The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

r SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875 3toarb Ruining ihtospaptr 1979-- Illinois Press Association Newspaper Contest VOLUME 104 NUMBER 65 ^WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1980 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25' School District 15 mates Tax Warrant Need Imi !'«,• •PARKLAND* • • /CHOOL t e a * ' - • Trade Fair Comes « To McHenry Bryce Klontz, left, chairman of the seventlrannual McHenry Area Comiierc< Industry Trade fair, looks at large advertising sign with John Huemann, pi of the C of C, and Fred Meyer, superintendent of public works for the McHenry. The sign is located along Rt. 120 west, near Parkland school, where fair will be held March 28, 29 and 30. There is limited booth space still avaifa^ Interested persons are urged to contact the Chamber office at 385-4380, to arrangements for display. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAY1 The board of Elementary School District 15 approved the sale of $900,000 in bonds for the working cash fund at the regular meeting March 11. The successful bidder, from five who submitted proposals for the sale, was a group headed by the Nor­ thern Trust company of Chicago, who quoted an interest rate of 8.07 percent. The McHenry State bank was included in this bidding syndicate. Bids ranged up to 8.87 percent. According to bond specialist Howard Voss, who explained the matter to the board, this bid was favorable because the Dow Jones average for municipal bonds had hit 8.89 percent on this date, the highest in history, with the rates rising daily. William Landis, assistant superintendent for operational services for the district, explained to the board that the money realized from the bond sale would enable the district to operate without issuing tax anticipation warrants. During the past month his office had issued $200,000 of the $1,000,000 earlier authorized by the board to obtain funds to meet current operating expanses. Landis added that they planned to amortize the bonds over the next six years with a minimum effect on the tax rate. Voss also announced to the board that District 15 had been reassigned an "A" rating for its bonds by Moody's. During the meeting 45 minutes was set aside for a hearing on the proposed reduction in the teaching force. Board president Tim Althoff said the hearing was required by the Illinois law governing personnel procedures•for teachers. Such layoffs have to be justified on economic grounds, he noted. In explanations to the 75 plus teachers and public assembled for the hearing, Dr. Richard Farmer, district superintendent, explained, with numerous supporting documents, how the district had arrived in their serious deficit position, estimated to be $805,000 at the end of the present fiscal year. The deficits were not new with a carryover shortage from year to year. This year it became serious with a decrease in state aid because of a change in the formula for computing it and an escalation in ex­ penditures for the payroll and supplies due to inflation. He said two offsetting fac­ tors, increasing property values and the rising multiplier used in computing assessments would probably bring in an additional $128,000 over the previous year. But regardless, the skyrocketing costs would Dush them through the borrowing ceiling, es­ timated to be about $1,200,000, in the next year. His testimony indicated that the district had little choice other than cutting personnel expenditures whjch is where most of the district's money goes. Action on teacher cuts was scheduled to be taken at a special meeting set for March 18, 7:30 p.m. at Parkland school. The board also approved a change in policy that would permit early retirement of teachers between the ages of 55 and 60 with at least 20 years of teaching service credit, authorized by a recent change in the state law. One third of the teachers eligible would be permitted to retire with a one time payment by em­ ployee and the district of s p e c i f i e d a m o u n t s established in the state statute. District 15 indicated that it would have to honor at least one request out of three eligible if it was made. Board member Henry Nell (Continued on page 20) Valleybrook Go-Ahead For SrMS Are you someone who puts choice seed on the ground and hangs suet in the tree - and then attracts only sparrows and starlings while your neighbors get the beautiful cardinals? Or do you put a weary head on the pillow at night, only to be awakened by half the cats in the neighborhood who select a spot under YOt'R window to settle their disputes? We know the feeling! It has been that kind of week for us. Last week we unwittingly became part of a trium­ virate that proceeded to add more confusion to a primary election no one understood in the first place. With candidates so numerous it was impossible to remember their names, to say nothing of their qualifications, there was the matter of cumulative voting for the state legislature. And to top it all, the bigwigs among the state Republicans decided to take advantage of i a new law that permits the names of presidential delegate candidates to be listed without a com­ mitment. As