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PAGE 2 - PLAIKDEAI *M - WEDNESDAY. NOVEMSEX S. I« News Views Lerner & Loewe wrote the music and lyrics but it look a highly talented local cast to bring - "Brigadoon" to life. It happened last weekend on the stage of the historic old Opera House in Woodstock, where it continues for another two weekends. There was a time when good theatre was found only in the largest cities. Gradually, outlying communities began to host theatre groups, and now it has come to the country. M usin' &, anderin BY KAF But this offering is not to be confused with small town theatre of 30 years ago. 4 Professional talent abounds, at least here in McHenry County, and it was very evident last weekend. We would have enjoyed the presentation on any stage at almost any price, but it was the knowledge that hometown people were behind its success that gave it a special touch. The show sparkled from beginning to end - from the entrance of the piper to the final scene when the American traveler succumbed to the charms of Brigadoon and one of its fair lasses. This was not amateur talent. There was a thoroughly finished touch to everything from the detailed choreography to the beautiful sound of the chorus and impressive lighting. A backstage orchestra deserved more attention than it was possible to give to unseen people. The effect, however, was excellent. The fact that several talented contributions came from our own community added interest alone with a sincere admiration for their work. • <0 A1 Smith is director, and Judith Irwin, producer. Craig and Missy Spensel, in leading roles, introduced their 2-year- old son to the footlights in a walk-on part. Others from this area were Tom Dawson, Steven Mickocki, Bill Coughlin, Charlene Tiffany, Sandi Schau and Laura Higgins Don't be fooled by the fact that this presentation of "Brigadoon" is a product of country theatre. It is first rate! VETERAN'S DAY Legislator answers utility rate increase frustrations Local cast sparkles in 'Brigadoon' Presentation "Dear Editor: ~Ibe rate J W Durkin, recent letter to the also been etptesaed by many other TUmmsans I have myself been frustrated by rate in­ creases, and that's why I've testified before the ICC aaatast increases that appeared ex­ cessive. It seems as though the average citizen has no control over escalating utility rates. And yet, with tine changes that have been approved this searion, small businessmen and homeowners win have a modi stronger and informed voice at rtQity regulation hearings. "The legislature has approved a measure that will aDow for the creation of a Citizen's Utility Board (CUB), which will research utility rate cases and represent consumers at rate hike hearings. As the sponsor of the House CUB bill, which died in the Senate, I worked hard for the passage of the Senate ver­ sion. That bill also prohiwts utility companies from in­ cluding in their rate bases any political advertising, promotional or lobbying costs. "A third provision of the Senate CUB bill phases out the current right of itfilitiea to in­ clude Const ruction-Work-In- Progress (CWIP) costs in their rate bases. Interestingly, Craimaaiwealth Edison is for a substantial rate increase wmcn may very u&eiy be the remit of their desire to get mstwnws to pay for the construction of two nuclear plants that they have started, before the new law phasing out CWIP costs goes into effect "Another utility reform reauires that utility cosnpanies refund, with interest, any overcharges their customers ootids! have For had Commerce Commissioner be : at each public i on a rate ito I at Commerce Commission groups be allowed to rwpwtt a commissioner's presence at evidentiary bearings. That Mil overwhelmingly paaaed the llouee, but wnwrtwnately failed the Senate. "There are two wars to convey your testimony to the right people. Yon an have paid. I also sponsored this bffl and was delighted that the flovernus signed it into law. The law is rtesignH to encourage utility companies to make equitable, accurate rate "As you « didn't win every utility reform battle thafl would have liked them to win, but we have estaoiisnea a good prccccjcn* wall cue reforms uw were approved. We can go back next session if these laws dont do the trick, and ask for more effective reform. "But, what can we do until the CUB goes into effect? Writing to the governor and the General Assembly would be futile because the legislature has "A third reform, House Bill 1339, allows consumers and other interested parties to ap­ peal Commerce Commission interim rate increase decisions. "These reforms that have br en written into law are only a snail portion of those that were propoaed, and I, for one, am objections to a rate present your views at a bearing.Written statemei be sent to Rose daggett. Chief Clerk's Office, Illinois Com­ merce Commission. M7 E. Capitol, Springfield, 111., 82701,(217) 712-7434 Citizens are allowed to present their views at public bearings and their testimony will be recorded In the transcript of tne neanng But ounsisim's who want to preaent evidence against a rate increase and want to etnas examine other parties in the case, must file a petition to nenme si tney want tneir to be pr*f irtfd to the i i i MI ••liaainwra a ia i4a commissioners, rnese petitions can be obtained from Rose Clagfett, whoee addreas is listed keep polities 1 that affect the costs of utility service. So, in 1921, the General a 4Lj . wn* - i -Assemoiy created tne ilimcws Commerce Commission, a group of experts in the utility field, and gave them the authority to regulate utilities. Therefore, the most effective way of influencing rate setting 99 Reader challenges "ill-informed opinions about Johnsburg library |. jc&Mwnpi; | An Editorial Economic forecasts • .It's an old saving that no two