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F Mr. and Mrs. James Backer of 5020 Woodrow avenue, McHenry, Is Ashantl Chief Ghana, West Africa. Becker to starting his second year In Ghana, where he li teaching Math and Chemistry. He to a 1972 It's A Big Halloween Excitement is expected to reach its peak this weekend for hundreds of McHenry children preparing for the annual ob-„ servance of Halloween. This includes a Haunted House sponsored by the McHenry Area Jaycees. There will be no admission to this special treat Monday evening, Oct. 3t, at the Green street entrance to East cam­ pus. The hours are 7 to 9 p.m. All children are asked to attend in costume, for which there will be three prizes in each of the following classes: Pre-school, 7:15-7:30; kin­ dergarten, 7:30-7:45; first grade, 7:45-8:00; second grade, 8:00-8:15: third grade, 8:15- 8:30; fourth grade, 8:30-8:45; fifth grade. 8:45-9:00; sixth grade. 9:00-9:15. Because of the festivities planned for the young folks, Police Chief Ken Espey has designated hours for trick-or- treating between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. There will be refreshments and candy for all children in the gymnasium. All policemen will be on duty that evening, as well as extras. They will patrol all areas of the city, including outlying com­ munities, both on foot and in cars. Some will be regular squad cars, others will be unmarked. Espey pointed out that the extra patrol is both for the protection of small children and the property of city residents. - The police chief particularly cautioned motorists to use care in driving Monday evening when so many children will be on the streets. Further, he had suggestions for parents and children to assure a Halloween that is safe. One of these is to include something white or in­ candescent on children's costumes to insure better visibilty. Others are the following: ...Instruct children to always walk facing traffic in areas without sidewalks. ...Remind youngsters to cross only at crosswalks and to ob­ serve all traffic signs and signals. ...Substitute make-up for masks if possible. Make certain vision is not obscured. ...Parents should escort the very young trick-or-treaters or send an older child along. ...Parents should instruct children not to eat any of the candy or fruits collected in their rounds until they have been examined at home under good lighting for dangerous elements that may have been added to cause harm T 'he Mel S E R V I N G Henry P T H E C H A 1 N - O - L A K E S LAI P E G I O N ND S I N C E EALER 1 8 7 5 VOLUME 102 NUMBER 26 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1977 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20f No Second Referendum For Grade District 15 Girl Scouts think big, they act big, and the result* of their labors are big. Ten-yeaMtid Annette Freels has proof in her back yard at 4008 N. Spring Grove road. Last spring the young Girl Scoot bought three seeds from her organization and planted them In the garden. They have produced pumpkins weighing 68, 94 and 98 pounds. Annette wouldn't consider destroying a fine display ef them, so she selects a smaller one to carve for trick-or-treating next Monday-. A student at James C. Bush school, Johnsburg, she is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Freds. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD m m ' ' i f i • i m i There will be no second referendum for Grade School District 15. Instead, Dr. Richard Farmer, new superintendent, will study financial problems in' the district and make recom­ mendations to the board that will allow at least a post­ ponement of another request for increased funding. Most of Tuesday night's meeting was devoted to a review of the Oct. 15 referen­ dum thAt resulted in a 3-2 vote opposed to a forty-cent increase in the Education fund ana a ten- cent increase in the Operations, Building and MainteMMN* fund. - It was Dr. Farmer who spoke out in behalf of austerity after Individual members had been asked for their personal opinions on the proper procedure. In the opening stages of the discussion, Tim Althoff said he had heard Tuesday morning \that the state of Illinois in­ tended to have the rate raised in McHenry county, which would generate an additional 9200,000. It was also noted that full funding would result in another (70,000. Farmer interjected to point out that it is impossible to defend on full funding since this is something that will result only by agreement of the legislature. Fred Kusch, assistant superintendent for Educatinal Services, said Walter Dean, a member of the McHenry County board and chairman of the Board pf Review, had talked to the schools about the proposed rate increase. However, Board President M. David Cain observed that Musin' And Meanderin9 ...."Kids aren't the same today, and it isn't for the good. They won't get my money". Kids aren't the same, and neither are adults. And more than a few people think the change isn't for the good. For a long time the emphasis has been on "rights" instead of "responsibility" and young people learn quickly. ...."Look at all the juvenile delinquency. The newspapers are full of it". It's frightening and it's disillusioning. The percentage probably isn't any higher than it ever was, but there are more kids to get into trouble today. Whose job do you think it is to kn«K where these youngsters are at night? When radios, guns, or ah Assortment of