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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER , O- , 'SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 103 NUMBER 42 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1978 < 2 SECTIONS 28 PAGES 20' atoarb Winning iirtottpapfr 1978-- Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest RDG Offer To Zoning Board Christmas eve approaches, and the sight of many Santas on many corners puts him in the realm of the commonplace to some For a child, however, he remains at the pinnacle of the holiday celebration. No matter how weary or disillusioned, there is an age that never fails to be strengthened in body and spirit by just a mention of the name of Santa Glaus Some have chosen not to observe the Santa tradition, but for most, the eve of Christmas is a magic night unmatched the entire year How many have tried to stay awake Christmas eve to hear Santa land on the roof How many have left food by the fireplaceAnd how many have thrilled at the chance for a . glimpse of the jolly, bearded one? Just to sit behind an editorial desk in December gives proof enough of the faith thousands of little ones experience after sealing and sending their let­ ters to Santa via the hometown newspaper If it can't last -- and it can't; if it isn't real life -- and it isn't; that really doesn't matter very much. It is a magic time of joy and excitement and anticipation for a child And it is often equally important to parents for whom the occasion allows a time to revel in pleasant memories As the years pass, moments with Santa remain and help to keep the family home a nostalgic centerpiece of holiday remembrances. These are the kind of treasured moments that are often more important than any other single thing in giving meaning to the good life. KAK Holiday Mail Services The usual holiday mail schedule will be in effect Christmas, Dec 25. and New Year's day. Jan 1. Postmaster LeRoy Smith has announced This means there will be no regular residential or business deliveries, and lobby window services will be closed However, he added, special delivery and lockbox service will be available . I^ast minute mailers also will be able to take advantage of the postal service's new express mail, which offers guaranteed overnight delivery in more than 1.000 cities across the country. Letters and parcels weighing up to 7 pounds may be sent by express mail from selected post offices as late as Saturday. Dec 23. for delivery to the addressee's home by Christ­ mas day Further details about express mail are available at the postoffice, or by calling 312 741 0725 Mail collections will be on a holiday schedule, as specified on individual boxes, or by calling the postoffice Normal mail service will resume Dec 26 and Jan. 2. High School District Elemental District Another change in RDG's request concerned 4 acres of property on Curran road, previously requested for commercial zoning Berg explained that the 4 acre area would now be zoned R 1. and could be rezoned at a later date if desired The area along Curran road has been a center of discussion since the annexation hearings began A letter from the Planning commission recommended that the city annex the property, with four recommendations One recomendation was that the area along Curran road be« strirtlv residential Objectors to the annexation at previous hearings had strongly opposed multi-family housing on Curran road, as is presently being proposed by the firm Lengthy discussion Monday focused on the RDG proposal to underwrite the repayment of bonds for the construction of the sewer plant that would be retired on a ten-year basis. RDG President Donald Gersted told the Council that he would secure a guaranteed mortgage to insure the repayment of the bonds The plan proposed indicates that the city would use water and sewer fees collected to pay for the enlargement of the sewer plant, and when the city had insufficient funds to make the payments, RDG would make them They would then (Continued on page 7) Men Named To Bruce Kalk and Drew Christienson load wrapped gifts to be taken from the home of Mrs. G.S. Porter in Edgebrook subdivision to St. Patrick's church hall. It was all part of the goodwill Christmas program offered by students of McHenry's Alternative school. v v STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLOHD Two Schools Set Levies The board of High School District 156 approved tax levies for the various school operating funds and for a working cash fund at its regular meeting Tuesday night As did the elementary school district, the board of District 156 levied inflated amounts in the Educational an# Building Operations Tunds to insure that they would receive the maximum amounts allowed under the rate limitations of the levies in case the assessed values should exceed their predictions The total levied was $3,353,000 consisting of the i n d i v i d u a l a m o u n t s Educational fund $2,450,000; Building (operating) fund $465.000; Transportation fund (Continued on page 7) The l>oard of Elementary Sch ool District 15 passed the tax levy for the year 1978 at its mid-December meeting The amount of the levy by funds was given as Education fund $1,863,000; Operations Building and Maintenance. $337,500; Bond and Interest. $202,500; Illinois Municipal Retirement. $75,500; and Liability In surance $40,816 Approved separate 1\ was a levy ot $67,500 for the Working Cash fund Assistant superintendent for operational services. Bill Landis. explained to the board that the 1978 levy is based on the assumption that the district 's assessed valuation will not exceed $135 million in order that the tunds having fixed rates uill be levied to (Continued on page 7) Arrest Two For Burglary Of Inn Sheriff 's police arrested a young McHenry man and his juvenile companion early Tuesday morning after in­ vestigating a burglary at the Lakeside Inn James Erickson. 18. 