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dealer market THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 ' VOLUME 103 NUMBER 55 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1979 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 20* Church Folks On The Move Sometimes a handicap can be turned into an advantage and that'# exactly what happened last Saturday ai the home of the Rev. and Mrs. Ralph J. Smith of thi First United Methodist church. While the abundance of snow had caused considerable inconvenience for parishioners in getting to church for several weeks, the lingering white on the sidewalks was put to good use. Above, Li* Nolan, left, and Bea Nuziard, guide a toboggan laden with small household items down the sidewalk as an unidentified little girl looks on. It was all part of the toboggan party In which volunteers helped take the Smiths' possessions from their present home to the new parsonage. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD The McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 in favor of allowing the reclassification of property at 420 N. Front street Friday afternoon, for the purpose of constructing professional offices on the premises. The request by James Althoff Associates, Inc., was the second of two votes by the board concerning property on Front street Friday. In the first vote, the board voted 3-2 in favor of granting B-l classification with no^ property was more suitable for the offices than a residence, because of the heavy traffic flow on Route 31. Althoff testified he had purchased the property and offered it for resale, but when • no serious offers of purchase were received, he decided to ^transform the location into professional offices. He indicated he plans to leave the outside of the home intact, that all remodeling will be done on the inside. In addition, another building will be added variations to property at 409 N.1x1 which he said would be In conjunction with the building program at the First United Methodist church, there was a toboggan party Satur­ day, Feb. 3. Volunteers from the congregation met at Rev. and Mrs. Smith's home at 3715 W. Main street to assist them in moving their personal belongings to the new par­ sonage at 3713 W. Main street. Instead of hiring a moving company to move them next door, the pastor invited the congregation to join him at his toboggan party. Everyone who had a sled or toboggan was invited to bring it along to help transport the boxes and furniture over the ice and snow. Those who were in at­ tendance worked hard and were treated to fried chicken and potluck dishes at lunch time. Moving the Rev. and Mrs. Smith to their new residence is the first step in building the new sanctuary for the Methodist church. Soon the movers will be coming to relocate the house at 3715 W. Main to the corner of Center and John Streets so the church can be extended to the east, where the old parsonage now stands. Front street to Mike Weiser and Dennis Conway. To send a positive recommendation to the Council, five affirmative votes are needed. Joe Congdon, an attorney representing Althoff, testified the petitioner only wanted zoning to permit the professional offices. He in­ dicated it didn't matter whether it was done under the Residential zoning with a variance or under B-l. The property in question is located on the east side of Route 31 with a 2-story residence presently located on the site. It is directly across the street from a dentist's office. Congdon said the professional offices would not be a disruption of the character of the area, which includes the dentist's office, a church and a restaurant. He added the Crystal Lake Officer Dems' Sheriff Choice "I'm concerned about the lack of interest in serving our school boards. The filing deadline is just a few weeks away and I've heard nothing to indicate anyone has a desire to seek office". The caller was a resident of McHenry who has worked closely with the schools for many years. It was an appeal we knew to be sincere. Schools are our biggest business. They deal with more young people at a time in life when the quality of service provided is most important. Schools also spend more money than any other local business. Maybe that's why everyone wants to have a part in saying how they should be operated. This is not all bad, but .sidewalk superintendents contribute little to a business that is as highly sophisticated at the operation of a school. "Riey need not all praise or all criticism but people with know- how. In proportion to the Sideline critics, those who step ftNTth to offer their time and knowledge make up a very small minority. This year there will be six vacancies on two local public school boards. Except in one instance, there is no indication how many hard working board members will be willing to seek another term. That one is the president of the high school board, James Althoff, who has served for twelve years and f£els this is sufficient. Realizing the many disad­ vantages to service, four terms represent a very real con­ tribution by anyone. When that member has contributed business skills, both from a technical and financial stand­ point as he has done, the loss becomes even greater. We have not always been in agreement with every decision made by our boards, but it has never lessened our respect for the important part they play in bringing a good educational system to McHenry. The job is an elected one, and you may lose. The job carries no salary, and there are no gratuities. The job requires endless hours of thinking, planning and waking outside the long meetings, and there are few thank-yous. The job allows you to let bids for thousands of dollars, but never to have a financial dealing of your own with the school. The job requires someone with knowledge, perception, patience, a good business sense, and