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St rTION ^ t'ACil-: I »•> M l II WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 6,1978 Plaindfaker Editorial Opinion New Federal Court Districts Too Many Santas? Nowadays every time one turns the corner some hookworm specimen draped in ill-fitting Santa Claus attire confronts us. Often he has little of the jolly "ha-ha-ha" in him and feels so out of place he and everyone else are embarrassed by it all. Other than the Salvation Army 's deserving Santa Claus who, like the Army all year round, does a fine job, we can do with fewer Santas In every major department store, dropping from almost every airplane in December, on so many television shows, on the street and in every parade, there's Santa For the tot trying to believe the magic story, and look forward to the magic night, it must be confusing Civi l Service Reform One legislative recommendation the Administration got from the 95th Congress was reorganization and reform of the Civil Service system Since its organization in 1883, the system had never been changed basically to strengthen the hand of management The two new laws, the American people hope, will do that They abolish the Civil Service commission, and provide new management procedures They also, however, provide new, lucrative goodies for top-rank managers and executives, and also for tens of thousands of others The critical question is whether 1978's legislation will lead to a weeding out of incompetents A close reading of a White House paper put-out raises questions That paper outlined the advantages of the new system as: 1 Creation of a new senior executive elite of 8,000. Cash awards for these employes can range from $20,000 a year on down, under the new program, for outstanding performance 2 New merit-pay and other cash awards for annual distribution to 72,000 managers and supervisors 3 New labor relations legislation to better protect employes and unions 4 A protection board for whistle blowers 5 A requirement that all agencies conduct minority recruiting programs 6 Elimination of some veterans' preference in hiring and a salary cap of $47,300 on future military' retirees who take Civil Service jobs Most Americans are happy about protection of whistle blowers and a future limit on some double dipping But from a reading of the major provisions in the two new laws, one can see the emphasis is on new ways for employes to get cash increases. Civil Service pay is already higher than that of most comparable, private business jobs, despite annual propaganda to the contrary And where is any emphasis on weeding out misfits and freeloaders, who are draining the U.S. treasury more heavily each year9 FEDERAL COURT DISTRICTS Existing Districts: Northern Southern Eastern Northern ° 0 L E District J I KANE OFC KALB| DU PAGE I ° L t E Northern District KENDALL LA SALLE GRUNDY KANKAKEE MARSHAL LIVINGSTON P E O R I A / W O O D F O R D IROQUOIS Southern District MOOOHOOOH J FULTON / T**EWF.LL Central District MASON FORD VERMILION SCHUYLER DC WITT J | CHAMPAIGN Eastern L O G A N MENARD PIATT District MACON DOUGLAS SANGAMON I P I K E \ S C O T T CHRISTIAN z ORCENI m ?L.i.il": JERSEY • ARK MONTGOMERY MACOUPIN EFFINGHAM NFIINIVG FAYETTE BOND JASPER lllllllll CRAWFORD MADISON LAWRENCE RICHLAND MArION Southern . District W A Y N E CLINTON ST CLAIR WASHINGTON JEFFERSON MONROE RANDOLPH WHITE FRANKLIN JACKSON SALINE WILLIAMSON UNION UOHNSON 5i§sa %#• The Flying Buck Pi \IM)I Al l R" Letters to the hdi tor Public Pulse (Th# Plomdoolor invilti th* public to utt th.% thift (olumn at on t.p.tu.on o! their vitMt on tub|*(tt ol g«n*ral mt#rti» in our community Our only »«qu*%t it that th« writer* giv* signature lull oddrett and phone number W» atW too that one individual not write on the tome tub|e<t more thooonce «o(h month We reserve the nqht to delete on. material which we cont.der l.belout or .n ob|« noble totte P then we would all be right back where we started from "Margaret Karas" KMI'I OVMKAT SI |{\ K> Local representatives of the Bureau of the Census will conduct a survey of em nkyment in this area during l he work week of Dec 11-15. Stanley 1) Moore, director of the Bureau s Regional office in Chicago, has announced The survey is conducted for the I S Department of Labor in a scientifcally designed sample of approximately 70.000 households throughout the t inted States Employment and unemployment statistics based on results of this survey are used to provide a con (inuing measure of the economic health of the nation New Districts Effective April 2, 1979 IliliiM Northern • limit Central llltllll Southern The map shows the new federal court districts which have been approved in legislation (S 3375) signed by President Carter The new re-districting goes into effect April 2, 1979 U.S. Senators Charles H. Percy and Adlai E Stevenson III sponsored the bill The present districts have seventeen judges, thirteen in the northern district, two in the southern district, and two in the eastern district. The new districts will have twenty-one judges, sixteen in the northern district, three in the central district, and two in the southern district. Senator Percy said the new federal court system "will greatly reduce the cost and inconvenience now faced by many Illinoisans using the federal courts " It will bring the courts closer to the population centers of Illinois and will reduce the travel time for many attorneys, clients, witnesses and other persons utilizing the courts. The new court system is the outcome of an intensive