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I DOC staffers with nets patiently wait for stunned fish to surface on Lake Tomahawk in Moraine Hills State Park. Conservationists shock fish in Moraine Hills state park In an effort to determine the effects of the severe winterkill on Lake Tomahawk two years ago, Illinois Department of Conservation (IDOC) workers Hie boat used carried a small generator which supplied electricity to three conductors, hanging in the wAter. The generator delivered enough power to temporarily stun the fish. When the, fish surfaced, XnCj wWv n![WBvwn« ptlw'afttO~4k holding tank. Later, the catch would be weighed, examined and released. i > & "Spring looked pcetty and we're looking for bh b§p «r<*We*re also / J V for reproduction, particularly in the Northern." Unfortunately, with the cooler weather and water, the fish tre staying deep and the S wag jaqt as effective as in summer. Assessment drop keeps tax groups alert by Anthony Oliver A projected drop in the county assessment has taxing district officials in government, schools, parks, etc., keeping a watchful eye on developments. McHenry County Supervisor of Assessments Kandall Woloski „ said the county projection is $1.25 billion. Last year's assessment was $1,316 billion. Woloski explained that the level of assessment and the state multiplier are calculated from the real estate sales in each county for the last three years. Hie levels of every county in the state are averaged out to determine the multiplier. For the upcoming assessment, the real estate sales figures from i960, 1981 and 1982 will be used. Woloski pointed out that the peak year for real estate values, 1979, is no longer used in the calculations. This is the primary reason for the projected drop in assessment. "Hie $1.25 billion is what we expect the total to, be at," Woloski said. Another factor that led to the projected decrease was the $500 increase in the homestead exemption, from $3,000 to $3,500. The drop in assessment may not have an effect on various taxing districts. However, there are a lot of "ifs" in the complicated system. If a taxing district is levying , and if the total uation drops, and if approval of an/ increased fate, the revenues) would decline,^-,Woloski said. In »thon hnnrii if thn taxing district is levying at the same level as the previous year, and if the levy is not at the maximum, then it is possible that the taxing district could still collect the same amount of money, Woloski added. Officials of many taxing districts are watching ana waiting for the official figures to be released. Not the least of these are the school districts. By and large, the county's school districts are levying at the - maximum allowable rate. McHenry High School District 156 Superintendent Robert O. Swartzloff said the business manager, Michael Kelly, and the appropriate committees would be meeting to make their own projections for a drop in Council supports ambulance referendum at the by Anthony Oliver The proposed special ambulance tax referendum received another shot in the arm Monday night as the McHenry City Council unanimously passed a resolution in support of the measure. Early last week, the McHenry Chamber of Commerce board of directors gave their endorsement to establishment of the ambulance tax. The tax monies would be used to support the operations of the McHenry Area and Johnsburg Rescue Squads. McHenry Rescue Chief Philip Gust expressed his appreciation to the council for their support throughout the years and pointed to some of the reasons for the referendum. Gust commented that it was increasingly difficult to operate the squads on a strictly donation basis. He added that tax support had been under consideration for some time. The general recommendation of a study completed two years ago was that the McHenry Bairna A look inside... Golf Team to state - . Pa Park Department offerings Section 2, Regular features Mostly Social , • Pages So I Hear Page Twice Told Tales Section 2, Page consolidate with the McHenry Township Fire Department. "We have had generous support from the community, but with the increasing number of calls and the increasing demands on the members, this is the best way to provide the service. Philip Bartmann, captain of Co. 2, noted that a small percentage of the population responds to the annual fund drives. "With the increasing number of calls and the increasing costs it is impractical to ask 20 percent to 25 percent of the community to support the operation, Bartmann said. Bartmann explained that in addition to answering calls, a great deal of time is also spent in training, continuing education and meeting recertification requirements. According to the comments of the fire and rescue officers present, and an audio visual presentation at the meeting, the time involved, apart from the time answering calls and training, and the rising cost of emergency medical care were the two most crucial matters which led to the referendum. The presentation indicated that McHenry and Johnsburg Rescue members answered about 1,500 calls last year. The average amount of time spent on a call was about an hour. In TWlliast to those 1,500 hours, a standard working year (40 hours a week) is only 2,080 hours, the presentation noted. "The members should receive some compensation and we should look to cutting some of the time involved," he said, referring to the hours S1AFF PHOTOS ST WAVM OAVIOW revenues. Likewise at Elementary District 15, Dr. Richard Farmer