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* At the Jan. 22 meeting of the board of trustees of the Village of Sunrise Ridge, James Rachel, president, presented a letter from Theodore J. Floro, state's attorney of McHenry county, in which the latter exonerated Rachel from the charges that had been brought against him at an, Aug. 28, 1979 meeting. They werej made by Mrs. Anita Vanderwiel, Village Trustee. At that time Mrs. Van­ derwiel stated that a felony suit was being charged against Rachel by the CETA program. When this took place, she said, a jail sen­ tence would possibly result. Mrs. Vanderwiel stated that Rachel was involved in mis-use of a CETA em­ ployee. The employee, Bob Hermes, Jr., was hired to work, for the village but Mrs. Vanderwiel said he was doing work on a construction site owned by Rachel. An investigation has been in process since that August meeting by the state's at­ torney's office. It was stated by Floro in a letter sent to the board, "We conclude, from our investigation, that there is ho evidence to support the charge that Village President James Rachel ever used the ser­ vices of Robert Hermes, Jr., or any other CETA employee of the village, for his per­ sonal gain or benefit." Mrs. Vanderwiel, who served on the^board under the previous adminstration had Said she was acting on statements made by Julius Stelter, the previous president. She stated he asked her to bring -these facts to the board. The tables were turned by (he state's attorney, when Ijiis investigator, Robert T Hrody, undercovered, "that on one occasion in April of. 1979, during the ad- . ministration of then Village President Julius Stelter. Robert Hermes, Jr., was directed by Stelter to assist a local resident in packing his belongings in preparation for the residents relocation to Florida". During the discussion Sander van Peski made a motion asking for the resignation of Mrs. Van­ derwiel. It was .stated her resignation was needed "so as not to further waste village resources, or blemish the reputation of elected officials with accusations that have proven to be fic­ titious and to permit the village board to serve the people of this village ef­ fectively. and without un­ founded criticism." The motion was seconded by John Sornson and passed with 4 yes. 1 no, and one no vote by Mrs. Vanderwiel . Rachel asked Mrs. Van­ derwiel what she intended to do. to which her reply was, "I total ly refuse to resign. I won' t resign for doing my job as a trustee." Mrs. Vanderwiel feels she knows more of the law. especially in the area of zoning ordinances, than the other trustees and stands by her desire to serve the Village. Consequently she will not resign. Her term of .office does not expire until April of 1981. Florostated that the actions of Julius Steker and Anita Vanderwiel "have caused the Village of Sunrise Ridge, the McHenry County CETA program, and James Rachel a great deal of em­ barrassment which was unwarranted." Mrs. Vanderwiel said she feels no guilt or remorse for what she did because she did it for the betterment of the village. ^ THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 104 NUMBER 52 FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 1980 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 20' School Districts Clear Village President Spartan Theme On The Job Members of the McHenry Rescufe squad Company One are shWn loading a stretcher Into the rear of a Mobile Intensive (Care Unit (MICU). More of what the squad does, whatkind of people are on the squad and what it takes to be a member will be presented in a series of articles which will be published in the near future. In an effort to stem the rising cost of operating the schools, board members in STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD.. Elementary Grade School Convicted Man Testifies A recent item in the Twice Told Tales, viewed some 70 years later, serves as a reminder that while change is always with us, very often we make the full circle to where we"lJtgan. This particular item refers to the auto of 1910 "as the Devil Wagon, calling it a "dangerous plaything". The story continues to account for 270 deaths in a year's time in auto accidents, although the item failed to state whether that covered county, state or nation. In defense of his times <1940) another Plaindealer writer countered by saying that if the automobile was considered a plaything in 1910, it had become a necessity just 30 years later. "Yes, it is still dangerous and thousands of people are killed every year in automobile accidents", the