of directors of the McHenry County Farm Bureau have been made for eight townships, and farmer members have been mailed ballots for the townships in which they live, respectively. Two directors are retiring from the board, Ralph Drafall, an eight-year board member, and John Raabe, farmer from Riley township. Drafall represents Grafton township. Farmers are balloting on these nominees, or they can vote for a write-in candidate. Nominees are Clarence Adams and Ton Lillegard, Nunda; Donald Luerssen, Alden; William Olbrich, Dunham; William Ruth, Grafton; Charles Beard, Greenwood; David Gardner, Richmond; Robert Berschet and Roger Volkening, Riley; and Henry Boi, Seneca. Election results will be announced at the Sept. 19 annual meeting of the McHenry County Farm Bureau. to the special zoning committee is 35 acres, up from the present 5 acres. The IAA tentative resolutions committee is considering matters of state and national significance. Some of those issues: who should own farin- land? What about the national farm program Congress and President Carter are considering? Should farmers try to do anything to reduce or slow down the increase in taxes? Does this nation need a food reserve? If so, should it be on farms, in government- controlled storage bins, at overseas ports, or at none of those places? Should Farm Bureau support the concept of a school district income tax? If so, should that money be used to replace existing property taxes for school purposes? There is expected to be much interfest among fanners to take part in this annual convention where the main business traditionally is to develop policy resolutions to guide and direct the officers and staff members during the year ahead. Resolutions on a state or national issue are forwarded to the Illinois Agricultural Association for consideration by voting delegates at the IAA's annual convention Nov. 30-Dec. 3 at St. Louis. Farmer members in eight of the seventeen townships are balloting on their choices for directors now. Announcement will be made at the annual meeting of the members' balloting wishes. Resolutions on local matters will serve as the directive for the Farm Bureau board and its manager during the upcoming year. . Don Luerssen,Alden town­ ship dairyman finishing his first year as president, will preside at the business session. One of the highlights he'll discuss concerns the steady increase in membership that (Continued on page 20) i uw«j. is open to any student, and la erience of i A Long Trip Starts Monday In City Library Possibilities for a full year of foreign adventure are open again in McHenry. the McHenry chapter of tha American Field Service invites all interested high school students and their parents to their Americans Abroa4 orientation meeting Monday, Sept. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the McHenry Public library. The program is area high school si truly the experience lifetime. Through Abroad, AFS will send student abroad tor a year of study and living with a foreign t student will truly become of the family group, as be ( she) learns new customs ant language through day to. daf life with new pareats.brotheti and sisters. Next Monday's meeting strictly an orientation, and there will be no obligatidor. Presented will be a com­ prehensive explanation ;<£ Americans Abroad, applicant requiremen program details and arrangements. Students and their . are urged to attend meeting, and learn more al AFS and the unique portunities that exist for ] and learning abroad. It be Europe, Asia or America,but the whole begins with a trip to McHenry library next Monday. Stray PeHet \ Injures Man ' classes. •• •" , '• . At first meeting, you'd be 100 percent sure he was another born and raised McHenry teenager. Stylish hair, blue & sans and an interest in isketball. But the accent gives him away, even though his command of the English language is most impressive. His name is Christer Niklasson. and he will be ( Continued on page 20) While Hunting A near tragedy became justa close call through sheer luck Sunday morning, when >§• Crystal Lake man was struck in (Continued on page 20) > . '