f V SECTION 2-PAGEf-PLAI NESDAY. FEBRUARY 28. 1979 AINDFAI.FR Editorial Opinion ^ Camera Hunting A popular and sensible new form of hunting is camera hunting. Rather than killing game, it's photographed with a camera, and survives-for other hunters to enjoy. Camera hunting makes sense with so many wildlife species now endangered. With big animals, such as bear, very much endangered in some areas, camera hunting is especially desirable. Camera hunting demands the same or greater skill. It's often easier to kill an unsuspecting animal at long range with a rifle and telescopic sight than to photograph him successfully. Good, enlarged pictures are trophies equal to skin or horns, and can also be used to make an interesting trophy wall. Finally, it's easier to bring back film than a dead or bleeding carcass. And developing it is easier than skinning, butchering, cleaning, etc. Bilingual Education The federal program of bilingual educational training in the United States has been vastly expanded. HEW Secretary Joe Califano is now presiding over a U.S. Office of Education budget 60 percent higher than that for education just two years ago. Congress last year passed an expanded educational aid program. This accounts for much of the expanded federal aid. While some of the increased spending probably has the support of the majority of Americans, there are no less than 193 new projects to install bilingual educational programs! In addition, a recent release claims credit for the enrollment of 126,000 more pupils in bilingual schools this year, the addition of 14,000 personnel in bilingual educational training, 256 additional fellowships in bilingual education, 643 additional grants for the training of bilingual teachers at the college level (if students don't know English by college-age when are they to learn it?) and the establishment of 12 new training centers to train teachers and administrators for bilingual schools. Chances are that if the American people had an opportunity to vote on this, they would reject much of it. For most present-day Americans feel every emigrant group must learn the nation's language to be able to understand its laws, Constitution, heritage and traditions. Letters to the Editor Public Pulse (Th» PlofndMlar Invite* th« public to m thli Hilt column a* an oiproulon of tfioir vlow* on sufc|oct> o( gonorol interest in our community. Our only roquott It that tlio writer* givo • ilgnaturo. full o<Mrost and phono numbor. Wo atk too. that on* Individual not write on tha tamo tub|act mora than onco oach month. Wo rotorvo tho right to doloto any matorlal which wo contidar libolout or In ob|octionablo tatto.) ZONING ORDINANCE "Editor: "I write to support the Proposed Comprehensive amendment to the McHenry county zoning Ordinance, and to suggest that the changes which it would make to our present ordinance are the very least of changes which should be made if we are to maintain and use wisely our county's resources. "Of these resources, three stand out as being exceptional. These are first, the prime agricultural land and the Drosperous and aesthetically pleasing farms which have developed on it; second, the water resources represented by the flowing streams and the scattered lakes; and third, the abundant sand and gravel which are under our farmland. Few counties in Illinois, or in the United States for that matter, can match this rich heritage. The farmland provides food for ourselves and for large numbers beyong our county boundary. More than that, it provides numerous recreational benefits to our population, from hunting and fishing to cross country skiing and snowmobiling. Perhaps its greatest intangible benefit is what it provides for us in terms of a beautiful, tranquil land scape. This, probably more than any other factor attracts the weekend sightseer, the summer vactioner, and the permanent resident seeking to escape from the more congested cities. "We have only to notice the frequent photographs of our rural landscape in our county newspapers to know how im portant this is to us. Our lakes and streams have long provided attraction to the fishermen, boaters, and swimmers. And our sand and gravel have permitted the construction of the buildings, roads, and parking lots of expanding metropolitan Chicago. "There are those who say we don't need a new zoning amendment in order to use these resources more wisely. But let us look around and see what has been happening with inadequate zoning regulations over the years. Our shorelines and floodplains were long ago much too covered with houses that would be better left un built. Now we find that public access for recreation on these waters is too limited, the water in many cases, is so fouled by septic systems unable to func tion in the wet soils in which they are located that swfmming is no longer safe, and every time these floodplain struc tures are flooded, society has to pay to bail them out. These problems could have been prevented by adequate zoning. "In the case of sand and gravel we can find throughout our county abandoned pits which were unreclaimed, scarring the landscape, practically useless until the slow process of natural plant growth makes them suitable for recreation. The precious agricultural topsoil which once covered them has been so scattered that farming these old pits in our lifetime is no longer an option. Adequate zoning regulations could restrict these pits to ap propriate sites and could assure reclamation, even to the point of permitting farming to resume once again. "With our prime farmland we have only to drive a few miles through our county to observe how rapidly it is being eaten away because of our 5- acre minimum for agricultural zoning. The frightful con version of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses- 6,000 acres per year- has been pointed out well by the Farm Bureau. This process is sadly hastened by the encroachment of urban people in agricultural areas-people who cannot appreciate the odor of manure or the crowing of roosters or the sound of a tractor working late at night to complete the spring planting. But even more than that, these scattered homesites are destroying the landscape that give McHenry county its character. Driving down some rural roads one would think he was in Lake, DuPage, or Cook county. Adequate zoning years ago would have prevented this too. Fortunately, it is still not For Your Information D*or friend*, When a death occurs: ' • Coll your funeral director and clergyman. 