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f I rm County Snowmobile Patrol the support of the enry County Sheriff's ^artment, Sheriff Arthur Tyrrell has announced that an active snowmobile patrol is now in existence in the county. According to Sgt. George Meyers of the isame office, who acts as coordinator, the pur­ pose of the patrol is to en­ courage acceptable behavior and operation of snowmobiles in the county It will function chiefly in an educational capacity. Local members of the patrol are Ronald Ca llahan, Gerald R. Danko, George Heimos, Terry Jordan, Robert Mitacek and George L Ruzicka, McHenry; Bob Hermes, Robin Ruzicka, Larry Schmitt and &ob Schell, Wonder Lake; Robert Hopp and Frank Rudolph, John- sburg; Bob Uttich, Ring wood; Eugene Kattner and Vincent A. Popelka, Spring Grove; Dick Arsenau, Dave Popenhagen, Bill Popenhagen, George Rudolph and Robert Schoebeck, Richmond. Nevertheless, while the patrollers are not armed and normally will not arrest of­ fenders, they are deputized and; if stronger enforcement will ever-be required, can call a regular deputy to assist in an arrest. Patrollers' snowmobiles will have red lights, their helmets will be specially marked, and they will carry portable radios for communication with the Sheriff's department. Meyers noted. Meyers said the program had been established with the cooperation 'of the various snowmobile associations in the county in the interest of safety. It is a form of self-policing which eliminates the need for squads to chase snowmobiles across fields, which deputies are unable to do with regular road equipment anyway. * One person from each club was nominated for patroller service and each was screened by the Sheriff's department for suitability. All went through a training period covering snowmobile department and safe operations, Meyers noted. Patrollers received training in first aid, safety, main­ tenance of vehicles,- driving, etc., and each was certified following the course Sessions took place at the residence of Dr. D.V. Strelcheck, director of the county snowmobile clubs. Besides enforcing the snpwmobile ordinances, the patrollers will aid in search and rescue efforts, when necessary, \ and in general be a valuable auxiliary to the Sheriff's department in the wintertime. Sgt. Meyer repeated that the emphasis of the program is* on education, using warning tickets for operators who get out of line. The hope of the organizations is for voluntary cooperation. A preliminary program was established last year and proved successful enough ^to justify a formalized program of cooperation for this year. A snowmobile safety handbook is distributed by all the clubs and a copy is> available at the sheriff's office, Meyers added. In instructions to patrol members, it states that the primary duty of a patroller is to assist in the event of a snow related emergency, and that there is to be at least two persons, of which at least one must be a patroller and the other could be a club member, together at all times. Of Secondary concern to a patroller is to watch for certain behavior and to warn offenders about them, including trespassing, numbers on sled, lights on at all times, complete stop at crossings, drunken (Continued on page 8) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" AFS Student To Africa\Jan. 18 Tammie Johnson knows very well the words to the popular holiday song, "I'll Be Home For Christmas". Bat Tammie also knows she won't be home for the Christmas of *78 and so she studies carefully ornaments on the family tree to store away in her memory for the next twelve months she will be spending in Africa. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD VOLUME 102 NUMBER 45 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 4,1978 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 20' Court Rules For "Excited," was the word Tammie Johnson used to describe her feelings after she was notified that she would be spending the next year going to school in Johannesburg. South Africa Tammie, 17, was selected by the American Field Service to become a foreign exchange student in South Africa The daughter of Mr and Mrs John M Johnson, 3709 W High street. McHenry, is a senior at McHenry high school West campus She will be leaving McHenry Jan 1H, stop at AFS headquarters in New York, and men continue on to Johan­ nesburg. Tammie will be staying with the family of Johann Christian Kriegler. for one year She will be attending Helpmekaar Hoer Meisieskool. a girls' high school The Krieglers have five children. four boys and one girl For Tammie, who comes from a family of three girls, that should present a challenge. "I've never had a brother, and now I will have four It should be interesting." The story began in late Oc­ tober, when Tammie went to the first AFS orientation SI; had joinecKthe high school AI club her senior year She Tnen had to apply for the exchange program within one week, prior to being interviewed AFS interviewed Tammie per­ sonally. and then her and her family She went to a regional Screening, and the results were sent to New York In early Lfi.ember. Ta.iimie v»a» notified of her selection AFS, which is a non-profit organization, arranges for exchange of students between far-ranging countries in the Free World It has hosted students from as far away as Japan. Malaysia, and Brazil, and sent deserving youths to South America. Europe. Australia, and the Far East According to Tammie, ap­ plicants have no choice of preference for an area to which they will be sent. "AFS tries to find each person a home that is suitable and compatible with the one the student is presently living in," she said. Tammie, whose hobbies include swimming, drama and speech, was student director of the play at West campus, "Send Me No Flowers." She has been on the speech team for two years, and been in chorus and band for all four years of high school She was on the swim team for two years "The Krieglers have a six­ teen year-old daughter, who is very interested in drama and speech, just like I am," said Tammie "I'm really happy someone my own age is in­ terested in the same things as I am." This will be Tammil s first extended length of tir from her parents and She will not return until next January She said the Krieglers are a close knit family and enjoy being together "It seems like I'll fit in, I enjoy family togetherness, and the Krieglers like to travel." Tammie said the Krieglers have a seven-bedroom house, that has a pool and three living rooms They also have male servants, which will be a change. "English is one of their main languages. along with Afrikaans," said the young student, "so I'll be learning another language." When she leaves McHenry, Tammie will be leaving winter, also. When she arrives in Johannesburg, it will be early summer The weather there is similar to the southern United States, although it is somewhat bdrier. There is no snow in the "winter, although there is an occasional frost. McHenry Ana Buss Favor Zoning Variance Office Facilities For The City. o( McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals after a public hearing Thursday Dec 29, voted to recommend that the City Council grant a zoning variance to permit the con­ struction of a residence with office facilities for the conduct of Barbara Gerasch s business. Approximately 25 people were in attendance, including 14 persons who live near the property in question, who were in opposition to the variance The property under con •^deration is two lots located in the 1600 block of North Park street, currently owned by Lillian Bolger. The lots are to be purchased by Ms. Gerasch, subject to the granting of the zoning variation., Terry Mohr, attorney representing the petitioners, told the board that they were requesting the two lots whi^h are vacant and unimproved, and zoned R-l residential, be allowed a variaijifce which v^ould allow Ms Gerasch to operate her telephone an­ swering service Musin' And Meanderin The new year has made its entrance, resolutions have been made and broken, and with holiday weeks behind us there is the opportunity to look at what we can contribute in our own small \yay in the area of promises. We promise to speak less - or not at all -- about the old Pearl street bridge.This will not, however, keep us from thinking about it We promise to keep talking about the fact that ^something has to be done - sometime - about the miserable condition of the Waukegan road-Front street intersection. We promise to keep sounding off about the archaic quality of trapping as it is practiced by many engaged in that pursuit. A trapper who carries out his work with traps that usually kill and not maim, and who chetys his traps twice daily, counts two "catches" minus legs this season, indicating an agonizing previous trapping That's enough to keep us talking. We promise to keep nudging legislators who are smart enough to cater to the desires of those of us who vote, but who refrain from heading any 6f our rantings seeking to outlaw steep jaw tr&ps. We promise to be among those giving the biggest cheer if our school systems can somehow iron out their financial and other difficulties, particularly the troubled high school district reaching out in several directions at once / We promise to continue to be grateful for a community that has furnished us with a good hospital, ample doctors, top notch rescue squad and fire departments, and many other goodies not available in some places in these United States. We promise to remember that each issue of this