study of federal court boundaries by a committee headed by John R. Mackay, Wheaton, a former President of the Illinois State Bar association. The committee was formed in 1975 at the special request of Senator Percy. PAY RAISES "Editor "Aren't we proud to have the Jijghest paid legislators in the U.S. of A " Instead of govern fnent officials taking the in­ flation problem seriously, they are first in line to fan the fires of self-destruction. "Now that our state officials have voted themselves and others pay hikes of 16-40 per­ cent. the county officials. <as Cook has already done>, the city officials, the township and federal people must all have theirs too. After the govern ment lias its pockets relined. then the post offices, the schools, the institutions must increase also "In rrder t<> keep 'good qualified people in government service, in addition to excellent pensions, the best of medical insurance, - paid holidays, month long vacations, and expense accounts, we must now overpay them in salaries "Senator John Knuppel, <D Virginia) justified his bill by stating. This is a cost-of-living December In State 100 Years Ago i A Bitter Cold Christmas but the Other News Was Not Ail Bad' Illinoisans struggled through a bitter cold Christmas day a hundred years ago Snow drifts stopped some trains while others were delayed three or tour hours on short runs There were few pedestrians on the streets but sleigh riders had a ball It uas "a home day" and even the churches suffered a loss of attendance And "the saloons, almost the only places of business kept open, were deserted." according to the Chicago Inter Ocean Some of the low temperatures reported tor Christmas eve were Springfield 12 below zero. Rock Island. 8 belou LaSalle 12 below (ialesburg IK below Ml Carroll. 16 below, Bloomington 14 below Collinsville 8 below Cairo. 12 above zero and Chicago. 7 above Sleigh riding was not always tun as tbt' Springfield State Register reported Mr W E Smith state printer expert, started from the state house in a sleigh to which was attached an unusually slow going old nag the animal became frightened at something and started for a run Mr Smith was thrown out. his clothing catching in the sleigh and dragging him some distance He was finally released, however, by the breaking of the sleigh no broken bones, but "lie vcas severely bruised Two Chicago ladies were luckier they jumped out of their sleigh when the horses started their runaway The State Register reported on Dec 27 There are num t>ers of people ciubsiiig the Mississippi on the ice (at St Louisi It is tight as a drum which would "preclude all hope of navigation above Cairo for well, it may be for months " The ice men were happy, however, and were harvesting their supplies for the summer the river had been open to boats all of the previous winter The Christmas season was also a favorite time for wed dings, according to a sampling of the files of the state's papers in the Illinois State Historical library in Springfield All of the papers reported more than the usual number of weddings -in Springfield eleven licenses were issued on Christmas eve compared with two or three at the most on an average day Among other events during the month was the annual Fat Stock Show Dec 2 7 in Chicago s Exposition building The champion steer, a four year old weighing 2.750 lbs . was bought by .John B Drake tor the Christmas dinner at his (irand Pacific hotel His great expense proved somening of a failure, however, when, as the Inter Ocean put it There were not more than usual at dinner, most of the regular boarders going out to dine " As soon as Christmas had passed. social minded housewives began preparing tor the traditional New Year's day open house Some papers asked readers to send in their names if they would be 'receiving callers' The Rock Island Daily Argus, on Dec 31. published a list of only five addresses where the visitors would be welcomed The hostess in each home, however, nad me assistance of three to seven co hostesses The Chicago Inter Ocean list on the same day was six colums long with more than a hundred homes to the column The list was Prepared for Those Gentlemen Intending to Call" and was divided into west, north, and south sides, and then by streets so that the gen tleman could more easily plot his course. The Inter Ocean also carried a story of a custom established by "Allan Pinkerton. 11819 84 i that grim old aid of the blind goddess " For the celebrated detective New Year's day was his own "Decoration day" when he would lay a floral tribute on some twenty Graceland cemetery graves of departed members of his family and former employees A reporter was shown "a large numbej" of most beautiful floral tributes, each incased in a walnut box with a glass front" the flowers "all being from Mr Pinkerton's garden " Among the detectives whose graves were to be decorated were "Timothy Murphy, who was hung by the rebels at Rich mond. and J W Wicher. killed by the James boys, at Liberty . Clay Co., Mo " The list also included "Kate Warne. an uiu emu trusted attache, emu Kate Brackett, another 'good officer" SCOUT NEWS ( uh Scouts When Cub pack 351, spoil sored by St Patrick's church, held its monthly pack night on Wednesday, Nov 29. the special feature of the meeting was the introduction of McHenry police officer, Tom O'Meara. who held uniform inspection The upcoming bake sale and ice skating party were discussed The scouts then explained their individual den projects The Bobcat patch was then presented to Brett Kemmer The five