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Urge Winter Car Caution State Police Page 20 Adult Education Locally From County Colleg• Page 8 Dairy Industry Changes Farm Bureau Message Page 4 THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER .SERVING THE CHAIN-O-lAKES REGION SINCE 1875 ' VOLUME 105 NUMBER 51 FRIDAY, JANUARY 23, 1981 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25 Final Tax Bills For Mogge Nunda Township Road Commissioner LeRoy Geske was found guilty in 19th Judicial Circuit court, Woodstock. Tuesday of violating a state statute that „ prohibits a government employee from entering into a private contract. Geske was fined $2,500 by presiding Judge Alphonse Witt The road commissioner told the court he would resign his position and not seek re-election The case was brought by the State when Geske entered into a private contract with Geske and Sons Asphalt Paving and Excavating to construct roads in a subdivision in Nunda township. The state argued that in his capacity as road commissioner, Geske would be inspecting and accepting the roads into the township.' The defense argued that Geske had been unaware of the statute when he entered into the contract The Nunda road commissioner was originally indicted on two felony charges, having an interest in contracts and official misconduct, however, he was found not guilty on these two charges After reviewing the case. Judge Witt said he questioned the constitutionality of the state statute "I'm most uncomfortable with this statute and feel it may be un­ constitutional." Witt said Clear Message Through The Fog Free TV Guide in Today's Edition Seek Input On Reapportionment McHenry County board members and others are being encouraged to provide input on county reapportionment, which according to law must be com­ pleted by July 1 of this year. At present, the County board consists of 24 members who are elected by districts, with eight members from each of the three districts. Algonquin and Grafton townships are presently included in District 1 and Nunda, McHenry and Burton townships in District 2. The remainder of the county makes up District 3. Edward Buss of McHenry, who heads the Legislative & Public Affairs committeee, in the committee appeal for input, acknowledged that while it is easier for those in charge of elections to have all precincts in a township in the same district, this may not be possible any longer due to the one-person, one- vote system. The Legislative committee, which is charged with recommending a method of reapportionment to the total board, has released basic rules which must be followed Not less than five or more than 27 members will be elected and this will be either at large or by districts. If they are elected by districts, they should be of equal population, continguous territory, as compact as possible, and townships and municipalities may be divided only when necessary to con­ form to the population requirement. The County board chairman may be elected at large, or by members of the board If elected at large, that person must also be elected to the County board The term of chairman is for two years, regardless of method At the time of reapportionment, the board will determine if members should be paid on a per diem basis or on a salary basis The board will also fix the amount of compensation Members who are elected in 1982 will draw by lot for two and four-year terms. All County board members are asked to advise the Legislative committee in writing on their opinions In a national election year such as we just completed, most of the attention focuses on the President or the men who would like to be President. It was ever so. Even so, in this year of I960 we hear more and more from economists suggesting that congressmen hold more power in several areas in which we are in trouble. They have planted the seed to prompt the man-on-the* street to search in the right place for the culprits. But aside from what they do or don't do right, there is the question about those who do nothing at all. Not a soul is now alive who remembers, but some may have read, a quote from Thomas Carlyle in 1843 which said, "A fair day's wages for a fair day's work: it is as just a demand as governed men ever made of governing. It is the everlasting right of man." (Continued on page 16) At Tuesday's meeting of the McHenry County board, Supervisor of Assessments Willard Hogge submitted his written desire to retire from that office as soon as possible after April 1. He has held that position since Sept. 15, 1973. In making his announcement, Hogge said one of his greatest challenges has been the continued effort on the part of his office to complete his part of the tax cycle to enable tax bills to be mailed on time. "We have not been able to meet this goal entirely, he said, "but we have been able to improve the timing tremendously over the last five years and every indication points to tax bills being on time this year". Hogge recalled the tremendous growth of McHenry county since he took office.This has been reflected in the number of real estate parcels, which have increased from about 71,000 in 1973 to about 83,360 last year. It is also seen in the growth of the equalized value from $543,800,000 in 1973 to $1,153,456,940 in 1981. The total amount, Hogge said, would have been $1,285,064,240 except for the reduction of $131,607,300 due to homestead exemptions. United Way Over Goal 1 Jj U | v: M f » Frank 8. Greenwald, president of (Jolted Way of McHenry County, presided over the annual meeting held Wednesday evening at the Branded 8teak House, Crystal Lake. More than 15t people were In attendance to lenrn that a collection of $275,MS, the fnnd drive goal was surpassed by almost $2t,Mt. 8TAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Spirits were high at the annual meeting of United Way of McHenry County, Inc., Wednesday evening as President Frank S. Greenwald an­ nounced that the goal of 9256,000 had been surpassed. The total figure, Greenwald said, reached $275,000. In his talk, the United Way leader pointed out that the contributions of nine firms totalled over half of the entire collection. Representatives received Distinguished Contributor awards. Generous Contributor awards went 23 other individuals and firms, recognizing a financial support that was substantially above average. (Continued on page 16) In conclusion, Hogge observed that his office is one oiihe least understood of all in the county. Contingent upon several factors, tax bills are expected to be due June 1 and Sept. 1. Hogge noted that if the Board of Review fulfills its promise to him, there should be no difficulty in completing his part of the tax cycle on time. County Clerk Rosemary Azzaro in­ dicated that if the work to be done in the Hogge office is completed by March 2, her office should be able to turn the tax books over to the county collector's office about April 20. Concluding the list of "ifs" was one by Treasurer Audrey Walgenbach, who noted that if the dates