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District 15 board names •MMMHMMto 'i '. 4!* Wednesday Number 10 Volume 109 September 26, 1984 S h o * / F r c c P r e s s Medio I n c . i m WW. m mm p»« By Marion Olsen Plaindealer New Service The District 15 elementary school board recently voted to lodge a formal complaint against the Eastwood Manor Water Company for its "dereliction in notifying Hilltop School of a possible drinking water contamination situation." The complaint to the Illinois Pollution Control Board will state that the school was not notified of a drinking water hazard stemming from a low pressure problem on Sept. 6. According to Dr. Richard Farmer, superintendent of the district, it was only by "hap­ penstance" - a student telling school officials that there was a water problem - that the school authorities became aware of the hazardous situation. As a result, the school was closed on Tuesday, Sept. 11 awaiting results of water tests. Eastwood Manor resident Marcia Maule appeared before the school board requesting their participation in improving the water situation. She said she had filed an informal complaint with the Environmental Protection Agency in April, 1983 based on a similar occurrence. The Sept. 6 incident led her to notify the EPA office on Sept. 7. Through EPA action, a "boil water" warning was broadcast in the subdivision by the McHenry County sheriff's department. School officials, however, were not notified of the problem, according to Dr. Farmer. Mrs. Maule indicated she would lodge a formal complaint, and request a penalty be im­ posed on the company and ask that procedures be required to improve water service and communication with customers. The formal complaints will lead to a hearing she said, and the urged the school board, as "a special customer responsible for children's safety," to join Eastwood Manor residents in the complaint and in attending the hearing. Placing a water pressure gauge at the school was discussed as a possible im­ provement measure. School board member Frances Larsen noted, "The water company is responsible to us, as is the (McHenry County) health department. We would be negligent if we did not lodge a formal complaint." The board concurred. Efforts of school officials to provide their own well for Hilltop School two years ago were thwarted by county refusal to issue a permit due to existing ordinances. Woman convicted of home invasion Pooling efforts to a single cause Plaindcaltr photo by Donna Bortuli* Kristen Smith, seated, 1984-85 Little Miss Peanut, prepares with her adult co-workers for Kiwanis Peanut Day. Kiwanis Club members and other volunteers will be passing out packages of peanuts in exchange for donations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28. Standing, from left, are: Fran Kedzie the "Peanut Lady"; Thomas Rupp, McHenry Kiwanis Club Peanut Day chairman; and Phillip Pawl, peanut chairman for the Golden K Kiwanis Club of McHenry. Master plan slated for schools By Marion Olsen Plaindealer News Service A plan to involve parents and community members in studies to improve McHenry elemen­ tary schools was approved Sept. 19 by the District- 15 school board. Dr. Richard Farmer, district superintendent, presented the plan as the 1984-85 annual goal for both the board and himself. He said the plan would lead to adoption of a five-year Master Plan with the possibility of extending it for 10 years. A curriculum committee with about 25 lay people participating will review present school curriculum with emphasis on student learning outcomes. A sub-committee of six to 10 teaching staff members on language arts, arithmetic, science, social science, fine and applied arts and physical development and health will provide technical assistance to the lay members. A second group composed of eight to 10 community members with backgrounds in business, accounting or public financing will make up a finance com­ mittee to review District 15 finances and look for ways to improve the financial strength and fiscal stability of the district. A building and grounds committee of another eight to 10 lay people will be asked to study the physical plants and properties to ascertain future needs. Dr. Farmer asked board members to make themselves ex-official members of the committees. He was authorized to make the comprehensive study his major goal for the year. Board President Arthur T. Newbrough commented, "The study will provide people in the community a way to obtain a better understanding of what we do." He noted the study is in line with state goals for education. Tentative target dates for committee reports and sub­ committee input were scheduled. Board members were asked to submit names of individuals who might con­ tribute by working on the committees. In other action, the board: -Awarded contracts for life safety work to Kohler and Sons, Inc. (general contract work) for $47,900; Althoff Industries (mechanical contract work), $49,070; and Althoff Industries (electrical contract work) $14,742. -Approved certified staff contracts for Barbara Dodds, Mary P. Eiserman, Mary Finch, Vicki LeMaster, Carole Van- dersteeg, Twila Weichle, and Evelyn Traskaski. -Approved classified staff employment of Rosalie Han­ cock, Kay Thomas, Karen Gibbs, Catherine Kelter, James Monks, Barbara Polis, Pamela Burmeister, Priscilla Raiford, Helen Freisl, Laurene Brophy and Jennifer Nellis. -Approved reassignment of certified staff member Paula MacGilray. In further business, a com­ munity member was reassured that the school district attorney was pursuing avenues that are available to insure that Valley View school children are being protected against present and future expansion of gravel mining operations in the area. "We are following the steps we set forth in our statement regarding the issue," said Board President Arthur T. Newbrough. Earlier, Kevin Barber was sworn in as a board member. By Angela Burden Plaindealer News Service L8£-yepr*id Chicago woman faces a lengthy prison term after being convicted Friday on six charges