scouts in the Webelos den Tom Stilling. Mike Kmetz. Pat King. Mike (iorski and Mark Biggus received their Aquanaut and Citizenship pins The highly coveted Cubby award went to the enthusiastic Ixiys of Den 2 The meeting was closed with Den 3 posting the colors F o r Y o u r I n f o r m a t i o n Dear friends The message f rom terminally ill patients • what they really want and need more than reassurances that everything is going to be oil right . are people who will stay with them They soy Just sit and listen to me even if I don't want to talk sit with me and maybe hold my hand There is not a lot we can say little that we con do but we can be compassionate with them on their pilgrimage toward death Respectfully ARE YOU NEW IN | McHenry Area? snessssssss Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 ..d PETEPM J LISTEN &, SON FUNERAL HOME *0, %r> % McHtNBY, IUINOIS 3850063 mmmn KNOW YOUR Mtt MVM. WELCOME DOES IT BEST Service Line McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE & MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W. Waukegan Road McHenry 385-6400 PARENTAL STRESS LINE OF McHENRY COUNTY Meeting Place: McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Call 312-463-0390 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-755-8660 Hours7 30a m to5:30p m week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not know where to call7 And then been given a runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but cbdn't know how to help7 Ten specialists available at this center ) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: 800-3"2-6004 (For confidential conversation on problems dealing with run-away children) » MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424 9213 (Complaints about mterestate moving by companies, buses or trains Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission) CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Phone 800-638-2666 (For questions or complaints on products ranging from toys to ovens) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying a used car) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES Child Abuse Center McHenry County (312 ) 546-2150 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638 2666 (Operates five national lines Answers inquiries about, or reporting on, the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800 523-2929 P O Box 1607, Kockville, Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system > CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 1603 N North Avenue McHenry, III John T Licastro 'Calls from 9 30 a m to 5 p m - 385 1703, interviews Saturday, 9 30 a m to 12 30 p m ) hIK I HKK.H I l'rr(tnnnl? llt-lp? ( uunnrling Vrvirr, 2 t-hoiW An- • wrrinp Srrvirr. McHENRY COUNTY YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU Route 47 840 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock (Confidential conservation for youths with family problems, lack of communication problems or any other problems) ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations. adjustment It costs the poor man as much to live as a rich man'. Such a philosophy student, yet "Now. if you and I could give ourselves a HO percent pay raise, for which we would not have to work harder or longer. Protein Source Any meat or meat equivalent that a person enjoys -- such as meat balls, pork, lamb, chicken, hamburger, steak, cheese and eggs -- is a good source of quality protein. Sandwich Meal M a k i n g t h a t l u n c h t i m e sandwich into a meal is simple: fresh fruits and vegetables add the necessary ingredients Pack a whole tomato to slice fresh right before eating Top off many sandwich creations with alfalfa sprouts. Sprouts combine well with turkey, ham. bacon, lettuce, tomato avocado and cheese. Serv*'* ^ | r ro j^ l < > , , ( ;.•<>«• t«,rN EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fire Auto Firm Life Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W Rte 120 McHenry JOS 3100 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO LIFE FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 331V V* Elm St McHenry I I I 385 7111 DR. LEONARD BOTTARI 303 N W tchmond Rd McHenry E y<*%fl«arnmeO ConUd I i nses GUHfl titled Mon Tues Thurv Fri , 4 6p m T uel" T huri fn.Mpm Sat » 30 to 3 00 PH J8S 41 JL or JSS 224J McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE I RENTALS Mon Sit • S 30 F r .d*y til » 00 »3 Grin! St Cr /it*l Like Ph 4i* I;J» McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answer ing Serv ice •Car Telephone & Paging Serv ice • Complete Mimeogrophing & Pr in t ing S e n v c e • Typing & Photocopying Ph. 385 0258 3*32 W Rt 120 McHenry "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385-4810 farm Equipment (leorge P. F round, Inc. Cat* - N»w Holland 4102 W Crysta l Lake Rd McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 l inELiT RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, inc. 2313 Rte 120 815-385-0700 „ # ww It! Ml %W at our quick quick-act ion copy center FINEST QUALITY COPIES MADE ON XFR0X EQUIPMENT See us , a lso , <or every k ind o f Pr in t ing Need 1 ! 3909 W MAIN 38b 7600 4 NEW TRAILERS used HILLSBORO ft OWNES DUMP-FLATBEDS-CAR HAULERS Stidham Horse & Cattle Trailers Plus A Complvt* Lin* Of Brod«n Winch#* ADAMS ENTERPRISES 3017 W. Rt«. 120 McHENRY. ILL. 815-3ft5-5970 A & S SPORTS EQUIPMENT CO. ^ "Name Brand 4211 N Dennis Blvd (Sunnyside) TSh.Mi Uniforms McHenry. Ill 60050 •Impnntim •Jackets TEAM SPECIALISTS *lette,mg •Bowling Shirts 3853552 All Sports Equipment n