PAGE 14 - PLA1NDEALER - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1,1982 PLAINDEALER"> >e Editorial Opinion Letter to the Editor Public Pulse (Til* Ploindeoler invito! the public to use this column es on •iprxsion of their views on subjects of generol in terest in our community. Our only rtquttt it that tho writers give signature. hill oddress and phono numbor. Wo oik too. thot ono individual not write on tho tamo tubjoct moro than once a month. Wo reserve tho rlfht to delete any matorial which wo consider libelous or in objectionable to«to.) DANGEROUSROAD "Editor: "On Sept. 8, residents along Ringwood road between Amby lane and Pistakee Bay road, met with Clarence Regner, the township road commissioner; Tom Brink, county road engineer ; and Sgt. Terrell of the County Sheriff's department. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to make this section of the road safe. "In early July, a 17-year-old woman was killed. Less than three weeks later, another young woman was critically injured and is still recovering from injuries. Since January there have been 17 reported accidents between Wilmot road and Fox Lake road. I know of at least two more vehicles which were damaged but still able to 'get away'. No reports were made. "As a result of the meeting, two actions have been taken. The day of the meeting all intersections from Fox Lake road to Wilmot road were cleaned of gravel. The following day the road shoulder on the east side of the road was filled in, eliminating a drop-off of 3 to 4 inches. A speed limit reduction and a series of chevron curve signs to aid in marking this dangerous curve were promised, as well as a bumper post by a culvert. "As a resident, I deplore the loss of life and injury which is too common on this curve. As a parent I fear for my youngsters' lives, and the lives of their friends. My plea's for drivers not to drink and drive! And don't use our stretch of road to prove how fast the car can be operated. "I make an appeal to county officials, to get the promised improvements in place - to enforce the speed limit A sheriffs car can make the difference! "Diane Sears "Pistakee Highlands" THE SQUAD SIREN "Editor: "After reading Mr. Kirk's com ments in the Public Pulse of Friday, Sept. 24, we felt, as rescue members, some type of explanation should be given to him and others of our com munity who view our 'noise pollution' as a nuisance. "Many in-roads have been made in emergency medicine in the past 10 years, but in order to provide life saving care to our patients, we have to 1 For Your Information Dear friends, HOSPICE: PLACES OF REFUGE "The Hospice Movement: A Better Way of Coring for the Dying" by Sandol Stoddard, it a book well worth reading by family and professionals involved with the terminally ill. Ann Morrow Lindburgh writes, 'This is a deeply compassionate book that opens win dows of hope and help in man's universal ex perience of dying. I found it a moving ex perience to read." be there as quickly and safely as we can. All of our training and sophisticated equipment is worthless if it is in a traffic accident instead of a patient's home. "The State of Illinois requires specific equipment to be on any ambulance. It also requires us to operate that equipment in a prescribed fashion. The following exerpt is from the Illinois State Vehicle Code, Chapger 95V-> • Motor Vehicles: ^1-1421 Conditions for Operation (of an ambulance). Paragraph 2 - The ambulance shall be equipped with a siren producing an audible signal of an intensity of 100 decibels at a distance of 50 feet from said siren Paragraph 3 - The aforesaid ^siren...shall be in full operation at all times (underline added) during'such trip or journey; "All of us on rescue squads are well aware of how loud our siren is; we ride with it. We also are aware of the law. We have always tried to balance the two, utilizing the siren only when we feel there is a risk. Although Mr. Kirk lives along a straight road outside of the city proper, there are many streets that exit onto his road that have 'blind' intersections, so the siren is moat appropriate during our trips down that road. Unfortunately, our siren is. not selective; it warns other motorists of our approach, and wakes others from sleep. It also assures the ailing patient that help is on the way. "We would hope that the citizens of our district would forgive us for the slight inconvenience they might suffer as a result of us trying to help those who are injured or sick. It is possible that one day we will be responding to you or your family. "H. George Landholt "Certified Paramedic "For McHenry Area Rescue squad" Roll