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le City of McHenry Plan commission met last Thursday night with the Valleybrook subdivision developers who are expected to petition the City for an­ nexation in the future. The subdivision is com­ prised of 209 acres of land at the southwest corner of the Bull Valley road and Crystal Lake blacktop intersection. The petition calls for "R-l" and "R-2" residential lots and a small "B-3" business area at the Bull Valley- Crystal Lake road in­ tersection. One of the highpoints of the proposed development is the "McHenry bypass" road which would connect with Curran road and swing through the acreage to the Crystal Lake blacktop. Robert Grossman, of Associated Planners, the firm retained by the City, said, "I think that as a concept, this plan represents a reasonable use of the land and with a few modifications, would be a very handsome addition to the City." Most modifications con­ cerned the traffic patterns proposed by Developer Dave Faestel. plaa* as presented, was1 primarily a number of concentric circles which were attached to the bypass road. Grossman suggested eliminating the cul-de-sacs and having the interior roads connected. He also proposed additional connections to the property to the west and south of the proposed development. According to ^Grossman, there is a very real "lack of continuity" in the development of McHenry's streets. "McHenry is a radial City in which nothing connects," Grossman said. i4All these unconnected roads funnel traffic into the highest traffic use in the County (Route 120). F a e s t e l a p p e a r e d amenable to the bulk of Grossman's suggested modifications, but balked at extending a road from the "R-2" residential area into the commercial district. Faestel said he did not want to subject the residential portion of the development to the traffic involved with the com­ mercial area. Grossman argued that the commercial area was supposed to be a "neigh­ borhood business" area and should be connected to the residential neighborhood. In earlier testimony, Faestel said he would consider a zoning board request to change the "B-3" business zoning request to the more restrictive "B-l". Faestel said, however, that he would like to include professional and office uses if the change to "B-l" is made. Grossman further argued that the people in the development should not have to go out onto either Bull Valley or Crystal Lake road in order to get to the business district. Faestel said he would "re- jitjidy" the qommercial area "and the road modifications and appear again before the plan ̂ commission on March 13, 19K). ; Defenders Fight FAP 420 Tax time approaches and we find Uncle Sam, and the State of Illinois to a lesser extent, dunning us to keep Government working. A new year also finds other demands for money, and among them is the need for the city's Chamber of Commerce to realize funds to keep the organization functioning. There are 300 members. Officers and board members tell us it takes the cooperation of each one to assure the benefits they want to make available through membership. But at this date in February only about one-half of the names on the C of C roster have paid their dues. Hearing this, it occurred to us that the Chamber is probably like many other organized groups whose members join without really being aware of how their money is spent. This is not only poor business, but it also means that doing our share is more painful because we aren't sure what the expenditure will do for us. For procrastinators, we set about finding out why they should step right up and pay that dues. At the moment, the organization is in the process of employing a new executive director. Some of the dues will go for his salaty, which brings up an important point. "What will he do to help me in my business?" is a legitimate question. v As a full time employee, he will spend his time on the day-to­ day business of the Chamber. This includes assisting, individual business men and women on government procedures. He (or she) will also keep informed on the ever changing laws affecting business and will pass along this information to members. One of the hassles of owning a business in 1960 is the time consuming paper work required by Government, which says ignorance of the law is no excuse. Penalties are often heavy for a violation because "I didn't know". But there can also be some substantial benefits through new legislation if one knows how to realize them. At this moment, plans go forward for a C of C Leap year promotion the weekend of Feb. 29. It is a collective effort to provide merchants with a designated sale period that benefits each one as well as the shopping public. A business-industrial luncheon is another important activity of the near future. The city planner will update leaders in these two fields on the comprehensive plan for McHenry. And if you recall last year, what were some of its highlights? Certainly the Trade fair and Fiesta day have to rank high on the list. Both of them take a concerted effort as well as considerable mpney. Projects of this scope don't just happen, and yet their success is very important to a community's business sector. Unknown to many is the availability of low cost group insurance to members. What might be important to consider every so often is that there would be no McHenry without business. That's why business success is so important. Making a city work has to be a cooperative effort, a fact for which there is ample proof. It can be done better when large numbers of people with the same interests put their heads together for a common goal. All goals mean some sacrifice. In this case, a year's dues could also mean some rewards that are very satisfying. KAF The McHenry County Defenders, at their recent board meeting, con­ firmed their continuing opposition lo the con­ struction of FAP 420, the proposed new freeway which would pass next to Volo Bog State Natural area and the Glacial*'park Conservation area of the McHenry County Cor^ervation district. The Defenders claim the freeway would "threaten these unique natural areas, remove agricultural land from production, detract from the'scenic beauty of McHenry county, and constitute a waste of resources at a time when governmental authorities are encouraging the public IO drive less andtslower." The Defenders' board of directors approved par­ ticipation in a coalition or ogranizations being formed to fight both FAP 420 and FAP 431, a freeway ex­ tension which is planned for DuPage county. Opponents of FAP 431 maintain that it will endanger Morton arboreteum, a nationally recognized botanical center. Both freeways are part of an interconnecting system which is slated to receive funding as a result of the reallocation of the Chicago Crosstown Expressway funds. The McHenry County Defenders