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By Lloyd Burger Hie McHenry Planning commission has made minor corrections to the comprehensive planning map and clarified for the City Council its intent for light commercial use contained in the plan recommendations. Two new commission members participated in their first deliberations in these Thursday night actions when they received updated briefings in (dan commission functions from Consultant Robert Grossman and City Attorney Bernard Narusis. The commission action on the light commercial recommendation was in response to a request for clarification made bv Mayor Joseph Stanek on behalf of the Council. Ward_2 Alderman George Harker explained that the concern of some of his fellow aldermen was that 'light commercial' might not be productive of sales tax which he characterized as tuiiiuntjnm Invitation To Death Sgt. George Meyers, Safety Education and Water Patrol officer for the McHenry County Sheriffs department, left, and Joseph F. Eisele, crime prevention officer and liaison for snowmobile patrol, look at one of the danger spots for vehicles on the Fo* river. Open water under the Fox river bridge, such as shown above, to an invitation to death when careless snowmobile drivers fail to employ caution. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD "the life blood of McHenry (city operations)." Many uses under the 'light commercial' designation, Harker predicted, could "restrict our collection of such taxes". This, he believed, was the thinking of some of the aldermen, but they wanted ji clearer definition from the planner. Joan Schwegel, acting chairman of the Plan commission, said there were certain businesses they didn't intend to have included in the areas along Route 31 slated for this light commercial' use such as fast food establishments, taverns, or auto service stations which would have many lights and operate late at night. As a simple way of indicating the commission's intent, members ap­ proved a motion to define 'light com­ mercial' use as "B 1" business use (in the zoning code book) minus some specific businesses considered disruptive to neighborhoods such as taverns, restaurants, auto dealerships, service stations and liquor stores. To correct the Year 2000 planning map, the commission okayed two minor changes: multi-family use back of office use east of south Route 31 and multi-family use to commercial use for a strip just north of the entrance to Knox park along Route 31. Grossman explained that he had inadvertently included the transitional multi-family projection behind the office use designation when he worked on the map It was intended for an area further north And he and planners had believed that multi-family use wbuld have been appropriate overlooking the park entrance, but soil limitations precluded this option During the commission briefing, Narusis addressed first the specific question of commercial use definition and in general the effect of the plan itself Narusis, pointing to several law volumes, noted that millions of words have been written about planning and still officials and courts differ on their views about it. "It's a tug back and forth," he ex­ plained, "There is no answer. You're not zoners as some aldermen may accuse you of being. You make ad­ visory statements to the City Council (which acts on them)." Thursday night they were to recommend advisory amendments to the comprehensive plan which was completed several years previously. And the plan itself is not zoning, but a guide to future zoning decisions and (subdivision) regulations, he said. Grossman amplified the explanations of the commission functions. He ob­ served that in planning today the commission must consider in its area new municipalities that were not here when the plan was first drawn. He cited Wonder Lake, Bull Valley, Prairie Grove and McHenry Shores, which add new voices to be heard, some quiet and some vociferous. McHenry, Grossman insisted, the most interesting community in the county partly because of its large tertiary population not in the city proper This is a big plus because of its help with the sales tax generated. The plan contains an analysis and inventory of existing land uses and facilities, top soil categories and limitations and other information. Planning, Grossman reminded them, is for the future when many of them would no longer be here or serving in public office. Grossman noted innovations oc­ curring in alarming such as the Planned Unit Development which results in an amalgam of lifestyles and land uses. McHenry is a city with good qualities and not too many problems. Grossman continued, with positive things to build on. He noted the exception of Route 120 with its 4-mile commercial strip with numerous and varied businesses .which could be described at worst as tawdry This situation, he said, they have tried to avoid in dealing with Route 31, but have found some tremendous "write downs" of zoning possibilities with the designation of large areas to industrial use These could be upgraded to light commercial. But. Grossman, warned, existing (Continued on page 16) Safety is the No. 1 goal of two members of the McHenry County 9heriffs department charged with services related to snowmobiles on the river. Sgt. George Meyers and Joseph Staple, of McHenry, are concerned have occurred as a result of careless operation of snowmobiles on local bodies of water that are not completely frozen. Last week a Palmyra, Wis., a man lost his life when the machine he was driving went down in open water at Colby Point. The following day, sear­ chers were called to the same spot to investigate snowmobile tracks that left the ice into water. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. Eisele pointed out that the next few weeks may well be the most dangerous of all, with alternating freezing and thawing He added that it speaks well for club members and their instruction that accidents have involved persons less familiar with the dangers of river travel Meyers said that while his duties incline river patrol, this is impossible wfienThe water freezes THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER _ ^ "SERVING THE CHA1N-OLAKES REGION SINCE 1875" VOLUME 105 NUMBER 57 FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 13, 1981 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25* Wrestle With City Budget By Anthony Oliver In the first of a number of meetings, the Finance committee of the McHenry City Council wrangled Monday night with the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. According to preliminary in­ formation received that night, the projected revenues for the 1961-82 fiscal year were set at $2,389,650. Total ex­ penditures for the same time frame were estimated at $2,876,967 - leaving a ANOTHER HEAVY SNOWFALL BLOCKS ROADS MCHENRY WITHOUT TRAINS FOR FOUR DAYS PLOWS AND SHOVELERS BATTLE WITH SNOW Those were the McHenry Plaindealer headlines of Feb. 6,13, and 