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40 McHENRY HOSPITAL !*^T TII'""H!».U;..;y. THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER O "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875" . J VOLUME 107 NUMBER 67 FRIDAY, MARCH 18. 1983 1 SECTION 18 PAGES 25 Industrial Development Seminar One-Day County Conference Page 17 Final In Audubon Series "American Heart land" Page 4 Investigate Murder FREE TV Guide In Today's Edition Rescue-Fire Merger Versus Contract said, that the McHenry Rescue sauad wants to be absorbed and governed by the Fire department. On the other hand, the Johnsburg Rescue squad is seeking a contract with the Fire department for funding but one which would maintain its autonomy. These are not necessarily in­ compatible," Althoff said, "It's very possible this could work." That both rescue squads are seeking tax money to fund their operations brought no disagreement from Althoff or Ed Guettler, trustee of the Fire district. "I don't think Rescue squad members should have to donate their services the way they do and then have to go out and beg for money. It's not fair," Althoff commented. For financing either a merged operation or a contract, Althoff suggested that the previous year's operating budget for each squad be factored for inflation and equipment needs to determine how much would be needed for the next year. He also felt rescue members should not be compensated for the present. If a squad's previous budget was $36,000 a year, we could pay that squad $3,000-plus a month, after factoring in inflation and equipment, Althoff explained. "From the trustee's point of view, it is immaterial how it takes place," Althoff said. "We are here to look after the taxpayers' dollars. We feel a service like this is an extremely important part of the public and we are committed to its support." The district president then authorized a committee of 10 people, two from each of the three fire companies and the rescue squads involved, and told them to be able to make a recommendation by April 28. Co. II Capt. Phil Bartmann com­ mented, "Something has to be done. They need help. But I am in favor of a contract with both. It'll give everyone a chance to see how it'll work out." Co. I Assistant Chief Chris Bennett said he was in favor of a merger for both and was the first to suggest a committee to look into the different methods that other fire departments and communities use to provide rescue and emergency medical services. Representing the Johnsburg Rescue squad, Robert Meyer said they were only interested in a contract. "Whether McHenry merges or con­ tracts does not bother us • We do want our autonomy. We are not interested in a merger." Trustee Guettler asked what would happen if Johnsburg Rescue squad were forced into a merger. "In my opinion, I don't think the Johnsburg Rescue squad membership would support the referendum," Meyer said. Althoff responded, "We only want to do what is right for everyone. Once it is done, we'll have to live with it for a long time." Co. I Capt. Wayne Amore addressed a secondary issue and said rescue squad members should be paid per call from the outset of the merger or contract. Althoff had commented earlier that he did not think rescue members should be paid, at first. Amore argued that in paying from the outset, the public would know exactly what the costs would be and the district would not be in the position of trying to get more money, little by little. "I think we should seek a referendum for the maximum and then levy for what is needed, " Althoff said. The district president likened the rescue situation now to what existed for many volunteer fire departments in the 1940's. He said, at that time, fire departments were all volunteer, raising funds for equipment much as the rescue squads have continued to do at this time. "Then the people said 'We'll buy the equipment", Althoff said. "About 15 years later, he added, firemen began to get some small compensation for their services on a per call basis. "I feel Rescue squad members should be paid per call right off the bat," Amore said. He was supported in this position by McHenry Rescue Squad Capt. David Zamastil, who said some com­ pensation could avoid potential animosity between fire and rescue personnel. He pointed out that at traffic accidents, rescue members perform extrication and treat the injured while firemen usually stand by with hose lines. He suggested that there could be hard feelings between unpaid resuce personnel and paid fire fighters. "The situation is reversed at fires," one fire fighter added. Meyer admitted that, in the future, Johnsburg may want to abandon the contract and merge with the Fire department but he said the squad felt (Continued on pago 16) Debate Just Around The Corner Just around the corner is Spring, and with it are youngsters on bikes. More and more ride to school each day, included among them these students at Edgebrook school. Even with traffic guards at most intersections, drivers are urged to use caution in the presence of young bicycle riders. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD County Views Landfill Concern by Angela Burden SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE I Sometimes the news that sends one person into ecstasy is bad news for another. And then there are times when something makes everyone happy - the kind of news that too seldom makes our front page. Last week when Helen Creamer recevied an "excuse" me, please" letter from, the Carbondale police department it was reason for rejoicing for her and anyone else who has ever been reprimanded unjustly. Readers may recall that it was Helen Creamer, a retired McHenry school teacher, who has been battling with Carbondale police via Uncle Sam's mail since last July 17 when she was accused of a parking violation in that southern Illinois city. This followed another summons for a Chicago violation some years ago. . In neither case was Mrs. Creamer in the city where the offense was reported to have taken place. In exasperation after recently receiving a strongly worded letter threatening further action if ther fine was not forthcoming, Mrs. Creamer became angry. She assembled her facts, as she had before, and opened her communication with the greeting: "Now hear this!" She sent a copy of this column relating the attack to which she had been subjected. This was in addition to explaining that poor health prevented her even from driving as far as Carbondale, to say nothing of getting into trouble while she was there. At last - success! Mrs. Creamer has been thanked for bringing the error to the attention of the parking division of the city. The error, discovered after a good part of a year, was attributed to a motorcycle carrying the same license number as her car. Also pertaining to driving is another bit of news that is good. The tough new drunken driving law passed in Springfield in 1981 has to be regarded as something favorable. We have just