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1 Frustration is a part of any business, but if you want to witness it running rampant, go to work for a newspaper. There are no'Win days in any business, but if you enjoy a daily challenge of conquering frustration, covering the news is for you. A few days ago we received a call asking why we had not investigated a particular project of general interest. We had conducted interviews, attended meetings and carried the outcome to the reading public. It was one of those few things a community gets behind and backs because doing it seems in the best in­ terest of almost everyone. If we had conducted a man-on-the- street it would have been difficult to find someone who was not in accord. And if we had done that, surely someone would have called to see if we were trying to stir up trouble. Then something happened in con­ nection with the same project. This time it was hard news. But would anyone talk? Well, almost not anyone! It was only after several hours of calls and return calls that we were able to get a story we thought readers deserved in their newspaper. And anyone who writes a column finds it isn't hard to touch the sen­ sitivities of folks on their pet projects. In fact, you find them when you aren't really looking. Every now and then you write (Continued on page 22) Denied On City Ballot A split decision at Monday night's meeting of the McHenry City Council denied a request from the McHenry Business and Professional Women's club (BPW) to have a "Citizens' Initiative Advisory 'referendum" placed on the ballot in the April 7 election. The measure would allow citizens to propose laws directly by petition. Passage of the bill would require a three-fifths majority of the House and Senate as well as a simple majority of the voting public. Representing the BPW, Mrs. Cathy Nolan said the group was not asking for an endorsement or commitment; simply to get the advisory referendum placed on the ballot. City Attorney Bernard Narusis ex­ plained later, "Presumably, the pur­ pose of the (advisory) referendum is to go to the legislature with numbers saying, 'A million people want it.' It's a form of friendly persuasion." Alderman Jack Pepping questioned whether a citizens initiative referen­ dum would "preempt" the legislative process, which is based on elected officials studying, debating and acting on a bill. "If left open to the ballot, wouldn't you run the risk of issues being not clearly thought out and voted on more emotional than practical...without consideration of enforcement or cost?" Alderman Pepping asked. Mrs. Nolan said that for an initiative referendum to be voted on, 375,000 signatures would be necessary and only after a period of debate would a vote be taken "All we want is for it to be put on the ballot, so that citizens can advise their legislators." Mrs. Nolan said. "When do we have to make a decision?" asked Alderman Michael Wieser. "Tonight," Mrs. Nolan answered. Expressing some dismay at having the measure presented at the last minute, Alderman Wieser said, "I'm not very knowledgeable about it and I haven't had a chance fb talk to an op­ ponent of citizen's initiative." Alderman Harker commented that he would make the motion to put the ad­ visory referendum on the ballot and then vote against it - as was his right Voting in favor of Harker's motion were Aldermen Pepping, Datz, Schooley and Meurer. Voting against were Aldermen Nolan, Harker, Wieser and Adams. Mayor Joseph Stanek cast the deciding "no" vote. The Council also shot down a request from the McHenry Jaycees to hold a late June carnival in one of the city parks. Mayor Stanek reported that' the Jaycees had originally asked to hold the carnival in the Pearl street park, but he had objected because of the number of (Continued on page 22) Give Scholarship F r o m Concert Proceeds Ramon Gregorio, of the McHenry Police department, at left, discusses with Robert Swartzloff, superintendent of McHenry High School District 156. the scholarship to be made possible with funds from a three-hour concert scheduled Feb. 8, sponsored by the McHenry City Police association. A three-hour concert to raise funds tor a scholarship for a McHenry area student will be held in the West campus gymnasium Sunday. Feb 8, from 2 to 5 o'clock. Featured will be the McHenry stage band and Trilogy, playing music from the early 'twenties to the present time Each will provide three half-hour programs A concession stand will allow members of the audience to enjoy food and refreshments and still be present for those parts of the program they find of most interest Proceeds from the sale at the stand, managed by the Booster STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD club, will be used to buy sports equipment Students from both campuses are encouraged to apply for the scholar­ ship The winner will be determined by a scholarship board which will include faculty members from both campuses and members of the sponsoring Police association Lakemoor Revenue Sharing "Talking Book" Services PTO Holds Fun Fair Three Receive Funds For Bllnd-Handlcapped . At Hilltop School Page 14 Rage 20 * Page 2 Former Pistakee r Bay Home Destroyed A rpsirtont of Rorkv Beach road for iht iaai 23 yeai», Mi a. UliCk Said the home was the Villa nursing home, and later the Pistakee Bay home, until it was closed by the state. She was not sure how much damage was done to her home, but she noted that new siding will be required Fire Chief Peterson said that as the fire progressed and pumping operations were set up. holes were cut in the ice and water from the lagoon was used to fight the fire He noted that firefighters were at the scene until almost noon of Friday. Jan 30 He estimated the damage at more than $60,000. The house was occupied by the I^eonards and their housekeeper, but no one was at home when the fire broke out. Frank Leonard said he was at work at that time "We keep kind of erratic hours " he said Leonard owned the house for the last four years and said he hoped they would be able to rebuild "It's a bit on the depressing side." he said. "It was a beautiful old house, built in 1903 " Objections Made Firpmpn from «I>VPD rnmrnniM representing five area fire depart­ ments, battled an early morning blaze Friday at the home of Mr and Mrs. Frank Leonard, 