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

by Anthony Oliver Issues of cost and autonomy arose when the McHenry City Council met in a special meeting last Thursday night to discuss the McHenry Shores an­ nexation question. McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek i Now that McHenry has done such an excellent job of giving time, effort and money to make life a bit more pleasant for other humans, we are reminded that this is also the time of year when help is needed for our feathered friends. Many have eased the effects of the severe cold for small birds by placing cracked corn, bird seed and suet in advantageous spots near their homes. But with cars buried under drifts, and windows frosted, not too many of us have noticed that the community's wild duck population remains with us. These larger birds have a great need for food, too. Orginally from a wild strain that migrated South, they have accepted handouts from generous persons over"" the years. Several generations later, they are unaware that Winter should push them south­ ward, and for this reason their survival depends on the very people who en­ couraged them to stay. True to nature, McHenry folks have always been generous in filling the duck canisters placed here and there in local stores. One local couple, most devoted to their needs, found money for the ducks among their wedding an­ niversary gifts last year. It was a novel idea that delighted the couple and the ducks. This money swelled the fund and was (Continued on page 14) commented that the council must look at both the long and short term aspects of the annexation. He noted the short-term problems, which were essentially financial, and said these could be overcome. The mayor said the annexation would eliminate the "syndrome of Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Hainesville" by ending a duplication of services. "The services could be provided best by us," Stanek said. "And we have the majority control." He noted that autonomy, especially as it relates to any sewer plant ex­ pansion, would be an issue. Regarding the short term financial problems, the major debt appears to be a $41,000 bill payable to Baxter and Woodman for engineering work on the roads in (he village. The mayor pointed out that the General Obligation bonds for the first sewer plant expansion in McHenry would expire in 1964, eliminating an annual outlay of about $69,000. Stanek also said the city could recoup some monies immediately due to the increase in revenue sharing funds which would accrue to McHenry if the annexation is approved March 16. The city would also assume any assets of the village as well as the liabilities, the mayor said. The assets include two buildings and six lots of park land which include a beach area. "They do not expect a free ride," Stanek said. Likening the situation to that of Lakeland Park, the mayor said the benefits from the annexation would outweigh the problems. Alderman Jack Pepping (1st Ward) said his mind was open and he would view the situation as a constituent and as a taxpayer. "I can't totally track with all of the mayor's arguments," Pepping said. "I would not liken McHenry Shores to Lakeland Park. McHenry Shores is incorporated and they have certain assets and obligations." "What value is control and in­ fluence?" Pepping asked. "You can go on that ego trip forever. How much should we control". The alderman then addressed himself to a number of questions relating to the assets and obligations, potential revenues, the status of Shores employees, investments and the impact of the annexation on McHenry municipal services. McHenry Police Chief George R. Pasenelli said the extension of police protection, answering calls and preventive patrol, would require an additional five officers and another squad car. The cost would be a little less than $110,000 a year. Based on the present call rate per population, the chief said the depart­ ment could expect an additional 950 calls on an annual basis from the area of 1,200 people. Pasenelli pointed out that the department would be covering an additional 4.6 square miles of land and covering 8.7 miles more road. "There is also the immediate impact of the Tonyan Industrial park, which has more industry than the City of McHenry," the Chief said. According to Pasenelli, the park has 12 industries and employs about 300 people. "I would need a minimum of five officers," Pasenelli said. "This is not just the Shores. I would anticipate going to a three or four-zone city, with McHenry Shores as a part of one zone." Pasenelli estimated the cost of the five additional men, including salaries, uniforms, weapons, etc., at $91,513.50 and the cost of a full-equipped squad car at $17,016.95. Richard C. Weber was not present at the Thursday night meeting, but ac­ cording to City Clerk Barbara Gilpin, he hao indicated that he would need additional help and vehicles. "I would think he would need a minimum of two, and possibly three or four vehicles," said