Call Report (Your Congressmen's Vote) Complaint Ratios By Insurers' Consumers Why A Recession? Americans now perplexed and confused by high unemployment and recession should keep in mind a few of the causes of our economic disarray, our recent inflation and red-ink government. Democrat Congressman Andy Ireland (Fla) recently stressed these causes: in the past 10 years federal spending tripled. In the last five years federal taxes jloubled. The national debt has risen to more than $1 trillion. The $100 billion plus taxpayers now pay in interest each year, to carry it, is larger than the entire federal budget in 1961! ^ Total payments to individuals for social programs have grown by 400 percent In the last 10 years. The 1980 budget for the Deoartment of Health and Human Services (formerly HEW) was $250 billion! Only two nations in the world-the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. - have total federal budgets as large. Sixteen years ago we were spending $65 milliofton food stamps. In 1981 we spent 11.3 billion, an increase of 16,000 percent. And food stamps have become a source of organized crime and racketeering. By 1980, one of every three Americans was receiving a federal check for one thing or another! ' The Administration is attempting to curb the rate of growth in federal spending-there's no hope to actually cut overall spending. Congress in recent years has enacted automatic increases in too many programs for that. Clearly, with such a huge debt and huge borrowing to come, interest rates to stimulate the economy are not coming down as fast as one would hope. They have, however, already come down considerably, and so has inflation. In time, that will help the economy and relieve unemployment But after a binge of overspending by Congress for 20 years, order, confidence and stability don't return overnight. The correction process now being experienced was probably inevitable. Walk Through The Woods Can you take a walk through the woods and recognize trees by the leaves? Do you know the pin oak, the scarlet oak, the red oak, white oak, black oak, live oak from one another? If you don't, you're missing much pleasure, and unnecessarily so. One can buy today, for as little as $1.95, small books (carried in the pocket) which contain color pictures of leaves and trees, a map showing where they grow, and a brief summary of their leaf shape and fruit. Which hickory is worth saving-and which should be cut for barbecue wood? (The mockernut hickory is for fire.) Which oaks require two years for their acorns to mature? Which like dry soil and which like wet? Why have elms been so popular? Why are there no more chestnuts in many areas? What special care does the black walnut need to prosper? (It's trunk should be wrapped in silver foil when young.) All one need do to learn about trees is buy a book, walk the woods and study what appears. Doing that builds a hobby, an appreciation of nature-so beautiful in fall-and is good exercise. PLAINDEALER""> Washington - Here's how area members of Congress were recorded on major roll call votes Sept. 9-15. HOUSE Auto Exhaust--By a vote of 200 for and 184 against, the House adopted an amendment to give states another year before they must require mandatory vehicle inspections in metropolitan areas having dirty air. The emission-control inspection program, a part of the 1970 Clean Air act, now is scheduled to be in full force by 1983. It affects areas of 29 states, some of which already have begun mandatory inspection. However, most affected states have delayed their programs, and the Environmental Protection agency recently threatened North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Texas, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Nevada with enforcement action if they do not soon begin inspecting vehicles. The amendment, which prohibits the EPA from spending money for this purpose during fiscal 1983, was attached to an appropriations bill for the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the EPA, and other agencies. The measure (HR 6956) was passed and sent to the Senate. Sponsor Doug Walgren, D-Pa., said "there is no question that automobile emission inspection, in the eyes of the public, is an extremely unpopular program," and he added the responsibility for exhaust control should lie with automakers, not drivers. Opponent William Green, R-N.Y., said it was wrong to use an appropriations bill to make substantive changes in the Clean Air act, and he called the inspection program "a very important part of the process of cleaning up our air." . Members voting "yea" wanted to further delay mandatory emission- inspection programs required by the EPA. Reps. Philip Crane, R-12, and Lynn Martin, R-16, voted "yea." Rep. Robert McClory, R-13, chd not vote. Prescription Drugs--By a vote of 250 for and 132 against, the House failed to achieve the two-thirds majority needed to pass a bill aesigend primarily to give drug manufacturers longer patents on drugs they discover. One effect of the bill would have been to delay competition from generic drug manufacturers, who after the expiration of a patent generally market popular drugs at lower costs. The bill (HR 6444) required a two-thirds majority for passage because it was considered under a short-cut procedure that prohibits floor amendments. It sought to give manufacturers of federally regulated products up to seven additional years on their patent. The current patent term is usually 17 years. Sponsor Robert Kastenmeier, D-Wis., said the bill protected consumer interests while assuring "more rapid technological innovation in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries..." Opponent Barney Frank, D-Mass., said the bill would put generic drugs "further out of the reach of consumers."" Members voting "yea" favored longer patent terms for pharmaceuticals and other federally-regulated products. , i Philip Crane and Ms. Martin voted "yea." McClory did not vote. J Boat Safety--The House defeated a bill (HR 61813) to apply the user's fee mechanism to the funding of the federal-state safety program for recreational boaters. Revenue from the four-cents-a-gallon motorboat fuel tax was to have been used to pay the program's $20 million annual price tag. The vote was 250 for and 137 against - shy of the two-thirds maiority required for passage under the short-cut parliamentary rules in effect during debate. Sponsor Gerry stuaas, u-Mass., said mat tne 10-year-old safety program has been a success, but that it has not been funded lately. This bill would insure annual funding, he said. The Administration opposed the bill because it removed the boat safety program from the normal appropriations process, thus denying it power to control its cost. Members voting "yea" favored a user's fee method of funding the safety program for recreational boaters. Philip Crane and Ms. Martin, Voted "nay." McClory did not vote. SENATE Abortion--By .a vote of 47 for and 46 against, the Senate tabled and thus killed an amendment banning the use of federal funds for abortions and setting the stage for challenges to the 1973 U.S. Supreme court ruling that permits abortions during the first three months of pregnancy. The amendment had been proposed to a bill increasing the national aebt limit (HJ Res 520), and its defeat signalled an end this year to efforts by conservatives to enact tough anti- abortion legislation. » * Sen. Dale Bumpers, D-Ark., who supported tabling the anti-abortion measure, said "the onslaught against the constitution is one of the most, if not the most, dangerous threats to this nation." Opponent of tabling Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said "1 am one of those who believes that abortion is a heinous procedure in which a mother allows her child's life to be terminated." Senators voting "yea" wanted to derail the tough anti-abortion measure. Sens. Alan Dixon, D, and Charles Percy, R, voted "yea." Employment Cost Index "Although consumer grievances often increase during economic recessions, the 1981 life, health and accident insurance complaint ratios, released by the Illinois Department of Insurance, show little change from 1980," said James W. Schacht, acting director. "There is no doubt that strict en forcement of insurance laws and close regulatory attention to problem areas brought about an improvement in procedures for settling claims during 1961," he said. "Unhappily this achievement is marred by 12 life, accident and health insurers whose offers to settle policyholders' claims earned low marks in upholding trusts conveyed by those purchasing their policies," , asserted Schacht. There are more than 700 companies selling this type of insurance in Illinois, he reported. "The deplorable consumer com plaint ratios for the 12 companies perverts the overall performance of this class of insurers having at least 10 complaints filed against them last year. Less than one-quarter of all companies selling life, accident and health insurance had 10 or more complaints against them during 1981, but they were named in 48 percent of all consumer complaints against this type of insurer," Schacht observed. Each year the Department of In surance releases complaint ratios for life, accident and health insurers having 10 or more