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SECTION 2 - PAGE 6 • PLAINDEALER • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY T. 1979 'PLAINDKAI.FR Editorial Opinion National Referenda The utilization of national referendums to let the public decide controversial questions is being increasingly suggested. The public opinion poll (Gallup, May 1978) shows a heavy majority of Americans in favor of this approach. (The result was 57 percent in favor, 21 against.) The referendum idea is gaining backing because of the obvious inability of congress to pass laws the public favors. The public, for example, is strongly in favor of a constitutional limit on spending, except in national emergency. Yet neither Congress nor the President pushes such a proposal; the overspending continues. Referenda are a sure way of increasing voter participation. The recent elections proved again that when the public is called on to. make controversial decisions in state referenda, turnout at the polls dramatically increases. Twenty-three of our fifty states already provide for statewide referenda. A Washington organization has launched a nationwide campaign to provide for national referenda, when 3 percent of the voters in a presidential election sign petitions asking one. Although the 3 percent might conceivably, in the future, need enlargement, the national referendum may be something whose time has come. One suspects if the public ever gets the chance to curb federal spending in a referendum vote, the federal budget will be balanced very soon. Abandoning Tracks A recent story about a branch railroad line in Wisconsin which had been abandoned stirred national sentiment. There are similar abandoned lines in almost every state. Many might be vitally needed again, in a national emergency-especially if oil supplies are interrupted. In states like South Dakota and Wisconsin, grain farmers depend on branch lines to move their crops; trucks alone can't do it. Therefore, many feel the federal government is justified in stepping in and helping keep open such branch lines. In some cases the government has done so. In Iowa the state itself might have found the best answer. In the last three years, that state has set aside over $12 millions to loan, interest-free, to private railroads for track upkeep and upgrading. South Dakota is moving in the same direction and more states should follow. After all, states and the federal government totally maintain highways. Rail lines are also very important to the nation and are a national security consideration; tracks should therefore be abandoned only as a last resort after alternatives have been exhausted. Small Business, Farms Disaster Funds Limited Information about Small Business administration snow storm disaster' programming now will be available throughout Illinois on a toll-free "800" telephone number. John L. Smith, SBA's Illinois district director, said the number -- 800-972-3177 -- became operative Jan. 25. The entire state was declared an Economic Injury Disaster area by the federal agency. The declaration opens the way for small businesses placed in a position of jeopardy as the result of the storms to qualify for low-interest, long- term loans, made or guaran­ teed by SBA. "This declaration does not cover homes," Smith said. "It is applicable only to small businesses and farms, and only those which have been placed in a position of some jeopardy as a result of the loss." Under the Economic Disaster declaration, Smith said, "funds from loans made by or obtained through SBA may be used to provide working capital and pay financial obligations which the borrower would have been able to meet had it not been for the disaster." According to Smith, the in­ terest rate on any SBA share of a loan made in this connection is 7% percent. - "The programming can be thoroughly explained by our disaster loan officers," Smith said. "I would urge that they be contacted over the toll-free line." A. G. Awards & Sims, Inc. Weekly Market Review • January 30,1979 Yes, we are fully aware of the old, simplistic bromides of "Don't fight the tape" and "Cry wolf long enough" and you might be right some time and we admit to guilt in both regards. However, let's look a little deeper than that in an attempt to clarify our investment stance (maybe get a bit defensive) and perhaps provide new support for our opinion that much better buying opportunities will be seen out some two to three months. No stock market rule or guideline can be rigidly followed. There are times one should fight the tape-not necessarily by getting in its way but by not jumping on board. If our reasons for "Crying wolf" prove to have been valid. Future opportunities could be very rewarding. Our readers know the reasons for our caution and advice to hold cash. Certainly, some market analysts agree. Others do not. To support our case. Let's sample two prestigious sources with no axe to grind. For a starter. We quote a congressional budget office statement made Monday: "The economy will suffer a downturn in the second half of 1979 making it nearly impossible for President Carter to hold the budget deficit below $30 billion. Carter has said that holding the budget deficit to $30 billion or less is a key part of his fight to control inflation. But the budget office said that without more spending cuts the deficit is likely to balloon to about $41 billion. Based on a less optimistic economic forecast. The Congressional analysis projects higher government spending and less revenues. They said that although the economy does not yet show significant signs of weakening, continued high rates of inflation appear to sowing the seeds of a downturn. They see an inflation rate of 7 percent for 1980. The budget office continues to be less optimistic than the administration about