newspaper that reaches the street is made possible because of you who have contributed to make that possible. We promise to remember, not only at Thanksgiving, that we have been blessed with satisfying work, cooperative co-workers, a generally sup­ portive public, and good friends. And we are happy to continue to be remembered by someone who brings us a chuckle at each special holiday with unsigned vintage cards of probably a half century ago or more, each suggesting a quieter way of life which is especially refreshing at the end of a rip-roaringly busy year. ; KAF Ms. Gerasch, who is physically handicapped and confined to a wheelchair, would construct a house designed to accommodate her physical limitations. In order to profitably operate her telephone answering service, Ms. Gerasch must locate her business within one-half mile of the Illinois Bell telephone office located on Court street in MoHpnrv " The business is currently located on Pearl street were Ms Gerasch currently resides. Edward Parks, a member of the board, told the board that he was a law partner of Terry Mohr, and had represented Ms. Gerasch previously He decided not to enter into the proceedings until it was time to vote. M, ' * Steven Doherty, 1608 Court, presented a petition to Chairman Ron Wilkins signed TREE PICKUP Between Jan. 3-10, city employees will- pick up Christmas trees left on the curb. by 22 people, currently living near the subject property or owning lots nearby, in op­ position to the application for variation. The petition was concerned with traffic and parking (Continued on page 8) Associate Judge Michael Sullivan of the 19th Judicial Circuit Court for McHenry County, has ruled against the Concerned Citizens for McHenry in their suit against the City of McHenry and Ed­ ward Buss and Buss Ford Sales. The Concerned Citizens for McHenry, composed of residents of Edgebrook Heights, had asked that a permanent injunction be issued, preventing the city and Buss from utilizing the land in question for anything other than residential housing. Buss had asked the City of McHenry to reclassify six acres of vacant property located on Rt 31, just south and across th<« street from the Indian Manor restaurant, for the purpose of constructing a car dealership there The McHenry City Council, after lengthy discussion, had voted to rezone the property in question from R-3, Single- family residential, to B 1, Commercial-Retail. Judge Sullivan, in a 19-page opinion, stated that I he Council's decisionio rezone the property is aFklebata ble question. He addeojhowever, " the City Council's ac/.ion, under the circumstances o I the case, is clearly not an abu se of discretion nor arbitrary' or capricious or unrelated to the public health, safety, or welfare." Me added that the Concern'ed Citizens group had failed to challenge the validity of the or dinance change with clear and convincing evidence. Judge Sullivan made fifteen f indings regarding the case, i ncluding the fact that no s single-family homes have been built in the vicinity fronting Rt. 31, since 1968. He added that the property, . . with its substantial frontage on Rt. 31, its topgraphy, its configuration, and its proximity to com­ mercial and industrial zoned properties, takes its character more from Rt. 31, than from the Edgebrook Heights residential area." The judge continued by stating that the developmental trend along Rt. 31 is toward commercial and industrial uses, rather than residential development. "The fact that the City of McHenry comprehensive plan designates the subject property for single-family residential use rather than commercial use tends to weaken the presumption of the validity of the ordinance," said Sullivan, "but the presumption of validity is not overcome, especially in light of the trend of development along Rt. 31." Judge Sullivan noted that the property in Edgebrook Heights is oriented toward Barreville road to the east rather than Rt. 31. and that the commercial use of the property will not affect the elevation differences of the property. The court added that no homeowners along Rt. 31 testified against the rezoning In his opinion, Sullivan also stated that the property is at least as suitable for com­ mercial use as it is for single- family residences, again citing the fact that the property has remained vacant while zoned for residential housing. The Judge added still another finding of the court: "That the public will gain from the commercial use of the subject property because of the tax revenue being generated from a heretofore vacant and un­ productive parcel of property ." Based on his findings. Judge Sullivan ruled in favor of the city, upholding the zoning reclassification^ the property by the City Council Set Environmental Program January 