item relates, "but wouldn't it be a strange world today without them"? Now here we are 40 years later than the second article, and 70 years after the original dissertation. We hear of the day when the family car may be only a memory, not because it is dangerous, but because of a fuel crisis. (Continued on page 18) After a lengthy and sometimes heated debate between lawyers over a potential witness in the murder trial of William Frank, 19th Judicial Circuit Court *»Judge William D. Block jaid down the law. "I'm going lo have Mr. Wieting brought in and I am going to ask him some questions and I want both counsels to keep their mouths shut," Judge Block said. The debate ^between the two lawyers. Slate's At­ torney Theodore Floro and Defense Attorney Richard Kelly, concerned I he possible lestimony of Ed­ ward Wieting. Wieting pleaded guilty lo the charge •if the murder of Edward Caraher, Jr., and was sentenced to :J0 years im­ prisonment . Kelly and Daniel Mcngeling. Wieting's former attorney, argued that Wieting may have been persuaded lo testify by the prosecution. The implication was also presented that, as part of the agreement bet­ ween I he prosecution and the defense. Wieting would not be called as a witness. In answer to Judge Block's questions. Wieting said he would testify of his own free will. Wieting also said I here was nothing in the agreement relating to his lestifying. In the course of his lestimony, Wieting recounted his version of what happened last Jan. 22, when Edward Caraher was (Continued on page 18) McHenry Hosts Concert Honors Band In Concert The sixth annual McHenry county Honors band will perform in McHenry this year, providing a treat for fans of instrumental .music. The concert date is Sunday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. at the West campus auditorium. The band is composed of lloVmtstanding high school musicians from Huntley, Woodstobk, Hebron, Rich­ mond, Marian, McHenry East, McHenry West, Cary Grove, Jwarengo and Jacobs higti^saiools. Each school is represented by about 10 percent of t he-best from each school. McHenry Hospital To Elect Six Directors McHenry East and West combined have 26 members in the Honors band. Larry Livingston of the New England Conservatory of Music. Boston. Mass.. will be their conductor. He has conducted the band the past four years, and is well received by the students and audiences alike. The concert will include some selections which would be normally too challenging for anyone of the local schools. Included in the Sunday's concert will be "Cak# Walk" by Robert Russell Bennett . "Folk Song Suite", by Ralph Vaughn Williams' "Pageant", by Vincent Persichetti; and a familiar J. P. Sousa march entitled "Free Lance". The band will also perform a concert at Marengo Sunday, at 2 p.m., and then proceed to McHenry for the 7 o'clock concert. The public is invited, and a nominal ad­ mission will be charged. Honors band students have tickets, and tickets will be available at the door. A special Honors jazz band will also perform at the concert Their selections include "Come Rain or Come Shine"; "To Rock", "Blues for an Elm", and "Fly Me To The Moon". In the past years, this concert has been recognized as one of the best musical performances in McHenry county. McHenry District 12 took a long, hard look at finances Tuesday night. When they had finished, there was general agreement that it is a necessity to hold the line on deficit spending. In conclusion, after perusing a report on the 1980- 81 budget requirements, the board okayed a Finance committee proposal to make reductions totalling $576,916 in order to meet its goal. In taking action, members agreed with a set of • retrenchment ^principles used by the committee and authorized reductions suggested. Remaining cuts will not be recommended until the professional s'taff has had an opportunity to make proposals concerning them in keeping with the board of education Reduction in Force policy. Reductions were set forth in four categories. The first, amounting to $66,916, included numerous items such as project commitment, mini-projects, travel, testing and in- service. The second concerns the classified staff, largely the non-professional employees of the district such as custodians, cafeteria and aides. In I his area, a $108,000 cut will be made The third classification lakes $44,000\from Ihe budget by abolishing I he positions of two ad­ ministrators. It was noted I hat there are no assistant principals because of action lo reduce this financial load a few years ago. Additional cuts are also