inflation and unemployment. Another independent authority the Chase Econometrics Associates a subsidiary of the Chase Manhattan bank, says "the administration has underestimated its spending and drastically overestimated its income. They see a $59 billion deficit, 2 percent real growth and corporate profits up 3 percent as compared to the administration's estimates of 3.3 percent and 11 percent respectively. A belief, or fear, among some institutions that interest rates will soon or have already peaked is the major stimulant behind the January stock and bond rallies. We strongly doubt that assumption and the economic forecasts quoted above supporfour opinion. Patience and a contrary opinion are also two popular market bromides which work--sometimes. A1 Goldman For Your Information DMriritndi, At a visitation, a prayer vigil, rocitation of tho rotary, or porhapt a fraternal ritual may bo includod. Thoso proscribed prayers and rituals are of profound benefit for both the sur­ viving family and the sympathizers as well, and their continuation should be encouraged as part of the troditional funeral service. Respectfully, PETER M.JISTEN FUNERAL HOME McHENRY, ILLINOIS - 385-0063 Letters to the Editor "PLAINDEALER. Public Pulse tarMt In our community Our only r»qu«»t It tW tho writer* fKjk • llfWtMf. Ml irtrm mmi plum MMbr. Wo *•«. thot om Individual not write on tho tamo »uh|«c1 moro Hwi onco »«dl month. Wo rooorvo tfto right to citizens of McHenry county should demand, in this par­ ticular case, equitable and understandable immediate answers from those given the power within our courts to negotiate deals which result in an unbalanced scale of justice in our judicial system when the negligent loss of five lives is considered equally punishable with a minimum 270-day jail sentence. "These days, plea bargaining is reported to be a common happening in Our courts. The wheeling and dealing in the judge's chambers and the back- of-the-door goings-on between state's attorneys, defense at­ torneys and the defendants would make opening night at the Metropolitan Opera look like a dress rehearsal for a circus freak show. And the blame, seemingly, is much shared around zealous state's attorneys who want to create a sparkling political image for themselves by chalking up a lengthy list of quick convictions without allowing these cases to enter what might be lengthy trials, thus enabling the state to save added financial burdens that would normally be in­ curred in the carrying out of justice. "It's no wonder why so many honest, conscientious police officers retch at the results of their bringing criminals to justice. Much too often have plea bargains been made without any thought by the prosecution of the people of the state he or she represents, and too, the judge follows their direction like a cow in the pasture. "I believe plea bargaining is a gross miscarriage of justice in almost every sense of the word. The real losers last week were the people of our own McHenry county who expected justice to triumph. "If the reason behind plea bargaining is to save tax­ payers' money in our state of Illinois, then I'm for the adoption of more dignified methods of saving cash instead of tilting the scales of justice in our court system as if trying to direct the path of a chrome ball in a pinball machine. "Since when is it a waste of taxpayers' money to assume the financial burdens of court costs and expenses to convict the guilty with sentences that are morally 'fair and reasonable' instead of the apparent sham made of the Waite case by Judge Herrmann and the State's Attorney's office of McHenry county who settled for a quick conviction? The inheriting of such financial burdens by the state is not a waste of money. It's just good reasoning. We dumb citizens call it justice. As Americans, it's part of our just due, regardless if we're the plaintiff or the defendant. "Indeed, the events of last week in McHenry county surrounding the Waite case created a clear picture of what one might term as the un­ balanced scales of justice. It created an intolerable smell, a stench, a foul and rotten odor to anyone who deeply believed in our courts and in our system of fairness and justice. And most assuredly, it created a sick and disgusted feeling in the stomach of every human who is able to comprehend this final end to a real life drama that now stalks the mind of anyone with a conscience. "Someone owes us an ex­ planation. We are due an an­ swer from those involved in order to justify a most serious situation which now hangs over McHenry county. One or two letters from concerned citizens, appearing in our newspapers, Tax Breaks After Age 65 THE WAITE DECISION "To The Editor: "When something is rotten, it smells! That stench polluted McHenry county last week when Asst. State's Attorney Fayette negotiated a deal with Patrick J. McAndrews, at­ torney for John C. Waite, in obtaining Waite's guilty plea in answer to the grand jury in­ dictment of five counts of reckless homicide in exchange for an eighteen-month prison sentence in the Illinois Department of Correctional systems. "Waite will be eligible for parole in nine months. "Waite, aged 22, who was declared under the influence of liquor at the time of the crash, was racing, according to a witness, 75 to 100 miles per hour on a country road and disobeyed a stop sign at the intersection of Winn road and Route 12 in Spring Grove. According to witnesses, Waite rammed his vehicle full force into the side of a car being driven by Samuel Rappoport of Mundelein. Killed in the crash were Rappoport, his wife, Maureen, arid three of their daughters, Tracey Lynn, Eileen and Jennifer. It was Memorial day of 1978. "The only survivor was Lorrie Rappoport, aged 10, who was brutally injured in the devastating accident that claimed the lives