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Skyhawks Reach Sectional Final Johnsburg basketball coach Bob Kies answers questions from the press following the Skyhawk 77-63 victory over Marengo in Illinois Class A Sectional tournament at Oregon Wednesday night. Johnsburg, boasting a 23-5 record and a nine-game winning streak, now plays the host school in the championship game Friday night for the right to advance to the DeKalb supersectional next Tuesday night. More pictures and complete coverage of Wednesday's game can be found on the Plaindealer sports page. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Petition For Zoning The McHenry City Council voted Monday night to deny the Wieser-Conway zoning reclassification petition, despite sugestions by some Council members to defer action because of the apparent confusion of the Council. "There appears to be con­ fusion as to what we're voting on," Alderman Raymond Smith observed. ^ "If confusion still hangs over our head," Council member Elizabeth Nolan said, "perhaps we should defer action on this until the last tapes are listened to." The petition concerns the rezoning of property on the west side of Front street. It had $20,000 Fire Damage JoHeme Have you ever been so disillusioned with your fellow humans that you almost quit trying? You have plenty of company. Fortunately, very often when spirits are lowest, someone comes forth to restore our faith. That experience came most recently to a Cub Scout den ittder in McHenry, She had read the story of the burglary and theft of $38 from the Cub bank kept in 4the apartment of the cubmaster, Edward Fowler. The money was being collected for the Blue and Gold banquet, to recognize the ac­ complishments of the boys and to honor their leaders. Because insurance did not cover the loss, and because Eiftvard Fowler would not disappoint the forty-one atftmbers of the pack, he nglaced the money from his «M pocket - this in spite of the tart that the thieves had also stolen $20 that belonged to him. The Blue and Gold dinner was a success, but the Den I leader was still remembering the incident when she went to Chicago last week on an errand. In the revolving door of one of the big city's finest stores she was robbed of her purse. Four youths were involved in the theft of her wallet. The youngest, who she said looked to be no more than 9 or 10 years old, grabbed the wallet with $20 and her driver's license. She reported the incident to four of the store's employees, three of whom turned away. The fourth acknowledged that he had seen the four, adding that, "it happens all the time". The policeman who arrived on the scene told the distraught victim that, indeed, it was a common occurrence, with teams of youths working the revolving doors. She learned that her experience was the second that had happened within minutes in the same way. Unfortunately, the officer said, when they are caught and brought in, the young people are out on the street again in an hour. But the den leader had her faith restored by a McHenry resident who must certainly merit the Man of the Week title. Without an address for Ed­ ward Fowler, Jack Slaughter came to the Plaindealer office last Thursday with a check for $50 made out to Cub Pack 142, to cover the loss of the theft. As he turned to leave, his only words were, "I had a son of my own in scouting". KAF An early Saturday morning fire caused in excess of $20,000 damage to the Roy Kuemmel residence, 1801 Woodlawn park. Sheriff's police reports in­ dicate a deputy noticed the front of the home engulfed in flames at 3:25 a.m. and learned the fire department had been summoned moments earlier. Firemen from McHenry Township Fire protection district Companies I & II responded to the scene and fought the blaze for over two hours. Fire chief Glenn Peterson indicated the fire may have started around the furnace area, but an exact deter­ mination has not yet been made. The Kuemmel family was vacationing in Florida at the time of the fire, according to neighbors. Church Welcomes Pastor H He received his B.A. degree in 1973 from the University of Kansas, majoring in Political Science, and his Master of Divinity degree in 1978 from Nashotah House Episcopal Theological seminary. The new McHenry pastor served in 1978 as a member of the Bishop's Advisory Com­ mission on Youth. Both in 1977 and 1978 he was a seminarian assistant at the Church of the Holy Spirit, Lake Forest, engaged in youth work, teaching, preaching and lay reading. Father Morley is married and has one son. THE REV. W.H. MORLEY Sunday, March 11, at 3 p.m., parishioners of St. Paul's Episcopal church will hold a reception honoring their new pastor, the Rev. William Harris Morley. He replaces Father Arthur McKay, who died in January. Father Morley comet to McHenry from Naperville, where he served St. John's Episcopal church. MARKETSURVEY The Market Basket Survey for March, in­ cluding price changes on 50 food and household items, appears on Page 16 of this issue. Since the first survey on Jan. 1, prices have increased an average of 5.5 perceht. For the last month the increase averaged 1.74 percent CTEP In Second Year The McHenry County Sheriff's police accident reduction program has begun its second year of operation. Known this year as CTEP, Concentrated Traffic En­ forcement Program, the program was given final ap­ proval by the County board Feb. 26, and went into operation March 1. The budget for the program of $82,000 will be shared equally by the Illinois Department of Transportation and the county. CTEP replaces last year's Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Enforcement areas for this year