is an en­ vironmental organization formed after Earth day 10 years ago and dedicated to ihe conservation of the natural resources of McHenry county. The organization has been ac­ tively concerned with land use issues, energy problems, recycling, and open space preservation. Johnsburg Studies Impact Of Reduced State Spending Reduced funding, and its impact on school operation, provided the main theme for the Johnsburg Community Unit school board meeting last week. The district will be receiving $75,000 less state money than hoped for in the 1980-81 school year. The reason for concern resulted from Gov. Thomp­ son's decision to recommend only a 5.9 percent increase in the general state fund rather than the 9.9 percent requested by the state board of education. The Johnsburg board said this action will prevent schools from keeping up with inflation (now over 13 percent) and cause cutbacks in many areas of education. District 12, having already announced a seven and three-fourths reduction in the teaching staff for next year, is now looking at other ways to generate monies and reduce spending. Dr. An­ dreas stated that 5 percent will be cut from the materials and supplies budget. High school and Junior high clubs will be surveyed to see if attendance merits sponsorship. Sedom requests will be reduced as follows: psychological service, 7 days down to 6; social services 2 days down to 1; speech and language services, 1 day d o w n t o o n e - h a l f ; a d ­ ministrative supervisor, 94 days down to 4*^; and oc­ cupational therapy, one-half day to none. These cuts will result in a $7,500 savings to the district. Other areas that will generate a savings are opening up health and ac­ cident insurance for bid and Investigate Shooting The McHenry County Sheriff's police were called to the Metrotec Ltd. shooting range, 2906 W. Rt. 120, McHenry, Thursday mor­ ning, where a McHenry man was found with a gunshot wound in the head. Dennis R. Aylward. 30. of 1804 N. Riverside drive, M c H e n r y , w a s t a k e n t o McHenry hospital by a TEK ambulance. Dr. Libunao pronounced Aylward dead on arrival at the hospital. The fatal shooting is being investigated by the Sheriff's police. a reduction of tuition needed for the Lake County Vocational Student program because less students will be attending next year. This is due to the increased area of vocational learning offered at the Johnsburg high school. SEDOM will be paying $50 more per room for rental next year which will bring in $2,200 for the SEDOM budget. The district is also investigating renting ad­ ditional rooms to SEDOM.Attendance was reported up both at the elementary level and high school by 10 students per day this year. This increase, if Continued, will bring in a little more state aid. Some monies are being saved by buying supplies through the state in a Joint Purchasing resolution. Dr. Andreas said this type of joint purchasing may. also be forthcoming, with local districts joining forces to buy in quantity, but problems of distribution and handling will have to be (Continued on page 16) Crash-Fire Pictures A full page of accident and fire pictures appears on Page 4. Fire Damages McHenry Home Members of Company One of the McHenry Fire department are extinguishing a roof fire at a house under construction in the Glacier Ridge subdivision Friday morning. According to Fire Chief Glenn Peterson the fire broke out when someone lighted a fire in an unfinished fireplace. A construction worker at the scene said the fire had already started when he arrived for work. Peterson estimated the damage at between 16,000 and $7,000. STAFF PHOTO-W AYNE GAYLORD New Chairman Voices Lake-River Area Priorities Sen. Jack Schaffer. R- Cary. has been elected chairman of the Chain of Lakes-Fox Hiver Study comrriision The legislative com­ mission is designed to study potential uses of the Chain of Lakes Fox river area, and to evaluate flood control problems, health, and en­ vironmental issues con­ cerning the area 4 Schaffer has served as a member of the commission since 1973. "Since I was a kid growing up along the Fox river I 've been involved in recreational and en vironmental projects in the area. ' Schaffer said " But as a member of the commission I 've had the opportunity to really affect some changes -such as cleaning up the waterways and improving the river and lake system for recreational and flood control My highest priorit ies as chairman will be flood control and the enhancement of the Chain of Lakes and Fox riVer as recreational areas We also need to insure the clean up of sewage (Continued on page 16) &toarb Winning i^etospaper H|\ 1979 Illinois Press Association *S4£22ZT Newspaper Contest 2 SECTIONS 26 PAGES 20« SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 VOLUME 104 NUMBER 59 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1980 from the car. The car crashed head-on into the fuel tanker last Friday morning, causing fatal injuries to Mrs. Wahl. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD McHenry area residents were killed1 in collisions last Friday. At about 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 15, an easthound car driven by Louise S. Wahl. 59; of 1902 Orchard Beach; McHenry, crossed the center line of Route 120, east of McHenry. at the gravel pit. Her auto crossed into the westbound lane and was struck by a fuel tanker, driven by Dennis L. Powell, of Harvard. Mrs. Wahl was pronounced dead at the by Coroner James Company Three of the McHenry Fire department, the Sheriff's police, the State police and the McHenry Rescue squad all responded to the scene. Members of the fire department washed the road and the car to prevent a fire from igniting while the body was removed from the wreck. The fuel tanker went through the fence and almost into the gravel pit. narrowly missing a power line. The driver of the tanker, Powell, w£is uninjured. The collision is under investigation by the Sheriff's police. Mrs. Wahl was a lifetime resident of McHenry. Another head-on collision, in Lake county, took the life of Joseph Chodorowski, 58, of 1510 Valport. McHenry, last Friday night. According to Illinois State police, the Chodorowski vehicle was in the wrong lane of Gilmer road when if ran into a Lake county snowplow. The plow was driven by Greg M. Passafiune. of Gurnee. who was not injured in the accident. The State police estimated the damage to the Chodorowski vehicle at about $5,000 and to the Lake county vTivcle at about $2,500. Chodorowski was taken to Condell Memorial hospital in Libertyville by the Wauconda Rescue squad. He was pronounced dead on arrival. This photo shows firemen standingly to wash the road as members of the Rescue squad will soon be removing the body of Louise S. Wahl, of McHenry, Friday Crashes Kill AArHenry Residents Planner Looks Favorably On Valleybrook Concept