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I Continue McHenry Zoning Appeal Choices For Girls State Andrea Pace, left, faculty choice to represent McHenry Legion Post 491 auxiliary at Girls State in June, looks over the school newspaper with Sarah Prust, selected as alternate. Girls State is a program dedicated to teaching outstanding students how government functions and allows them to participate through creation of a mythical government. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Andrea Pace, an East campus junior student, will represent MCHS when she attends a tea April 24 for girls selected for Girls State. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Pace of 3606 W. John street. The choice of Andrea, made by faculty members, rewards the qualities of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship, among others. Sponsored by the auxiliary to Legion Post 491, she-will visit MacMurray college, Jacksonville, 111., the week of June 19-25. Girls State is a program to teach outstanding students how government works. Mythical governments are established on the municipal, county and state levels and girls campaign for office as they would in actual government. Miss Pace is a member of the school Drama club, has been prominent in school plays and musicals, is a member of the East campus chorus, the Dance club and was active in Operation Snowball. Alternate is Sarah Prust, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ormel Prust of 610 N. Green street. Sarah is a member of the Student Council, National Honor society, A McHenry dentist, William W. Busch, Jr., D.D.S., appeared before the McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) last Thursday seeking a parking variation which would allow him to continue his practice. The variation concerns the building on the southwest corner of the in­ tersection of Green and Pearl Streets. No decision was reached because there were not enough ZBA members present to render a decision. ZBA member Fred Kupstis asked to be excused from the hearing because his employer, the McHenry State Bank, is an abutting property owner. Annie Mae Cuda and Kay Halverson were excused for cause. According to the ordinance, the parcel would require seven off-street parking spaces. The parcel has suf­ ficient room for five. The petitioner told the ZBA that a building permit had been issued by the city and he was later advised that the approval of the parking arrangement had been in error. A temporary permit was issued, pen­ ding approval by the ZBA. Busch said he had contacted the owner of the Whale's Tail restaurant, across Green street to the east, who gave the okay to use two spaces for parking. Attorney Thomas J. Rupp, representing the petitioner, said the ordinance was vague and essentially wanted a determination from the ZBA as to just what area was to be used for computing the number of required spaces. Rupp commented that the waiting room and two equipped treatment rooms were all that would be open to the public. A third treatment room has not been equipped at this time, Busch testified. The ordinance, as interpreted, calls ^uuutii, nauuuai iiunui ^ » * ' ---- Spanish Honor society, and has been one parking space per 200 square active in athletics. She played tennis feet of space. The house is ap- and basketball for three years, took proximately 1,000 square feet. Ad- part in track for two years, and soft- ditional spaces are required, one for ball for one year. every two employees (Busch has THE MCHENRY PLAINDEALERI "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875* VOLUME 107 NUMBER 76 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 1983 1 SECTION 22 PAGES 25 by Anthony Oliver The McHenry City Council voted Monday night to ease the 80 percent residency requirement imposed on any leagues using McHenry park facilities. Monday night's action requires that |80 percent of those people par­ ticipating on a Park department- sponsored league team reside within the boundaries of the McHenry or Johnsburg school districts. The previous ruling affected all teams, regardless of sponsorship. The matter was brought to the council floor by Dan Drake, who represented one of the women's softball teams. "I've got 16 girls who spent many hours to raise money for uniforms and entrance fees," Drake said. "I just can't get 80 percent. I've got a situation where I don't have 80 per­ cent of anywhere." Drake said his team was willing to pay a penalty and to take whatever spots are open after those teams meeting the ride are registered. He said the council decision, enacted at the April 4 meeting, came too late in the season. "We don't really question the rule. We do question the late date that you decided to pass it," Drake said. Park Director Peter Merkel commented that the crowding situation existed primarily with the men's 12-inch leagues and said no problem was anticipated this year. "All the girls come here, they work here and you're saying we don't want before we tuck away 1983 election memories in the darkest recesses of our mind, there is time to reflect on the hectic weeks and months preceding the April 12 vote. Most of us complained that television