other items suddenly appear in a home, don't youwo^er why someone in the family doesn't ask questions? ...."Teachers just received a 7 percent plus pay hike. I can't go along with that". City employees received a comparable increase a few months ago and we didn't hear an outcry. It wouldn't have done any good. And there we have the answer to our school referendums. We were given a choice-one of the few offered taxpayers these days. ....I know they need the money, but can we be sure they'll use it wisely? No we can't. But we can't be sure of any governmental agency- only in the ability of those we elect to manage them. ...."It's going to cost a lot of money. I can't afford It". And there is the crux of the referendums' defeats. In spite of all the other excuses offered, money was the fundamental reason for a negative vote. ...."I believe we need all the discipline we can get through the traditional system of educatlon"....or "1 think flexible scheduling and the open approach is the way to go today". You can't have it both ways, and for this reason the schools are attempting to allow greater freedoms for those who show the responsibility to accept them, and the traditional for those who can't. ...."Nobody cares about public property. Look at the damage In our schools. I won't support money for schools." We have always been under the impression schools were for learning, first, and homes were primarily responsible for citizenship training and setting a good example. ...."My kids are raised. It's not my responsibility any more". Education has been a community responsibility since school systems first became taxed. Today's young people profit from the help of older members of society just as today's seniors benefitted by the support of those before them. These are. just a few of the comments heard by voters in the October school elections. They are sufficient to understand how both grade and high school proposals were defeated. The most honest reason for a negative vote was listed simply as not being able to afford the additional tax. Feelings ran high on both sides of the proposals. The "no" voters looked at the minority of young people who cause trouble, and with other problems in the schools and saw this as an excuse. The "yes" voters looked on the positive side of education. The outcome had no effect on one fact - schools will continue to operate in some fashion. Possibly the time has come for a different type of educational financing - one in which the costs are less visible. Sales, income, gasoline, parking meter taxes are all accepted because there is no way to say "no". There was a way at the polls Oct. 15 and again Oct. 22 and the voters took advantage of their prerogative. Some who went to the polls were fighting to protect money they really could not afford through another tax. For them there was no choice. Others were unwilling to make the sacrifice. Whatever the reason, McHenry public schools face some real problems. KAF The Regional Transportation Authority will hold three public hearings on its interim report, McHenry county public transportation plan, throughout the county between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7. One of them is scheduled in McHenry. The McHenry county report contains alternative recom­ mendations by RTA staff fen* transit services in this area. The report has been widely distributed throughout the county in an effort to encourage public review and comment. The report is the result of more than a year's work by RTA in conjunction with McHenry county officials. The local public hearings include Friday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m., Central school, 131 Paddock street, Crystal Lake; Wednesday, Nov. 2, 7:30 p.m., McHenry Community high school, West campus, 4724 West Crystal Lake road; Monday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., Dean street school, 600 Dean street, Woodstock. Any person wishing to give views may do so at any one of the three hearings orally or by submitting written material not later than seven days after the conclusion of these hearings. even a $200,000 increase wouldn't cut the deficit of $400,000. "It would only take care of increases in the budget", Cain noted. Then Cain asked members what they felt should be done in view of the referendum defeat. Anna Mae Cuda said she couldn't be sure, but thought another referendum should be held. Going back to the public a second time was also the thinking of Terry Howard. Board Secretary Dorothy Vick was not as sure. She reflected that other options should be studied before any decision is reached. Gary Lockwood said he would like to look at more alternatives to the referendum. It was at this point that Dr. Farmer madeC his recom­ mendation for one year of austerity, with cuts in materials and activities rather than in personnel. "It's too hard to bring them back", the superintendent observed. Board members then reconsidered their formerly expressed opinions and agreed with his recommendation. Before the discussion ended, Althoff expressed appreciation to Dr.Farmer, administrators and others for their help on the referendum. The referendum review sheet presented many factors that had given the administration reason to believe there was more than a "fighting chance" to pass the referendum. It called attention to the fact that only 648 of the anticipated 1,420 "yes" voters came to the polls. The review further