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Reverse Decision On Pioneer Grant Request After a second look at the Pioneer center (McHenry County Association for the Retarded) request for grant matching funds in connection with the proposed expansion of the vocational rehabitation training center in Tonyan Industrial park, the McHenry County Mental Health (708) board voted March 17 to put up the $36,456 needed to support the application. It will go to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs for a capital development project. The city of McHenry, through its mayor and council, has agreed to be the sponsor for the grant and will be the applicant for, and the dispenser of, the approximately $364,560 estimated to be the cost of the project by officers of Pioneer center. Needed from a local source to demonstrate Com- munity support for the project was the 10 percent of the project amount which the 708 board has agreed to put up. The 'grant would furnish the balance. When first approached by Robert Lambourn, executive director of Pioneer center, the 708 board in­ dicated support for the concept. However, members did not commit the requested funds because, board members said, they were not sure that such money was available in their budget. Also, traditionally the board, through its allocations, had only funded cost of operations or equip­ ment for the agencies which per­ formed the mental health work in the county and not buildings. The possibility for reconsideration by the board of their lack of decision to fund was raised when members of the county board, which approves the local tax funding for mental health, gave their assurance that the $36,000 would be available, according to Bob Schneider, president of the Mental Health 708 board. In their motion to commit this amount, the board added provisions that the amount up to $36,456 be earmarked for equipment purchases and that it be contingent on written clarification that such local funds are available and that they are properly appropriated. Dirk Voetberg, chairman of the 708 board finance committee, made the motion for the reconsideration. Schneider noted that further in­ vestigation had shown that the funds being applied for are in an unique type of grant program, no money from which has yet been spent in the county. He conceded that the earlier 708 board inaction might affect the decision on the grant application at the state level and deprive Pioneer center and McHenry city of their chance for such funds. When a board member asked if this decision would now open up a "Pandora's box"' of applications from other agencies, Schneider in­ dicated that if others can come up with comparable grants, the board would consider them. Voetberg was concerned for how long they would have to keep the matching funds available if the ap­ proval process was delayed. Dennis Smith, executive director for the mental health board, said that if it involved another fiscal year, (after Dec. 1) they would have to form a contractual obligation. Jan Marsh, chairman of the Planning and Management board of the Mental Health board, said she originally liked the idea as presented by Lambourn and asked what the per client annual cost was in comparison to the $20,000 to $30,000 needed to keep a person in a state institution. Staff records showed a $4,110 annual cost of which the 708 board supplied about one-third from tax raised monies. Smith noted that historically ser­ vices for the developmentally disabled has been the highest priority for the 708 board. Accordingjo in­ formation from Lambourn, Pioneer center predicts increasing its enrollment in the rehabilitation training program by 17 peryear until the additional capacity for 77 has been filled. This, he added, coincides with the projected population growth and the percentage of disabled found in that population. Smith continued his views of the future of the mental health programs, observing that cutbacks such as they have been worrying about are usually only short term. "Our programs are over the long term and perhaps we should consider eliminating low priority programs instead of administering across the board cuts in all programs." he said. In connection with this, Smith an­ nounced that most of the applications for funding for the coming year except the big two -- Pioneer Center and Family Services and Mental Health Center -- had already been received for the board to begin their review. He noted that more applications than ever before had been received and (Continued on page 18) THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALER 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 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 23, 1983 2 SECTIONS 24 PAGES 25c VOLUME 107 NUMBER 68 $ VJ v "*S ' C' : * | N .»<>< Vyj£:.i. - Spring ? lay ac beast show little emotion when confronted with snow on the first day of Spring. The gentleman at left is giving his snow blower one of its few workouts of the year as he makes sure the family car will be able to reach the street. Inside the garage, the lady-of-the-house holds a shovel as she prepares to rid the driveway of any accumlation that may remain. In the meantime, a plump robin isn't talking, but lie may be wondering if his flight from the southland may have been premature. Or possibly he may be just waiting for someone to pick up the morning newspaper and encourage him with word from the weatherman that a change is due. In spite of the in'convenience caused by the weekend snow, no major accidents were reported in the city, and school buses were rolling as usual Monday morning. STAFF PHOTOS-WAYNE GAYLORD Two Get Okay Reject One Zoning Request Howard Phalin Selected 'Distinguished Graduate' by Anthony Oliver The McHenry City Council voted at Monday night's meeting to approve two zoning petitions and deny a third. There is much speculation among educators as to what the future holds in store for them in the light of recent recommendations relaxing the mandates of the past 10 years. Earlier this month a committee of the state board of education approved changes in both the physical education and driver education programs, as well as altering the bilingual education requirements. Recommendations now go to the full board for final action March 24. But this isn't the end. General Assembly action would be necessary for these changes to become effective. State board approval would mean the board would draft legislation or support existing bills to implement the changes. In addition to offering P.E. only as an elective in the junior and senior years, the frequency of the course