of her entire family. "According to an editorial in the McHenry Plaindealer (Friday, Jan. 26, 1979), Waite, while out on bond five months after the accident, laughingly boasted of the tragedy at a local bar in McHenry county. "On Monday morning, Jan. 22, Waite stood in front of Judge Roland Herrmann and pleaded guilty to the charges of five counts of reckless homicide that were placed against him. Five members of one family were killed, one child seriously injured, the defendant was admittedly under the influence of liquor. All this taken into consideration, Judge Herr­ mann sentenced Waite to eighteen months in jail, with the eligibility of being paroled in nine short months. Judge Roland Herrmann indicated he found the sentence agreed upon by the Assistant State's At­ torney and the defendant as being 'fair and reasonable'. Ordinarily, reckless homicide in the State of Illinois, which is a Class 4 felony, is punishable with not less than one year nor more than three years, per count. Waite, therefore, could have been sentenced to not less than five years, nor more than fifteen years, according to state law. "Without a doubt, an eighteen-month sentence is not only fair and reasonable, it is an outright 'gift' to the defendant that was doled out within the sacred walls of a McHenry county courtroom purposely designed to ad­ minister justice for all. This appeared to be an exclusion. Someone entirely forgot about the Rappoport family. Ap­ parently, Judge Herrmann forgot about them! "If it is true that Judge Herrmann did consider an eighteen-month sentence as being 'fair and reasonable', it might well be worth questioning the capabilities of any such judicial ad­ ministrator. "And not without blame are State's Attorney William Cowlin and Assistant State's Attorney Suzanne Fayette, who allowed the negotiation of a 'plea bargain' by Waite and his attorney, Patrick J. McAn­ drews, to the tune of an eighteen-month sentence.. The is just a touch upon what should be grasped in the hands of the people themselves...all of us...each and every one as an individual. "We want answers, not tomorrow, but right now! "Cordially, "James M. Delaney "3005 West EmUy Lane "McHenry" PASTOR'S TRIBUTE "Dear Editor: "Arthur McKay was well known to the folks who needed him. He was a rare and strengthening pastor. He was a graduate of Carroll college and Nashotah seminary, both in Wisconsin. He was ordained by Bishop Conklin in 1942. For thirty seven years he worked as a priest of Jesus Christ in eight places in the diocese of Chicago. His two big jobs were St. Martin's, DesPlaines, and St. Paul's, McHenry. He was in charRe of St. Paul's fifteen years-his longest pastorate. In both places he established or reestablished congregations. In both places he built churches. "Unmindful of the way many clergy spend their time, he left the temporalities of his parishes strictly in the hands of the laity, while he devoted himself utterly to the spiritual care and well being of his people. "Let tragedy, trouble, illness or some great joy strike one of his families and he was there to be a source of strength, a friend, a helper, a spiritual support. Some, missing his strong points, saw little of him. We who saw his spiritual power were blessed, he was our friend, pastor, confidant and joy. "Many times he let me use his altar to offer the Holy Sacrifice and give communion, to preach and share his powerful, simple, * loving ministry. He was a true priest of God. The world needs more of his kind. Content to serve in smaller places, he left a large mark on them. He was a true, faithful, loving and untiring priest of Jesus Christ. Men such as he arise too infrequently. May he rest in peace and Light perpetual shine upon him. "William Hanner" Everybody likes to get a tax break and at age 65 that's exactly what you get. Actually, there are several tax breaks for persons 65 and over. The first concerns the requirement to file a tax return: single people 65 and over are not required to file at all unless their income for 1978 was $3,700 or more. For married coUples filing joint returns the limit is $6,200 if both are at least 65. Bear in mind, though, that the only way to get a refund is by filing. So if you had any tax withheld from money you received in 1978 you should file to claim your refund. For older Americans who are required to file, there is still some good news. One is the extra $750 exemption, over and above the regular $750 personal exemption to which each taxpayer is entitled. A married couple filing a joint return where both spouses are 65 or over can claim four exemptions for a total of $3,000. Note: For federal income tax purposes, a taxpayer is 65 on the day before his or her sixty- fifth birthday. Since a person's filing status is determined by their situation on the last day of the tax year, a taxpayer whose sixty-fifth birthday falls on Jan. 1, 1979, can file as if he or she were 65 during 1978. (Obviously this does not apply to many people, but if you are one of them, it's a nice piece of in­ formation to have.) At retirement, which often begins at 65, many people sell their house and move to something a little smaller and easier to maintain. To ease the bite on the profit which almost always results from the sale of a home, any gain from this type of sale is tax exempt if the adjusted selling price is not more than $35,000. When the selling price exceeds $35,000, at least part of the gain will still be non-taxable. The only conditions are that the home must have been your principal residence for at least five of the previous eight years, and you can only exclude the gain once in your life. However, there are new rules if the sale was made after July 26,1978. Gain of $100,000 may be excluded if the home was a principal residence three out of the five years ending on the date of the sale. (This new rule applies to those 55 and over.) The Tax Credit for the EldeHy is one way to reduce your taxes. While many per­ sons over 65 may not consider ARE YOU NEW IN McHenry Area? sseessssessss Do You Know Someone Now? