We 're Here For You McHENRY SAVINGS * III! tllOCIl'IOI PAGE 2 - PLAINDEALER - FRIDAY, AUGUST 17,1984 Imigkts Animal world faces a constant Depression Everyone over the age of 50 has memories of the Great Depression of the 30's. And youngsters under that age are well aware, through family accounts, of the disaster that prompted the political slogan, "A Chicken in Every Pot." We're of the opinion that the great percentage of of the animal world is in a constant state of Depression. Otherwise why would raccoons raid our rubbish; bunnies burrow into the broccoli, and ducks dip into the deep just one the chance someone might have left a choice morsel. Several incidents have en couraged our conclusion. Consider the friend residing in a rural area who planted just enough sweet corn for personal consumption. Never did he believe he would be snaring it with a hungry deer that found its sweetness superior the the nearby field corn In the quiet of night it cheated the human appetite for the choice edible by consuming at random and devastating each row. Meanwhile, back at the McHenry beach, bold beaks let it be known that even in summer a handout is appreciated. Several afternoon visits with bread and a box of cracked corn met with enthusiasm. A few kernels thrown high in the air Signalled the first barrage. Waddling with as much speed as possible, the ducks demon strated little shyness. M usin' &, anderin BY KAF Out on the water others watched with interest. It soon became apparent that what was going on ashore was more desireable than on water. And so they flew, walked and waddled to the proferred tidbits. But Depression is not described by hunger alone. It is not having a roof overhead. Once a pet, evidently un wanted in old age, a friendly little dog suddenly made its appearance on the lawn of Edgebrook School one recent evening. Able only to drag itself across the grass, and apparently almost blind, the deserted animal was befriended by a teenager who tucked him under his arm and cycled home. The absence of .a collar prevented identification but the condition of the dog made it quite evident it had been dumped. Animal welfare societies have even more colorful stores by the hundreds. Each year they ac cept thousands of unwanted animals from people who suddenly decide family life would be better without a feline or a canine. What a way to reward the loyalty of pets! As for wildlife, we trap them in winter and with careless unconcern fail to check our traps while the victims agonize. We shoot for sport, and salve our conscience by telling our- selve that we are doing what must be done-cull the herds. Unfortunately, too many of us fail to prepare ourselves well and the consequence is a frightened animal that runs away with an arrow or a bullet which failed to find a vital spot.. We run them down with snowmobiles in winter and speedboats in summer and chalk it up to fun. We leave them in hot cars in August and outside, often without benefit of protection in January. We take their land, then strike them when they cross our high ways in search of a quiet place uninhabited by man. Did someone mention the Great Depression we humans survived some 50 years ago? Oftr animal friends-except for a few pampered pets-live in a continuous Great Depression from which they have little hope of emerging. (The above thoughts are in memory of a stray cat who became our pampered pet 12 years ago. Several times throughout the years we have written of life with Dumpling, who died this week). Bill to aid handicapped infants passes legislature A bill designed^to.speed the medical evaluation and treat ment of handicapped infants was passed recently by the General Assembly with little fanfare. The measure redefines neglected children and requires community hospitals to work with regional perinatal centers in evaluating and caring for children born with handicaps or developmental disabilities. This legislation will streamline the transfer of handicapped newborns and infants from community hospitals to specialized centers in order to provide the highest level of care available. Under the measure, the definition of neglected child includes children who are denied nourishment or medical treatment deemed beneficial by a physician. Medical treatment or nourishment denied on the basis of present or anticipated mental or physical impairment is considered negligence. Parents with severely han dicapped children are sometimes faced with an agonizing decision of whether to provide expensive treatment that may offer hope for recovery or may only prolong an inevitable death. In the highly publicized case of "Infant Doe," the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear a case, of a baby boy whoe died after his parents chose to forgo surgery that could have corrected a condition that prevented the boy from eating or drinking. Such cases have prompted some officials to propose "right to treatment" laws that would restrict the rights of parents and doctors to make treatment decisions without overisght by state or federal officials. However, others have strongly objected to such proposals. The bill passed be the Illinois Legislature is open to in terpretation as to when and by whom medical treatment can be imposed on behalf of severely handicapped infants. In more common cases involving slight disabilities, the measure provides for increased testing, evaluation and treatment. To that end, the bill requires the director of the Department of Children and Family Services to appoint a coordinator for the state's 13 regional perinatal centers. The coordiantor is charged with reviewing all reports of suspected neglect of newborns or infants. In addition, community hospitals are now required to conduct postnatal reviews of all perinatal deaths Fiesta joy almost complete "Dear editor: "One of the highlights of Fiesta Days was the Saturday Beer and Banjo event for the first time at Petersen Park and was enthusiastically looked forward to by both young and old. "Remembering the past, as presented at the Pearl Street Park, we expected the same level of entertainment, en joyment and believe most were not disappointed, except in two areas: a) parents lack of control in alloying their children to take over the dance floorifinea (which until 10:30 p.m. or later, at > which time we left. "Perhaps the answer would be ^ to put in a playground for children (and parents) close to > the dance area to expend their energy (similar to Pearl Street *! Park). "In lieu of above, con- > sideration should be given to ~* making the sponsoring group X assume responsibility of >1 clearing the dance floor at the •; time the entertainment starts. Z* "b) Free peanuts-as ad- > e«JUr£# ark?Fwere not. >. is no problem early on) except* Sponsoring group volunteers >j they were still there after en- were, not informed one way or tertainment began and con- the other. tinued to dart between dancers "Robert T. Driscoll Sr McHENRY COUNTRY CLUB INVITES YOU TO JOIN US FOR SUNDAY BRUNCH served every Sunday from 10am-2pm \ ADULTS $7.25 CHILDREN(UNDER)$5.95 \ 820 N. JOHN ST.. McHENRY 385-1072 / in city park Public pulse Women Voters question if landfill belongs Dear Editor : "The League of Women Voters (LWV) of Woodstock- McHenry would like some in formation on unresolved issues pertaining to the proposed methane-producing test landfill site in Knox Park. "The League's board of directors urges the members of the city council to satisfy themselves and the citizens of McHenry that GAS, Inc. and the Institute of Gas Technology have been thoroughly resear ched prior to any commitment of site. "Our most urgent concern is an explanation of the agreement regarding test site priveleges only which will be proposed. From a televised special meeting on Aug. 8, 1984, and conversations with individual Defenders, we have learned that GAS, Inc., intends to cooperate with environmentalists regarding the monitoring of the local water table and cleaning of the site should tests demon strate evidence of leaks. "The LWV asks if an agreement with GAS, Inc., a self-described 'research and development limited part nership,' can be binding if such a partnership dissolves or is not adequately capitalized. Limited partnerships are often at tractive tax shelters for in vestors because of inherent greater risks. A limited partner is liable only to the extent of his investment. We are confident the city council is interested in less risk, not greater risk in their efforts on our behalf. "If we can be satisfied that our aldermen are comfortable with the fiscal responsibility of this corporation, then we would ask about the restrictions and covenants that would apply in this test agreement. Why does GAS, Inc., need a site which is virtually free? Since GAS, Inc., does not intend to purchase a county acre Chamber response spurs letter favoring police pay Dear Editor: "Chalk up another one for our chamber. Seems like they can't take the heat I only saw two letters in the paper, both liking the new location for the Fiesta Day events, both disliking the parade and both for the police officers. "What really got to me was the letter Mr. Trey Covalt wrote to the editor. He stated the only one that received anything was the McHenry County Emergency Agency, which was $4.50 for 600 hours, or $270 that goes to the association for equipment. "What