a youngster we played the game a little differently and called it Blind Man's Bluff. No one named the 1980 version, but apparently the purpose was to make it a Follow-the-Leader type of activity in which un­ committed delegates now have the opportunity to fall in line behind the front runner at the convention. Whatever the reason, the idea of voting for someone without knowing who he represented seemed an insult to those who would go to the polls. Out of the confusion, amidst reams of political copy that arrived in our office, was a news release from one Republican can­ didate who felt likewise. In fact, he was so incensed that he inaugurated a Hot Line service in which it was advertised that Republicans could learn to whom a particular delegate was committed. Here, it seemed, was an opportunity to serve our readers. The delegates committed to this particular candidate had appeared in the newspaper so he had nothing to gain from McHenry votes through the service. Nevertheless, we decided to check out the offer and called the Hot Line number. The answer was courteous and to tjie point. A caller could find out committed delegates in cases where a signed statement had been made in Springfield, and others they were able to learn through newspaper advertisements, etc. This seemed fair enough and we ran the Hot Line -- several times. At least three callers were disappointed. Neither received the information sought. What had happened was the crunch of the final days and eight phone lines into the Hot Line that rang con­ stantly. Volunteers became unwilling to give out other than delegates' names for their candidate, and not all of them were even correctly informed. President Carter, after finding himself in trouble recently, stated. "When you (Continued on page 20) City Jkrmexation Hearings With the sketch plan ap­ proval received from the McHenry Plan commission last Thursday night, the developers of the proposed 209-acre Valleybrook sub­ division now have the green light to proceed into an­ nexation hearings with the City Council. Those public hearings are slated to begin April 14, 1980. The property in question consists of 209 acres at the southwest corner of the intersection of Bull Valley road and the Crystal Lake blacktop. The Plan commission endorsed unanimously the revised sketch plan as presented by David Faestel, of Faestel Investments, Crystal Lake, which in­ corporated most of the changes from the original which were suggested by City Planner Robert Grossman at the last meeting. At the Feb. 14 meeting, Grossman raised a number of objections to the original plan which primarily con­ cerned the proposed road system. Grossman felt that the cul-de-sacs in the original plan should be eliminated and that the roads should be in­ terconnected within the subdivision. Another of the major problems which Grossman pointed out was a lack of access to the commercial area from within the development so that residents would not have to drive out on either the Crystal Lake blacktop or Bull Valley road. , The incorporation of Grossman's suggestions into the sketch plan resulted in a slight increase in the size of the commercial area and a few changes in the road pattern. These changes led also to a discussion concerning the propriety of the Plan commission making a recommendation to the City Council based upon the revised sketch plan while the Zoning board made its recommendation based upon the original plan. Faestel pointed out that the sketch plans were merely indications of how the developers were plan­ ning to proceed and not hard and fast plans. He also said that the revisions in the plan did not change either the zoning requests or the proposed land uses. The matter was dropped. The bulk of the property, about 95 percent according to the sketch plan, is slated to be zoned residential if approved by the Council. The developers are asking for "R-l" and "R-2" residential zoning for this land which would provide an undetermined number of acre and half-acre lots. The actual number of lots is determined through engineering; which will show how many well and septic systems the land will adequately support. To date, the developers have received favorable recommendations from the ZBA concerning the residential uses of the land and for a "B-l" business use of the commercial area. The ZBA recommended denial of the "B-3" business zoning which was requested in the original petition in favor of the more restrictive "B-l" business zoning. In the end, the Plan commission voted unan­ imously to recommend approval of the revised sketch plan to the City Council. Passenger Killed, Driver Critical As Truck Vaults Deceptive Practice Investigation Closed One man was killed and another left in critical condition last Friday night after the truck they were riding in vaulted a guardrail on Route 20 near Marengo and struck a tree. A passenger in the pickup truck, Bernard Mullaney, 17, of Marengo, was pronounced dead on arrival at Wood­ stock hospital shortly after 9 p.m. March 14. The driver of the vehicle, Gary J. Bowen, 17, of Marengo was taken to Sherman hospital in Elgin and is listed in critical condition by hospital of­ ficials. According to the police report, witnesses