brought us little more than the slurs and slams and backbiting of- big city politicians. We referred to them as two-bit, dishonest, showoffs - as racists - as little people who wanted to control patronage and be the high mogul. There may have been a little truth in most of these assessments as they applied to one or another, but that can be only part of the story. To work as well as cities and states do, con­ sidering the mammoth problems that confront these leaders, there has to be some genuine concern and a pride that prompts them to do many things right. Granted, public opinion may have something to do with those things that are done right, but this only proves that the interaction of leaders and followers are what government is all about. And while thousands were turned to radio and TV for Chicago results, there were hundreds interested in the outcome of McHenry aldermanic and nearby village trustee elections. Sitting behind the phone in the Plaindealer office until late at night brought back memories of other elections, some of which were cliff- hangers. One of them still vivid in our memory ended with only 24 votes separating the mayoral candidates. "That's my husband", one woman sputtered as we gave her incomplete returns of two candidates in mid- evening last Tuesday. We weren't sure which one's wife she was, but she knew, her husband was ahead, and nothing else mattered. "Oh gosh, I'm his Mom", another called out through the phone when we gave her totals that apparently in­ cluded her son. And the candidates also called - some of them as many as three times. "Just wanted to know if I should start getting excited", one of them explained as he received the good news from the first precincts reporting. Even a second call, while still encouraging, failed to give him the final tally and he was reluctant to claim victory. When the final count was in, he said, "I have a party of friends here. I think we'll go dancing in the streets". And then there were just interested people who called. Remarks ran the gamut from those indicating pleasure, to the truly disappointed, to "I'm absolutely shocked". Everyone seemed to want to share the emotions experienced at that moment, and that very sharing is what makes election night exciting in a newspaper office. Maybe the most rewarding for us who manned the phones, as we wearily answered one of the last inquiries, was the caller who said: "Thank you for this service", and said it as though he meant it. KAF you," Drake added. Many of the councilmen agreed that the ruling was passed on short notice for many of the league teams. "We're not asking to be waived; we're willing to pay a penalty," Drake said. "Next year we can find elsewhere. "Don't even mention a penalty," said Aid. Ray Smith (3rd). Drake was told the teams meeting the residency requirement would be scheduled and then other teams would be allowed to play. During his report, Merkel asked the council to amend the action taken during his vacation, establishing the 80 percent residency rule for all teams using city facilities. He said the rule was intended to apply to only those teams sponsored by the Parks and Recreation department. Merkel said he had received a lot of feedback from other leagues, which felt the city was imposing its rules. . Aid. Elizabeth Nolan (1st) com­ mented, "We had a hefty discussion at the last meeting. The city should have control of what goes on in any park." two), and one for the apartment above the office. Rupp also pointed out that the county zoning ordinance specified that only that area open to the public need by considered when setting the parking requirements. The McHenry ordinance has no such specification at present. Busch said he was sharing the office with a podiatrist; however, neither would have office hours at the same time. Only in emergencies would both physicians be working at the same time. Practicing in Woodstock, Dr. Busch said emergencies arose 10 or 12 timesjn seven years. In response to the question of whether the petitioner could use off- premises parking (the Whale's Tail lot), City Attorney Bernard Narusis said it would be permitted. The problem, he noted, would be to make sure the other property owner has the spaces to give away and to make sure the agreement has the same lifetime as the land use. The meeting was continued to April 21. | Mail Tax Bil ls NexfWeek| Gary W. Verdung, McHenry county treasurer, has announced that the 1982 real estate tax bills are scheduled to be mailed from the courthouse during the week of April 29. First installment collection will be due by June 6, with the final installment payable by Sept. 6. The failure of the taxpayer to receive a bill does not affect the liability for payment. The total amount charged for 1982 is $80,055,042.68 as compared to $75,479,730.92 for tax year 1981. "Tax levels have not changed a great deal throughout McHenry county since last year," Verdung stated. "Some tax districts ex­ perienced rate drop as much as 9 percent, while others saw rate in­ creases as high as 11 percent." All persons 65 years old on or before Jan. 1,1982, are entitled to the elderly exemption if they lived in the residence on that date. Those