will be on River road from Route 120 to Route 176 in McHenry and Nunda town­ ships; Route 14 from Route 176 to Lucas road; Route 14 bet­ ween Crystal Lake and Cary; Route 120 from River road to Lily Lake road in McHenry township; Route 31 from Mc- Cullom Lake road to Route 12, north of McHenry; and Route 12 from Wilmot road to Route 31. The STEP project for 1978 showed the accident rate was lowered at five of the six areas enforced last year. Route 173 showed a 10 per- cent reduction; the Route 31 and Route 176 intersection showed a 29 percent reduction; Route 120, from River road to Lily Lake road, a reduction of 19 percent; Route 31, north of McHenry, a 32 percent reduction; and Route 12 near Spring Grove, a 10 percent reduction. The only area in the program where traffic accidents in­ creased was on Route 14, between Crystal Lake and Cary, where accidents were up 30 percent. Last year, a total of 3,007 citations and warnings were issued in the STEP areas. The CTEP project will place extra patrols in the high ac­ cident accident areas listed. It is aimed at providing a high level of enforcement of the traffic laws in order to reduce the violations that lead to ac­ cidents. SCHEDULE COMMENCEMENT Announcement was made this week that the annual Tribute to Seniors '79 will be held Wednesday, May 23, and commencement will be Friday, May 25. Zoning Board In Two Deliberations The City of McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals will meet at 2 p.m. Friday, March 9, at the city hall to deliberate on the proposed Pioneer Center Mental Health facility at the corner of Green and Kane, McHenry. At 3 o'clock, the board will hold deliberations on the RDG-Backhaus proposed development. No testimony will be taken in either matter. However, the meeting is open to the public. originally asked for - a reclassification from Residential zoning to B-l, without automobile service stations and indoor theaters, and a variation allowing some additional uses from the B-2 and B-3 zoning classifications. The Zoning Board of Appeals had not offered an affirmative recommendation concerning the matter. Hampered by an incomplete board, they voted 3-2 in favor of allowing the*B-l zoning request without the variations requested. The confusion at Monday night's meeting centered around whether or not the petitioners , were still requesting the additional B-2 and B-3 allowances. Alderman Jerry Rogers moved the petition be denied, "because no concrete reason can be given for the change." He charged the petition still requested the B-2 and B-3 variations. Sam Diamond, attorney for the petitioners, indicated they would accept just the B-l zoning. The action on the petition had been deferred at the last Council meeting in order for the Council to further study the petition. Alderman Ernest Schooley asked to have his memory refreshed at the beginning of the discussion concerning the request and its location. The property is located next to property zoned R-2, with a variation allowing its use as a professional office. City Attorney Bernard Narusis explained to the Council that when a petition announces a definite plan for property that is to be rezoned, the plan is not legally binding. Smith said that he was very uncertain about what was being voted on and perhaps Rogers was confused when he made the motion Rogers explained that his motion would stand, regardless of whether or not the additonal variation was included. Nolan seconded the Rogers motion and Aldermen Adams, Bolger and Schooley voted in favor of the motion. Who Is Listening? Alcohol Is No. I Youth Problem U.S. drinking abuse costs a total of $48 billion a year in deaths and injuries. That was one of many revealing facts disclosed in a drug abuse program presentation made to the board of High School District 156 Tuesday night in the East campus library. There were no parents in attendance. East Principal William Dodds introduced three staff members who cited other significant information con­ cerning the problem as it relates to the local schools and to the nation. Shafring the presentation were Jacie Smith, school psychologist; vKate Hamilton, East campus counselor; and Jeff Pettit, assistant principal at West campus. Results of a study made of the present junior class when they were sophomores a year ago at East resulted in a disclosure that 21 percent of the class were involved in some way with the use*of alcohol or drugs and most of these were not one-time users. It was revealed that alcohol is now the No. 1 problem, not only locally but on the state and national level. Some harder drugs are known to be used, but the most widespread usage is with alcohol and marijuana. All counseling in the McHenry high schools employs the family approach. Many parents are cooperative, said Ms. Smith, while others have difficulty in accepting the fact there is a problem. Pettit noted that one han­ dicap locally is the lack of a support system to assist the young person in fitting into the community following a hospital or detoxification program. He pursued this phase of the problem as it affects a student returning to school. If he tries to resume old friendships with users, they often urge him to return to alcohol or drugs. On the other hand, he sometimes finds it difficult to make new friendships because non-users shun him. Harker, Datz and Smith voted no, resulting in a 5-3 vote denying the petition. Mike Wieser, one of the petitioners, addressed the Council. "I think the Council is quite confused," he charged, "because they did not read the recommendation of the Zoning board." He indicated that he had stated at the earlier meeting he would not accept