to the accident said no other vehicles were involved. A police investigation into the accident is continuing. Last Saturday night, a car driven by Michael C. Brenner, of 7720 Brook, Wonder Lake, left Keystone road and traveled a quarter- mile through three fences and three farm fields before stopping The report said the car first went through a fence near the road. After traveling 300 yards, the car went through a second fence. A hundred yards later, the car went through a creek, hit a concrete slab and was vaulted 60 feet through the air. When the vehicle landed. it went through a third fence and traveled another 75 feet before stopping. The driver of the auto. Brenner, told police he had been forced off Keystone road and had driven further into the field when he became upset. Gus G. Funteas, of 2712 Old Oak drive. McHenry. was ticketed for failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident, disobeying a traffic control device and driving with a revoked or suspended driver's license after a two-car collision at the intersection of Riverside drive and Johnsburg road. Funteas told police he saw (Continued on pa<je 20) Two Zoning Hearings Affect Land In Area A petition has been filed for hearing before the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals by the Wonder Lake Fire Protection district for a variation of the McHenry county zoning ordinance. The property is zoned "A-l" Agricultural district with a Conditional Use. The property is located in McHenry township on the east side of East Wonder Lake road, north of the in­ tersection of East Wonder Lake road and Hancock drive. It consists of 2 acres. The hearing on this petition will be held March 20 at 2 p.m. in Room 112 of the McHenry county cour­ thouse, 2200 North Seminary avenue, Woodstock. All those who may be interested may appear and be heard. Another petition has been filed for hearing by Terra Cotta Truck Service, Inc., for a variation of the county zoning ordinance of the side and back lot requirements of -the "B-l" Business district. The property is located in Nunda township, 1,000 feet west of Route 31 at the termination of Amway drive and consists of ap­ proximately J.065 acres. The hearing on this petition will be held March 20 at 10 a.m., in Room 112 of the courthouse. Again, those Who may be interested may appear and be heard The McHenry County Sheriff's police closed out an investigation Monday morning into a deceptive practice of the Streamwood Amvets Post 277 in collecting money for the benefit of retarded children. The solicitors were ap­ proaching area businessmen and asking them to purchase about $20 worth of tickets to a country and western show which is put on to benefit retarded children. According to Sheriff's Deputy Ed McFadden, the operation is legitimate and the show is scheduled for April 20, at a Schaumburg high school. McFadden said these people were soliciting as if children from the Windgate home and the Pioneer center would be invited to attend the show without charge. McFadden explained that the Windgate home was closed and no one had contacted Robert Lam- bourn, the executive director of the Pioneer center. "They are operating out here, but it's not their area," McFadden said. "Our kids won't be going." As McFadden explained the solicitation operation, it was legal insofar as the solicitors said there would be a show , and one is scheduled. But McFadden said they were lying when they said clients of Windgate and the Pioneer center would benefit. McFadden added that when businessmen call he recommends that they shouldn't participate. "I know who these people are. It's deceptive, but it's a borderline situation," McFadden commented. Rob Station Second Time For the second time in as many weeks, the Union 76 station at the intersection of Meadow and Route 120 was held up. A young man, about 19- years-old, walked into the station shortly before 9 p.m. last Friday night with a blue, steel revolver and ran off with about 9240. Two McHenry area youths were taken into custody for burglary and theft by Sheriff's police after they were caught pushing a stolen go-cart on Chapel Hill road. An inspection of the nearby McHenry Kart park, 2004 Lincoln road, showed that someone had cut wires and broken a window to get into a building. * The youths had taken the go-cart out through an overhead door. The juveniles were referred to the proper authorities. George Deigadillo. of 813 West boulevard, McHenry. reported the theft of two mini-bikes, three bicycles, a lawnmower. a bowling ball and several garden tools from an unlocked storage shed. Family members reported a break-in at the summer home of Richard Hojek, of Evergreen Park, at 2702 Pueblo. McHenry. last Friday night The thief got away with ^ heater, a collection of 24 old belt biickles and about $22 <( • - i i • i • in ."I 20) Early Morning Voting This polling location at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran church was no beehive of activity In the eaHy hours of primary voting Tuesday. John Cunat was the lone voter when the photographer entered the polls and snapped the McHenry man as he left the Republican voting booth. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD