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W ̂ *'*4? • •f-M < ite p • '". ' ' >"fH .- ** "••• ,,'v _ , .. , • ;:v'^W-' :•' •' lW*oCls sms : .-v- -v.. - ;,w i, • '•' v- 1;®5»fcv •- •' •• k ** •: • -. .... , ,,. • t . ,-;• v . # :rf- - * pi • •• u •* - \ • tTIN J. BERNARD III 4 , McHenry county's tran­ sportation problems and what to do about them are a major issue. At the McHenry Cpunty Defender's Conference on Conservation, Dr. Martin J. Bernard III will discuss existing transportation net- works as a framework for planning new development.. The conference is slated for Saturday, Nov. 3, from 8:15 a.m. \n\+ p.m. The day long seminar Will be held at Central school in Crystal Lake luncheon will be served. Some innovative systems, such as electric cars, monorails,- dial-a-ride, and pedestrian walks, can help save energy. Dr. Bernard has been active in researching new transportation ideas at his job with \ Argonne • National laboratory, where he is an assistant environmental systems engineer and head of transportation energy systems. He is also adjunct professor of system engineering at the University of, Illinois, Chicago Circle campus. He teaches urban transportation system modeling and evaluation. Dr. Bernard has acted as an economic analyst and super­ visor of transportation and urban planning for the CTA. He was also the supervisor of system planning and programming and manager of system planning for the RTA. His research has included work with various automobile technologies designed for energy efficiency. He has also studied several types of fuel including gasohol. Another aspect of energy conservation will be presented by Duncan Erley, a research associate with the American Planning association. Erley will use. site planning and design considerations as his theme. He will discuss the individual home builder cqn do to conserve resources by siting a house properly on a lot, landscaping, and innovative structure designs. Subdivision design is also important since an entire group of homes can be planned to take advantage of wind and solar energy. Landscaping plays an important role in good sub­ division design, too. Erley will also point out some of the ad­ vantages and disadvantages of row houses, single family residences and cluster housing. Energy conservation can also be stressed at the community level, according to Erley. Community's building codes and zoning ordinances sometimes need revision. Tree planting, guaranteeing solar rights, planning bike paths and sidewalks are areas where community planning is essential. Dr. Bernard and Erley will join the other two speakers in a panel discussion at the end of the conference. The experts will be on hand to answer questions from the audience. For registration information, contact Mrs. Robert J. Becker, 627 Leonard Parkway, Crystal Lake. Information will be available at the door. Registration is limited to 200. •v ... "\f: Traveling along Rt. 120 In |AcHenry is anything but an energy saving discuss how saving energy can. save money. Working with existing road* experience. What can be dona? Is mass transportation an answer? That ways and making them more .efficient is of primary importance, the issue will be addressed Satu&ay, Nov. 3, at the Conference on Conser- Defenders believe. vation sponsored by the McHenry County Defenders. Four speakers will STAFF PHOTO/WAYNE GAYLORD. THE PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 104 NUMBER 28 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1979 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 20' Question Outfall Effect Fox Study Encouraging A newly completed study of Fox river data gathered over the past 20 years indicated an apparent improvement of water quality, but also revealed gaps in needed information, the Health and Agriculture com­ mittee of the McHenry County board learned Monday, Oct. 29. Board members, in their questioning of Mary A. Ficht, graduate student from the University of Illinois, sought to relate her compilation of a number of past researches to ' two problems dominating their thinking: the impact of the Fox Lake sanitary district outfall "into the Fox river and effect of*v the increasing number of septic < systems ih the county on runoff into the river. Ms. Ficht, in her com­ missioned report said that recent statistics from river samples showed that it met stale quality standards in most areas tested and showed im­ provements over earlier test results. But, she recom­ mended, there is a need for more information on con­ tamination from agriculture runoff and the effect of dredging action of water ac­ tivities such as heavy boat traffic. She noted also there was little information as to what chemicals are in the water, how industrial discharges are being handled, and the chemical consistency of waste deposit sites. Ms. Ficht added that there was data going back to 1959, but this waft not usable because it did npt meet the parameters of cunfept, sampling. The first uSSWe figures are'^friim 1969.: that would be comparable with current sampling and analyzing techniques. She advised board member Tom Huemann that the 1978 data was the latest that was anywhere near complete. When he learned from Ms. Ficht that no one agency is collecting a satisfactory range of samples, Huemann said they needed one to be responsible for the testing. She agreed that the various groups were still "trying to get their act together". About the tests, she said that some indicated pollution in the river and others said no. It seemed to depend on where and when it was taken. A1 Collins, chairman of the Health and Agriculture com­ mittee, asked if the various studies could be coordinated. Ms. Ficht said it would mean they would have to buck the system, including NIPC and the state. Committee member George Lowe wondered if the result®- weren't an indictment of the system. And Collins, recalling the County board's past relations with NIPC noted, "Bucking the system doesn't faze us. Huemann pointed out the need of defining values of what was to be tested, and recording it. He said that many people had recollections of earlier evidences of pollution of the Mayor Gives Road Update | I - Rededication V 0 At St. John's Expressing justifiable pleasure over the interior of the restored St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Johnsburg are five persons who formed the original planning group working for the restoration. From left are Gail Frisch and Boyd Lindberg, serving on the Building and Grounds committee for the parish council; Jerry Klein, council president; Rich Thiel, also on the Building and Grounds committee; and Jerry Olsen, a parish member in charge of architectural planning. Rededication weekend is scheduled Nov. 17 and 18. