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THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN O lAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 103 NUMBER 71 APRIL, 4, 1979 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 20* Aldermanic Candidates Face Complex Problems Problems Still Critical Frank Novak, supervisor of the McHenry Lock and Dam (above), reads the automatic gauge at the dam to check the river's depth, while below, a resident of River Terrace doesn't need a gauge to check the condition of the river as she looks out her window. Novak explained the situation was still critical in the area and was being watched closely, with flood level readings being taken regularly along the entire river. He indicated that any rainfall will worsen the situation, due to the extreme saturation of the ground in the river's wstcrshed STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLOHD "We are still in a very critical situation and any rainfall we receive compounds the problem," said Frank W. Novak, the McHenry Lock and Dams supervisor, as he summed up the flooding problems in the area Monday. "Basically, we are breaking records downstream with the water level constantly," he said, "records that were set in 1973. The dam at Wilmot, Wis., has not reached the 9.2 foot level it reached in 1973." Novak explained that the flood level reading at McHenry dam Monday morning was about two feet above flood stage upstream, and three feet above downstream. He added that anytime the river level at Wilmot was above the 7-foot reading, it was bringing in more water than the river could handle. "Flood stage is when there is overbank flooding on the river," Novak reported. "Sometimes it can occur without much concern due to low lying areas, because it doesn't affect people." "The ground in the Fox river watershed usually takes 70 percent of all rainfall," Novak indicated, "but because of the ground saturation it now is only taking half that. So, a '2-inch of rain is like an inch." He said the Fox river watershed is about a 1200 square mile area. Novak explained the high water level negated the effect of the dams on the river. "The dams on the river only affect low and normal levels on the river," he said. "Dams have a negligible effect in flood situations. This is basically true on the entire Fox river." "Whether the dam was here or not," he continued, "it wouldn't affect things in high water situations. The river itself can't handle the con­ ditions. That's why there is flooding." He Jndicated that during low flow periods on the river, the dams can control the river depth. But, during high flow stages, as are being ex­ perienced now, the river channel itself controls the depth. "The gates at this dam and at Wilmot are not flood control gates as some people believe," has been closed iif ^ne location he clarified. "They are low- in recent days because water flow control gates." has been over a foot deep in one He explained the low-flow portion of the road, between the gates were used to adjust the dam and Moraine Hills State depth of the river during low or park normal flow periods for Some residents along River recreational periods. Terrace near Johnsburg were "In situations as we are now forced to evacuate their homes experiencing," Novak added, because the flooding conditions "we open the low-flow gates to 4 had covered the septic systems, feet. It's a standard procedure making them inoperable, in times of high water. But that Numerous locations along the effect is negated by water going river or any channels are being over the spillway." affected by the high water. "The Wilmot dam can't Assisted by seven persons control high water flows." he from the National Red Cross continued "Right now, the headquarters in Rockford, the water is going around the McHenry chapter of the Red dam." Crass extended a helping hand The Wilmot dam has only to flood victims last week three small low-flo,w control A field office was established gates. at the Cary-Grove school and He said there were twelve later. 90 cots were set up at the monitoring stations set up Crystal Lake fire station along the river which were • Survey teams continued to being regularly checked so a assess the situation in the most constant watch is kept on the troubled spots river's depth. He reported most of the snow Persons in need of assistance was melted in the river's may call the Red Cross. 338- watershed and increases now 1050, on a 24-hour basis, will occur because of rainfall Shelter, food and clothing are River road south of McHenry provided Eight aldermanic candidates faced the public at the first meeting of the McHenry Area Political Action committee Thursday, March 29, and stated their views on the several knotty issues with which the city must contend. On the firing "line were candidates Len Abruzzo, fourth ward; Annie Cuda, third ward; George Harker, incumbent, second ward; Jack Pepping, unop­ posed for first ward; Ron Meuer, fourth ward; Ray Smith, incumbent third ward; Mike Teta, second ward; and The $1 million Irwin -«suit against the board of Elementary School District 15 has been an attention-getter, as it inevitably had to be. But we have heard few comments from the public. Apparently the man-on-the- street feels fortunate not to be involved and he is saying little. Perhaps he is thinking, though, for in a way we are all involved. It appears there is no right or wrong, but rather the manner of looking at a problem that has gained