Economists agree, except rarely, and then only to a degree! To heroic editors trying to interpret economic events, this seems only too true. The latest example is the case of Argentina and its big national debt-mosUy owed U.S, banks. For two years now Americans have been told mat if and when a major foreign debtor nation defaults, repercussions will be grim, worldwide and perhaps even ruinous. So what happened when a judge in Argentina, at the end of the first week in October, suspended payment on Argentina's $40 billion national debt-He even halted rescheduling of interest payments on the debt. ' In addition, he odered the arrest of Argentina's central bank Eesident! He ruled that Argentine law sujperseded New York State w, which by mutual consent of the parties, was to have been the legal guideline in any dispute involving repayment. Though its foreign debt is not as large as that of Brazil or Mexico, Argentina's debt is one of the largest in the world. So, when this ruling was publicized, what was the reaction in the U.S. ? ' In the next four days the stock market in New York advanced to a new all-time high. The reminder, dear reader, no one has yet consistently and accurately forecast markets or economic trends. If the experts can't, others who miss the mark need not feel badly, whatever consolation that is. "To the Editor: "By the time this letter is printed (if at all), the election will be old news, the referenda deckled one way or another, but comment onthe ^ill-informed opinions I have recently read in the PLaindealer during the last week before the election is held. I refer to the letters from Mr. Bill Thomas and Mr. Robert Nowicki. "Mr. Thomas indicated that the average home owner would *pay over $100 per year in taxes just for the library.'Mv husband and I own a very nice home on a large piece of land, certainly larger than most in the district, and have calculated that our tax increase would amount to ap­ proximately $24.37, certainly less than the $25 fee charged by the McHenry Library or $30 charged by Fox Lake. "Mr. Nowicki demonstrated even more ignorance of the fact by stating that our tax dollars are supporting the library now. The library is currently sup­ ported by a grant by the State of Illinois. While money for this grant ultimately comes out of our state taxes, perhaps the ones who should be complaining are those who live downstate in Alton or Springfield. "Mr. Nowicki considers the library to be 'inferior*. If one is to judge by size of building or number of books, the< the does not library or LArary, but that are offered even the the services there are on an even par with those libraries and may even surpass them in terms/of friendliness of the personnel "and helpfulness.If a book or any other item is not available at this library, a request can be put in to get the item from any number of libraries across the country, often by the next day. "Also, by establishing this library through tax dollars, all of us card holders will automatically become a member of the Northern Illinois Library System. This means that our card from our 'inferior' little library in Johnsburg will be honored at many libraries throughout the state, inHiuting McHenry, Chicago, DeKalb and aU state universities. What a boon to college sftwfrids or to business men and women who comitate to downtown Chicago each day! "Take a look next time you pass by that inferior* little building and see the number of people who are using and even now just discovering the delights that a library holds. Stop by some Monday or Thursday morning between 10 and 11 and see the preschool children who are learning to appreciate books through their story hour, children who might not otherwise get any exposure until they are In school I dare you to offer these services to a community on a volunteer basis, Mr. Nowicki. "I hope by the time you are reading this, the library has become a very real entity and not just a memory. Dont worry though, even if it is turned down now,look for it to come up again in another two years. Johnsburg needs a library and it needs one now, and maybe someday people will realize that this is an area with a future, a future filled with books and literate youngsters and oldsters. "Respectfully, "Mrs. Carol Stevens "Johnsburg" "Anyone who Is interested in sending written testimony or appearing before the Commerce Commission, cna caU my office, and I wffl further explain the procedures, and try to help in any wsj lean. "Sincerely, "Dick Klemm" One man fight against light at Green and Elm "Editor: "I am entering into a one-man campaign to get the traffic light on the corner of Green and Elm Streets changed. Without a doubt, this has to be the world's longest wait for a traffic light. "In measured time elapsed, two and one half minutes or 150 seconds are used from the time the light goes red to when it goes green again. This is fine if you are driving east or west on Kim Street but if you happen to be traveling on Green Street, its an eternity!! "I am going to start to record the time wasted at this light and in die near future I will bill the city of McHenry or the state of Illinois or both for the time spent waiting for this light to change. Those of you who are in my corner can do likewise. "Ed Wittrock "1829 Orchard Lane "McHenry" Hearing test available anytime using telephone, dial H-E-A-R-I-N-G Those who have trouble hearing shouldn't feel they are alone: Impaired hearing is the nation's number one han­ dicapping disability. According to a U.S. Public Health Service survey, about 14.5 million Americans have a hearing problem, There are an estimated 400,000 persons in Chicago who have hearing impairments according to the Chicago Hearing Society. Many are not aware of their handicap and a simple telephone bearing test will help determine