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Mayor Stanek reported to the City Council concerning various road programs which will have an effect on the City at Monday night's meeting. Included in the category where the project has already been approved are: the con­ struction of Illinois Route 120; a new bridge over the Fox river at Route 120; and stoplights at Route 120 and Ringwood road, Route 120 and Crystal Lake road, Route 31 and Pearl street and Route 31 and Johnsburg road. In the "hopefully to be ap­ proved" category are: the widening of Route 31 to four lanes from Elm street to Bull Valley road, stoplights at that intersection and stoplights at the intersection of Route 31 and McCullom Lake road. A resolution wa§ passed which authorized the mayor to try and get three more streets placed on the Federal Aid Urban (FAU) map. If the ac­ tion is successful the following roads will be eligible for federal assistance for their im­ provement: Main street from Route 31 to the Crystal Lake blacktop, Meadow lane from Route 120 to Ringwood road, and Shore drive from Route 120 to Ringwood road. In other Council action, two, motions - one which raises and the other which remains constant - were passed con­ cerning the communications desk reimbursement. Essentially, the cost of having the City of McHenry Police department answer the telephone and then either d i s p a t c h a n o t h e r municipality's car or transfer the call to the Sheriff's department is not com­ mensurate with the rates currently paid. Alderman Pepping, chair-v man of the Finance committee, reported that the three municipalities involved, Mc­ Cullom Lake, Sunnyside and Sunrise Ridge, were paying $50 a month for the service. If the cost were to be divided equitably, On a per call cost basis, Pepping said, McCullom Lake should be paying $600 a month. Pepping said McCullom Lake Is averaging 882 calls per year. ' Sunnyside would face an increase of $200 per month, from $50 to $250, and Sunrise Ridge should go to $75 a month. McCullom Lake offered to double what it currently pays, from $50 to $100, and then seek other arrangements at the end of the fiscal year. Sunnyside said it would pay $100 a month and then the balance at the end of the fiscal year and Sunrise Ridge has agreed to pay the full amount of its increase. The McHenry Fire depart­ ment is another matter. On a (Continued on page 17) river, but there were no records made, and it can't be proved. Ms. Ficht in summarizing her findings for a questioner, said .the river is showing some improvement, but the dif­ ferences in results might be due to "cycles". Lowe, speaking from experience with the Cary sewage facilities, agreed that the river's quality does respond to cycles. Some community will build a new plant,° the population equivalents will change, plants will become overloaded, all at different times with different results. , Ed Buss, McHenry board ^member*. disagreed with the assertion that the water was better. The water is so bad that he wouldn't get into it for any amount of money, so what difference does it make what is checked (in water tests)? he asked. Other board members confirmed that algae were in bloom on the river now. Ms. Ficht indicated that algae, while indicating pollution, were not necessarily harmful or even always the result of pollutants in the river. . Richard Wissell, public h e a l t h a d m i n i s t r a t o r , reminded them that research and bottom tests of the Chain of Lakes detected the presence of algae on these bodies of water before the arrival of white men in the area. And Ms. Ficht agreed that phosphorous content and algae might be native to some water areas due to material present in the en­ vironment and they couldn't do anything about that. In answer to a question from a riverside resident about swimming hazards, she said that high p h. levels or acidity might cause irritation for a swimmer. Wissell said that high coliform levels could result in some diseases: eye, ear, nose and throat infections and possibly hepatitis. Huemann, noting that the Fox Lake regional sewer facility is about to start dumping 13 million gallons of effluent per day through a four- foot pipe at the Fox river exit of the lake, wondered if any record is being made of what To honor the present day pioneers who contributed their efforts so generously to restore t£e beautiful, historical land- flgark, St. John the Baptist Catholic church in Johnsburg, a rededication weekend is planned Saturd&y and Sunday, Nov. 17 and 18. In recognition of the hun- We admit to a sense of relief iff Wednesday's weather forecast for a wet Halloween. j'Fewer trips to the door", we H in a selfishness which an admission that a good ly years had passed since own childhood. But it only the arrival of the first tyke change our mind. Sven with the weariness that npanies repeated trips to door to answer persistent jcks, Halloween just Jdn't be Halloween without Off visits. In fact, it seems this relatively new custom of trick- or-treat <30 years or so) has always been a part of the celebration. Our ego was damaged by the first caller, a wee one ot about 3, accompanied by Mom. We hadn't made it across the porch when she burst into tears, wrapped herself inside Mother's protective coat, and exploded, "1 don't like that lady". But the youngster was smart. She saw the candy bar, con­ sidered the alternative, and decided we weren't the Halloween ogre. Mustering all her courage, she grabbed the candy and managed a smile and a weak "thank you". The next group of six exhibited all the enthusiasm we expect from visitors on this particular night. (Continued on page 17) dreds of dedicated people