12 The Woodstock Opera House will host a free public event featuring noted guest speaker Nei/ Gaston. Executive director of the Illinois chapter of the Nature conservancy. T1 e •environmental program scheduled for Jan 12 at 7:30 p.m will be entitled "Land Conservation and Why9" The Jan. 12 engagement may include information on Gaston's related work with the Fox river project This event is sponsored by the County Environmental Ed­ ucation committee and the McHenry County Conservation district. Model Of Burl Winter Fun Complete Investigation Of Low Flying Plane Incident The pilot of a low flying aircraft that alarmed McHenry residents last August has been grounded for the remainder of this year and has also been placed on a one-year probation. During the probationary period, the pilot will only be able to perform co-pilot duties and will not command an aircraft. The FAA is un­ dertaking further in­ vestigations to determine if additional disciplinary action should be taken against the pilot. F A A A d m i n i s t r a t o r Langhorne Bond said ' the low flight was a flagrant v iolation of military." and FAA regulations". The .aircraft involved in the incident was identified as belonging to the Wisconsin Air National Guard, based in Milwaukee. McHenry residents had writ­ ten to Congressman John An­ derson, saying the pla ne flew at treetop level over hori les and a ^ittle League baseball field where a game was in progress. Several citizens said they thought the plane was going to crash and they ran for shelter. Anderson then requested the FAA investigation. The letter from ad­ ministrator Bond to Anderson pointed out that the plane was off its scheduled flight course. The nearest Air National Guard training route is 17 miles away from McHenry, although Bond said treetop level exercises are routine in non-populated areas. Set Public Hearings Propose Health System Plan A two volume proposed health plan has been released for public review and comment by the Health Systems Agency for Kane," Lake and McHenry Counties (HSA-KLM). Issued after sixteen months of in­ tensive effort by the HSA's volunteer board of directors, three county-based advisory councils, and health planning staff, the plan proposes eleven high priority community action activities for 1978. The Health Systems Plan (HSP) is a detailed statement of goals for improving the health of area residents and the health care delivery systems serving the three-county area. When achieved, these goals should assure that quality health services will: < l) be available and accessible in a manner which fosters con­ tinuity of care at reasonable cost for all residents of the area; (2) be responsive to the unique needs and resources of the local community; and (3) be consistent with national guidelines for health planning policy. Oral and-or written public comments relating to the HSP will be received Thursday, Jan. 5. Comments relating to the AIP will be received Monday. Jan. 9. The public hearings on both Jan. 5 and Jan.. 9 will be conducted between t he hours of 4 and 6 p.m and 7 avid 9 p.m. at McHenry county courthouse, Room 112, 2200 Nort h Seminary avenue, Woodstock . Interested persons may. examine and-or co py the HSP and AIP- in adva nee of the hearings at the McHenry public library. Written comme nts are in­ vited and will l>e accepted before and during the public hearings. The Annual Inn plementation Plan (AIP) describes ob­ jectives^ and_r«*comniended: actions which wil:l achieve the goals of the HSP and establishes priorities among the objectives. The HSP provides a five-year time horizon whereas the AIP specifies actions that can be implemented by the com­ munity within a one-year time period. After appropriate changes are made as the result of public review and comment, the approved HSP and AIP will provide a basis for HSA-KLM to review proposed changes in the health care delivery systems for the purpose of encouraging needed health service development and discouraging unnecessary development. Believed to be the biggest snowman in the immediate McHenry vicinity is this 8-foot model of Burl Ives as narrator of the holiday animated special on Rudolph. The work was done by three brothers, Howard Useman, 18, Chris Useman, 17, and Dick Hawkins, 17, in front of their home at 2408 W. Country lane, Eastwood Manor. In circumference, the huge balls of snow measure 14 feet at the bottom, 10 feet in the middle and 7 feet for the head. The young men haven't revealed how they managed to reach the top, but said no ladder was used in the one and one-half- hour effort. Unfortunately, the proper attire could not be obtained in large enough sjie or admirers of the big man say it would have looked "just like Burl". STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD