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

McHenry Revenue Sharing Approved by Anthony Oliver The McHenry City Council voted 6 to l Monday night to approve the Revenue Sharing recommendations proffered by the Finance committee. Alderman Michael Wieaer suggested dropping the water system im­ provements ($15,000) and the Boone creek project ($45,000) and using the funds to help alleviate the projected $100,000-plus deficit. Alderman Jack Peppii£ noted at the outset of the m wmm We arrived home the other night to find one piece of mail in the box. It was the kind of message to convince one that sometimes the old adage, "No news is good news," has more truth than we like to admit. On the cover of the folder was a rreof a baby seal in its icy home on barren ice floes off the coast of Newfoundland. Then we remembered - March is the month when the savage bludgeoning of the seal pups begins. By the end of April almost half of them will be dead. The folder was sent by the Humane Society of the United States, and as we read further it occurred to us that this organization deserves the support of everyone for whom the annual clubbing has become so repugnant. To do our part, a contribution seemed in order, as well as a duty to pass along other ways the public can help through the pages of this newspaper. And then we recalled the work day we had just finished. It wasn't unlike many others, but until this moment as we a piece of mail that was un­ it to us, we hadn't even noticed that we had been dealing with other mighty unhappy people. As we recalled some of the stories that had come to our desk, it crossed our mind that maybe we are all becoming immune to hassles, name calling, and everything that goes into the news today. In Ward 4 of the city the controversy has a way of staying in the news. Will there be one or two names on the ballot for alderman? People are angry as they express themselves in the Public Pulse column. The city fathers see a pressing need to spend most of the annual revenue sharing funds for the city. Meanwhile, other service groups, if not angry, are at least disappointed that they are not among the beneficiaries. Also in the Council chambers, members are warned of the danger* of being without flood insurance. It seems there has been a difference of opinion *•' (Continued on page 18) discussion that the deficit did not in­ clude expenditures for step pay in- benefits. and longevity Pepping also commented that there was enough money in the Municipal Equity fund to cover the deficit. Alderman George Harker opposed the measure saying revenue sharing money should not be used for day-to­ day expenses. Alderman Wieser said the $15,000 for the water system improvements was essentially unnecessary considering a $26,000 surplus projected at the end of the fiscal year. "I can't see using $45,000 for Boone creek," Wieser said. Pepping said the use of Revenue Sharing money to underwrite expenses, in principle, was no different than using money from the Municipal Equity fund. But, he added, there is no guarantee that Revenue Sharing will continue. Alderman Nolan made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Finance committee. The recom­ mendations include: the street sweeper, 58,056; Rescue squad, $5,000; Boone creek, $45,000; water system improvements, $15,000; mosquito abatement, $25,000; gas tanks, $15,000; police cars, $20,000; and traffic relief, $24,088. The council voted in favor, except Alderman Weiser. Alderman Meurer was absent. Mayor Joseph Stanek, chairman of the McHenry Electoral board, said the board will abide by the ruling of the 19th Judicial Circuit court, which upheld Alderman Ernest Schooley in his ob­ jection to the nOhunating petition of opponent, Cecilia Serritella. Alderman Wieser questioned the propriety of the additional review, which was funded, in part, with mun­ icipal monies. Mayor Stanek said the Electoral board was not required to obtain council approval and was entitled to seek legal counsel. City Attorney Bernard Narusis ex­ plained that the Electoral board had been named as "defendants" (using the term loosely) in the judicial review requested by Alderman Schooley. The second court appearance was simply to present additional relevant information Slate Park Dedication On Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m. the City of McHenry will hold dedication ceremonies for the Knox park afea. All area residents are invited to at­ tend this dedication ceremony, providing an opportunity for residents to acquaint themselves with this new park development. All facilities in­ cluded in this development are scheduled for completion this summer. The location for the program is 105 N. Green street. For further information on the dedication, call the Department of Parks and Recreation at 344-3300. Fire Guts Church Washroom A fire which was believed to have smouldered for many hours entirely gutted the women's washroom lounge in the basement of St. Patrick Catholic church last Sunday. Fire Chief Glenn Peterson said he received a call sometime after 11 p.m. from the Rev. Edmund Petit, pastor. As Father Petit was driving his car into the garage, he smelled smoke and walked around the church to in­ vestigate. McHenry Township Fire Co. I responded to the alarm. They found the fire almost extinguished in the washroom but were confronted by heavy smoke. Cigarette butts found in several places led Peterson to believe they were the cause of the fire. He said it was so intense as to melt plastic holders for the mirror and other plastic in the room. Fireproof walls and door contained the flames. Peterson estimated the damage at about $3,000. Landmark In Recycling Saturday, March 7, will serve as a landmark in McHenry's recycling program. Not only will it be the first time that the recycling of glass, cans, paper, aluminum and oil will be held twice a month, but it also marks the beginning of an incentive pay-back program for aluminum cans that will be carried on simultaneously along with the first Saturday of each month's drive. Those individuals or groups desiring to do so may bring in their aluminum cans separated from their other recyclables, have them weighed at the drive and receive payment for them at the rate of 25 cents per pound. A premium of 3 cents a pound will be paid for quantities over 100 pounds. (Continued on page 18) . to the court. In neither case was the electoral board objecting to the Schooley petition, Narusis said. In other business, the council discussed the purchase of a portable concession stand for the Parks and Recreation department. The stand would belocated in Petersen park and also used at special events. Alderman Wieser suggested that if (Continued on page 18) On Saturday. March 7. Johnsburg school district will welcome sixth and seventh grade students from the surrounding area who 'are participants in an academic talent search The Region 11 Area Service Center for the Gifted, a state funded office serving 11 counties, is conducting testing to identify and recognize students of high ability. Students qualify to participate in this testing on the basis of local achievement scores The Talent Search is a replication of a successful project conducted for several years by .Johns Hopkins university. Experience has demon­ strated that students benefit by being informed on eligibility on the basis of district testing, the test experience itself, and the recognition given to every student who participates at a spring awards ceremony As in previous testing, a fast paced mathematics class will be offered to those participants with high scores on the math portion of the exam The Area Service center anticipates that ad­ ditional opportunities for high scoring students in the verbal areas will also be available Pat Bingman. Gifted program coordinator at Johnsburg. will be assisting the Area Service center in the March 7 testing at Johnsburg high school Seminars Trade Fair Features One of the new features of the eighth annual McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Trade fair will be a series of seminars which will be conducted by several of the exhibitors. Just as there is no admission to the fair itself, there will be no admission to any of these seminars. The purpose of the Trade fair is to provide an opportunity to display the products and services of the many and varied businesses and industries throughout the McHenry area. These seminars will provide an extended opportunity to present condensed, yet detailed information on any topic. Some of the subjects already scheduled are Real Estate Investment, Burglar Alarm Systems and Fire Protection Systems, Rare and Investment Coins, Coping with Stress in Modern Living, Improving Family Relationships, ami Emergency Medical Assistance. A complete schedule including times • and locations will be presented to each fair-goer upon arrival. This seminar feature is available to all exhibitors upon request until all time and space has been alloted The 1981 fair will be considerably larger than before, utilizing much more of Parkland school than just the gym. The Learning center will provide the setting for another entire array of exhibits complete with background music, as well as a resting lounge and a setting for periodic style shows and entertainment by exhibitors Trade fair times are March 27, 6 p.m.-lO p.m.; March 28, 11 a.m^-10 p.m.; March 29, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with fine entertainment for the entire family. For additional information, call the Chamber office: 385-4300 CONSERVATION MEETING The next meeting of the board of trustees of the McHenry County Con­ servation district will be held at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 5, in the district office at 6512 Harts road, Ringwood. William Riggs. associate director of Emergency Medical Services at McHenry hospital, looks over plan sheet for Trade fair seminar with Scott Seaborn, manager of Education, Emergency Medical Services. The seminars will be a feature of the annual McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce Trade fair to be held March 27, 28 and 29 at Parkland school. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD in Jaycees Art Auction Tenth School Anniversary The Fate Of The Seals Benefit Handicapped Montlni Observance Urge Public Action Page 5 Page 20 Page 8 Looking For Help Klemm Seeks Transportation Split Carmen Hodges, president of the McHenry Area Rescue squad, checks P.O. Box 484 to see if any more donations have been mailed. To date, 18.4 percent of the 6,380 letters that were mailed have been returned. It costs approximately $35,668 to operate the squad annually with the lion's share of the cost going to insurance. Hodges expressed appreciation to those who have contributed and urged those who have not to help the squad by doing so. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD by Anthony Oliver Thirty-third legislative district Rep. Richard C. Klemm (R-Crystal Lake) revealed a bill Monday which would do away with the present form of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). The crux of the Mil, which is co- sponsored by Rep. Roger Stanley (R- Streamwood), involves the creation of a Suburban Transportation Corporation (8TC) and a breakaway from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). "Essentially, we would have two separate transportation systems - the CTA and the Suburban Transportation Corporation," Klemm said."What the CTA has to do is face its own problems Let them live within their budget for a while." The state representative noted that the CTA has wanted to maintain its autonomy regarding fares and service for some time. Klemm said the Chicago transportation system fought the RTA on the fare increases and, to date, has not made a service cut even in the areas of low ridership. The purpose of the STC, Klemm explained, would be to identify and resolve public transportation in suburban Cook and the five collar counties: Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will and DuPage. As proposed, the STC would have an 11-member board of directors. Six directors would come from suburban Cook county and one each from the five collar counties. "We need something like the dial-a- ride and paratransit services here," Klemm said. "Fox Lake may need something different and Elgin may require yet another type of service." A board member from each county would best be able to identify and speak for the public transportation needs of the people he or she represents Klemm said no decision had been THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER % 4 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 62 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4, 1981 1 SECTION 20 PAGES 25* made concerning how the board members were to be chosen, whether by election or appointment. One of the benefits of the separation of the CTA from the STC, Klemm commented, would be the elimination of the parochial in-fighting for money that presently exists in the RTA. The new system, according to the legislator, would require no additional tax monies. Klemm said the five collar counties generated an estimated $173 million in 1981 from sales tax revenues, while the City of Chicago produced only $119 million. "Fifty-nine percent of the sales tax revenues came from our area (the collar counties)," Klemm said "We think the sales tax revenue plus the fare boxes will be enough to operate the Suburban Transportation Corporation without additional taxes " "We've got to thoughtfully identify the problems and then move ahead to solve them," Klemm reiterated. Regarding the present financial difficulties of the RTA, Klemm noted a lack of sentiment coming from either the Republicans or Democrats in the state legislature. "There is a growing awareness that the RTA is not working," Klemm elaborated. People, he added, are growing wary of mismanagement and incompetence, particularly in matters of accounting. Many of these people, Klemm said, are ~ successful businessmen, "but collec­ tively they go bananas I just can't understand it." "There haven't been any fast ap­ proaches or easy answers this time," Klemm said The legislator took a rather dim view (Continued on page 18) Serritella-Schooley Battle To The Polls Concluding several weeks of hassle and judicial hearings, Cecilia Serritella of McHenry's Fourth ward announced Monday morning that she would con­ tinue in her bid for the alderman's seat as a write-in candidate "After giving it much thought. 1 have decided to give the voters in Ward 4 a choice and I will run as a write-in candidate", she announced Technicalities on the Serritella petition prompted the incumbent Ward 4 alderman, Ernest Schooley, to take the matter before the City of McHenry Electoral board as a first step When the board ruled in favor of Ms.Serritella, Schooley filed a petition in the 19th Judicial Circuit court calling for a judicial review Judge Leonard Brody ruled that the candidate petition of Ms Serritella was invalid because the description of the office sought was not sufficient. Within days, the McHenry Electoral board asking Judge Brody to vacate his earlier decision The board's contention was that no one had been misled as to what office Ms Serritella was seeking The motion also stated that the petition of Schooley was invalid for the same reason as that of Ms Serritella - that his petiion carried the office sought as' "alder­ man". without specifying the ward However, Judge Brody denied the board's motion, saying it was too late to object to the Schooley petition in con­ formance with state statutes. The judge then pointed out that the Schooley petition read, "voters of the Fourth ward", while the Serritella petition did not include the words, "Fourth ward" Ms Serritella's decision to continue her bid for office through a write-in campaign should conclude the con­ tinuing hassle until voters settle the filed a motion in the 19th Judicial court, question at the polls April 7. Conduct Talent Search