a specific use, but would accept B-l zoning without the variations. Alderman Harker had in­ dicated he voted against the motion, because "the future of south Route 31 is commercial," regardless of previous decisions and any court rulings. He said his voting to deny the petition would "deny his own principles." In other Council action, a lengthy discussion was held concerning a proposed dog litter ordinance, before the matter was finally tabled. Police Chief George Pasenelli indicated the problem with the ordinance would arise with "collecting of the evidence." Superintendent of Public Works Fred Meyer reported that 150 feet of parking wou}d have to be eliminated on me north side of Elm street in front of the First National bank before the federal government would approve plans for the improvement of the Front street-Elm street intersection. (Continued on page 17) "Call Before You Dig Ms Smith spoke of the Alateen program which is being started on a regular basis to assist students who have an alcoholic parent. Beginning March 12, meetings will be held at 2:45 each Monday in Room 218 A recent report of the Department of Health. Education and Welfare, distributed Tuesday evening, revealed that there are 10 million alcoholic or problem drinkers, representing 7 per­ cent of the total population There are also 3.3 million young people, or 19 percent of the total population, who experience problems related to excessive drinking Workmen from Commonwealth Edison apparently did not take their own advice Wednesday morning, when they drilled into an underground electrical cable, knocking out power in part of McHenry. Edison officials have always urged people to contact the company before digging to be sure an underground cable will not be damaged. Indications are the workmen did not heed their own advice. Equipment scarred when the drill hit the 4,000 volt line lies in the foreground, after the flames which were three foot high had been extinguished by the crew. The 4-hour blackout affected 200 customers, mostly businesses. The company crew was moving an anchor to make room for the McHenry State bank's new driveway when the cable was damaged. Power was restored bv switching to another line. STAFF PHOTO WAYNE GAYLORD VOLUME 103 NUMBER 64 FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 1979 2 SECTIONS 28 PAGES 20' THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" TV Available July I Deny Wieser-Conway A large part of McHenry will have cable-TV available by July 1. Community Cablevision administrative assistant Nadine Cable reported that preliminary work is in full swing at the present time. "We are presently in the process of securing the remaining pole permits from Illinois Bell, and Com­ monwealth Edison," she ex­ plained. "The permits are needed to attach the cable-tv lines to the existing poles." Community Cablevision, which received the franchise rights in McHenry as well as the entire unincorporated areas of McHenry county, is also looking for a site location for an office in McHenry. The receiving tower for the system will be located in Sunrise Ridge near Wonder Lake with a permanent office doe to be constructed there. The firm reports that marketing and surveying will possibly begin the first of next month. "Some local people will be hired for surveying and selling," according to Ms. Cable. Scheduled to receive cable-tv this year in addition to the city of McHenry, are McCullom Lake, West Shore Beach and McHipry Shores. Sunrise Ridge is also slated for con­ struction during this year, as is Woodstock. Next spring, the cable will be Constructed in the Johnsburg and Sunnyside areas and on the east side of the Fox river. Community Cablevision has been in operation in Belvidere for thlfJhst three years and has corporate offices located in Evanston. Two tiers of service have been proposed for tihe area to date, according to Robert Vanderheyden of Community Cablevision. The basic service (tier one) has an estimated monthly service charge of $7 plus an installation charge which has not yet been determined. It will give subscribers 14 channels. Included in the package will be WBBM-TV, WFLD-TV, WMAQ- TV, WLS-TV, WCFC-TV, WGN- TV, WTTW-TV, WSNS-TV, aU of Chicago; WTMJ-TV, WITI- TV, and WISN-TV of Milwaukee, a local access station, a FM service station and an emergency alert station. For an additional $3, tier two service will be available. It offers an additional 18 channels in addition to the 14 channels offered in tier one for a total package of 32 channels. A converter would also have to be purchased to receive the ad­ ditional channels. Stations included in tier two include WCIU from Chicago, WMVS and WVTV from Milwaukee, WREX-TV, WIFR, WQRF-TV and WTVO from Rockford, WOR-TV from New York, KTVU from Oakland, WTCG from Atlanta, WSBK from Boston and WYAH-TV from Washington. Other offerings in tier two include a C-span, which will telecast hearings in the U.S. House of Representatives; "Nickelodeon", which is 13 hours of children's program­ ming ; a 24-hour news station; a TV guide; a channel for want ads and a swap shop; and an access channel for educational, governmental and public af­ fairs. Optional services scheduled to be offered to subscribers^ include a home box office. Twol packages are offered. Type A gives the subscriber 64 hours weekly programming of non-commercial, first-run movies and live sports features for an additional $8 per month.- Type B offers 32 hours weekly of motion pictures for $4. per month <$• Fire, smoke, security and health monitoring service will also be offered, as will cable video games Any subscriber can receive any or all of the offered packages