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SECTION 1 - PAGE 8 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER 2, lt77 THE LAW SERVES YOU by the Illinois Statu Bur Association Legal Advice Has Hole To Play In Your Home Improvement Plan The fuel crisis and the boom in insulation inspired by the need to cut down on large fuel bills may bring with it its share of unscrupulous home im­ provement contractors seeking to sell insulation jobs to the public. The Illinois State Bar association advises that there are some legal steps you should take to protect yourself from shoddy work or from paying more than the amount you agree upon both for insulation jobs and all other types of home improvements. For one thing, you should know something about the law of liens, and the best place to get advice on that point is from your lawyer. All too often, the ISBA says, people will sign a substantial home improvement contract, perhaps running into thousands of dollars, while giving little thought to the legal aspects of real estate property improvements. One of those legal aspects is the Mechanics' Lien act, a law which gives any worker who makes improvements and each supplier of material used in the improvements to your property, the right to file a lien, or claim, against that property if full payment for services or materials is not made. If necessary, any time within two years after the work was done, presuming that the lien was properly filed with the county recorder, the lien holder may foreclose the lien and perhaps force the sale of the property so that the bill will be paid from the proceeds. In 1975 a new law was passed specifically to protect home owners who own single family owner-occupied residences. Your lawyer can advise you of all the protections which this new law contains. Most homeowners, of course, think of hiring a contractor and paying for the work when it is done as a rather cut and dried affair. And, since most home improvement contractors are perfectly reliable people, it is usually just that. However, there is always the exception. Take the case of a woman who wrote a check to the contractor for the full amount of the remodeling and redecorating work on her home, quite honestly presuming that payment of several thousand dollars ended the matter. Much to her sur­ prise, a short time later she received a notice from the electrical subcontractor ad­ vising her that he had not been paid for his part of the job. To keep him from filing a lien on her property, she paid the electrical subcontractor's bill, even though her check to the contractor had covered his work. Of course, the woman sued the contractor in an effort to recover the amount of her overpayment,- but had she sought the advice of her lawyer in the first place she would have been spared the trouble .and the extra expense. Her lawyer would have stressed these important points: Require the contractor to give you an affidavit - a notarized statement - which lists the names of all the sub­ contractors, their addresses and the amounts of their subcontracts. Before paying the contractor, ask for waivers from sub­ contractors waiving their rights to any liens in connection with the wqrk that was done and containing waivers of lien from their material suppliers., Compare the contractor's sworn statement to the waivers to be sure that all liens have been waived as to the amounts due or requested. That, of course, isn't the full extent of the legal advice to be had about home improvements. A lawyer also would instruct a client as to protections against shoddy workmanship, work left undone, use of inferior materials or unnecessarily protracted work schedules. In most cases,. adequate guarantees can and should be written into the contract which, especially if it is a sizeable one, should be examined by the lawyer if not actually prepared by a lawyer. A lawyer will also give you advice as to the timing and amounts of payment so that you can obtain sufficient funds at the end of the job to insure that it is done properly and to protect yourself against unpaid bills. The smaller the down payment, the more protection the homeowner has. Finally, one of the best guarantees of a job well done is the good name and reputation of the contractor. Make sure the contractor has an established place of business; ask for references; go to the site to examine the contractor's previous work that is similar to what you have in mind, and perhaps check with the Better Business Bureau or Chambervof Commerce to determine whether any complaints have been made against the con­ tractor. As your lawyer would say i do this before you sign anything! Twice Told Tales of FIFTY YEARS AGu (Taken from the files November 3, 1927) The McHenry county circuit court room was filled to capacity before 10 o'clock Saturday morning awaiting the coming of Judge E.D. Shurtleff who had set this time for the hearing of the plea of William Schumacher, the 29-year-old young man from near McHenry, who had confessed to the cold-blooded murder of his 64-year old father Oct. 20, in the cow barn on his farm by shooting him from behind with a shotgun. The court appointed Attorney William Carroll to defend Schumacher. After reading William's story of his life and the life which he says the father forced his wife and children to endure, the sym­ pathy of the public is heard from all sides. The prisoner