20 in 1936 - just 45 years ago. As we emerged from snow drifts last Tuesday morning and joined an in­ creasing number of drivers who braved icy streets, most of us were feeling relief that it was over and no more of those beautiful white flakes were predicted. Many were recalling the winter two years ago when we were convinced a hot day in June would still find moutains of snow in isolated places. A few wore remembering that January in the late 'sixties when traffic was almost at a standstill even on city streets. Only <me old timer in the community looked farther back in local history to see if we could reproduce a picture he remembered from a 1936 Plaindealer. We didn't find the photo, but we did uncover three consecutive front pages •that piqued our interest. (Continued on page 16) The budgets that were submitted for individual departments did not include any Salary increases. Alderman Jack Pepping, finance committee chairman, had instructed all of the department heads to prepare the proposed budgets without salary increases because those would be determined at the end of the budget process. Stressing priorities regarding a number of big-ticket items in each department, Pepping went through the proposed budgets and cut $304,100 - leaving a deficit of $183,217. The largest cuts came in the Department of Public Works, where most of the asphalt and cement pur­ chases were axed, a total of $136,000. In the General Administration budget, the committee cut $110,000, most of which had been set aside for land purchases. The Police department was looking to hire two new patrolmen, but may not be able to with a cut of $32,650 from the proposed budget. In both the Parks and Recreation department and the City Clerk's office, money that had been set aside for new equipment and uniforms was trimmed from the budget requests in the amounts of $16,500 and $8,950 respec­ tively. Pepping suggested that the road program, which so far has suffered the most severe cuts, could be funded through the $207,000 in revenue sharing monies that are expected from the government. As of Monday night, the budget cuts were reflected in this way. The general administration exenditures were estimated at $281,175 before the cuts, but after, the expenditures were estimated at $171,175. Likewise in the city clerk's office, the expenditures were cut from $96,000 to $87,050; in the police department from $905,055 to $869,405; in the Public Works depart­ ment from $689,000 to $553,000; and in the Parks and Recreation department from $655,812 to $639,312. It was noted that the Park department expenditures were high because of the half-million dollar Knox park development. Also presented at the finance com­ mittee meeting were year-end projections for the present fiscal year. According to City Clerk Barbara Gilpin, the year-end revenue projection was $2,003,544. Expenses in the same time period have been estimated at $2,172,068 - a deficit of $168,524. Mrs Gilpin noted, however, that money in the municipal equity fund would more than cover this deficit. Pepping concluded Round 1 of the budget hearings when he said, "This is the first meeting of many, but I think you can see the handwriting on the wall This may be the year of wage and hiring freezes." Vocational Training.... Legislators Take A Look Illinois Legislators Jack Schaffer, Jill Zwick and Richard Klemm, as well as aides to U.S. Senators McClory, Percy and Dixon Monday attended a half- day tour of vocational education programs in McHenry, Crystal Lake and Dundee schools. The tour was sponsored as part of American Vocational Education week. Illinois Senator Jack Schaffer commented, "It was very interesting to see the range of classes offered at the various high schools. When I was in school, which I like to think wasn't all that long ago, about all we had was woodworking and metal shop." The senator said, "It's a good thing to have the guys in Home Ec and the girls in electronics." He commented that the programs give the young people a chance to look at a whole range of employment opportunities. "The local industries are smart to work with the high schools and provide opportunities for the students," Schaffer said. He noted that a big problem with the industry-education link is that many of tiie industries have large, computerised machinery thata not available in the schools "It's hard for a school to invest large amounts of money in a single machine that may be obsolete in six months," the senator said. Thirty-third district Representative Richard Klemm commented, "I am impressed with the approach of not having the students become experts, but familiarizing them with the industry because not all students will be going on to college. " "Vocational education needs support as an alternative to college," Klemm said. "It gives the student a sellable commodity." He noted that money for the vocational education programs was a problem which behooves governments to look at various programs and establish priorities. School TV Pros-Cons by Lloyd Burger A proposal by the Lakes Cable to service educational T.V. for the schools in McHenry's Elementary School District 15 received mixed responses from the school board at the regular meeting Feb. 10. District Supt. Richard Farmer en­ dorsed the offer as an opportunity to replace the teaching lost in cuts due to budget restraints. Suggested subjects are art, vocal music, science and foreign languages. Board President Gary Lockwood objected, "Kids sitting down in front of aT.V. gives a negative impression. I'm not against it, but I would want the board to explore it." (before instituting it.) Dr. Farmer explained to the board that Lakes Cable Television, Inc.. a division of Community Cablevision, Inc., which services the area, has of­ fered a channel daily until 4 p.m for educational purposes and that the company would not charge the schools On The Job At Trades House Students in the Building Trades claas in McHenry high school install ceiling in the drywall of a house they are building on Hanley street. Working from left to right are: Phil Smith, Mike Didier, Al Krepel and Paul Knapik. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD (Continued on page 16) There is a house at 1019 Hanley street, in the Whispering Oaks area of McHenry that is nearing completion The house is newsworthy for two reasons. First, it has been almost en­ tirely constructed by McHenry high school students; and second, it takes on special importance as an example of youth accomplishment during Vocational Education week. The students involved in this project are from both East and West campuses and are enrolled in the Building Trades classes taught by Bill Winkel. (Continued on page 16) Schools In Mock U.N. Forum No Upturn In Econofhy Reactivate Educational Foundation Discuss World Problems Ill inois Picture Name Change Page 18 ' • ^ , » # t Page 4 Page 19 Free TV Guide in Today's Edition l"* " # * I Correction-Clarification On City Plan Map i