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CALL JOAN STULL 385-5418 % wzxnmn KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST Service Line McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE ft 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 Hours 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not know where to call? And then been given a runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to help? Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phoner 800-3"2-6004 (For confidential conversation on problems dealing with run-away children) MOVING HOTLINE Phone 800-424-9213 (Complaints about interestate 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) 4 NATIONAL HIGHWAY lHAFFlC 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. Rockville, 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 312-793-3580 Chicago, III. bikthki<;ht PrrgnMni? Nred Help? <oun»«-linj[ Srrticr. 383-2<> ,W. 2l-h»ur \n- •Mrrin|i Srrvw-e. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 840 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock Phone: 338-7360 24-hour Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families. „ Are you concerend about your angry feelings toward your children? 24-hour Parental Stress Line, 344-3944. ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations. themselves "elderly," the fact remains that the credit can reduce their income taxes by as much as $375 for singles and $562.50 for married couples. Because it is a credit and not a deduction, this amount is subtracted directly from the taxes owed. To qualify for the Credit for the Elderly you need to be a U.S. citizen, and if you are 65 or over you must have taxable income. Persons undef 65 can qualify if they are retired and receiving taxable retirement income, such as from the federal government or from a school system. IRS will lend a hand in computing the credit if you give them the information they need by filing a completed Schedule R or RP with your Form 1040. You cannot use the Form 1040A to receive the credit. Much of the income received in retirement years, including Social Security payments, is free of federal income tax. Railroad retirement benefits are non-taxable, as are payments from a general welfare fund, such as payments for blindness. For retirees receiving taxable pensions, Form W-4P provides for withholding at the source of the payments. This can help the retiree avoid having to pay estimated tax payments during the year. The IRS has a number of free publications of interest to older Americans: Publication 17, "Your Federal Income Tax"; Publication 523, "Tax In­ formation on Selling or Pur­ chasing Your Home"; Publication 524, "Tax1 Credit for the Elderly"; and Publication 554, "fax Benefits for Older Americans". These are available by mail using the order form that comes in the tax instructions. In addition to the booklets and IRS help, older Americans are offered free tax help by many community organizations and n a t i o n a l r e t i r e m e n t organizations. A local senior citizens' center can probably direct you to several such services. Lash Out On U.S. Budget for agricultural products such as alcohol alternative fuels which become more important as the energy squeeze tightens. Work at the University of Illinois on things like small grain diseases and soil fertilization is what brought us the healthy efficient crops which . typify today's agriculture. It is well worth continuing. Proposed cuts in federal funds for agricultural research in Illinois have been called " s h o r t s i g h t e d a n d counterproductive" by Illinois Director of Agriculture John R. Block. Block was reacting to the Carter Administration's Department of Agriculture budget for FY 1980 submitted to Congress. A $2,139 million cut for research done at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Peoria laboratory and a $218,000 cut for research at the University of Illinois college of Agriculture in Urbana were included in the budget. "This is shortsighted and counterproductive," Block said. "The Peoria lab has been working on new applications "The Administration tried this last year and when Congress was done, nearly every dollar had been restored. I am notifying the Illinois Congressional delegation we want them to do everything possible to restore those research funds again this year." Se r l ice & pro.feSS ion fll • t o O EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS. Fire. Auto. Farm, Life Representing RELIABLE COMPANIES 4410 W Rte 120. McHenry 315 3300 DENNIS CONWAY AUTO LIFE FIRE State Farm Ins. Co. 3319 w Elm St McHenry, III. 30! 7111 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N Richmond Rd . McHenry Eyes examined Contact Lenses Glasses fitted Mon . Tues . Thurs . Fri ,46pm Toes . Thurs , Fri , 7 9p m Sat . 9 30 to 3 00 Ph 305 4151 or 305 234J McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE A RENTALS Mon Sat 9 5 30 Friday til 9 00 93 Grant St.. Crystal Lake Ph 459 1234 McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering Service • Car, Telephone & Paging Service • Complete Mimeographing & Printing Serivc*1 • Typing & Photocopying * BatcwaN SIAL.TORS Farm Equipment George P. Freund, Ine. Cos* - New Holland 4102 W Crystal Lake Rd . McHENRY Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 Ph. 385-0258 3932 W. Rt. 120. McHenry "GATEWAY TO YOUR FUTURE" CALL US (815) 385-4810 IIRELIT RADIAL TIRES FOR . ALL CARS Europe Motors, Inc. 2 3 1 8 R t e 1 2 0 815-385-0700 . Conult! 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