admits his guilt-the greatest guilt that can be possible that of murder. He must be punished and he expects it. The final events of the season took place at the McHenry Country clubhouse Oct. 30. At this time the prizes, consisting of the cups and medals won in the various tournaments during the summer were presented by the president of the organization, Richard B. Walsh. The day brought to a close a most successful season for the McHenry Country club in which many visitors as well as members have taken ad­ vantage of the exceptionally fine golf course of which the club can now boast, and which is in excellent condition. FORTY YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of November 4, 1937) Following the usual business oi approving minutes, perusing reports of various officers, passing on bills presented, and reading of correspondence at the November meeting, the city council launched into in­ teresting discussion of im­ provements needed in operation and maintenance of city affairs. First came a report from Mr. Watson, representing the Public Service company of Northern Dlinois, showing comparative costs in various forms of contracts pertaining to ornamental and overhead street lights now in operation in the city of McHenry. Mayor Overton appointed a special committee to investigate and report the most economical method of operating our present system of street lighting. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Thompson, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Van- Nqtta of Crystal Lake, returned home the last of the week from a month's trip through the west, after 7,000 miles and visiting fifteen states and eight capitols. Covering the territory that they did many changes were noted in various parts of the country and many in­ teresting features made the trip a memorable one. Among the enjoyable features was the renewal of old friendships and acquaintances. With its issue of Oct. 30 the Harvard Herald finished continuous publication under the editorship of its founder, M.F. Walsh, for fifty years, a record very seldom found in the newspaper world. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of November 13, 1952) About 500 persons were in DON'T BUY PROMISES -- TIDY WILL DELIVER OR INSTALL BEFORE THANKSGIVING AND STILL SAVE YOU 10% to 30% ON SELECTED QUALITIES! Choose from over 1,000 rolls in stock... over 2,000 remnants in three stores. Tidy will install any in-stock carpet in time for your family and friends to enjoy for Thanksgiving. Save 10% to 30% on specially selected close-out carpets in stock. Prices from *3.99 sq.yd. to *14.95 sq.yd. Over 200 rolls very specially priced for the entire month of our 27th anniversary. And remember . . . Tidy stocks Karastan, Lees, Mohawk, Evans & Black, Cabin Crafts, Milliken, Philadelphia, Horizon and many, many other famous name carpets. Select yours now - and enjoy your new carpeting during the Thanksgiving holi­ day! . . . p l e a s e d o n ' t b u y promises -- you should comparison shop the regular retail prices, the percentage of savings and the store's reputation for honesty, integrity and customer satisfaction. attendance at Richmond high school last Saturday night to see leading county 4-H mem­ bers recognized on Achievement night. The group was welcomed by Mary Jane Deneen, after which the program for the evening progressed. Among state outstanding agricultural members named were Marita Thompson and Margaret Wissell of McHenry. State project agricultural honor members included William Harms and Rdnald Steadman of Spring Grove, Charlotte Hogan of Ringwood, David Smith, Marita and Gordon Thompson of McHenry. Should anyone desire a most thorough and interesting ac­ count of life in Italy today, he would do well to talk with a member of the Gus Unti family, who returned late in October from a three and one-half months' trip to the native country of both Mr. and Mrs. Unti. Even though they have once more settled down to life in McHenry, the parents will tell with enthusiasm of their visit with relatives, whom they had not seen for many years, while the faces of the younger members of the family con­ tinue to light up as they recall the wonders of the coutnry. Most outstanding memory is that of Rome, where with 4,000 others, the Untis were honored by an audience with Pope Pius XII in a room of St. Peter's Cathedral. TEN YEARS AGO (Taken from the files of November 8, 1967) > A preliminary plat submitted by Telegraph Savings and Loan association for the develop­ ment of 320 acres to be known as Pheasant Valley into a Planned Unit Development was approved by the McHenry City Council Monday night. The area approved is bounded by 111. Rt. 120 and Draper road and was annexed to the city June 5, 1967. A report from the Zoning Board of Appeals fpllowed a hearing held Sept. 29 and recommended approval of the plat with some changes from the Petition. A school and park area was changed from 15 to 20 acres. Another change was to classify the commercial areas along 111. Rt. 120 as "B-l" in­ stead of "B-3" restricting the use. The Ubertyville Cats downed the Warriors 26 to 0. The Cats came out on the field needing a victory to tie for the North Suburban crown, and they played like champions should. They dominated the football game completely as the out­ classed Warriors struggled Lakeland Park and Lakeland Shores 315-377? Sharon Gacek Anne Moore 