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h i • amdealer Wednesday December 21, 1983 Number 39 Volume 108 2 Sections 44 Pages 25* V Farm Bureau concerned over zoning change indications McHenry County Farm Bureau Board members have expressed concern with in­ dications that zoning changes may carve further inroads into the county's valuable farmland. Discussion during last week's monthly board meeting focused on recent Zoning Board of Ap­ peals recommendations to the McHenry County Board to re- zone land that Farm Bureau feels should stay in agriculture. A letter to county board members sent before Tuesday's monthly county board meeting called attention to the county zoning ordinance which calls for the protection of prime far­ mland and the orderly development of property in a contiguous manner. ^ Melvin Von Bergen^ president of the Farm Bureau, said Farm Bureau's policies on land use and zoning were reiterated during last week's discussions. "Farm Bureau approves of orderly growth. We feel prime farmland must be preserved for farming, and we believe spot zoning changes will tend to encourage neighborhood zoning changes to the detriment of the farming community." One danger to the farming community is the loss of ser­ vices farmers need-implement dealers, fertilizer facilities, and similar services. In Lake County, for example, this has become a serious problem for many Lake County farmers, Von Bergen said. Agriculture'8 contribution to the economy in McHenry County is a significant part of the total economy with the sale of crops and livestock totaling $lii million, according to the latest yearly University of Illinois College of Agriculture. Von Bergen and Larry Harris, Farm Bureau manager, were scheduled to attend the December County Board meeting to monitor the views of County Board members in discussion of zoning change proposals on the monthly agenda. Home lighting winner STAFF PHOTO "ftArm GAYIOCD "Elegance and simplicity" were the key words of the judges in describing the home of the first place winner in the holiday home lighting contest sponsored by the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. was mrfrhnai t 2935 Sterling Drive! where white Italian lights are strung along each angle of the This beautiful Christmas setting is the Michael J. Kelly home at 2935 Sterling Drive, McHenry. It won first place in the Chamber of Commerce home lighting contest. . .. - .--*= Head-on collision kills young driver n* w Kelly of building, entirely outlining the contemporary home and giving a fairy tale appearance. When presented with his $50 cash equivalent award, he asked that the money be used to purchase toys for the Toys for Tots program. Honorable mentions went to John Horvath of 1507 N. River Road and Mary and Charles Killar of 2814 Kama, each receiving a $25 cash equivalent certificate. The cape cod home of the Killars was highlighted with evergreen garland and bows. In the bay window stands a beautiful Christ ms tree decorated with white Italian lights. Delicate snowflakes complement the front window as well. The riverfront ranch style home of John Horvath colorfully expresses this year's theme, "A Promise of Christmas" Ugtats, angels, two Cbristmas tress and Santa Claus (fecorate this home, which is beautiful to view from either road or river side. Developer loses annexation fee debate by Anthony Oliver An area developer will have to pay half the balance of an an­ nexation fee as a result of long debate and three votes' of the McHenry City Council Monday night. Donald Gerstad, president of Residential Development Group (RDG), requested a two-year extension on payment of $25,000 and accrued interest. The payment is a requirement of an annexation agreement con­ cerning the Winding Creek subdivision on the southwest side, which took 17 months to negotiate. Under the terms of the agreement, RDG was to pay $200,000 as an extra annexation fee for the 385-acre develop­ ment. To date, $175,000 has been paid. "Why two years?" asked Aid. Frank McClatchey (3rd). Gerstad said he could settle for one year, but two would be better. "This industry doesn't move in a matter of days or months. It takes years," Gerstad said. Mayor Joseph Stanek said the city "had to play hardball on this one," commenting that the city had the financial "shorts." '"I think we need the money now," Stanek said. This sentiment irritated Gerstad who said he hated to use the words "double standard" but used them anyway. Gerstad argued that the purpose of the extra annexation fee was to offset the impact of additional residents on city services as the subdivision was built. "The subdivision is 10 percent developed. I'd love to say the project is 45 percent complete, but...we've already paid $175,000. I don't think this is unreasonable," Gerstad said. "I don't think we've impacted the city. It's not the intention of the fees to go into the general till. We're taxing a future project for money to run the city now?" Gerstad also pointed out that other developers had recently received a third extension on developer donations and felt the annexation fee was the same thing. Stanek said the developer donation fund, which goes to schools, parks and libraries, was healthy and adde^Knat the annexation fee vyas not the same thing. x The mayor went on to say the other developer donation fees were extended because the funds were in good shape. He pointed out, however, that the bulk of the tax revenue was already collected and would have to carry the city until July. Aid. William Busse (2nd) suggested that perhaps RDG could pay half the balance now and have payment of the remainder extended. "I hate to see anyone behind the eight-ball, but the mayor's comments about the budget are true and sincere," Busse said. He is chairman of the Finance Committee. "You people have extended privileges to others. Why is this fund healthy? It's not because of other subdivisions. Was it in­ tended to support the general fund by builder contributions?" Gerstad asked. "Certainly," replied Stanek. "It was plugged into the budget a year ago." "Why not the others?" asked Gerstad. "We have no other annexation agreements," Stanek replied. "In my mind, I feel it