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Wif ' 1 . _*• ' ' " ' v : \ '!! •" ...vi.-t: AiW •. v. £\W, V ,. k.•,'•• •=. . \ '• *:- - • • -:"v •$'Ql:.-: t •'>•• , . *• -•, ;V <• flffigte *r. 'SERVING THE CHAINOLAKES REGION SINCE IS75 mm VOLUME 106 NUMBER 65 : FRIDAY. MARCH 12, 1982 1 SECTION 24 PAGES 25' . ' i by Anthony Oliver The new hospital and the McHenry Shores annexation received full i of leading members of the Mc business community Tuesday af ternoon. The Economic Development Com­ mission (EDC) and McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce each voted unanimously at a joint meeting Tuesday to support the annexation. Realizing the importance of the annexation to the hospital develop­ ment, EDC chairman Kit Cars tens pointed out, "We have to go on the assumption that if there is no an­ nexation, there is no hospital." EDC member Bryce Klontz noted that there were other alternatives but added there was doubt whether agreements could be struck before the hospital's Certificate of Need expired. Carstens said the "number one" goal of the EDC was to help the hospital in the relocation and expansion project. He explained that two other goals were tied into this project. "The Industrial committee is looking into the development of an industrial park on the McDonald property (near the hospital) and the commercial division is looking into a hotel-motel area near the hospital site," Carstens said. Carstens commented that a report from EDC member Butch Meyer in­ dicated a $75,000 surplus in assets over liabilities. "Anything else (roads, sewers) is subjective," Carstens said. Klontz commented part of the problem with the city council was some aldermen were against having the hospital "thrust into the same pot with the annexation." "If it were simply the hospital, there would be no problem," Carstens added. Jon Smith pointed out it was "un- forseen that the two issues would coincide." Along those same lines, McHenry State bank president, Thomas Bolger said, "The EPA announcement denying the sewer extensioq was ill timed. It gives the appearance of being used as a ploy to influence the vote on an­ nexation." EDC member Barbara Gilpin ex­ plained that the Illinois Environmental (Continued on page 22) Annexation No Time For Chance (an editorial) Two weeks ago, the topic af annexation af ttia Village of McHanry Shores to the City af McHanry couldn't ovoka a debate on Main street. But the now focus an McHanry hospital's future, as It rotates to an­ nexation , has made the Issue a household word. As tha result of a recent, sudden change of policy, tho Illinois En­ vironment Protection Agency (IEPA) has refused to issua a sewer con­ struction permit unlass Facility Planning Area (FPA) boundaries are changod locally. This saiiously affects the now McHanry hospital, which site Is annaxad to tha City of McHenry but is located in the Shoras FPA. Tho ruling puts tho hospital's future in |eopardy end demands new thinking among voters before the issue is decided at the polls Tuesday. March 16. There is a possibility the problem could be resolvod through amen­ ding FPA boundaries. Unfortunately, even a successful conclusion of this pursuit would tako time, which is in short supply. Within on 1 ••month period (starting last August), McHenry hospital must have all construction contracts signed for the new building to meet the deadline under its Certificate of Need. But besides the amendment possibility, a second altornatlve, which is gaining tromendous support, is annexation, rogarded by many as inovitablo at same timo. That action would eliminato the Shores FPA and also tha problom. Although uncommittod until this week, the Plalndealer now feels the new regional hoalth complex-McHenry hospital-is too important to the community to leave to chanco. In addition to tho Inastlmable value of a full health care facility, there are other pluses that must be protected through assurance that McHenry will not loso Its new hospital. Tho prostlge of the health facility is important, but there are more practical factors. With 650 omployoes, and a minimum of 100 more ex­ pected In expansion, McHenry hospital is the biggest employer in McHenry county. The payroll Is about $10 million annually. If tho facility cannot bo built, the loss to contractors has been estimated at $8 million in construction, plus $5 million in materials. If the Certificate of Need expires, a neighboring city may be expec­ ted to once agoln make a bid for the facility. We feel the serious element of chance is not worth taking. We recommend a 'yes' vote at the polls next Tuesday. Special Issue May Boost Vote Butch Meyer, of the EDC, talks to a Plalndealer reporter about the recent EDC move to support the hospital and the