who believe they qualify for this exemp­ tion of $1,500 should contact the supervisor of assessments, phone (815) 338-2040, as soon as possible, before payment. The country treasurer's office has a new tax bill information telephone service. Call (815) 338-6403 if there are any questions concerning the real estate tax bill. Decision On Modular Homes Is Postponed The council voted unanimously to ease the residency rule for this year. The residency rule applies to teams in the Men's Recreation 12-inch league, Women's Recreation 12-inch league and Youth 16-inch league. Other leagues using city park facilities include the Little League, Pigtail League, Women's 16-inch league, Men's Monday-Wednesday 12- inch league and the Men's church league. Ask Business Zoning A petition has been filed for hearing before the McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals by Dennis and Myraa Zidek for an amendment to the McHenry county zoning ordinance from "R-l Residential district to "B- 1" Business district with a variation of minimum lot size. The property is located in McHenry township on the west side of East (Continued on pogo 20) by Anthony Oliver The question of modular homes was again addressed by the McHenry City Council and again a final decision was set aside until more information can be studied. A motion to agree with the concept ended in a tie vote. A group of investors, Woodstock Financial Services, Ltd., is seeking to build modular homes in the McHenry Lakes Estates subdivision. The investors would be working with the property title holder, Elgin Federal Savings and Loan, which acquired the property during foreclosure proceedings. The modular homes are 90-percent constructed at a plant in Goshen, Ind., and then shipped in two parts to the site. They are then located on a concrete foundation, either crawlspace or basement. The investors told the council at the last meeting, various requirements, like landscaping and garages, would protect the aesthetics of the subdivision. The primary question was whether the modular homes met McHenry building codes. Aid. Raymond Smith (3rd), chairman of the Building and Zoning committee, said, "All the information presented is now null and void because they have submitted a new set of specs. We'll look into it but we can't give a final answer tonight." John Gould, of Woodstock Financial Services, Ltd., told the council the new specifications were designed to meet the 1976 state mobile home statute. The new specifications call for an upgrading in some areas and he added a $3,000 increase in the cost of the housing. At the last meeting, Gould said houses would start in the $50,000 range. "What we're looking for is not the acceptance of a particular model, but the go-ahead with the concept," Gould said. "We're worried about the concept." "We're worried about the specs," Aid. Smith said. Aid. William Busse (2nd) expressed a desire for more information concerning the investors. Noting the previous troubles with this subdivision (the former Jacob Freund farm), his concern centered on the ability of Woodstock Financial Services, Ltd., to complete the development. A motion to agree in concept with the proposal ended in a 3-3-1 vote. Aldermen Nolan, Datz and Meurer voted in favor. Aldermen Busse, Smith and Serritella voted against. Aid. David Gelwicks (3rd) abstained, citing a possible conflict of interest and Aid. Jack Pepping (1st) was absent. Aid. Cecilia Serritella (4th) said, "I (Continued on pogo 20) Boy Serious After Explosion Nine-year-old Lance Heinz was listed in serious condition Tuesday In the burn unit of St. Anthony's hospital, Rockford. The boy was hospitalized following an explosion and fire at his home last week. McHenry Fire Chief Glenn Peterson said the Fire department was called to 2608 Clement Lodge, McHenry, where a gasoline explosion had oc­ curred in a small storage shed. A neighbor heard the explosion and saw Lance run from the building with his clothes afire, drop and roll on the ground to extinguish the flames. She then took the youth to McHenry hospital. According to county police, the boy suffered burns on the face, hands and thighs. Peterson credited the "stop, drop and roll" technique, which is taught in the schools by the depart­ ment, with preventing more serious injuries. **5sr The McHenry Fire Chief said was an excessive amount of gasofitfe stored in the shed. The cause of the blaze is under investigation by fire department officials. McHenry County Sheriff's police reported that matches were found in the shed. Their report also indicated little or no damage occurred to the building. The Sound Of Music Maria (Angie Pace) leaches the Von Trapp children how 10 sing in this scene from "The Sound of Music". The musical will be presented ai West campus auditorium Thursday, April 21, Friday, April 22, and Saturday, April 23, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 24, at 2 p.m. Tickets may be reserved by calling 385-7077 or at the door. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD Unemployment Conference Free Rose Bushes Spring Field Trips For Job Skil ls For New Plaindealer Subscribers Bird Count Included Pag» 19 See Page 21 Page 4