and use of class time would be determined at the local district level. The state statutes would be amended so that those who are at least 16 years old could receive a driver license if they have demon- (Continued on page 19) proval came for a reclassification to B-l retail and a parking variation. However, a petition to allow a muffler shop was rejected. - - The plans of Merlin Muffler, Inc., to purchase and build a shop on W. Elm street, next to Long John Silver restaurant, were quashed Monday by a 6-1 vote* "I don't like it. I don't think it fits B- 1," said Mayor Stanek. "I've got one across from my barber shop and I bit my lip on that one. It's right next to the park (Whispering Oaks). I've really got a problem with this." Petitioners' Attorney Sam Diamond commented that Long John Silver, Inc., was going to divide the parcel anyway and added there were a lot more objectionable permitted uses in theB-1 classification than this muffler shop. The petitioners sought a special use permit to allow the muffler shop. A muffler shop is a permitted use in the more intensive B-3 zoning classification. "This particular use is of very limited intensity as far as traffic is concerned," Diamond said. "The area cannot support another heavy traffic fast food restaurant." Aid. Busse commented that the ordinance calls for B-l commercial retail to be "retail" in nature and not "service" oriented. "Variations should not be handed out like bubblegum," Aid. Busse said. "It would establish a bad precedent." Aid. David Gelwicks (3rd) told the council he had attended the Long John Silver zoning hearings and would not oppose the muffler shop use. "I personally feel it is more appropriate than a McDonalds or a Burger King...," Aid. Gelwicks said. He noted that objectors to the petition, Fred and Irene Bykowski, withdrew their objection after hearing testimony concerning the operation of the business. "The Bykowskis were convinced this would not adversely affect their property," Aid. Gelwicks added. A motion to deny the petition was supported by Aldermen Pepping, Nolan, Busse, Datz, Smith, Serntella and Meurer. Voting against was Aid. Gelwicks. The first petition regarded a parcel at 409 Front street, owned by Michael J. Wieser and Dennis Conway. The petitioners sought rezoning of the parcel from R-2 residential to B-l commercial retail. In the zoning hearing, the petitioners testified that the nature and location of the parcel made sale or rental of the existing structure unlikely. Conway said he may need to use the building for his business, should the bridge on Route 120 be constructed. The construction would eliminate, at least temporarily, Conway's parking on Elm street. In any event, the petitioners were seeking the zoning change. The ZBA concurred and voted to recommend approval. Stating she aid not approve of all approaches to the city being commercial in nature, Aid. Elizabeth Nolan (1st) cast the only dissenting vote. The council also voted to approve a parking variation request by Hillcrest Developers, Inc., but not without some discussion. The developers sought a variation to permit 1.5 parking spaces per unit at the 88-unit apartment complex at McCullom Lake road and Orleans. The ordinance requires 2.0 spaces per unit. The developers argued that the nature of the complex, rent subsidized housing geared to middle and low income families, elderly and handicapped, made 176 parking spaces unnecessary. The petitioners told the council the 40 extra parking spaces had no financial impact on the development and the reduction was for visual enhancement of the property. They also agreed to put in the parking at any time the council so required. McHenry Mayor Joseph Stanek and Aid. Jack Pepping (1st) noted that this was much the same agreement as existed with Royal Terrace nursing home (Carestoel). Aid. William Busse (2nd) commented that the 2.0 parking requirement should stand. "I have to stand behind the Zoning board on this one," Busse said. The ZBA voted 6-1 to recommend denial of the petition. Busse said recent Northeastern Illinois Plan Commission (NIPC) statistics indicated that low and middle income families often have more than one vehicle. A motion to concur with the ZBA and deny the petition failed by a 3-5 vote. Voting in favor of denial were Aldermen Busse, Datz and Smith. Voting against were Aldermen Pepping, Nolan, Serritella, Meurer and Gelwicks. A motion to grant the variation, conditioned upon the developers putting in the parking if the council should mandate, passed 6-1. Aid. Smith cast the sole dissenting vote. HOWARD V. PHALIN A McHenry Community high school graduate of 1921, who went on to become head of one of the country's largest educational corporations, has been named MCHS Distinguished Graduate for 1983. A committee of eight last week selected Howard V. Phalin for that honor by an unanimous vote. He was the only one of 17 nominees to receive the vote of each committee member, a requirement for selection. Now a resident of 1500 Sheridan road, Wilmette, Phalin was born in McHenry and was in the first graduating class of McHenry Community high school when the name was changed 62 years ago. Between 1921 and 1923 the young graduate taught in two rural schools in the area. One of them was Ostend, between McHenry and Woodstock, and the other was Holcomville, bet­ ween McHenry and Crystal Lake. It was during the second year that (Continued on page 18) Requests For Revenue Sharing Funds Heard Eight requests were made, six from outside organizations and two from the city, at Monday night's City Council meeting for a piece of the Revenue Sharing pie. Among the requests being considered are those from the McHenry County Youth Service Bureau, McHenry County Easter Seals Society, McHenry County Historical Society, McHenry Public Library, McHenry Area Rescue Squad, the McHenry Beautification Committee and two council requests. The big ticket requests were made by Aid. Jack Pepping (1st), who asked that money be set aside to pay for new police radio equipment ($35,000) apd mosquito abatement ($20,000). v McHenry Area Rescue Squad Chief Phil Gust asked the council to meet last year's allocation of $7,500. "We are anticipating needing another ambulance," Gust said. "New, they go for between $38,000 and $45,000." Gust told the council the squad saved an estimated $20,000 last year by putting a new chassis under the old ambulance. With the number of calls the squad is answering, he added a (Continued on page 18) Schedule Blood Draw Community Day Corn Growers Ready Report Shortage At Head Start Classes March Election Page 18 Page 19 Page 13