the ability to withstand criticism. It doesn't sound like a job many would seek, does it? And not many do. Who will be the nept men and women to volunteer for a job that has as its best recom­ mendation the reward of im­ portant public service? KAF A 32-year-old Crystal Lake policeman has been chosen by the McHenry County Democratic Central committee as its candidate for sheriff. Keith Nygren was unanimously endorsed at last Friday's meeting after being recommended by County Democratic Chairman Wayne Frame. Nygren will be proposed to the County board to replace former Democratic Sheriff Art Tyrrell, who officially resigned last week to accept a job in private industry. Several committeemen reportedly left Friday night's meeting before the nomination because of apparent confusion over the legality of the method of conducting the meeting. (Continued on page 10) McHenry Youth Among Nominees For Academy The name of William Heinrich of 2709 Sterling, McHenry, was among nineteen announced this week by Congressman John B. An­ derson as nominees for ap­ pointment to the U.S. Naval, Air Force and Military (Army) academies. These young men and women are all from the Sixteenth Congressional district and will be considered for selection by the academies. Academy personnel will make the final decision on which students will be accepted for the class entering this year. Anderson bases his (Continued on page 10) aesthetically the same. Althoff reported a group of doctors bad already contacted him about locating offices at the site. He added he would leave as many trees as possible at the site, noting the giant oaks were "irreplacable" and would serve as a buffer with the residential area behind the property., "I don't want to remove the trees," he stressed. An objector to the petition, Jane Keith, questioned the "consideration for parking at the site". The petitioner explained a large parking lot would not be created, but rather, small lots connected with a blacktop drive would serve the site. He added that no lights would be needed above eight feet. Ms. Keith indicated she didn't want a precedent set to allow adjacent property to become a parking lot or a shopping center. Vice-chairman of the board, James Fouse, explained each hearing, "was taken on its own merits". Althoff said no large signs would be located at the property, only a small sign marking the entrance. In response to traffic questions, the petition in­ dicated an entrance and egress onto Front street would be needed "to assure proper traffic flow." He added, "Doctor's offices do not generate traffic flow at peak traffic times," and would not increase traffic congestion on Route 31 at peak times in morning and evening. Fouse read a letter from the Planning commission which opposed the request, indicating "spot" zoning would occur and it would not be in keeping with the comprehensive plan of the city. Gerald Bunting, vice- chairman of the commission, testified the spot zoning would place the commission in the position of not being able to enforce the plan. Board member Suzanne Kauss reminded Bunting the The request of James Althoff (above, left) for a zoning reclassification to allow the construction of professional offices at 420 N. Front street, will go before the City Council with an affirmative recommendation from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The ZBA voted 5-0 to recommend the zoning of the property be changed from R-2 to B-l, with a limited use for professional offices after hearing testimony by Althoff, his attorney, Joe Congdon (above right) and objectors at Friday afternoon's hearing at city hall. STAFF PHOTO-JOE DEHN comprehensive plan was in the process of being rewritten because it was reportedly becoming outdated. R i c h a r d G o l b e c k . representing a group of citizens opposing the petition, said the change would create spot zoning, go against the com­ prehensive plan and tend to depreciate home and property values in the area Board member Robert Blake indicated the proposed use of the property would be highly desirable. "Everything Mr. Althoff does is done first class," he said. "In a clinic, you're just a number, here there would be moi'e feeling " Harold Spruth. another board member, was in agreement with Blake, explaining the high class of Althoff's undertakings in the past in the community. Fouse indicated he could not expound any further on the comments Ms.Kauss added the plan was a nice concept to start in McHenry and would be beneficial to the community. A motion by Bryce Klontz to recommend the rezoning of the property to B-l was rejected by (Continued on page 10) Find Wonder Lake Dam Unsafe The Wonder Lake dam was one of eleven Illinois dams found unsafe in a study done by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Some 300 dams in the state are being inspected. Other McHenry county dams included in the list of unsafe dams were Dams No. 1 and No. 2 in Lake in the Hills and Lake Marian in Carpentersville. Fifty-eight dams have reportedly been inspected so far, and the eleven reported as unsafe require immediate action The director of tne Illinois Transportation departments Division of Water Resources. Frank Kudrna, explained that a "high hazard potential" designation had been placed on the dams, indicating that a failure in the dams could possibly cause loss of life or property downstream Dams listed as unsafe have problems such as major deterioration, seepage, vegetation burrowing into the sides or other dangerous symptoms. Most dams inspected are earthen, although some may have concrete parts. The dam inspection is part of a nationwide study. Failure of earthen dams in the U.S. prompted the study County Zoning Hearing Draws 250 The hearing on the proposed comprehensive amendment to the McHenry county zoning ordinance held in the auditorium at McHenry West