expressed the belief that the issue did not reflect the community against the schools, but instead against taxes. The board was informed that Lester Smith had sent a lettei* of resignation, effective Oct. 17. Damage Van In Rock Throwing Incident The unhealthy "sport" of throwing rocks at moving vehicles began again this week, with a resident of McHenry Shores being victimized. Allen Lillegard of 717 S. Broadway, McHenry Shores, reported to police Friday evening that a few minutes earlier, while stopped in traffic at the intersection of Rt. 120 and Charles road, someone threw rocks, denting the top of his van. The identity of the offender is not known as police continue their investigation. In other incidents, North American Constrttction of Barrington reported that sometime Sunday night, someone entered a storage trailer at a construction site on Orchard lane, McHenry, stealing a portable generator. Bruce Kendall of Antioch • reported that while at work at the Sinterloy company, 8104 Solon road, Solon Mills, someone entered his pickup truck and stole a CB radio. Low Kelley of 402 Country Club drive in McHenry, notified police that sometime Sunday night, someone stole the wheel covers from his auto while it was parked in front of his home. Ethelann Richardson of 3705 (Continued on page 18) Legislator Featured At Plan Conference State Rep. Calvin Skinner Jr. (R-33rd) will be among the featured participants Oct. 29 in "Common Ground", an area wide planning conference sponsored by the Northeastern Illinois Planning commission (NIPC). The McHenry county legislator will participate in panel discussions on critical issues facing northeastern Illinois. Discussion is expected to focus on such issues as control of suburban growth, preservation of prime agricultural land, conservation of established business districts and neighborhoods, and related issues. Skinner will be joined on the program by a number of other governmental and business leaders and urban affairs experts from the academic community. The conference will be at the Ramada O'Hare Inn, Manheim and Higgins roads, Rosemont. The conference is open to the public. There Is a charge for the luncheon session, but other sessions are free. To make reservations or obtain additional information, call the NIPC Department of Public Affairs at (312) 454-0400, extension 297 or 239. How To Become A Winner. . . Scramble Victor Tells first day because it looked like something was attached to the rope on the pole. I lowered the rope and found it was only a frayed piece of rope. "Then we searched all the poles, fences, bleachers, bat boxes, playground equipment and the washroom building, I had my two pre-schoolers anda friend's child with me that day. They were disappointed that the swings were down already. "So we went over to the 'fire (Continued on page 18) What does it take to become a winner? If one can judge by a very recent big winner in McHenry, it is persistence, ingenuity, and a little luck. Lorette Rogers of 3702 W. Main street has summed up her experiences leading to discovery of the certificate that brought her $1,000 in the Chamber of Commerce Scramble game. Mrs. Rogers found it taped to the bottom of the flower urn on the island near the city hall last Friday afternoon after receiving the third clue. This is the way she set forth those experiences: "Some people are too skeptical to look, like my husband. They think that the person who hid it would tell someone they know where to look. "Some people won't stoop to look, like some who saw me looking under bleachers out at Petersen park or under picnic tables at the city park. "Some people don't know about the contest, like I didn't know about it last year and it was hidden on the street where I live. \ i "We began the search out at Petersen park. It's a lovely, big park and I thought the Chamber might want to get more people aware of it and where it is. At the entrance to it, there are several flag poles and I thought I had found it the McHenry Lock Closes To Boat Traffic Oct. 31 TIME CHANGE After six months of daylight saving time, McHenry residents will return to stan­ dard time Oct. 30. Clocks should be set back one hour before going to bed Saturday night. The McHenry lock, located on the Fox river near McHenry, will close to all boat traffic for the winter season at 11:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Up until the closing date, hours of operation for the lock will continue as before, 7:30 a.m. to ll:30p.m., seven days a week. The closing date has been chosen so that routine maintenance and preparations for winter can be accomplished before the onset of freezing weather. ,**u- : f - * r • p % - • ' $ - • ; i t A timely opening is an-, ticipated for the spring of 1978, with another season of service to the boating public on the Fox river and Chain-O'-Lakes. The McHenry lock Is operated by the Ulinoia Department of Transportation, Division of Water Resources. There is no charge for boats using the lock. Arrest Harvard Man For Arson in Barn Fire , Bond was set at $25,000 Wednesday for a Harvard man charged with arson in the Aborted attempt at setting a neighbor's barn on fire. Arrested was Howard C. Greshel, 49, of 10302 Resse street, Harvard. He was arrested after allegedly at­ tempting to burn down a barn (Continued on page 18) Greetings In West Africa Michael Becker, son of Mr. shown being greeted by with the Peace Corps graduate at McHenry