did our McHenry City Police Officer Association get? A fat zero. I believe they would have accepted a small donation since they themselves weren't going to get paid. Not once did he say "thank you" in his letter. What he stated was the Chamber got caught in a cross-fire between the city council and the police depart ment. Is that his "escape goat?" It's too bad though that for a successful Fiesta Week, you need both of them. "Come on Chamber, if everyone either donated their time or helped with expenses, then where did all the money go? "C. Shaedel" McHenry for their test, nor to lease from the city, we must join our aldermen again in asking if there would be enough capital for these options. "Promised improvements to the site for about $12,000, include a barrier and a road for hauling the waste. The city will earn three percent of the tipper's fees from the truckloads of garbage involved in filling the site. The future profits entice our city council, yet so far, this is only a test, and $12,000 in un-park-like improvements, like roads and barriers, hardly seems adequate compensation for the present risk. "It's commendable that a site inspection is planned before digging the pit. The city council is urged to select their own, unbiased technical personnel, equal in engineering status to the scientists of GAS, Inc., for this purpose. "Finally, the LWV askes the city council to address setting a precedent for diverting even small amounts of park property for such sensitive activities. Citizens may be assured that, visually, the landfill test site will not disturb the comings and goings of swimmers and tennis players, yet a landfill with a flame is hardly an inert well or rainfall collection device. It is emphasized over and over that this is a small landfill, about the One of the responsibilities of a community newspaper is to provide a forum for public comment. We invite our readers to share their views. The shorter the letter, the less we will have to edit to fit our space. The Plaindealer reserves the right to edit libelous or objectionable statements. Send letters to The McHenry Plaindealer, 3812 W. Elm St., McHenry, 111., 60050. TRUTH IN TAXATION NOTICE 0 NOTICE is hereby given that the McHenry Township Fire Protection District intends to adopt a levy for the fiscal year commencing on Mayl, 1984 and ending on April 30, 1985 which is more than 105% of the levy for the preceding year. I. Levy for General Fire Protection purposes: Amount of Taxes Extended for preceding year Amount of proposed Levy exclusive of election costs Percentage Increase *397,615.30 *447,515.00 12.5% Levy for Ambulance Service under Section 38.5 of Chapter 127'/a of the Illinois Revised Statutes: Amount of Taxes entended for previous year -0- Amount of proposed Levy exlusive of election costs MOO,000.00 Percentage of increase 100% A public hearing on the proposed budget and proposed Levy increase will be held on August 30, 1984 at 8:00 P.M. at the District Office, 3610 West Elrrf4 Street, McHenry, Illinois * i -- Daniel M. Schmitt, Secretary McHenry Township Fire Protection District (Published August 17, 1984) No 840444 size of a ranch home. Yet, the League wonders about the policy of siting a small landfill in a park just as it would chorus a 'What's this?' if a "small" slot machine were placed in the part to test for windfall profits from legalized gambling. Isn't a landfill a landfill and a park a park? "The LWV of Woodstock- McHenry and the LWV of Crystal Lake-Cary area are on record as of May, 1984, to sup port the development of alter natives to sanitary landfills. The LWV of Illinois supports research and development for alternative, clean ) energy sources. Ed Hammer's project deserves to be carried out because of its potential in both these areas, but the League believes that siting is very important. "Prestige for a progressive attitude appears to be the real reward of a successful ex periment and the city council will deserve that forward- looking reputation if they can prove to the voters and to themselves that any landfill belongs in a city park. Barbara C. Marrs President, LWV Donna Schafer Chairman, Env. Quality To handle all your Financial needs...so helpful in every way. "Wt'r* Her* For You" McHenry Savings V moioiii mociatimW 1209 North Groon StrMt. McHonry IIS 305 3000 •0820Main Stroot Richmond 11S 47I 204I 10402 North Vino Stroot (Huntley Contor on Routo 47) Huntoly 3I2-M9 3333 UVIKHOUK V00»mio4M»m an* Ttiurad*, « 00a«i to 0 00pm Pndo, f 00am to I OOpm latwrda, MtHtnt, Offic* Oriva m window* apan Wodnotdo, • OOom to 7 00pm WtAwUa, in Richmond Hmtti,, Oapotit, In.u.od 1100 000 k, Hw Foda<al tn.mp ( loan httotaata Co.p