high school Monday, Feb. 5, attracted a large crowd. There was no evidence of the far below normal temperature outside as approximately 250 people from all walks of life and various parts of the county gathered to express their views or just to become better in­ formed. Five members of the County board, very capably chaired by June Girard, introduced the purpose of the meeting and established ground rules for questions and for discussion. For the next three and one half hours-minus a ten-minute break- the 'education' of the audience proceeded only to find that it would have to be on the installment plan in order to provide all of the facts that public meetings must allow. The meeting will be continued at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, probably at the McHenry city hall Council room. After Chairperson Girard swore in two witnesses, Jean Hervert and Don Barrett, Susan Hutchinson, assistant to State's Attorney William Cowlin, established their credentials and then questioned them about the proposed amendment. Jean Hervert. a member of the McHenry County Planning department staff, indicated that she had been working on the plan for the past nineteen months. Her department had examined other county or­ dinances and had interviewed special interest groups in the county As a result of Ms. Hutchinson's questions Ms. Hervert explained the con­ troversial agricultural areas of the proposal, such as 35-acre minimum, intensive use, and prime land plus single use zoning, noncomformity clause, and calamity clause. Don Barrett. Agricultural coordinator at MCC, and long time Agricultural Instructor in McHenry county. used statistics and experience to discuss McHenry county soils. There was an avalanche of material relating to the 76 soil types in the county - seven soil classes - and how they related to dark prairie or light timber (Continued on page 10) - ? Grocery Costs Up 4 Percent The cost of groceries in McHenry went up by almost 4 percent during the month of January, a McHenry Plain- shows. Deceniber 29, the Plaindealer drew up a random list of 55 food and non-food items which are commonly purchased. The prices were checked at the three major food stores in the city and recorded. January 29, the prices of the items were checked and recorded again. The average price of the January check was compared with the average of the December check. Hypothetically, if one of each item was purchased (one lb. of items sold by the pound), a shopper would have paid $70.11 the end of December for the 55 items. One month later, the same purchase would have cost the McHenry shopper $72.75, an increase of $2.64, or 3.76 per­ cent. Heading the list of goods costing more, was pot roast. In December, chuck blade arm pot roast was selling for an average of $1.37 a pound. Thirty days later the price had jumped 40 percent to $1.92 percent. . Other large increases in­ cluded lettuce, up 24 cents from 62 cents a head to 86 cents a head, for 39 percent; ground tef, up 25 percent from $1.15 r pound to $1.44 or 29 cents; and turkey, up from 82 cents a pound to $1.05 or 23 cents for 28 percent. • Carrots and other fresh produce items also increased in price. Carrots went up from an jsverage of 29 cents a pound to 43 cents, a jump of 14 cents or 48 percent. A head of cabbage skyrocketed 35 percent, from 23 cents to 31 cents. Red delicious apples went up 11 cents to 70 cents a pound. Tomatoes and bananas went down in price, as did a 5-lb. bag ef baking potatoes. Most meat prices went up, even hot dogs. Last month, a pound of Oscar Meyer hot dogs sold for $1.39. This month, the price had risen 18 percent to $1.64. In addition, sirloin steak went up 17 cents a pound; a whole frying chicken, 5 cents a pound; and pork loin rib chops, up 30 cents a pound to $2.22. While chuck roast sported the largest price increase, the cost of other roasts were not spared an increase in price. Sirloin .pork roast went up 19 percent from $1.39 per pound to $1.65 and bottom round roast jumped 27 cents from $1.75 to $2.02 per pound. While Oscar Meyer brand bacon jumped up 9 cents a pound, house brand bacons at the three supermarkets dropped an average of 7 cents a pound. There was one bright spot in the meat case. Ham, center slice, dropped from $2.32 a pound to $2.12, a savings of 20 cents per pound The dairy case fttfnd eggs and milk rising 3 and? percent, respectively, with a gallon of milk rising from $1.78 to $1.82, with another jump predicted shortly. A half gallon of ice cream went up 20 cents to $1.80, while a pound of Land-O-Lakes butter went down 14 cents, from $1.60 to $1.46 Parkay margarine was also lower in price, selling fory an average of 60 cents a pound, a reduction of 5 percent An eight ounce package of Kraft American chees singles .went down two cents, while Swiss cheese went up a nickel a pound. The average selling price of a loaf of Butternut large sand­ wich bread went up 3 cents to 80 cents. The price of an 18-oz. container of Quaker Oats oatmeal jumped 5 cents and a 15-oz. box of Cheerios was 4 cents higher. A 4-roll package of Charmin bathroom tissue went up 6 cents to 99 cents, while a roll of paper towels remained the same at 73 cents. A carton of cigarettes jumped four cents to an average of $5.17 at the three stores A 5-lb 4 oz box of Tide detergent went down in price, from $2 58 to $2.50 and a 2-quart bottle of Era liquid detergent went down 13 cents to $2.51. Ivory dish soap remained constant at 97 cents for a 22 ounce bottle The price of coffee was down. A 2-lb. can of Hills brothers coffee, which sold for $4.78 the last week in December, had dropped to $4.76. This is a far cry from the $4 a pound being charged at some places during the spring of 1977.. A national survey of food prices showed an average jump of nearly 3 percent during the month of January for food and non-food items.