consumer com plaints filed against them. For the third consecutive year, no company writing group life insurance had 10 complaints filed against it, reported Schacht. Complaint ratios for individual life insurance per 10,000 policies varied Ititle, 1.08 in 1981 and 1.05 in I960. Also slight increases are reported for in dividual accident and health policies, J.95 per 10,000 policies during 1961, up from 7.63 during the previous year, and for group accident and health, 3.41 per 10,000 certificates in force, up from 3.10 during 1980, disclosed Schacht, The number of insurers listed in all categories for 1980 was 115 and dropped to 104 on the 1981 listing. The Department investigates all consumer complaints but makes no subjective determination whether they are justified. A complaint is defined as correspondence expressing a grievance against an insurer. "This definition was adopted several years ago by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners," said Schacht. • He warned that consumer decisions should not be made solely from in formation reported in these complaint ratios. "Other factors that should be considered include comparisons of price, seeking advice from agents known and trusted; being skeptical of boasts of lower premiums, higher benefits, and more liberal dividends and greater investment income than other policies," advised Schacht. The department will answer any consumer questions about ratios," Schacht said, and reported, "Anyone seeking information should call (217) 782-4515." | VA Expenditures Hit New High | Record high expenditures for the state of Illinois were listed by the Veterans Administration for fiscal year 1981. Grady Horton, director of the VA regional office in Chicago said the VA spent $837,943,215 during that period, increasing the previous fiscal year expenditures by $75-million. The largest amount went for compensation to disabled war veterans and pensions to older veterans in need. This totalled $334,770,094. The second largest expenditure in Illinois went to the three medical centers in Cook county (Hines, West Side and Lakeside), regional office, data processing center, marketing division, supply depot, office of central audit and inspector general. These operating costs totalled $240,528,806. The North Chicago medical center spent $60,174,487 for operation and had a $1,764,984 bill for construction. The medical center at Danville cost $38,571,495 to operate and the one in Marion cost $12,832,355. In McHenry county, VA ex penditures were $4,957;i79. Of this amount compensation and pension amounted to $3,492,748. Expenditures for educational benefits to-Vietnam Era veterans and other training programs amounted to $808,694. Statewide total was $77,511,105. In Illinois, the VA spent $62,850,622 on insurance and indemnities. In McHenry county, veterans received $655,737. Wages and salaries of private non- farm employees in the North Central region rose 1.3 percent in the three months ended June, 1962, according to the Employment Cost Index (ECI) issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was slightly ahead of the national average gain of l.l percent. William E. Rice, regional com missioner for the bureau in Chicago, said the June ECI reflects a con tinuation of the slowdown in wage rate increases which began in the second quarter 1961. The 1.3 percent wage gain from March to June, 1982, was the smallest* in the region since a similar rise from December, 1977, to March, 1978, and follows increases of 1.4 percent in the three months ended March, 1982, and 1.9 percent in the March-June 1981 period. The June, 1982, Employment Cost Index for private non-farm wages and salaries in the North Central region was 106.1 (June 1981-100). Wages and salaries in the North Central region rose 6.1 percent in the 12 months ended June 1982. This was the smallest annual rate recorded in the region in the seven-year history of the ECI aid compares to a 9.2 percent annual gain reported in the second quarter a year ago. Nationally, the ECI for wages and salaries of private non-farm employees was up 7.1 percent from June 1961. »h« GAS PUMP VinylTops If you are buying a new or used car remem ber, a vinyl top has a rough surface that caus es air flow problems. The loss is about a half mile per gallon of gas. If you do have a vinyl top, use a vinyl coating wax to lessen air drag. The first radio im pulse transmission in the U.S. was achieved by Joseph Henry in Princeton, N.J., in 1840. Using current passed through a magnetized needle, he produced vibrations on a wire about 100 feet away! from HISTORY'S SCRAPBOOK DATES AND EVENTS FROM YESTERYEARS