momentum in recent years and apparently is here to stay. Maybe this test case will have something to say for the future. A letter appearing in the Public Pulse column of this issue expresses one point of view. It is backed by personal experience and intelligently presents the side of parents whose children do not conform to the term "norm". The few comments that have come our way telling of a reluctance to make special provision for the exceptional prompted us to check some facts. It is our understanding that the state designates, in a vague way, the type of child to be classified as gifted. It includes the intellectually gifted, such as Thomas Irwin, and the culturally gifted. The state feels the school should be able to find 5 percent (about 150 from the District 15 enrollment) qualified for the Gifted program. A mo.' t sum of $5,000 corrieS to the . al grade school district foi . Gifted program compared to a much more generous allotment for those with learning disabilities. Whether it was right or wrong, the attitude of the majority of the school board in its original close vote denying the Irwin boy the right to attend a high school Spanish class can better be understood with knowledge of the facts. It would now seem to be a matter for the courts to decide. The outcome should tell the public how strong the state can be in its mandates for education. And when the court has spoken, if the mandate is upheld, the taxpaying public may be telling the state, more forcefully than it has in the past, that it had better come forth with funds not only for the Gifted, but also for the in­ creasingly numerous other compulsory requests being made. K.A.F. Open Forum On Park Planning The Woodstock-McHenry League of Women Voters will sponsor an open forum Thur­ sday, April 5, at the McHenry city hall on the issue of McHenry park planning and programs. The league has invited representatives from nearly 40 community organizations to attend. The discussion will include the proposed community center and-or pool in Petersen park. Zoning Change Sought For Cable Television Operation A petition has been filed for hearing before the McHenry County Zoning Board of Ap­ peals by Eugene and Glenn Eppel and Community Cablevision, Inc., for the issuance of a Conditional Use permit in accordance with the zoning ordinance of McHenry county. The permit is for the construction and operation of the structures relating to reception and transmission of television signals for cable television. The property, in the "F" Farming district, is located in McHenry township on the northerly side of Illinois State Route 120, approximately one- half mile east of Wonder Lake road. It consists of less than 1 acre. The hearing is scheduled April 11, at 1 p.m. in Room 112 of the McHenry county cour­ thouse, 2200 North Seminary avenue. Woodstock. Those who may be interested may appear and be heard A petition has been filed by the Palatine National bank, for a Trust, and Stephen and Anna Turk, for an amendment to the zoning ordinance from "F" Farming district to "E l" and "E-2" Estate districts. The property is located at approximately 3312 West Ringwood road and consists of approximately 3 acres. The hearing will be held April 10 at 1 p.m. in Room 203 of the county courthouse A petition has been filed for hearing before the McHenry County Zoning Board of Ap­ peals by the American National Bank and Trust company of Chicago, under a trust, Robert Siman and Stanley Savage for a Con­ ditional Use under provisions of McHenry County Sup­ plementary Land Use Regulations for an individual septic system. The property is located in McHenry township, east of Pistakee drive on the southerly side of Ringwood road and consists of less than 1 acre. The hearing on this petition will be held April 5 at 1 p.m. in Room 112 of the McHenry county courthouse, 2200 North Seminary avenue, Woodstock. Those who may be interested may appear and be heard. Mike Wieser, third ward. In the ten minutes alloted to each candidate their presen­ tations indicated the main concerns to be over the need for the proposed community building, growth for McHenry and the traffic problem. Later, questions from the audience led them into issues of city manager for McHenry, which all disapproved, and facets of industrial growth for the city. Abruzzo. with the advantage of being the first to speak, outlined seven major items about which he was concerned: the community building and the pool and other features which would be up to the people; the relations between the City Council and the Zoning Board of Appeals which resulted in some hasty decisions; lack of communication between the people and aldermen; city growth which will result in more than traffic problems such as more schools and other facilities; need for im­ provement of water quality which does not come up to the exaggerated city claims; streets and roads need lighting and more signs for the safety of children (not enough being done on a fairly simple problem); and finally the flooding problem which is aggravated because sewer and drainage ditches are not being maintained with all the new building in progress. Mrs. Cuda said she got into community work in 1951 when somebody asked her, "If you don't like what you see, why don't you do something about it?" She said she wouldn't take sides on certain issues. As the city grows, she noted, the resulting problems become complex, and it is unfair to cast aspersions on the boards. Because of the complexity