who joined in the completion of this phenomenal task, an exciting weekend has been planned. The celebration will begin Satur­ day, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m. with ceremonies in--front of the church, after which Mass will be concelebrated in the church. Admission will be by previous reservation only. The rededication benefit ball will take place Saturday evening at Crescent Bay Landing, with cocktails at 6:30 p.m. and a prime rib dinner at 7:30, followed by musical en­ tertainment and three hours of dancing. In order to accommodate all the parishioners, a second Mass will be concelebrttted at 3 p.m. in the church Suhday, Nov. 18, again with admission by previous reservation only. The rededication-fellowship dinner follows immediately after the Mass at the Johnsburg community club. Admission is one dish to pass. As early as 1841, a small group of German settlers (Continued on page 17) Council Questioned On Moving Dredge In Lake In a verbal assault aimed at the McHenry City Council Monday night, Lloyd Wagner, president of the Lakeland Park Property Owners association (LPPOA), demanded to know "how much the City is con­ tributing to the dredge fund" of McCullom Lake. A letter from Wagner, who said he was authorized to send the letter and appear before the Council by the LPPOA, and addressed to Mayor Stanek asked if the Council was aware that the people of Lakeland Park and Lakeland Shores felt short-changed because the dredge had been moved to the City beach at Petersen park. The letter also said that the LPPOA underwrote the financing of the dredge, con­ tributed $4,000 to the program, and can foreclose on the dredge if it so chooses, and charged that the majority of the dredging had been done in the West Shore Beach subdivision, Johnson's subdivision, Edward Hammer's "seven acres", and Spojnia. The letter concluded by saying that the LPPOA felt the City of McHenry should "make a substantial con­ tribution (money) to the dredge fund. At the outset of the meeting between Wagner and the Council, Alderman Schooley wanted to know when the meeting, which purportedly gave Wagner the authorization, had been held. "Last Thursday, I think," Wagner said. Wagner also said, when asked, that there were no minutes of that meeting because there had been no secretary present. Schooley then asked if Wagner had contacted the McCullom Lake Conservation club, which is in charge of the dredging project. "No," Wagner said. Jerry Raycraft, president of the Conservation club, said this was neither the time nor the place to air this subject and added that if Wagner or the LPPOA wanted to know why the dredge was moved, he should have asked the club. Raycraft explained that the dredging operation had shut down and. the City had requested the use of the dredge. The matter was brought before the club and a vote was taken. Raycraft said further that the LPPOA representative to the Conservation club board had been present at the meeting when the proposal was made and the vote taken. "Did you even take the time to ask your representative - who was at the meeting?" Raycraft asked Wagner. "No," Wagner answered. Mayor Stanek said that it was "shallow and ignorant" for someone from the LPPOA to criticize the City's actions on McCullom Lake. Not only will the dredging of the City's beach (Continued on page 17) the data is before the dumping . starts. He said the fighters against the four-foot pipe will want to know if the water is . better or worse after operations start. He was also concerned about "heavy metals" (cad­ mium, lead, zinc and mer­ cury), "since municipal plants dump evefything in." In twenty years can they look back at the reports and make a judgment? Ms. Ficht advised that she had very little information on Lake county tests or data. Dr. J.V. Johnson, assistant public health administrator, said Lake county is presently making, a study, the results of which will provide bests comparison in the mid-eighties with studies in McHenry county. Huemann asked of the committee, "Is she (Ficht) getting only what they want to give her?" and he noted, too, that she said some data is not comparable. Wissell assured the committee that his laboratory is already running tests for the river downstream from the Fox Lake outfall, and he believed that Lake county is running tests upstream. These would be based on criteria set by the Fox River commission headed by Senator Jack Schaffer. Collins questioned what they might get from the upstream results, due in mid-November, and he suggested that no commission is going to reverse itself (on the sanitary facility question). Dr. Johnson said his department is finding out what gaps there are in the data. Wissell noted that his people were taking biological samples and not chemical tests of the water. Noting differences in test results taken at three-month intervals over a long period, Ms. Ficht said that summer samples should receive the most emphasis as they would reflect the worst cases. More pollution shows up in summer probably due to more activity on and in the water such as boating in shallow areas, swimming etc., which tend to stir up the bottom. Wissell also advised Huemann, who was interested in more and complete data, that each complete sampling and analysis of the river from a location would cost about $130. Lowe suggested sampling places for McHenry county as at each bridge and at county lines. He said it might give a good picture of what they were getting from other counties and sending into the next county, and they could coordinate this with EPA testing, Collins agreed that it might be wor- • th while. "If there is no firm base (of data) there is nothing to refer back to", he pointed out. • Huemann said they should be able to evaluate the effect of septic systems on the area's* water and do something about it if required or advise people that there is no problem. *. . Ms. Ficht reported that her - study included reviewing and . summarizing water quality reports of the Illinois EPA, the Metropolitan Sanitary District of Greater Chicago, individual 1 sewage treatment plant monthly discharges, USEPA, NIPC, ^Sfiil_4Dd Water Con- ^ (Continued on page 17) I « 4 i ju ' v" "i „•»> • i t