September 30,1955--James Dean killed in a car accident. October 1,1940--Einstein became U.S. citizen. October 2,1866--Tin cans with key openers patented. October 3,1964--57 people escaped East Berlin through tunnel. October4,1957--Sputnik I launched. October 5, 1931--Herndon and Pangborn made first crossing of Pacific by airplane (non-stop). October 6,1956--House subcommittee convened to in vestigate rigged TV quiz shows. Respectfully, f PETER M.JUSTEN vJBsffitk 4SON FUNERAL HCME KHfNftV .HINGIS .185 0063 ARE YOU NEW IN The McHenry Area? Do You Know Someone New? We Would Like To Extend A Royal Welcome To Every Newcomer To Our Area!!! GALL LORRAINE MONAHAN 385-5475 I »trtt WHUM °&LlG Nq +TION ROYAL WELCOME Know Your Area-Royal Welcome Does It Best 5erfice & pro fessi° n al Dire ctory MCK WALSH, MOT EARL R. WALSH, BROKER INSURANCE ft MBS Fir*. Auto. Farm. Ub RELIABLE COMPANIES MU W. Elm SI., McHenry DENNIS CONWAY AUTO. UK. Hftf State Fans lis. Co. 3)19 W. Elm Street McHenry. M. ttS-7111 JAMES M. MclNTEE, LAWYER AVAILABLE TO PRACTICE IN: Personel ln|ury/Trlels Wills/Probate Divorce-Real Estate 14M W. Elm Street. McHenry. II. ^0 ̂ pj|0nea Form Equipment George P. Freud, Inc. 410} W. Crystal Lake Rd. Bus. 385-0420 Res. 385-0227 MCHENRY COUNTY OFFICE MACHINES SAUS, SERVICE ft RENTALS Mon.-iet. 9-5:30 Friday Ml 9:00 93 Grant St.. Crystal lake Phone: 459-1224 DR. LEONARD BOTTARI 1)03 Richmond Rd. McHenry Eyes Examined -Contoct Lenses Classes Pitted Mon.. Tues.. Thurs., Prl. 4-4pm Tees., Thurs., PH. 7-9 pm Set. 9:)0-)pm Phonos M5-415I or M6-2242 It Pays To Advertise In The Plaindealer 11 BELLI RADIAL TIRES FOR ALL CARS Europa Motors, Inc. 2318 Rte. 120 015-385-0700 SERVICE LINE MCHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 3*5-4300 FAMILY SERVICE ft MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC 3409 W. Waukegan Road McHenry 305-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS LINE McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Porents Anonymous meetings on Tuesday. Call 815-344-3944 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 202-75&-0440 Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. week days (Ever had a problem involving the federal government and not known where to calif And than been given the runaround or referrals by persons who meant well but didn't know how to helpf Ten specialists available at this center.) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD Illinois Phone: C00-972-4004 (For confidential conversations on problems dealing with run-away children.) » MOVING HOTLINE Phonq 000-424-9213 (Complaints about interstate moving by companies, buses or trains. Sponsored by Interstate Commerce commission.) CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION Phone 000-630-2446 (For Questions or Complaints on products ranging from toys to ovens.) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone S00-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a particular model has ever been recalled. Valuable for those interested in buying a used car.) ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 24-Hours Child Abuse Hotline TOLL FREE: S00-252-2S70 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 000-430-2444 (Operates five national lines. Answers inquires about or reporting on the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toy*.) NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 000-523-2929 P.O. Box 1407, Rockville, Md. 20050 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun-powered hot-water system.) CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3500 f Chicago, III. BIRTHRIGHT Pregnant? Need Help? Counseling Service. 305-2999. 24 hours Answering Service. YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W, Elm St., McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Coun seling for youth and families. ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone: 217-522-5514 Answer to questions on gover- ment regulations. MENTAL HEALTH 1-000-092-0900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co. 24-Hour Emergency number and professional staff wil answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry County Comprehensive Mental Health Service System. NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION Post Office Box 17400 Washington, D.C., 20041 Phone (703) 471-0404 McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 4i4RusselCt. Woodstock.il. 40090 (015)330-7100 JOB TRAINING OFFERED McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCATION FOR THE RETARDED Robert G, Lambourn, Executive Director Phone: 344-1230 <>JJ1COHOLICSANONY^