2. Advise relatives, friends and neighbors. 3. Care for those most seriously affected. 4. Decide ploce of service; date and hour. 5. Decide type and place of burial. 4. Obituary notice to newspapers. 7. Select pallbearers. t. Arrange transportation, flowers and music. 4. Appoint host or hostess. 10. Arrange to have home cleaned and aired, and food prepared. 11. Save all cards and floral notes. Respectfully, PETER M.JISTEN fL CDKJ FUNERAL HOME too late to save much of our agricultural landscape. The proposed Comprehensive Amendment offers some hope that this might be done. "In its published ad vertisements, the McHenry County Board of Realtors would have us think that this amendment would "jeopardize your right to use your property as you see fit". Any educated citizen knows we do not have such a right in the first place. The use of our property must be in accord with1 , numerous restrictions established by government and sometimes by our neighbors. There are those who protest the alleged power given by this amendment to a farmer in the case of the in tensive agricultural conditional use-but where are the protests of those people when that farmer's neighbors in a sub division force him to leave because of cut fences, garbage dumped over fences, and complaints about odors and noises which have been part of farming since animals were domesticated? Whose traditional American freedoms are being jeopardized in that instance? Whose private property ownership and free enterprise are being attacked? "The McHenry County Board of Realtors would also have us believe this is a no-growth amendment. It is absurd to think that this amendment would stop or even slow the county's growth. As an' example, we can take the city of McHenry where recently the McHelkry Elaindealer published "a~'^fnap showing hundreds of acres annexed in 1978 and hundreds more ap plying for annexation. These areas of new subdivision growth are not 5-acre panels. This proposed amendment would neither stop nor slow such growth. What it would to is channel our growth in areas where it is most suitable. If anything, the amendment might increase the overall growth rate of the county by assuring an in-migrant from Chicago that he could live in a nice neighborhood in a city like McHenry and still enjoy the beautiful rural landscape within a mile of those city limits. "Perhaps the greatest disservice which has come from the innuendo and misleading statements about the proposed amendment, especially the attacks upon the 35-acre minimum for home construction in agricultural zoning, is that they put the supporters of the amendment process in the position of thinking this amendment is the most protective of our resources which could be ob tained. "I hope that those who prepare the final zoning amendment remain alert to the possiblity that acreage limitations greater than 35 or innovative concepts of such as transferability of development rights might give still greater protection for our natural resources. "I would further urge them to be wary of the cries of un constitutionality which have been raised about the proposal. Obviously, that is something which ultimately must be decided by the courts, and there have been a number of techniques such as those initiated in Petaluma, Calif., which have, perhaps sur prisingly, been declared constitutional over the protests of developers and their at torneys. "Approval of this zoning amendment is the minimum which should be accomplished, and if we wait another 33 years to make significant changes, we most likely will have found our county to have lost those resources we value most. "William J. Howenstine "4614 N. Pioneer Road "McHenry" LIFE CAN BE CRUEL "To the Editor: "Life, indeed, would be easier and nftN&iriesant if all of our politicians were adequately qualified, and if they carried out their duties with humility and a true sense of respon sibility. One can look with charity toward people in public office who earnestly attempt to master their jobs, and who seek the advice of qualified experts when their own proficiency is wanting. It is unfortunate that recent events in the RDG-Backhaus farm zoning matter clearly revealed that our elected of ficials were not qualified to make intelligent judgments. What is worse is that they sought na advice, and seemed haughtily miffed when an in dependent citizens' group provided the counseling and expertise that had been absent. Who can say whether a final decision will be made without proper consideration of all the facts, or regardless of them? "Alright, we all learn from experience. Right? Wrong! Before the above zoning matter has been resolved, we now have a grand proposal for a com munity building to be con structed with public funds. Is there some urgent need to create a new building to be heated, cooled, lighted, maintained and secured against vandals? Could its intended purposes be fulfilled through the expanded utilization of