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V McHenry* «since 187 5 aindealer 1 Section 24 Page* 25* Friday February 3, 1984 Number 52 Volume 108 What sign? Urge STAFF PHOTO-WAYNIOAYIORD Like telltale fingerprints, these snowmobile tracks give proof that drivers have violated the "no snowmobiling" sign posted at McHenry State Park Dam. citizen involvement in fighting local crimes by Donna Bertulis The McHenry Area Crime Stoppers will be joining with sister organizations throughout the county to promote February as Crime Stoppers Month. The citizens' group fights crime by helping the local police departments in apprehending and convicting criminals. Cash rewards are offered to persons who give information which leads the police to solve a crime. The success of the program is boosted by the fact that it offers anonymity to those calling with information. Crime Stoppers has ex­ perienced considerable growth in the county over the last year. Four satellite boards, in McHenry, Cary, Woodstock and Marengo now have branched off from the parent organization, the Crystal Lake Crime Stop­ pers. At its last meeting, the McHenry Area Crime Stoppers board of directors voted to celebrate Crime Stoppers Month with a major public awareness program. A display explaining the program will be placed in numerous public buildings and businesses throughout the month. Speaking engagements have been scheduled with several community groups and the board will approach the McHenry City Council for a proclamation. Mailings and flyers will be handed out by the thousands to inform residents about how the program works. In other action at the meeting: -The board acknowledged monetary donations and "payments in kind" made to the program. Since its inception in October, the McHenry Area Crime Stoppers have received $1,725 in donations. A major donation from the Harmony Snowmobile Club is expected in March, as a result of the Rescue 50 snowmobile ride. Crime Stoppers was named as one of three recipients of this year's benefit. Expenses incurred in "start up" and operation of the group, unfortunately, have eaten up much of that fund and a major fund raising campaign is planned. The board voted to take out a short-term loan from a local financial institution until it can adequately meet operating expenses. -Residents of Royal Terrace were acknowledged for their donation of time and effort involved in processing 850 pieces bulk mail for Crime Stoppers. Recommend business zoning change by Anthony Oliver ' Citing improvements in the traffic flow, storage and aesthetics, Alexander Lumber and two adjoining property owners petitioned the McHenry Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) :for a variation last week. _Y The petition received the unanimous approval and recommendation of the ZBA. The petitioners, Alexander Lumber and Richard and Rita Adams, sought a variation to permit the storage of lumber and other items on an abutting parcel, just south of John Street. The Adams' own the property and the sale-to Alexander Lumber is contingent upon the variation approval. According to the zoning or­ dinance, lumber yard use of property is permitted only in the Industrial classification. The property in question is zoned B-3 business, hence the need for a variation. ZBA member Annie Cuda asked to be excluded from the hearing because her son, Steven Cuda, was the petitioner's at­ torney. James Weakman, McHenry branch manager for Alexander Lumber, pointed out to the ZBA that the nature of the lumber business had changed and therefore more storage space was needed. "When we first came to McHenry, it was basically contractor-oriented," Weakman said. "Due to the economy, as much as anything else, we have had to get into the 'do-it- yourselfer' market." Weakman said the firm in- creaked its showroom space from about 900 square feet to nearly 4,000 square feet. The increase was necessary to ac­ commodate displays of kit­ chens, cabinets, paneling, etc. "This is the course of action taken by others (the com­ petition)-the Wolohans, Wicks, McHenry Lumber," Weakman added. Noting the unique shape of the existing parcel, Weakman explained that large trucks delivering lumber have blocked traffic on Route 31 in order to back in. Also, because the semis are unable to maneuver, the stock is often unloaded in front of the store. This all adds to the congestion of traffic, parking and appearance. "If we get the property, we hope to come down John Street. There would be no more reason to have semis on Route 31," Weakman said. "We need more room for covered storage. People don't realize that un­ covered building materials don't go bad. They (materials) may get dirty or discolored, but they don't go bad." On the existing property is a storage building which is being leased by McHenry Hospital and a residence. Weakman said the plans were to use the