1147 Rocky Beach, McHenry • According to McHenry Fire Chief Glenn Peterson, the fire was called in shortly after 4 a.m. Friday McHenry Co. II (Johnsburg) responded first, followed by Co. I and Co. Ill Tankers from Wonder Lake, Spring Grove, Richmond and Fox Lake were later called to the scene. A next-door neighbor. Mrs Virginia Ulick, of 1117 Rocky Beach, McHenry, reported the fire According to Mrs. Ulick. their Great Dane, Thor, was the hero of the day "He never barks at night," she said, "but last night he started a little after 4 a.m." As Mrs. Ulick descended the stairs, she saw, through a small window, flames from the house next door "The basement was all red and glowing and there were flames coming from the kitchen," she said. "Then I ran upstairs and dialed '911' but nothing happened," she recalled After a call to the operator, the fire department was alerted and trucks dispatched to the blaze 'Initiative Advisory' Firefighters contained and extinguished a blaze that destroyed a home, the former Pistakee Bay Nursing home, in the early morning cold of Friday. Jan. 30. In all, men and equipment from seven Fire companies responded to the 4 a.m. alarm. No cause for the fire was determined and damage was estimated at more man «MI,UUU. More photos and information appear on page 18 of this issue. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALE* " S E R V I N G T H E C H A I N - O - L A K E S R E G I O N S I N C E 1 8 7 5 " VOLUME 105 NUMBER 54 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1981 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25 ANTHONY CORCORAN At the Friday night meeting of the board of directors of McHenry hospital, members terminated the contract of Administrator Anthony Corcoran for what was described as an "unrecon- cilable situation". LeRoy Olsen, president, released the following statement on behalf of the board: "Mr Corcoran was requested to devote his time exclusively to the successful pursuit of our Certificate of Need application. This position was not acceptable to him nor was he willing to propose any alternative to the board's request, this leaving the board with an unreconcilable situation which could only be resolved by the termination of Mr. Corcoran's contract. "Recognizing his long years of service to the hospital, this action was taken with deep regret". Olsen added that a search for a new administrator has been initiated. Corcoran, who has been ad­ ministrator of the McHenry hospital for 19 years, was unavailable for comment. In a letter sent to all members of the McHenry Hospital corporation Tuesday, Jan. 27, Olsen pointed to the importance of the final presentation to the Illinois Health Facilities Planning board. On Jan. 9, the IHFPB issued an "intent to deny" decision regarding the proposed relocation and expansion of the hospital to a site at the intersection of Rt 31 and Bull Valley road. That decision was not an outright denial of the relocation- expansion project and still afforded the hospital the opportunity to present more in­ formation in support of the application at a later meeting. It is hoped a new hearing will be held within two months. The letter sent to corporation members last week spoke op­ timistically that "in spite of some well publicized parochial objections, which can be easily answered, we believe we can proceed to present our project to the State Planning board with reasonable assurance of success". The importance of the expansion project was further emphasized this way: "The final presentation in Springfield along with the many long and exhausting meetings with our consultants, architects, appraisers, city and local officials, county and tri- county Health Systems agencies and others, demands the full commitment and responsibility of one person well equipped and experienced to carry this project to its rightful conclusion. At the same time we expect the hospital to operate efficiently and responsibly within the community ". Olsen said it was to fulfill both ob­ jectives that Corcoran was asked to devote his time exclusively to the Certificate of Need Ernest Schooley. completing his first term as alderman in Ward IV, has filed an objection with City Clerk Barbara Gilpin, declaring the petition of Cecilia Serritella invalid Ms. Serritella is his opponent in a two-way race in the April 7 City 6i6Cii0n. The objection includes several charges: (1 > That the heading of the petition does not include the ward .number; (2) That petition signers did not write McHenry, indicating the county; (3) That Page 1 was not in­ dicated-fin the one-page petition; (4) That the addresses of the signers from 1 to 14 were not proper The matter will be settled by the electoral board of the City of McHenry. consisting of the mayor, city clerk and senior alderman They will meet at 7 30 FriduV night Fcb 6 in Hoorr. 112 tH® McHenry county courthouse Both aldermanic candidates will be heard and City Attorney Bernard Narusis will advise the electoral board on any legalities involved in a decision Either candidate may then ask for a judicial review Schedule Soil, Water Meeting Byrfon Boddy, farmer from Lovington, 111., will speak on his experiences using the no-till method of planting when he addresses the annual meeting of the McHenry County Soil and Water Conservation district Saturday, Feb. 7. Boddy is described as an "informative, entertaining and interesting speaker" with appeal for general audiences. The meeting will be held at the First United Methodist church, 205 W. South street in Woodstock, with registration beginning at 6:30 and dinner at 7 p.m . District directors in 1980 were chairman, Charles J Budreck Jr., McHenry; vice-chairman, Jim Book of Harvard; secretary, Joan Wissell, Woodstock; treasurer, Cyril bugner, Crystal Lake and John R Tambone. of Woodstock Associate directors, included Robert A Fleck of McHenry. Charles Weingart of McHenry was recently appointed Associate director Soil and Water Conservation districts are legally constituted units or instrumentalities of state government created to administer soil and water conservation work within their boundaries. They are not branches or agencies of any federal department. They are managed by an elected and unsalaried boara of directors made up of local citizens who reside within the (Continued on page 22)