McHenry Shores i The Voter: Gotcha I As primary day nears, no one is more aware of its foibles than newspaper office staffs who must record the innermost feelings and the outermost words of the candidates, and do it accurately. Ah yes, accurate is the key word! People who skip over 72 point type on the front page today will find the 'and' or 'but' that is * added, or deleted, on Page 20 at election time. If the public image of politicians places them at the bottom of the totem pole, it is no wonder. These men and women are our fellow citizens until they file their petition. Then, and only then, do we give them a status to which no man or woman could rise. Morally, we place them just above the fellow the bailiff has led to jail. Practically, we put the utmost faith in their ability to "get me what I want". And therein lies the political story. For years we have kept an alert eye for the things in life that can help us personally. And who do we expect to provide these luxuries? The politician, of course - the fellow who will make the most promises and has convinced us that he will keep them. It is of little consequence that he couldn't possibly please all of us. We intend to get his commitment or we'll nail him at the polls next time. One of us wants gun control, but our neighbor demands to own one for his protection. Environmentalists clamor for stiffer regulations to assure a higher standard of air and water. Big plant owners, car manufacturers, and others agree - if the restrictions aren't going to cost them more. The folks paying the bill for public aid want crimps placed on the program, but the fellow who is the recipient of the handout wants it to keep coming at the same or higher level. And they vote too! We keep charts that show percentages indicating the number of times each office holder has met OUR ex­ pectations. Then we compare that record with the promises of the candidate who only hopes to be elected. But next Tuesday we will proudly march to the polls. We're good citizens - good Americans - we're voting. Far back in the recesses of our minds are the deals we've made. Oh yes, we do! It isn't only an occasional office holder who makes deals ; we're just as guilty who agree, on the street corner or over a cup of coffee, to back the candidate "for what he'll do for me . What is good^fpr most of the people doesn't coubt. Then it will be March 17, and it isn't only St. Patrick who will be celebrating. The candidates who were convincing enough to bring us to the polls in great numbers will be shaking hands in victory. For one glorious day they'll revel in that feeling of being in the winner's circle that is un­ surpassed by any other ex­ perience. But March 18 will dawn too soon. In the weariness of the moment, the most oualified, the most honest, ana the most dedicated servant will realize he can't fulfill all of our ex­ pectations. He knows he has been sincere and straightforward and did no more than smile at the voter whose views were so opposed to his own. Yet he won, and winning means keeping constituents happy for four years. March 18 will also dawn for us - - the men and women who placed him in office. We'll awaken with a smile for we have trapped another one who must meet the percentages. And if he doesn't? There's always another election - another time to "get" the fellow who didn't "get me what I wanted". KAF The proposed annexation of McHenry Shores to the City of McHenry is ex­ pected to bring out a record primary vote Tuesday, March 18. The , traditional low percentage vote may rise substantially because of this issue alone. State offices, congressional seats, and senate and representative « preferences will be made. On the county level, the voters will make4heir party choices for clerk, treasurer, sheriff, regional superintendent pf< schools and County board members. Precinct committeeman contests in each party also will be settled. ' Voting will take place in 29 McHenry precincts (two more than the last election) as well as in several Nunda precincts affecting McHenry area voters. Polling places appeared in the Wednesday, March 10, issue in a special supplement on the election. On the annexation issue, the proposition will be presented to voters in McHenry, and in McHenry Shores, in the same way: "Shall the municipality of McHenry Shores be annexed to the municipality of McHenry?" Voters in McHenry will be given special white ballots on which to make r . their decision. These ballots in the Shores will he brown. For the annexation to take place, ihere must be a majority in each municipality. a* ThjafemkMiush to yot$on annexation alone, and not declare themselves as to patly affiliation, m#y do so by securing only the special ballot on the non­ partisan