storage building and raze the house. A fence and gate would be put up which would provide access from John Street. "We're not proud of the ap­ pearance as it is now. We don't want the material outside," Weakman said. "Have you had any com­ plaints?" asked one ZBA member. v / "We've had a lot of 'com­ ments' from customers;. I don't know if they're complaints," Weakman said. ZBA Chairman James Fouse asked about property to the west, across the tracks which is zoned Industrial. Weakman said the company could have purchased the property from the owner, James L. Althoff, but there was some question about the track crossing from the Chicago and North Western. "It was kind of a 'Catch-22' situation. The railroad won't give the crossing until we Own the property and then there is no guarantee we'll get the crossing," Weakman said: Weakman also pointed out that there was a residential area closer to that western property and said the company would prefer the adjacent parcel. He added that most of th^ traffic on the short stretch of John Street, west of Route 31, was business in nature. "Will John Street take the traffic?" asked Fred Kupstis, board member. City Building Officer Richard Rosing said the road is about 33- feet wide, enough room for two trucks to pass. Set Mental Health goals The 708 Board of the McHenry County Mental Health Systems scheduled a second meeting to be held Feb. 6 to complete the setting of goals and policies for the next three years. During the first five-hour session, board members made a partial review of the many recommendations submitted by the planning board and staff to update current programs and expand services to accommodate recently determined unmet needs of county residents. The 708 Boards in Illinois must change their policy orientation to meet state requirements. This is because of this review and survey and because of changing requirements due to the shift by the federal government Of its funding and mental health policy making function to the states. And this is the year for the boards to approve the next three year increments of planning for services. Continued on pogo 3 Another year'in jail for Blasius David A. Blasius, of McHenry, recently acquitted on charges of attempted murder and aggravated battery will be imprisoned for at least one more year. A look inside... Snow Sculpture Contest Chamber Series Regular features Obituaries Mostly Social New Classified Number Page 4 Page 8 Page 12 Pages 10-11 344-4800 McHenry County State's Attorney Theodore Floro was informed Wednesday by State authorities that the Illinois Prison Parole and Pardon Board has revoked parole for Blasius, who was released on parole in 1976 for a previous murder conviction. Blasius stood trial in 19th Judicial Circuit Court in early January, accused of running down a woman with his car. He was discharged by Judge Leonard Brody following a defense counsel motion for a directed verdict at the close of the state's case in a bench trial. Assistant Public Defender Daniel Hofmann contended that the state had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that Blasius intended to kill his victim. The prosecutor, Asst. State's Attorney Gail Moreland, claimed that Blasius, on May 21, 1983, drove his vehicle on Oak "It's no more of a hazard if you do or don't allow it. It's not much of a street to begin with," Rosing said. "How close is Buchert's garage?" asked Harry Semrow, Jr., board member. "Technically, it's on John Street (in the city right-of- way)," Rosing said. "For whatever reason (years ago), they got the building permit." In order to allay concerns of the board members, Weakman said the storage facilities would be far enough back for semis to make the turn onto John Street without causing a hazard. "We don't want a hazard or a problem," Weakman said. In a closing remark, attorney Steven Cuda said, "While it's not perfect in all respects, the John Street property offers great improvements to the existing situation on Route 31. ZBA member Kay Halverson made the motion to recommend approval of the petition to the McHenry City Council. Voting in favor were Kupstis, Semrow, Tobeck, Halverson, Jessup and Fouse. Wind, solar regulation on city council agenda Regulation of wind generators, solar dishes, dish antennas and the like will soon come under the auspices of the city zoning ordinance as a result of discussion at Monday's council meeting. "I'm of the opinion to restrict these without the permission of the council," said Mayor Joseph Stanek. Zoning Committee Chairman, Aid. William Busse (2nd) said there were many aspects to be considered in developing a policy. Busse pointed to con­ siderations such as the maximum number allowed, anti-climb devices, structure, height, enclosure, setbacks, etc. "It should require council L. If we prohibit them, at we can ask questions and - the neighbors will know