of the community needs there should be smooth relations and there should be objectives for the city toward which they can work. Choices include staying the same, a slow growth, or aiming toward having a big city, which give different problems. Mrs. Cuda conceded that the traffic problem is horrendous, but that is not unusual for growing small towns. Growth means more families trying to use the facilities which must be in­ creased or the city must control the growth. The Council must consider all the alternatives and choose what would be best for the city. Harker, who said he con­ sidered himself a full time alderman, expressed nothing but admiration for the people who serve on the ZBA and the Planning commission. He believed that the relations between the City Council and the boards are as good as to be hoped There was some disagreement by the Council with their recommendations, but this is as it should be. The Council should not be a rubber stamp. He said an alderman faced the question of emphasis for his constituency or for the whole city. Meuer felt that maybe the city should slow down a little on growth He added that with planning they could alleviate the traffic problem He noted that more roads are being considered which would lessen the impact on the main routes. He was advised by the county that money was a factor in delaying improvement of roads at the edge of the city such as Ringwood road Pepping claimed he was no neophyte, having served as alderman from 1973 to 1977 and he couldn't sit still on the sidelines without getting his oar in He quoted Confucius as saying, if you would divine the future, look to the past" which means look at the track record of the candidates, and he was not ashamed of his. He said McHenry needed the involvement of its citizens, that there is too much apathy. "You must be made aware of the issues and all points of view." He said candidates need integrity, the bravery to defend their position even if alone. And issues should be taken to the community for input instead of aldermen making up their minds in advance. Candidates should have sensitivity, which means they must listen and hear They must be willing to act instead of endlessly debate philosophy Pepping concluded by defining the gut issues as Growth, planning and orderly evaluation of goals; un derdevelopment of community facilities, and traffic, for which they need outside professional (Continued on pa^e 10) Young Farmers Come Forth With Ideas On Use Of Land A committee of young far­ mers 19-25 years of age has done its own investigating in the county's zoning proposals and has come up with its own answer. Their answer in a letter to the McHenry County board is to give wholehearted support of the proposed amendment because "it is in the best in­ terest of the people of McHenry county". "Land is our most precious asset," they write. "There is no future for- us as young farm men and women without it. We intend to try to make our livelihood from the land, but if this irreplaceable resource is consumed as housing or other irreversible facility, how are we to have the land we need to produce crops to feed people in the future?" - The letter was prepared after study by a committee com­ posed by Randy Book, Har­ vard; Larry Lagerhausen, Woodstock, Eddie Vogts, Woodstock; and Dave Adams, McHenry. All live and work on farms. In addition, more than 60 other signatures by young farm men and women were included with the letter because the four men were asked to study the zoning and land use situation in the county and prepare the letter to the County board. The group asserted McHenry county has a significant amount of land neither farmed not suitable for farming which would make homesites. An added quantity of land being farmed that is marginal could be used for construction, they add, "but to take top producing agricultural lands that took millions of years to form and put a quantity of houses on it is wrong and should not be allowed." They cite, other factors that persuade them the amendment to the county zoning ordinance is in the best interests of both rural and city people. Ex- (Continued on page 16) Home Invader Beats Woman,Takes Purse v» A McHenry woman was treated and released at McHenry hospital after she had reportedly been beaten by a home invader early Saturday morning. The victim, who lives alone, told city police she had returned to her home at about 12:30 a.m. March 31, and went to bed. A short time later, she realized someone else was in her room, and awakened to see the figure of a man near her. She said that as he grabbed her by the throat she screamed. He struck her several times. He then left, taking the victim's purse. A next door neighbor, who heard the screams, went to the residence and took the victim to the emergency room at the hospital. She was treated for (Continued on page 16) Career Day High School As Career day comes to McHenry high school Wednesday, April 4, preparations are in progress to make it a success for all participants. Above. Rick Martin, Career information director, second from rigkt, directs the efforts of Len Wronski, left, Emma Stockwell and Gwen Coleman. The Chamber of Commerce has contacted more than 70 speakers for the event. Each student has selected presentations in the career fields of choice. A task force scheduled the speakers, making every effort to give each of the 1,600 students his requested presentation. ' STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYI.ORD Flooding