would be fair to let the $25,000 ride for a year, but collect the interest (about $5,000)," said Aid. Ray Smith (3rd). . Smith made a motion to grant the year extension on the principal and collect the in­ terest. Voting in favor were Aldermen McClatchey, Smith, Snell and Serritella. Voting against were Aldermen Busse and Datz and Mayor Stanek McHenry County Sheriff's Police reported this past weekend that most cars stopped by increased DUI patrols had sober drivers. But, some drivers did not get the message. Alcohol was a contributing factor in at least two accidents this past weekend, one of which resulted in the death of a 27- year-old McHenry man. Robert L. Reynolds, 27, 717 S. Hilltop, McHenry, died at about noon Sunday of injuries sustained in a head-on collision ^ earlier that morning. Reynolds was charged with driving under the influence and improper lane usage after the car he was driving veered into the westbound lane of Route 120, near E. Wonder Lake Road, and crashed head-on into another auto. Reynolds told police he did not know what happened. A passenger, Thais I. Reynolds, of the same address, said the two were traveling from Harvard to McHenry, but could not say what happened. The driver of the other vehicle, Robert E. Foy, 4919 Oak wood, McHenry, told county police he was driving west on Route 120 when the Reynolds vehicle crossed into his lane. - Robert Mut Frank Reynolds. Foy and a passenger in ms car, Hieresa Raven, 309 Hill Road, McHenry, were taken to McHenry Hospital by the Wonder Lake Fire Department. According to police, Reynolds died at about noon Dec. 18. The cause of death was a torn aorta. Foy and Raven were treated and released from the hospital. Mrs. Reynolds was admitted Sunday, but released Monday morning. The accident occurred at 2:10 a.m. Dec. 18. No injuries were reported in a two-car collision at the in­ tersection of Crystal Lake Road CoFitjnu»d on pago 3 ana uau. ana Mayor acanex. x ^ Aldermen Boiger and Noian^MpHenry man faces forgery charges were absent The motion failed because the law requires five votes to pass a motion. L, Aid. Serritella made a motion to require payment of half the principal, the full interest and a year extension on the remain­ der. Voting in favor were Serritella, Busse, Datz and Continued on pogo 3 A 21-year-old McHenry man faces two counts of forgery in connection with a number of bad checks passed at local businesses recently. Bill Finley, n, with a last known address of 911 S. River Road, McHenry, was arrested at about 6 p.m. Dec. 15. Bond was set ^ $5,000 each on the charges. McHenry Police Chief George Pasenelli said additional forgery charges are pending the results of the investigation. Pasenelli commented that there has been a slight surge in the number of bad checks in the McHenry area. He noted, however, that this was primarily due to the extra effort of a few individuals and in­ vestigations into thkse aptiyities are continuing. A look inside... Making Holiday Special Blood Drawing Dec. 23 Regular features The Coupon Clippers Obituaries Twice Told Tales Section 2, Page 19 Section 2, Page 12 Section 2, Page 4 Page 11 Section 2, Page 15 Drab scenes contrast holiday brilliance L i g h t e d h o l i d a y decorations abound both in the business sections of the city and in homes.. They send their brilliance into the dark December night skies for all who pass to see. Inside, tempting aromas emanate from the kitchen and bright wrappings are being carefully^ placed around treasured gifts. All of this is taking place in hundreds of McHenty homes this week. \, / And in others? Poorly clothed, hungry children, drafty rooms, inadequate clothing are part of a drab scene accentuated by contrast with the color and gaiety that surrounds it. It can be pushed into the recesses of the mind until a phone call of desperation reveals the reality of a tragic situation at Christ­ mas time. It is heard sometimes in a newspaper office; it is heard with surprising frequency by volunteers for FISH. As the holiday ap­ proaches, there is a mother of three living in McHenry who has no money in the house because she was burglarized. The rent is unpaid. The youngest child, with a chronic kidney disease, was treated 10 times last year at C h i l d r e n ' s M e m o r i a l Hospital. Chicago. The young ~ mother, without a high school diploma, has been rejected time and time again as she sought a job. "I've applied in at least 35 places in the area", she said. Even if a job came her w a y , t h e r e i s n o t r a n ­ sportation. A car in the yard has a hole in the gas tank and no brakes. Her mother is dying, and her father, a tavern keeper in Chicago, was robbed and shot to death a year ago. "I've never felt so low". she said in explaining why she had resorted to calling the local mental health facilities. Another woman, a young Widow, was looking for boots for her 7-year-old son, who was wearing the old boots of his brother. The older child was attending school in tennis shoes until help came from FISH. An elderly woman, is facing the holiday with 4wo grown sons who are dependent on her. One is mentally retarded; the other is ill and unable to work. A younger mother of six resides with her six hildren in an old farmhouse. There is no transportation so she is unable to work. • A nearby family, with three children under six, is supported entirely by Jthe $135 the mother makgw -at work. The father, unable to find work since June, cares for the youngsters, one of whom was born with a bone malformation. These are among the 148 families who had been helped by FISH 10 days before Christmas, and the assistance covered only their most immediate needs. But the grimness of the n e w s w a s r e l i e v e d f o r grateful FISH volunteers bv a call from a Crystal Lake family that wants to "adopt" a needy McHenry family. They will celebrate their own holiday on Christmas Eve so that they can bring an entire dinner to a McHenry family of Six on Christmas Day. The father was recently widowed and has five children to care for, the youngest 3 years old. Contributions can still help make the holiday atahappy for needy McHenry families/ Call FISH at 385- 0258 oc&end checks to FISH, McHenry.