question. One of the biggest races is expected to be for the state senate seat now held by Jack Schaffer. Bidding for the seat in the new 32nd legislative district are Schaffer and Donald E. Deuster, who presently serves in the Illinois House. Schaffer said about two-thirds of his old constituency remains in the new senate district, which includes all of northern McHenry county. Speaking early this week, Schaffer said. "We're working hard, things look good, but we are not taking anything for granted". Deuster, on coming into the new district, noted that about 25 percent of his old constituency will be part of the new district. He added that he has in­ directly served the area during the seven years he acted on behalf of Congressman McClory. He commented, "Geographically I am the underdog; but I think there has been "enough time. I'm really en­ couraged. I'm on the verge of con­ verting myself from underdog to vic­ tor". Both Schaffer and Deuster are Republicans. Another race that is being watched with interest pits incumbent Dick Klemm against James F. Bishop for representative in the new 63rd representative district. The Crystal I,ake men are also on the Republican ticket. Among county offices, the four-way race for treasurer has Republican voters guessing as to the outcome. They are bidding for the position now held by Audrey Walgenbach, who is retiring. Candidates are Rose Lillegard of McHenry Shores, Gary W. Verdung of Cary, Alfred "Al" Collins of Wonder Lake and William E. Johnston of Harvard. On the same Republican ticket, there is a two-way race for sheriff. In­ cumbent Henry A. "Hank" Nulle is being opposed by Frank J. Sexton. The only change for voters in the 64th (Continued on page 22) "PUPPET MAN" DIES Clyde Blackwell, the 91-year-old McHenry man who entertained thousands of youngsters with his variety of puppets, is dead. Mr. Black- well died Wednesday, March 10, at the Veterans hospital, Downey. A complete obituary appears elsewhere in this issue. Aldermen Take A Second Look. . . At Annexation Changed Didn't Mind... She's Undecided JACK PEPPING Following last Monday night's special meeting regarding the an­ nexation of McHenry Shores and the impact on McHenry hospital, the McHenry Plalndealer conducted another poll of aldermen to determine the effect of the information received. At the Monday meeting, Alderman Jack Pepping (1st ward) issued a reluctant change of position toward the annexation. Pepping had been opposed to the annexation in the form it was presented and based upon the available in­ formation at the March 1 regular meeting, said he was not in favor of the move. At the March 8 special meeting, the alderman commented the issue had RAYMOND SMITH MIKE WIESER EDWARD DATZ GEORGE HARKER become bigger with its impact on the relocation and expansion of McHenry hospital k The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) issued a new regulation on Feb. 16, almost a month after a utility route had been selected, which prevents the city from extending sewer lines unless a facilities planning area boundary line is amended. If the annexation takes place, it ef­ fectively eliminates the boundary. If the annexation fails, there is speculation whether the boundary could be amended prior to the ex­ piration of the hospital Certificate of Need 'The hospital means more than any single issue we have considered," Pepping said. "This overweighs my prior concerns and I would have to support the annexation, as distasteful as it is." Fourth ward Alderman Cecilia Serritella was opposed to the an­ nexation at the March 1 regular council meeting, but is now indecided. Mrs. Serritella said she felt a responsibility to make decisions where her constituents had no opportunity to take part in the choice. "They do have a choice this time and I think the decision should be theirs," she said. She added that no one wants to stop the hospital, but commented, "I would neither get out and fight for or against CECILIA SERRITELLA the annexation in view of the in­ formation received this past week." Standing pat on their positions of opposition to the annexation were second and third ward aldermen George Harker, Edward Datz, Michael Wieser and Raymond Smith. Alderman Harker (2nd ward) said emphatically that the results of the special meeting had not changed his mind. "I think it's a scenario," he said. Harker said he was not opposed to the new hospital and commented his opinion would be the same regardless. The alderman recalled that it was when he was chairman of the Sewer and Water committee the route for the (Continued on page 22) Consumer-Farmer Exchange Agriculture Day Page 23 FKBB TV Guide In Today's edition Annexation Opinions Public Pulse Page 8 Free Coupon Books For New Subscribers