if they need further help in this area. Loss of hearing is often a gradual process that can be affected by age, illness or en­ vironmental noise. If you find that people seem to be mum­ bling more, or that the doorbell or telephone doesn't ring loudly enough, you might consider getting your hearing tested. One easy way to test your hearing is over the telephone. The American Health Service, SERVICE LINE: A LISTING OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS COMPILED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO McHENRY McHENRY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 385-4300 FAMILY SERVICE & MENTAL HEALTH CENTER 4302 G West Crystal Lake fld McHenry, IL 60050 815-385-6400 TURNING POINT-DOMESTIC VIOLENCE STRESS LINE McHenry County 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Parents Anonymous meetings on Tuesday C*ll 815-338-8080 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 282-755-8660 Hours / 30 a m to 5 30 p m week days IIver ted a problem involving the federal government and not known where tp calf And then Seen given the runaround or referrals by persons who meant-wed but didn't know how to help7 Ten specialists available at this center) NATIONAL RUN-AWAY SWITCHBOARD lillinoit Phone: 800-972-6004 IT or confidential conversations on problems dealing with runaway ctwldrtn l MOVING HOTLINE Phoee 800-424-9213 llomptonu about mtarttit* moving by companies, buses or trains. Spon .1 STATE CHAMBER GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS HOTLINE 217-522-5514 ./ BIRTHRIGHT Pregnant? Need Help? Counseling Service 385-2999 24 hour Answering Service ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES 21 Hours ChHd Abuse Hotline TOLL FREE: 800-252-2878 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION 800-638-2666 (Operates five national lines Answers inquiries about or reporting on the safety of products from kitchen appliances to children's toys ! NATIONAL SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING INFORMATION CENTER 800-523-2929 . P O Box 1607, Rockville. Md 20850 (Dispenses information on solar systems for heating and cooling to anyone from architects to home owners looking for a sun powered hot-water system I YOUTH SERVICE BUREAU FOR McHENRY COUNTY 4719 W Elm St., McHenry Phone: 344-3240 24 hours Crisis Intervention and Confidential Counseling for youth and families * \ NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Phone 800-424-9393 (Answers questions about automobile safety defects or whether a par tcular model has ever been recalled Valuable for those interested in buying a used car I - W * MENtAL HEALTH 1-800-892-8900 Crisis Center Line for McHenry Co 24 hour Emergency number and professional staff wiL answer your call. Sponsoring agency McHenry Coun­ ty Comprehensive Mental Health Service System NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION Po*;t 0ff.ce Box 17400, Washington, 0 C 20041 Phone (703) ATA -0404 CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION 312-793-3580 Chcaqo, IL ILLINOIS STATE CHAMBER HOTLINE Phone:217-522-5514 Answer to questions on government regulations McHENRY COUNTY CETA OUTREACH CENTER 666 fiussel Ct„ Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone (815) 338-7100 Job Training Offered McHENRY COUNTY ASSOCIATION FOR THE RETARDED Robert G Lambourn, Executive Director Phone: 344-1230 ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS (815)455-3311 McHENRY COUNTY SENIOR CITIZENSCOUNCIL ' 800-892-3272 Monday through Friday, 8 30 a m to 4,30 p.m. PRAIRIE STATE LEGAL SERVICES. INC. 800-942-3940 Free legal representation in civil cases to low income persons Landlord tenant disputes, domestic violence or improper denial of benefits such as Social Security. Public Aid, Food Stamps, General Assistance & Unem­ ployment Insurance. SUPPORT GROUP FOR MEN WHO BATTER Meets every Thursday 6-7 p.m. For information call 338-8080 COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS McHenry County Chapter (For bereaved parentsi ail 385-5732 Inc. offers a hearing screening test which lets you learn if your hearing is in the normal range. To take the test, just dial H-E-A- R-I-N-G (432-7464) anytime, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you get a busy signal when you call, hang up and try again a few minutes later. The message lasts two minutes. Keep the receiver to your ear and listen to four musical tones. Then listen with the other ear. If you are unable to hear any of the four tones in either ear, you will be advised to consult your physician or the American Health Service Inc for turther information. According to the Hearing Industries Association, Washington, D.C., "nearly eveiyone with a hearing problem can be helped by medical treatment, surgery or hearing aids." For further in­ formation on complete diagnostic and rehabilitative aduiology services, contact American Health Service, Lac. (312) 662-4700. N ainilealer McHanry Herald (USPS 335-200) Established 1875 3812 West Elm Street Phone 815-385-0170 McHenry, Illinois 60050 Published Every Wednesday ft Friday at McHenry, Illinois Second Class Postage PAID at McHenry, Illinois by NjtcHENRY PUBLISHING COMPANY POSTMASTER Sendaddress changes to McHenry Plaindealer 3812W Elm St., McHenry, l#inois 60050,?, Subscribers are requested to provide immediate notice of change of oddress to the McHenry Ploindealer. 3812 W. Elm St.. McHenry. III. 60050. A deduction of one month from the expiration of a subscription will be made where a change of address is provided through the Post Office department. Thomas C. Mlllar-Publishar Adajp Froahllch-Edltor 3toart) ©inning Detotpaper MEMBER NATIONAL NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION 1 Year SUBSCRIPTION RATES S1*.B0 «Tear In McHenry County Outride McHenry County $27.00