Alderman Michael Wieser (3rd Ward). City Clerk Gilpin told the council she would need one additional clerk in her office. She did note, however, that one clerk was needed regardless of whether the village was annexed. "One of the stated advantages of annexation is to realize the economies of scale," Aid. Pepping said. The alderman commented that the economy of scale argument was ren­ dered "hollow" in light of the costs to the Police department, the Public Works department and the City Clerk's office. Aid. George Harker (2nd Ward) pointed to a state law which would require the city to absorb police officers employed by the village. City Attorney Bernard Narusis said the village employees, including the police officers, had no contract of employment with the village and would (Continued on page 14) Sewer Grant Project Meet The next public advisory committee meeting for the McHenry Shores Federal Sewer Grant project will be Wednesday, Jan. 20, at 7:30 p,m. at the Lon Reed Civic center, 3211 West Beach drive, McHenry Shores. As this will probably be the last meeting of the Advisory committee regarding this Sewer Project before the public hearing, it is most important that all committee members attend if at all possible. Anyone who is unable to attend should call 344-2665. Firefighters from Hebron and Alden struggle against the weather and the blaze to extinguish a fire that took the lives of two and critically injured anothek last Friday night./ ~ ^ - 1 * JACK WEBER PHOTO Beatty, located the body of Mrs. Leonhard about 10 feet inside the front door of the old home. She was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital in Woodstock. Mrs. Knolle was found about five feet from the back door by fire and rescue workers about an hour into the fire. The body of Kevin Knolle was found at 12:30a.m. Saturday at the bottom of the basement stairs, near the back door. After fire and rescue personnel had been at the scene for nearly an hour, it was learned that Kevin Knolle had planned to "go home and go to (Continued on page 14) SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE Two people were killed and another critically injured when a fire broke out and gutted a Hebron home Friday night. Mary (Mimi) Knolle, of 11802 Maple, Hebron, was listed in critical condition in the burn center at St. Anthony's hospital, Rockford. She was tran­ sferred from Memorial Hospital for McHenry County, Woodstock, early Saturday. Ms. Knolle's mother, Jean Leonhard, 69, and son, Kevin Knolle, 20, died in the fire. A neighbor, Don Garrett, who is also a fireman, and police officer Frank Benefit Marathon Over Goal > Pictures and Story Page 6 Cardiac Lifeline Program Offered by YAACA Page 8 RTA Ridership On Hold Mild Recovery Page 14 by Anthony Oliver Sewer plants, sewer line extensions and utility easements have taken on a new importance in light of two separate meetings held this past week in McHenry. At Monday night's regular City Council meeting, representatives of McHenry hospital reported that financing the relocation could be threatened without a utility com­ mitment from the City of McHenry. Hospital Attorney Jeffrey Ladd said the not-for-profit organization had intended to finance the reconstruction through tax exempt, low-interest In­ dustrial Revenue Development bonds, which would have been issued in the name of the city. However, he pointed out that a recent legislative amendment had closed the door on this manner of financing. Ladd said the hospital was going through the Illinois Health Facilities Authority for the bonds. He noted that there was a compressed timetable as the hospital was going before rating agencies in mid-April. "We have to assure the underwriters and bond buyers that utilities will be available," Ladd said. "We need a commitment by the end of March." He said the hospital board was cognizant of the problems involved in reaching a decision. There are a number of different routes, easements to be obtained, each of which has its pros and cons. Ladd commented that a tremendous amount of work had been put into the project in the last year. "A year ago our application for the Certificate of Need was defeated at the Illinois Health Facilities Planning board 11 to zip," Ladd said, "In August, we got the Certificate of Need 10 to zip." Ladd said the hospital board was looking at a tentative opening date of spring 1984 for the new facility. McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek said the utility commfttees of the city and the hospital board should meet within a week to discuss the situation. The mayor also proposed a second meeting between the hospital, city and affected property owners. At the special council meeting regarding the McHenry Shores an­ nexation, the same utility question surfaced. Hal Sundin, president of Baxter and Woodman, outlined the alternatives for sewer lines which would service the hospital site. He noted that with full development, the existing sewer plant in McHenry could not handle