prosecuted by the McHenry County State's At­ torney's office. A jury returned guilty ver­ dicts against Marietta Kovacs to Judge Michael Sullivan in 19th Judicial Circuit Court. The six guilty counts included armed violence, home invasion, attempted child abduction, residential burglary, criminal damage to property and battery. The court set Oct. 23 for sen­ tencing. Mrs. Kovacs was found competent to stand trial on the chaises at a fitness hearing Aug. 30 before Judge Sullivan. She has been held in McHenry County Jail since her March 15 arrest" by McHenry County sheriff's police following the incidents in Wonder Lake. Her arrest stemmed from a police investigation into an alleged home invasion and at­ tempted child abduction at 5205 Lear St., Wonder Lake. The suspect had already fled on foot before arrival of police and was later observed boarding a Regional Transportation Authority bus on Wonder Lake Road. She was arrested, and a knife was found in her < possession. The state contended that Kovacs forcibly entered the Wonder Lake residence by cutting a screen and breaking a window. The victim, a foster parent to Kovacs' child, fled from the home when Kovacs entered and was pursued by Kovacs, who reportedly kicked the victim and attempted to abduct the child from her arms, according to the state, represented by Assistant State's Attorney Gail Moreland. * Two teenagers killed in accident By Angela Burden Plaindealer News Service Two teenagers were killed in an early Sunday traffic accident on Greenwood Road in Hebron Township, according to the Mcfcenry County Sheriff's Department. Brian D. Swezey, 18, of LaGrange Park, and his passenger, 18-year-old Robert Miller of Broadview, were pronounced dead at the fiery accident scene just south of Tryon Grove Road. The crash occurred about 1:15 a.m. Preliminary investigation by McHenry County sheriff's police indicate the Swezey vehicle failed to negotiate a curve, slid off the road, struck a tree and burst into flames. The sheriff's police accident report indicated the driver had been drinking. Hebron police, fire and rescue units responded to the accident. Further investigation is con­ tinuing by police and the coroner's office. In an unrelated Sunday ac­ cident investigated by sheriff's police, Steven L. Kline, 31, 20603 U.S. 14, Harvard, was taken to Harvard Hospital by Harvard Rescue Squad after a motor­ cycle accident on Illinois 23 in Dunham Township. His motorcycle veered off the road, went into a ditch and struck a fence. Joseph Ehlers, 23, of Crystal Lake, was taken to Northern Illinois Medical Center by McHenry Rescue Squad following a Sunday morning accident on Illinois 31 at Johnsburg Road, McHenry. Ehlers was a passenger in a vehicle driven by John W. Ehlers, 23, of 8912 May Lane, Richmond, which slid into the rear of a vehicle driven by Duane D. Sperry, 37, of 4408 Route 31, Ringwood. Michael G. Hogan, 20, 6601 Barnard Mill Road, Ringwood, and his passengers, Gina M. McGrane, 17, Main St., and Nancy M. Meehan, 16, of 3607 W. James St. both McHenry, were taken to Northern Illinois Medical Center by McHenry Rescue Squad after a Saturday night accident on Ridge Road in McHenry Township. Hogan reportedly swerved his vehicle to avoid an approaching vehicle in his traffic lane and his car slid on the wet pavement and collided with a tree. Keith A. Johnson, 36, of Adams, Wis., was taken' to Northern Illinois Medical Center by McHenry Rescue Squad following a one-car accident Friday night on McCullom Lake Road, McHenry. Witnesses told police the i Johnson vehicle started to their eastbound vehicle on a curve, wait off the road, struck a culvert and a railroad em­ bankment. Lawrence R. Fitzsimmons, 63, 21002 W. Coral Road, Marengo, reportedly escaped serious injury Saturday morning when the farm tractor he was . operating rolled on to its side when the vehicle left Coral Road. Housing market takes turn for the better More and more single family homes are springing up in the Chicago metropolitan area, but multifamily home construction is still at a low point. During July, for example, the number of building permits taken out in the metro area increased 10 percent over the same month in 1983. In contrast, multi-family housing starts are down 53 percent for the same period, according to a report put out by Bell Federal Savings and Loan. In McHenry, the report in­ dicates that there were nine building permits issued in July, 1984, valued at $543,000. In the same month last year, there were also nine permits issued for new homes, but the valuation on those permits was $443,100. In Woodstock, four permits were issued in July, compared to only three in 1983. The valuations were $205,000 and $130,000, respectively. The City of Crystal Lake bucked the trend, according to the report, issuing six permits for new homes this year in July and 10 last year. The valuations on those permits were listed at $333,600 and $617,270. Likewise in the unin­ corporated areas of the county, there were 19 building permits for new single family residences issued in July, 1984, to 28 given out last year. Taking into consideration all types of building permits issued, July, 1984, led the way when compared to June, 1984, and July, 1983. Valuations on all building permits issued during those months were $1,586,700 in July (1984), $710,100 in June (1984) and $613,849 in July (1983), Building permits of all kinds were up substantially in July in Woodstock, with a total value of $478,850. This compares to $274,070 in June and $162,600 in July of last year. Once again, Crystal Lake and rural McHenry County were at odds with the trend, posting larger increases in June, than in July. In those two areas the June totals were $3,140,528 and $3,271,628, respectively. In July, those valuations on all permits issued were $2,253,587 and $1,834,575. A look inside. . . Crime of the Week Obituaries So I Hear Coupoo Clipper Twice Told Tales Page 3 Page 9 Page 4 Section 2, Page 12 Section 2, Page 6 Warriors, 'Hawks are trounced no • • o MAWnurattl 2 Sections 36 Pages ^ittrtriMiour