possible in this category but ihey are not spelled out at I his lime. The final area of reduc- fions. which will account for a saving of $358,000. involves leachers. The drast ic action planned emanated from a rapidly increasing defici t in the Education fund, largest of Ihe school funds. Unti l this past year, al lowing for some fluctuation in ei ther direction, i t was well within expectat ions. The figures varied from a $410,328 defici t in June of 1972 lo $328,386 in June of 1979. Three things Occurred to make this year different . Most of Ihe payroll was locked in as the deadline passed for notice of any non­ renewal of professional contracts about April 1 last year. However, i t was the end of June before the school learned state aid was not l ikely I<» "help stay close to ihe collective negotiat ion increase/ then" being bargained or other salary and inflat ion costs lo be faced In fact , ihere was a $351,235 reduction in Distr ict 15 s tale aid in 1979-8(1 compared lo ihe-previous year. This was cushioned somewhat, but not offset , by a $128,054 increase in local taxes for the Education fund due lo the increase in the county 's new assessed values mult ipl ier The third important factor disclosed by the Finance committee was in regard to pay increases plus non- personnel cost increases. The Education fund payroll in 1978-79 was $2,728,017 while the lotal for 1979-80 is $3,063,560. I t was this increase of $335,543. coupled with the $328.386defici t that had to be carried into the present year (Continued on page 18) Johnsburg Andreas announced unions and placement offices Dr Tuesday evening the reduction of seven and three quarters teaching posit ions for Ihe 1980-81 school year. The reason given was "because of less estate aid, lack of s tudent growth, and an apparent much higher cost of l iving f inancial commitment to teachers in relat ion to their two-year contract than previously projected" The Reduction in Force will be handled by at tr i t ion, which averages 8.27 leachers a year, and non- tenured teachers. District 12 is hopeful that the effect on ft le educational programs will be minimal The total plan calls for keeping almost al l present programs intact . Jack Haffner. CETA program director, spoke to the board about how the CETA program works through the combined efforts of the Private Industry , Council i PIC i . schools. to produce qualif ied, job- ready adults . He stated that for a one-year period not one male adult (excluding the blind and disabled > has been on welfare in McHenry county because of the county program Haffner said the average placement cost for an adult worker in McHenry county for 1976 was $598. whereas, ihe placement cost in Chicago was $66,000. He hailed the McHenry county people for working together to make the CETA program so successful . Haffner also commended Johnsburg on having one of the finest vocational facil i t ies in Kane. Lake and McHenry counties Steve Pollock introduced Conn ye Barrows, who ad­ dressed the board on the progress of the adult education program. At this point . 172 have signed up for the various courses offered. (Continued on page 18) Hears From Hostage PROF. ROBERT PEKl'RNY The not-for-profit McHenry Hospital cor­ poration. composed of in-r terested citizens of this area, will hold its annual meeting Feb. 2 at the McHenry Country club, to elect six members of the board of directors and to review the highlights of the hospital's past year, according lo LeRoy E Olsen. board president The corporation, members will also hear a presentation by Prof. Robert Pekurny, associate professor of the Northwestern university School of Speech, who will relate his experiences as a member of the production company of "Happy Days", "Mork and Mindy" and "Laverne and Shirley." The candidates for the board of directors include Dean C. Cunat, for reelection lo a three-year term; M. David Cain, for reelection to a three-year term; and Harry Jones, for election as a new member, to a thjpee- year term. Jones Is ad­ ministrative vice-president of a Spring Grove firm. Representatives nom­ inated from the Medical-Dental staff for one- year terms are internist . wgory T. Eckstein, M.D., ancNsm-geon p. K Mitra, M.D. The^ president of the auxiliary ho McHenry hospital. Hjordis Karlsen, has been nominated for reelection as the auxiliary's representative, to a one-year term. Also. Anthony Cor­ coran. executive director of the hospital, has .been nominated for a one-year lerm as chief operating officer. Information on joining the hospital corporation, and reservations