the load. "The long range plans involve a second sewer plant," Sundin said. This f^plant would probably be located near the Brittany subdivision, on the south side of McHenry. A 27-acre site, suitable for the plant, was dedicated to the city as part of the Brittany an­ nexation. The problem of extending the effluent pipe to the river was resolved when the city recently acquired the Decker property As outlined by Sundin, the sewer lines could be run along the Chicago and North Western tracks, through the McDonald property, with the proper easements, or north to Knox park which would involve a pumping station and force mains. There is also a question of control, as the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) will require any plant built to be regional in nature - ser­ vicing the southeast Facility Planning Area (FPA) which includes McHenry Shores. The village has applied for and received Step I grant funding for a study of the- area, which is nearly complete. This study is required by the IEPA regardless of which municipality builds the plant. Sundin said the plant would be designed for an initial population equivalent of 7.500. Aid. George Harker (2nd Ward) noted that the grant process is slow and asked what would happen if the hospital was ready before the grant came through. Sundin predicted that if "things go right" the grant could be complete by late 1984 "The grant process has a built-in lag time of six to 12 months," Sundin said. "The hospital charged us to look at alternatives. Timing may louse up some of the alternatives, politics may louse up others. If the city, the hospital and others get together, the plant could be ready by 1984 ." Aid. Michael Wieser asked about funding guarantees. Sundin said that once the grant is (Continued on page 14) Two Die In Fire THE MGHENRY PLAINDEALER * * '--V- f-T-. .V • '• ' yffBEflp " 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 106 NUMBER 50 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 20, 1982 1 SECTION 16 PAGES 25' by Anthony Oliver The Transportation committee of the McHenry County board will probably be the next target of those people seeking to retain at least some ticket agent service at the Chicago and North Western (CNW) station in McHenry. Illinois Sen. Jack Schaffer (R-33rd), McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek and members of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce met with representatives of the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) and the CNW Thursday afternoon at city hall. Bernard Ford, RTA general manager, said a good working relationship had been developed bet­ ween the county Transportation committee and the RTA. Ford ex­ plained that RTA and county tran­ sportation planners were working together to develop a revised plan* The general manager suggested that the people concerned with the retention of ticket agent service in McHenry approach the county committee and present their views. Ford said the RTA was working with local planning agencies in an attempt to determine a priority of transportation services - rail, bus or para-transit - for the general area. "We are attempting to use the money we have the best way we can, contra to conventional RTA wisdom of a few years ago," Ford said. McHenry City Attorney Bernard Narusis pointed out that, in the context of the petition to eliminate the McHenry ticket agent, the move Was based on a "backward look" at the situation. Narusis contended that the move did not take into consideration the predicted growth of McHenry county, and particularly the McHenry area. Ford said the RTA had looked ahead and could predict no significant change, or increase, in population in the near future. Attorney Daniel Curran, of the C of C, commented that one of the inducements to industrial growth in the area was the existence of freight and commuter rail service. He noted that the northwestern suburbs, including McHenry county, were the fastest growing of the metropolitan Chicago area. To eliminate service, he said, would be detrimental to economic development and growth. Ford commented that the RTA has no charge to get rid of the ticket agent in McHenry. "We are charged to operate as economically as we can," Ford said. Sen. Jack Schaffer suggested that perhaps a trade-off could be effected where the agent, at least part-time, could be saved and one of the "Flying (Continued on page 14) Ends In A Blizzard Voice Views On Annexation SnowmoMlers in Rescue *50' return to the Peer Inn as they cross the Johnsburg bridge for the second time, ending their 50-mile trip Sunday. Proceeds exceeded the goal of $10,000. Small inset photo shows former Chicago Cub stars. Rick Reuschel left, now of the Yankees, and Larry Biittner of Cincinnati, who participated in the annual event which raises money for the McHenry and Johnsburg Rescue squads The trail carried riders through Spring Grove, Richmond, Hebron and Wonder L.k. brfor, riming t. .1* .«rUng point .1 pH<yr0.WAyNE GAYL0RD