about them," Stanek said. Council members expressed concern that these devices could fall over Into a neighbor's property. "They're great in the right location," Stanek said. A recommendation from the Zoning Committee is expected in the next few weeks. In another matter, Aid. Elizabeth Nolan (1st) questioned if anything could be done along the lines of the noxious fumes ordinance to prevent situations like the Chroma Corporation fire, which burned for several days. "I just assumed they (the Fire Department) knew their business," Stanek said. "I don't know if they did a good job or not. I assumed the Health and Fire Departments were doing the job." Nolan wondered aloud whether companies could be prohibited from using such materials in the city limits. Aid. Gary Snell (4th) com­ mented, "I don't see how we can control that." He explained that many household pieces of furniture are fine as long as they are not aflame. When burning, however, household materials give off noxious and sometimes toxic fumes. "It's a good argument for a standpipe in that area," Stanek said. "I just wanted to bring it up," Ms. Nolan said. The McHenry City Council voted unanimously to apply for an Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) grant. The grant would be for the con­ struction of a standpipe on the hospital property at Bull Valley Road and Route 31. Stanek said the standpipe would have a sizeable economic impact on the development of the area, noting the low static water pressure (43 lbs.) in the area. Aid. William Bolger (1st) said the DCCA advisor, A1 Moltrum, was in favor of the grant ap- / plication. Early school leavers are aided by Johnsburg grant Ridge Road, Crystal Lake, and accosted one woman who was jogging. About two hours later, he ran down another woman in an attempt to kill her, the state said. In the closing argument, Moreland said evidence showed that Blasius "aimed his vehicle at his victim in the same manner that a gunman would aim his weapon - because he intended to kill her." The defense insisted that the May 21 incident was a traffic accident when the car ran off the road and knocked down the victim while Blasius was trying to retrieve a dropped cigarette in his vehicle. "In this case, the state has a lot of evidence against the defendant, but it is cir­ cumstantial evidence. There is no question in the court's mind that the defendant ran the Continwod on pofo 3 by Carol A. Stevens In an effort to reach out to young people in the McHenry County area who have for many reasons left school before completion, a new program is under way. This was revealed at a recent meeting of the Johnsburg school board. The Early School Leavers program, under the direction of Steve Pollock of Johnsburg High School, is designed to first identify those students who have left school during the last four years and then to offer training programs and job placement services. The program is under a matching grant format from the State of Illinois Department of Education, However, the amount of money actually used to match the grant that will come out of the school district will be small since the salaries of the students who are placed in jobs will be considered part of the matching funds. The targeted age group of this program is 16 to 21. Once a student attains the age of 22, he is no longer eligible. Students will be encouraged to enroll in a GED program that will require approximately 200 minutes of classroom time per week. At the same time, he will be placed in a job that, if possible, will be in conjunction with the training the student is receiving. Employers will be encouraged to hire hard-to-place students, such as those with physical handicaps or learning disabilities. Funds wilj be available to pay half the salaries of these students if necessary. If the progran is a success from now until June, grant funding will continue for at least two years. Pollock is hoping to find at least 10 to 25 students. If more than that number become in­ volved, a second instructor will be hired as necessary. At this point, the program will be of­ fered at Johnsburg High School and Woodstock High School so that as many students can be reached as possible. Area principals are being asked to search their files to identify those former students who could benefit from entering this program. If anyone feels he can qualify, he is asked to contact Pollock at Johnsburg High School. However, one requirement is a letter from the principal of the high school from which the student dropped out stating that he (or she), is qualified to enter this program. Mrs. Carol Costoff, project coordinator, is presently in­ terviewing applicants for the program at Johnsburg Vocational office. If anyone knows of persons who are qualified or who may be in­ terested in learning more about it, they are encouraged to get in touch with her at 385-4003.