present school, church and clubhouse facilities? Has anyone in vestigated? Has anyone taken a survey? Does anyone care? "Careful now, we must be patient, kind and un derstanding. They are reaching into our pockets again, but we must not be rude or contrary. They are all good family men. So, be nice! "Okay, let us consider where this community building might rank on a list of other possible priorities. Is it more important than: "1 • Municipally supported garbage collection, or "2 - Fully funded sewerage disposal, or "3 - A fully staffed fire department, or "4 - Concrete sidewalks and curbing for all neighborhoods, or "5 Asphalted street throughout the city with no pot holes,<*>r "6 - A comprehensive drainage and storm sewer system to prevent possible future flooding? "On second thought, if the community building is con structed on high ground, it could be used as a temporary housing facility for those families who will be flooded out of their homes for lack of a viable drainage system. Good thinking, fellows! "We do not know what motivating factors can be responsible for the birth of these extravagant fantasies. However, in order to insure unbiased discussion, it might be helpful to pass just one additional ordinance. Make it illegal to name any city building or structure after an elected public official until 50 years after his or her demise. This prohibition should extend to a like stricture against the emplacement of dedicatory plaques bearing the names of contemporary politicians. "Now, might we discuss the feasibility of a master sports complex with a domed stadium? Even though Chicago can't afford it, McHenry can swing it easily. You see, we've got these revenue sharing funds that need spending. "There I go again, being nasty. Perhaps I'm just a crabby old man. Sorry about that. I'll behave. I'll be civil. Now, please return my wallet. "A.J. Marrow" REBUTTAL "Dear Editor: "The letter to the editor in the Feb. 14 issue, written by Paul Fidler, made several statements that I must respond to. "The letter, itself, was per sonally derogatory in tone and inference. The Fidler letter stated the price of the 4-wheel drive and plow was $6,932. It ARE YOU NEW IN McHeniy Area? wwfewaessss Do You Know Someone New? WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A ROYAL WELCOME TO EVERY NEWCOMER TO OUR AREA!!!!! CAU JOAN STULL 385-5418 McHENRY, ILLINOIS - 385-0063 mnsmm KNOW YOUR AREA-ROYAL WELCOME DOES IT BEST was Actually $6,392. The letter stated that we had used the Hough Payloaders prior to Council approval. This is not true. Filder's * letter also, im plied that I, the mayor, had purchased the Hough Payloader prior to Council approval on same. This is not true. The Council, by a vote of 7 to 1, voted to make the pur chase. "I stand on my statement that the city would not have received the same low price had we gone through the standard bid process. To bid, it would have been necessary to draw specifications which are subjective, advertise for bids, act on those bids and wait for delivery of the front end loader. Six to eight weeks would have passed and, hopefully, no more snow would have fallen. "It is indeed unfortunate that our local newspaper will publish any letter, whether true or false, without first verifying the facts or allowing comment by the second parties. Im proved objectivity in its Reporting of Council ^proceedings would allow the citizens of McHenry to properly judge their elected officials' conduct. "I am not clairvoyant, but I do believe that my removal of Mr. Fidler from the zoning board still weighs on him. "Sincerely, "Joseph B. Stanek "Mayor" VILLAGE BUSINESS "Editor, "After reading Jude LaFrancis' Public Pulse letter in the Feb. 9 issue of the McHenry Plaindealer, I feel that it is time that the village board be given recognition for the concern put forth towards the safety and well-being of McHenry Shores residents, and also to point out the pro's of such a decision. "Yes, the village board did approve the purchase of a $18,000 truck for the village without making public specifications and receiving bids for said purchase, namely Trustees Grimes, Weiler, Koleno and Weincouff; however, Trustees Grimes and Weiler did pay visits to seven businesses and received six price quotes for the purchase of said machinery. "For the » past couple of winters it seems that the old dump truck the village has been using for snowplowing is more often out of commission than it is clearing and making safe our streets. After getting hit by several snowstorms the early part of January, it took quite a few days before all roads could be safely traveled upon. Eventulaly the roads were opened up by rented machinery, costing $6,000, and almost all restored to two-lane traffic. The purchase of the snowplow will alleviate future spending of taxpayers' money for a cause which could have been avoided earlier if we had in our possession an operable and sturdy snowplow. But, realizing it is better late than never, said trustees approved the purchase and thus the village is now equipped with said piece of machinery. ^ "Since it had been snowing 1 inch of snow per hour, the village would have been able to keep our snowplow in full operation, thus never having to close the roads. Emergency vehicles entering our village would have had no problem arriving at their necessary destinations, whereas, since our old snowplow was out of commission, such ac complishment could not be made. I would like to take this time to commend our road commissioner, Russ Haderly, for the fine job he has done with such poor equipment to work with. He has done the best job Dossible working with so little. "Yes, I do commend these four trustees for acting on behalf of the