for the dinner meeting may be obtained by calling 385-2200, extension 622 City Council Views Improvements * In % report to. the City Council, a number of projects slated to improve traffic and transportation in the McHenry area were mentioned by Mayor Joseph Stanek at Monday night's regular meeting. According to the mayor, bids will be opened on Friday. Jan. 25, relating to intersection improvements at Ringwood and Route 120, the Crystal Lake blacktop and Route 120, Pearl street and Route 31 and Johnsburg road and Route 31, north of McHenry. Listed as one of the "fall behind" projects is the constfyction of a new Route 120 briHge across the Fox river. This project was already "in the hopper" and will be started in Fiscal Year 1980 (July), the mayor said. In the "move ahead" category - projects to be started in the next four or five years -- is the con­ struction of Highway 420 fnyn Volo to the Wisconsin state line and a widening to four lanes of south Route 31 from Elm street to High street. Mayor Stanek also reported that both Main street and Meadow lane have been designated as Federal Aid Urban (FAU) routes and willbe eligible for federal money for im­ provement. Money from the FAU program will be used for the improvement of Main street from Borden street to Crystal Lake road and Meadow lane from Route 120 to Ringwood road. Federal guidelines for the program will not allow federal money to be used where there is diagonal parking -- as on Main street from Route 31 west to Borden The consensus of the Council was that rather than lose the diagonal parking on Mam street. the City will pay for the resurfacing of Main from Front street to Borden. The mayor said that the City should have enough money to include some resurfacing and widening work on Pearl street from Park to Route 31. Another project proposed for the City includes in­ creased parking and im­ provement of the parking and railroad station. The project's outline includes $400,000 for land aquisition and parking lot im­ provement and another $100,000 for station im­ provement. Mayor Stanek said the City has no part in the proposed project and that no dates, tentative or otherwise, had been set The Council voted to ap­ prove a Zoning Board of Appeals <ZBA> recom­ mendation thai "B 1" business zoning be granted to Jay Koeller for his properly on ̂ Scully drive The approval twas con dit ional upon Koeller adding a sidewalk in front of the property and ei ther fencing or screening the property "wherever it abuts residential zoning, within six months " Alderman Marker made a motion to approve the paynfent of almost $50,000 to Keno and Sons construction company - the builders of the $1 .5 mil l ion sewer plant In business conducted after coming out of executive session. the Council voted to accept 75 percent payment from an insurance company The move stems from a traffic accident which damaged City properly Mayor Stanek presented checks jn the amount of . $3,885 each to superintendent of Elementary School Distr ict 15. Dr Richard Farmer, and superintendent "of McHenry High School Distr ict l '>fc. Robert Swart / loft Mrs. E.H. Schroeder of Wonder Lake holds letter received this past week from Paul E. Lewis, sergeant in the Marine corps, a hostage in Iran. She was one of the thousands who sent cards to them preceding the Christmas holiday season. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Schroeder of 7717 Arbor road, Wonder Lake, were among persons receiving letters from Paul E. Lewis, a sergeant in the Marine corps, acknowledging receipt of their letter to him. Lewis is a hostage held in Iran. He expressed "heartfelt thanks" to the Schroeders "and all Americans for keeping us in your thoughts and prayers". The letter continued: "We have received hundreds of cards from the U.S. and I can't begin to tell you how good it makes us all feel to know we have not been forgotten. I was particularly glad to see your card, as I am from Homer, 111., a small town near Champaign-Urbana. Once again, thank you and may God bless you all". Mrs Schroeder was pleased with a P S. on the letter which gave her proof he actually received her card. The religious type card contained a calendar In referring to it. Sgt Lewis wrote. "Hopefully we will not have to mark too many days on the 1980 calendar inside your card " She also noted that while Sgt Lewis correctly interpreted the spelling of her name to be Schroeder. the envelope carrying his message did not This leads her to believe someone else addressed the envelope The printing on the envelope read, E.H. Schruider.