385-6448 Dredge Fund Recipient Of Shop And Share Th£ Shop and Share days are coming up and you need an identification card to par­ ticipate in this program. The money earned from this program will benefit the dredge fund. Cards can be obtained from your columnist Sharon Gacek, Mrs. Charles Larson, and Mrs. Ed Hammer. Those days are Nov. 15 and 16. If you have your card, put it in your wallet next to the green bills and you won't forget it at home mi those shop and share days. The dredge drivers, Ed Hammer and Harold Bowlin are sorry they can't predict the weather, weeks in advance so they can't give definite dates for working the dredge. The only thing you can do is to do down to the West beach when you can give them a hand. If they are there, they welcome anyone who can spend some time working on a project that really works! Keep in mind that the recipe books will hopefully be back to Harriet Hammer by Decem­ ber, and these books make great Christmas gifts or stocking fillers for the woman ~ in your household. v PROPERTY OWNERS MEETING The Lakeland Park Property Owners board meeting will be held Thursday evening, Nov. 3 at the community house, 1717 Sunset avenue. The meeting will start at 8 p.m. with reports from the various committees. TROOP NO. 464 Brownie Troop 464 started their meeting with their ' • valiantly to avert a disaster from occurring. With this vital win under their belts, the Libertyville eleven shares the title with Barrington, whom they defeated early in the season. T.L. "Cy" Young was elected commander of the Veterans of World War I, McHenry Barracks No. 1315, at the regular meeting held last Thursday. They will serve during 1968. 0 Put your husband n the carpet tonight Rent a Steamex* carpet cleaner. DAILY RATE He won't mind! Not when he finds out how much you'll save! And Steamex is as simple to use as a vacuum. Six power jets loosen and lift out harmful ground-in dirt. Dries quickly! Add years to the life of your carpet. THWCARPETS I lUI & RUGS 200 Washington ( £"BI,RR< mI ) Woodstock, Illinois (815)338 1000 STORE HOURS: M0N.. THURS., FRI. 8 9; TUES-j WED . SAT. 8 5; SUN. 12-5 / ir t: »•Sr-VV., •*->*tei-ifc Rent Athe pro RESERVE NOW •BEAT THE! HOLIDAY RUSHL carpet cleaner Steamex solutions carry this seal KOm © 1975 U S Floor Systems. Inc ttfe Kent WmI CuwytJui^' 385-3232 •04 N. FRONT ST .s-W McHenry, III. ^PEW DAILY 7:30 TO 6 SUNDAY 9 TO 1 pledges, got on with their business, and then began their Halloween party. Assistant Leader Jackie Platou and Leader Barb Ra th­ in ann had fun decorating the community house with ghosts and goblins and the girls en­ joyed playing the following games: pitch the bean bags, life saver relay race, bobbing for apples, and breaking balloons in the bags. The girls had their treats on the placemats that they made, and each girl received a pumpkin that they decorated at the party. ; Everyone enjoyed the tasty punch and the deliopup Halloween cupcakes and candy. * f 2$ '• *\'\ r; BUNCO PARTY The Warren residence on i Bonner drive was the setting for some fun for a few ladies from our area one evening last week. Sue served delicious carrot cake and spicy harvest punch to her guests. The gals who enjoyed playing cards and who all had a fun evening were Charlene Nylander, Mary Pierce, Marilyn Etheridge, Marlene Larsen and Joannfe Mai. : FIRST VISIT Mike and Karen Aldrich had a visit from Mike's cousins, Philip and Susan Aldrich, who came down for a first time tour of the Aldrich's new home'. They traveled fronj Schearerville, Ind., with their children, Philip, Tommy and Michelle. : Schoen and Scott had fun showing their cousins the club house, lake, and the parks thai they play at. » ; Everyone had a good time and wished the visit could be extended. ; * CATFOUND The Aldrich family has found a very tiny Mack kitten. Thg kitten was found at the im tersection of Meadow and Home avenues. If this is your kitten please contact Mikg Aldrich. ; GET WELL * We hope Otto Biring, Jr., i$ feeling better and will soon be back home with his family. GOOD LUCK--GOOD-BYE ; Friendship will still continue by mail for the friends of the Rees family. For friends in this area who have not heard the news, the Rees family are moving to Omaha, Neb. Jim has been transferred and Janet is ecstatic and can't wait to start house hunting in Omaha. Our good luck and good-byes to the Rees family. CANDLE OCCASIONS Richelle Mo-cure will have four candles on her birthday cake Nov. 3. Cecilia Serritella will be the birthday mom at her home Nov. 4. Nov. 7 is a special day for Joan Schwegel who will hear the birthday song at her home. BELATED WISHES Sincere though belated wishes for a happy birthday are extended to Shoen Aldrich. This pretty little girl celebrated her birthday Oct. 24. ANNIVERSARY WISEHS! Happy anniversary to Steve and Anne Moore who will celebrate their ninth an­ niversary Nov. 2. Congratulations to Donna and Ray Rode who will celebrate their twenty-eighth wedding anniversary Saturday, Nov. 5. * t Continued happiness to you all! Today's advertising paves the way for tomor­ row's profits. SOFT • WATER RENTAL No installation charge NEW fully automatic softeners TWO year option to buy with FULL rental fee deducted ONE phone call can answer any questions per month PHONE 312-259-3393 Rent-a-Soft, a division off tho Arlington Soft Wator Company, • Arlington Hoights, Illinois 40004 Serving McHenry Area