majority of the board instead of what the minority wanted. I agree, money is a problem, but it is one we all face together. In emergency situations as this, isn't it more important that we concentrate on the safety, mobility, and well-being of all residents? Isn't it time that we do something for the ad vantages of ourselves? "I am sure both parties meant well and felt each was making the right decision, but as village government is rim, the majority of the board won their proposed decision. Who is to say who is right? Are Trustees Grimes and Weiler right for acting on behalf of the emergency situation, or is President Lillegard for keeping in mind the expenses of the village? These people were elected to speak and act on behalf of the village and thus have done so, majority win ning. It is unfortunate, however, that the decision was not unanimous and that the opposing party be left out in the cold. This should help indicate to us that the board is not always in full agreement and the decisions made are not always in the best interest of all elected officials. "Thanks to the action taken, I am more assured that future snowfalls will be dealt with by a new and operable snowplow Service Line McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 38S-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 202-7554)660 Hours 7:30a.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 Phone: 800-372-6004 (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) 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, 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. HIKTHKI<;HT I'rrgnani? Help!1 < nuii»«-lin£ Srnirr. .W.)-2W). 21-hour An- i»rring Swiff. 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. clearing the snow off our streets for McHenry Shores residents to travel to and from their necessary destinations. "Marilyn Zelvis "721S. McHenry Avenue "McHenry Shores" ON HUNTING "Editor: "One of the many reasons we chose McHenry for our home was the 'country' aspect, in cluding the Plaindealer. We were country people and enjoy living among people that have the same feelings. Included in these are a genuine respect for the outdoors and the creatures that live there. "Your guest editorial con cerning the deer and other hunting would be expected in a Detroit paper, but for you to print it without comment is unforgivable. "There are many stories that can be told to contradict the protectionist attitude ex pressed in that editorial. Perhaps the one that is most easily understood is the old cliche, 'Put your money where your mouth is'. * "The significant financing of American game management comes from hunters in the form of license fees, excise taxes and • membership in conservation clubs and their activities. In comparison, the contributions made by various anti-hunting groups are miniscule. "For instance, since 1923, income from hunting licenses alone has totaled over $1.8, all of it reinvested in wildlife management. "Rather than bore you with additional facts that you've certainly heard before, I would like to put forth another thought for consideration. "The deer that we hunt, kill and consume have always considered us their enemies. Never do we make friends and then shoot them. This is in direct contrast to the millions of animals that are slaughtered for food every year. The lambs, pigs, steers and other animals all consider man their protector until he kills them for food. Why don't our lovely preservationists go take their pictures instead of eating steak and ham? 1 certainly wouldn't want to be a hypocrite and suggest that they should. "In closing, game animals are an infinitely renewable resource, as long as they are properly managed. They have prospered over the years as a direct result of the hunters' input. Continued sensible management, not preservation, will assure years • of future prosperity so that those who wish, can take their pictures. "Ralph A. Grover "4702 Garden Quarter "McHenry" (Editor's note) "Yes, we have heard the same Arguments before and respect the writer's opinions. Never theless, it'occurs to us that this note in the guest editorial makes the great expenditure of money by hunters less for- midible: 'Conclusion -- It seemsr therefore, we ar tificially create large deer herds for the sole purpose of slaughtering them'. "Considering the mind of an ^animal, it probably wouldn't make much difference whether the death blow came from a friend or a foe. But the manner of killing would be another matter. We would definitely choose the quick blow over the head (the death of cattle and pigs) to the sometimes unreliable aim of a hunter's gun, after which we might expect pain or crippling for life. "Without doubt, this is a subject that has valid arguments on both sides. Or maybe we in the newspaper business see so much misery in the news that it affects our sensibilities to the point of becoming maudlin". Editor's Quote Book Whatever your lot may be, paddle your own canoe. Edward Philpots profess p i r < H •toO' EARL R. WALSH & JACK WALSH INS.- Fire. Auto, Farm. Lite ' ' 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 38! 7111 DR. LEONARD B0TTARI 303 N Richmond Rd , McHenry Eyes examined Contact Lenses Glasses titted Mon . Tues . Thurs , Fri , 4 6 p m Toes Thurs , Fn , 7 » p m Sat . 9 30 to 3 00 Ph 3BV41S1 or 3IS 2262 McHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SALES SERVICE 4 RENTALS Mon Sat* S 30 Friday til 9 00 *3 Grant St.. Crystal Lake Ph 4S» 122* McHenry Telephone Answering & Letter Service • Answering Service • Cor. Telephone & Paging Service • Complete Mimeographing & Printing Serivc* • Typing & Photocopying p|j 385-0258 3932 W.Rt. 120. 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