learned that traffic deaths dropped 11 percent this past year, arrests for driving under the inf luence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs climbed 70 percentr and convictions rose 45 percent. Now there is a movement for a series of changes that should make the tough drunk driving law even (Continued on pago 16) The concern of needed landfill sites in the county was raised once again at Tuesday's McHenry county board meeting. The issue was briefly discussed after Bill Ganek, planning engineer for the county, gave a presentation to the board on an update of the second phase of a waste disposal study. The second phase involved disposal of septage waste, the pumpings taken from septic tanks. Ganek said that since a solid waste landfill is being sought in the county and several sites are under con­ sideration, perhaps an alternative for 6-Year Terms For Wonder Lake Man SHAW MEDIA NEWS SERVICE A Wonder Lake man convicted on charges of home invasion and in­ decent liberties with a child was sentenced Wednesday morning to serve six-year terms of imprisonment on each charge. Tory Rachel, 24, was sentenced in 19th Judicial Circuit court, Wood­ stock, by Judge Leonard Brody, who ordered the prison terms to be served concurrently. A defense motion seeking a new trial for Rachel was denied last month by Brody. A jury returned guilty verdicts against Rachel on Nov. charges stemmed from a July 27 incident at a McHenry area residence. Assistant State's Attorney Gail Moreland prosecuted the case against Rachel. A McHenry man, currently free on bond for March 7 burglary charges, was arrested early Monday on ad­ ditional burglary charges after he was found inside a locked restaurant. Russell T. Stratton, 21, of 4313 W. South street, McHenry, is being held in McHenry county jail on $16,050 bond. Sheriff's police investigated an activated alarm about 3:50 a.m. Monday at Little John's Tavern, 1211 N. River road, McHenry, and during a systematic search of the building, Stratton was discovered inside. Charges against him include burglary, theft and possession of cannabis. The March 7 charges stemmed from a burgl. ~y at the Snug Harbor restaurant in McHenry. septage disposal could be in­ corporated in future plans. Currently, the septage goes onto farmland in the county, at a rate of approximately 10 million gallons a year, according to the engineer. Private landfill sites are under consideration here because about 80 percent of solid waste from this county is transported to landfills in Lake county and those sites could possibly close within a year, authorities said. It was suggested that a survey be made of municipalities by the plan­ ning staff on support of landfill sites. Board member Ronald Morris, of Harvard, said he was "concerned about a large waste disposal operator" taking over possible landfill sites in the county. Following the meeting, Morris said his concern was with toxic wastes being transported into the county by large scale operators who might have favorable consideration from the federal environment protection agencies. The county's Health and Agricultural committee reported last month that it had met with planners, health experts and waste management representatives for an informational session. At that meeting, the committee learned the Antioch landfill, which takes a majority of solid waste from McHenry county, will close in nine months. "There is definitely a petition for a landfill site in the county coming to the board in the near future," com­ mittee chairman Ann Hughes told the board. None of the landfill sites under consideration have been identified. However, Morris said he believed the old Blazier gravel pit near Harvard was under review as a possible site. Cary Police are investigating the reported murder of a 36-year-old Carpentersville man, which was discovered at about 3:30 p.m. March 16. In a prepared release, Cary Police said the body of Ivan J. Demko, 36, of Carpentersville, was found dead on the floor of a second story room at 508 Cary road, Cary. The death had reportedly occurred sometime bet­ ween March 13 and 16, hovtever, no cause of death was given. No additional details surrounding the Demko death investigation were available as neither Cary Police Chief William H. Moore nor McHenry County Coroner Alvin J. Querhammer could be reached at press time Thursday. The release indicated the matter is cQtyridgred a homicide and is being investigated as such. Assisting the Cary Police department in the in­ vestigation are the Northern Illinois Crime Lab, McHenry County Coroner's office and the McHenry County State's Attorney's office. "Hard Road" Tax Vote Set McHenry township voters will be asked to vote whether they wish to retain a special "'hard road" tax during the McHenry township annual town meeting, to be held at the McHenry township hall building, 3703 N. Richmond road, at 8 p.m. April 12. John C. Regner, township highway commissioner, stated that this is not a new tax, but has been in effect each year since 1947. The revenue from it is the primary source of funds to reconstruct and maintain over 85 miles of township roads. These funds may not be used for any other pur­ pose, he noted. Regner also said that a "Yes" vote on this tax would not result in any new taxes, as it has already been in effect. "Without this tax revenue", he said, "our roads would soon start falling behind in maintenance, and we would be able to do little more than patch them." The rate for this tax is .167 percent, which cannot be exceeded by law. The law also requires that a public hearing and vote be taken to extend this tax. In the past, this tax vote has been taken each five years, but this year the vote will be to extend the tax in­ definitely. Regner urged township voters to support the "hard road" tax April 12 bemuse of its importance in main­ taining local roads. He added that this is a relatively modest tax, about 3 percent of the township real estate taxes. The hard road tax petition appears elsewhere in this newspaper. Auxiliary Aids Channel 11 Drive 'About 50 members of the McHenry hospital auxiliary are shown boarding a bus Tuesday morning. Their travel took them to the public television station at Channel 11, where they manned phones periodically throughout the afternoon to assist in the membership drive at WTTW. During one of the periods at the phone, they broke all records for collection with pledges of $10,000. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD by Anthony Oliver A committee of 10 has been assigned to research the best method for handling what McHenry Township Fire Protection District President James L. Althoff termed "probably one of the most important decisions the trustees will make." The decision concerns the proposed shift of rescue and emergency medical services from donation support to tax support. Presently, both the McHenry Area Rescue squad and the Johnsburg Rescue squad receive no tax monies. The problem seems to be, Althoff