112 S Lake Shore drive, was taken into custody and charged with burglary and theft over $150 after police found him and recovered the stolen property at his residence A juvenile companion with Erickson was referred to juvenile authorities on the same charges A t 2 a m ; p o l i c e w e r e summoned to investigate the burglary at the Lakemoor business, when the owner. Floyd Lee. who resides at the business location, discovered the theft. Lee had been away for the evening and found the office window open when he returned Evidence at the scene in­ dicated that the offenders had climbed onto the garage roof and removed the screen to gain entry window Taken from a gash register tray on an office desk was about $265 in cash, as well as change and about ten packs of cigarettes It was reportedly suspected that a former employee who may have known the operation of the business mav have been responsible for the theft Police went to the residence of Erickson. where they recovered the stolen property (Continued on page 13) Drug Awareness Program At Johnsburg High School A drug awareness program will be presented at Johnsburg high school, 2022 W Ringwood road. Tuesday. Jan 16. at 7:30 p.m. The program, "Drug Awareness - Is My Family Involved'" sponsored by the PTO.'will highlight alcoholism, prescription drugs, marijftana. and school policy in dealing with these problems. There will be three forty- minute sessions for parents to attend that evening. The Marijuana presentation given by Keith Nygren of the Crystal Lake Police depart­ ment will inform parents about the drug and paraphernalia used Alcoholism and Prescription Drugs will be discussed by Jim Mander of the Naperville Police department This presentation will cover the effects of alcohol and misused drugs commonly found in medicine cabinets at home School policy will be presented by Bill Hayes, principal at the high school, and James VanBosch, junior high principal, with members of their staffs Each session will conclude with a time period so that parents will have an op­ portunity to have their questions answered All adult members of the community are invited to at­ tend this informative meeting. The City Council and the Residential Development Group used Monday night's regular Council meeting to hammer out conditions for the annexation of the Backhaus farm proposed by the firm RDG Vice-President Jim Berg presented a letter to the mayor and Council members Stating that RDG is willing to enter into a pre-annexation agreement with certain con­ ditions attached It was the third revised letter presented to the Council which incorporated previous requests of the mayor and Council The 385-acre planned urban development js proposed to contain 1,282 family units Originally, the proposal con tained in excess of 1.600 units Pioneer center. McCullom Lake. Ray and Teresa are students at the Alternative school. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD McHenry (fDf ^SficLzing Everyone celebrates Christmas in his own way Tofhe students of the McHenry Alternative school the manner of observance is calling Sharing --of time, talents and goodwill Students at the school, located at 3334 W Elm street, decided to spend a day helping those less fortunate. They contacted both McHenry and Memorial hospitals and charitable organizations and offered their assistance. One group of students collected donations from local merchants to help Fish. Under the supervision of Mrs G.S Porter, they assisted in wrapping and delivering over 200 gifts for needy families to the basement of St Patrick's church, from where the final delivery to homes took place. Another group wanted to bring some che^r to children who would be spending at least a part of the holiday season in the two hosjji^als Santa-and his elves also visited the Pioneer center located in McCullom Lake And in the spirit of the season, the students are offering the twenty trees remaining from their school benefit sale to needy families who might not otherwise have one Baking Christmas cookies became a life-size project for a special group of second graders this week. The children are involved in an accelerated second grade program in the Primary Learning Environment at Hilltop school. I'sing one of the children as a model, the group cut out a pattern and molded cookie dough to match. They then used a variety of frostings to arrive at their finished project - a life size gingerbread cookie! Children participating in the project were Danielle Adams, Jenn Bird Ericka Conway, Andy Cremeens, Michele Einfeldt, Jenny Nielsen, Debbie Ozyuk, Jenny Meyers and Cindy Marinangel. The children worked under the direction of Mrs. Betsy Les, a second grade teacher, who was assisted by Mrs. Joyce Nielsen, Mrs. Glenys Bird and Mrs. Joyce Adams. Showing satisfaction with the finished product are Ericka Conwav, left, and Jenny Nielsen. STAFF PHOTO-WAY NE GAYLORD Christmas took a special meaning for the first k and second graders of the Primary Learning En vironment at Hilltop school last week when they visited Carestoel of McHenry. The children brought along a Christmas tree they had cut down at a local farm and decorated with ornaments they had made They presented to each resident a handmade Christmas stocking filled with small gifts, and gave the ad­ ministration four pine cone Christmas trees they had made to decorate the halls of Carestoel A Christmas carol program by the children brought holiday happiness to both students and residents The children of the Primary Learning Environment work with teachers Val Carby. Amy Steadman, Louise Verene and Betsy Les Director of the Alternative school, Doug Pratt, left, watches as Santa (Ray Roach) and Santa s elf (Teresa Branham) talk to some of the very youngest citizens at the Head County Committees Edward Buss and Tom Huemann. long time members on the McHenry County board from McHenry. were named to head important standing committees by Richard Klemm. board chairman. Tuesday Buss heads the Finance and Salaries committee and Huemann was named chair man of the Transportation- committee Buss also will serve on the Transportation committee and Huemann was selected as a member of the Audit and Court Services and the Finance and Salaries committees Charles Weingart was named vice-chairman of the Liquor and License committee and serves on the Purchasing and Insurance. Health and Agriculture and Legislative and Public Affairs committees James Curran of McHenry was chosen vice-chairman of the Audit and Court Services committee and also will serve on the Courthouse Operations and Valley Hi Nursing Home committees He is also a member of the Committee on lyocal Improvements. Donald Doherty is the new vice-chairman of the Public Safety committee and will serve as member of the Special Zoning, and Planning and Z o n i n g c o m m i t t e e s . Through action taken at the (Continued on page 7) As Big As Life