set forth by the other offices are firm, the approximate date for the bills to be in the mail would be April 29 or 30, with due dates June 1 and Sept. 1. The extension of time requested by the Board of Review to complete work in the matter of assessment of property and its equalization was granted to Feb. 27. Clint Claypool of McHenry noted that qualified individuals should be aware the position of supervisor of assessments will be open. The board learned of a Jan. 2 visit by the Courthouse Operations committee to the DeKalb county courthouse to view microfiche operations, and also a continuing effort to determine what records must be kept and what can be destroyed. A sub-committee revealed the results of a meeting with several offices to learn their needs in this area. When one board member suggested adding on to the courthouse room for storage, Edward Buss of McHenry said he would prefer, if necessary, con­ structing an inexpensive building for this purpose. A study will continue, during which time advice will be sought from the State regarding what items must be retained. Phone Service Out As Water Seeps In Cable Telephone service for an estimated 315 customers living on the west side of Wonder Lake was interrupted Tuesday night after ice shifted, cracking a telephone cable belonging to the General Telephone company, Wonder Lake. A spokesman for the company said crews worked t<x dry the cable Wed­ nesday and would reinstall the cable on Thursday. Full service was expected to be restored sometime Thursday, the spokesman said. After motions and amendments were jMtde related to increasing the payment of election judges, a 15 to 5 vote approved the original motion, but increasing the amount to that suggested by James Curran of McHenry. Judiges will be paid $50 per day for serving and an extra $10 will be added for those who attend a special school for judges. During the discussion, it was noted that some of these judges spend over 14 hours at their work. The treasurer's report indicated a marked decrease in General fund cash receipts for the month of December. The total from the many sources of revenue was $637,226 for 1980 in com­ parison with $747,187 the previous December. For the year as a whole, the dif­ ference was noted in figures of $1,709,182 for 1979 and $1,514,315 this year. (Continued on page 16) Ask Direction At the last meeting of the Johnsburg school board. Dr. Duane Andreas discussed the progress of the Priority Index which has been sent out to parents and one-fourth of the voters who participated in the recent referendum defeat This survey will be tabulated and presented to the board at the next regular meeting At this time, the administration hopes to get input from the board In the meantime, students, teachers and employees will also be asked for their input. Dr. Andreas said this data, along with the cost analysis study data, may present certain concepts that the board and administrators are unaware of and give direction to the decisions of cutting programs and services which will be the project of most concern in the months ahead The board members voted to increase in School Cuts student milk prices to 09 cents at the first meeting of the new year effective second semester. Dr. Ken Falkingham, business manager, reported that milk prices have been raised three times this past year and the district is now losing over two cents per carton. The government subsidy has not increased with milk prices and remains at five cents With the district selling a quarter of a million cartons a year the .floss was estimated at about $3,000 Another increase is expected in the fall Dr. Falkingham also reported that lunch participation is up. but revenues are about the same due to almost a 200 percent increase in free lunch students Funding for free lunch usually lags until after Jan 1 Dr Falkinham reported - that the noise abatement change order is almost (Continued on page 16) Thick though the fog was In mid-afternoon Tuesday, the word* on the West campus Ugh school sign came through clearly: Give Thanks- Welcome Home Americans. The 52 hoatages were In flight on the first lap of their long trip home when the words were placed on the sign to be viewed by students and passing motorists on Crystal Lake road. It was one of many expressions Guilty Verdict ^ - ' For Commissioner of gratefulness evident In McHenry. One caller -- -- first yellow ribbon to make Its appearance at the corner of Riverside and Pearl street. Students called from East campus to describe the decorating of halls in commemoration of the release of the hostages. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD City Group Home Near Completion With construction on the Pioneer Center Group home in McHenry nearing completion. Mrs. Dixie Meyer, president, announced this week that applications are being accepted. Formal applications are now being accepted for persons to live in the Group home under construction by the McHenry County Association for the Retarded, Dixie Meyer, president has announced. Construction is nearing completion at Ponca and Marietta streets in McHenry which began last Oct. 1. Financing of the $396,000 home has been made possible by a loan from the U.S. Housing and Urban Development. Mrs. Meyer said the 5,000-square foot residential alternative will serve as a home for developmentally disabled. Applicants for the facility must be a minimum of 18 years of age, have a primary diagnosis of moderately mentally retarded and meet the basic admission criteria. Mrs. Meyer stressed the facility in a residential neighborhood in McHenrv has been designed to create a home-like atmosphere for up to 11 develop- mentally disabled adults. These adults will be under 24-hours-a day professional staff supervision and will be involved in full-time day mode programs sponsored by Pioneer center. "Professional staff members will be used to implement the program and assure adequate and appropriate care," she summarized. In establishing the Group home concept during the past three years, Robert Lamboum, executive director, said the board believes it has a responsibility to provide needed residential alternatives for develop- mentally disabled Two other alter­ natives are the Community Living facility and Transitional Living facility, both in Woodstock. DON PEASLEY PHOTOGRAPHY Lam bourn listed these four ob­ jectives of the new Group home which will provide staff members with a better chance to meet the professional needs of individuals because of the smaller number of people living at the home. The four objectives : 1 - Transitional return to the com munities from institutions; 2 - Possible prevention or delay of institutional placement; 3 - A home-like environment; 4 - Training for each resident in progressively greater independent living skills Mrs. Meyer said all persons with an interest in learning about the program or in filing an application should con­ tact Connee Meschini, director of residential services, at Woodstock. That phone number is 338-5584.