said the administration would be watching the situation. Woloski also pointed out that depending on what happens with the other factors, i.e. the state multiplier, a drop in assessment does not necessarily mean a change in the homeowner's tax bill. * t** - *- . . . - r -- The "catch" are put into a holding tank where the effect of the electrical jolt wear off. The fish are later examined and released. Arson blamed in fire soliciting donations. Aid. Elizabeth asked. Nolan "Assuming spent (1st) the referendum passes, do you anticipate going to full-time paramedics?" Bartmann replied that, at this time, the intention was to remain at an on-call status. The question of a contract with the Johnsburg Rescue Squad was raised by Aid. William Bolger (1st), who noted that Johnsburg was opposed to the merger idea. Bartmann said the plan was for the Johnsburg Rescue Squad to contract with the McHenry Township Fire Protection District and the McHenry Rescue Squad to merge with Co. 1. "What will determine when you go to full-time paramedics?" asked Aid. Frank McClatchey (3rd). "Strictly the number of calls," replied Bartmann. In response to a question from Mayor Joseph Stanek, Bartmann said the tax money would be handled by the McHenry Township Fire Protection District board of trustees. The trustees, who are appointed by the McHenry County Board, are James L. Althoff, president; Ed Guettler, treasurer; and Daniel Schmitt, secretary. Bartmann also illustrated their fiscal history, commenting that while the trustees have authority to levy to a maximum of $.30 per $100 assessed valuation, they have never done so. The highest that district residents were ever taxed was about $.20 per $100. Last year, the district rate was $.169 and it is expected to remain the same this year as well. The Fire District board of trustees recently approved a line item of $200,000 in their budget to cover the operational (Continued on pog* 3) A reported fire last Week at Nelms Johnsburg Tavern, 3622 N. Chapel Hill Road, McHenry, at about 3:10 a.m. alerted three McHenry Fire District companies, Richmond, Wonder Lake, Spring Grove and the Johnsburg Rescue Squad. On arrival, fire fighters found smoke pouring from the second floor windows and roof area. A search of the premises found it to be completely locked, with no forced entry and a fire on a mat at the entrance porch to the east, according to Glenn Peterson, fire chief of the McHenry Township Fire Protection District. The firemen "set up and prepared to break into the building. Upon entering the building, fire fighters found that the fire had self-extinguished because of conditions in the structure. Damage to furniture, doors and clothes that were there indicated a quick fire that burned the available oxygen, causing the fire to go out. Peterson said a search of the building found the fire to be incendiary in nature and, in further searching, a bomb was discovered. The building was vacated and an inspection of the explosive device by the officer in charge found it necessary to notify the State Fire Marshal's office, the criminal investigation division of the Illinois State Police, the Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms division, the Cook County Bomb Squad and the detective division of the McHenry County Sheriff's Police. Further investigation by the officer in chaise indicated that the bomb device was not on a timer, but on a long fuse, similar to those of a large firecracker. At this time, the fuse was cut to prevent accidental ignition, until the bomb squad arrived. Gas lines were found to be open, flammable liquid was found throughout the building and the bomb. Peterson said the Nelmses were not at home at the time, but arrived later on the morning of the fire. The television and stereo from the tavern area were reported missing and a television in the upstairs living quarters was also taken. Peterson said that had the fire and bomb worked as set up, several people, including several firemen of the responding companies, would possibly have died that morning. "A crime of this type has no regard for the possible survivors, but only for the particular cause," Peterson said. "We were fortunate this time. But, what about the next? This is the third fire of- an incendiary origin in this community in the last two years." Anyone with any information regarding any of the incidents is asked to call the Sheriff's Police (338-2141) or the Fire Department (385-2121). Dedicate Walsh park On Sunday, Oct. 23, there will be a dedication of the new park adjacent to the McHenry Theatre on Green Street. Dedication of Walsh Park will be at 2 p.m. Walsh Park is named to honor the combined 80 years of service to the City of McHenry by Earl Walsh and his father, Jack. Jack Walsh served the City of McHenry for 42 years in various positions. He was chief of police in the early days when they were called town Marshals. He also served as township con­ stable, truant officer, and in the role of County deputy sheriff. Earl Walsh was the McHenry city clerk for 38 years from 1937 to 1975.. This park property was purchased by the City of McHenry in 1979. Its development was primarily funded by the McHenry Rotary Club. A donation of $2,750 was given to the city for the purchase of supplies and materials for the development of this area. Work was completed by the City of McHenry Public (Continued on pago 3) McHenry aihdealei i f * 2 Sections 2C Pages 25* Friday October 21' 1983 Number 22 Volume 109 jfcJM • , . 1 f fes • A