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Page 2 • PLAI.NDEALER HER ALD. \* EI»ESI)4^ . KEBRL AR\ 20. 19S5 Opinion/Politics Lottery generates millions for the state; a new game is tried The Illinois state lottery, which has produced scores of happy millionaires, has also been a financial boon to the state treasury. During FY 1984, profits from lottery games added $358 million to state coffers and helped boost budgets for education, health and social services and public aid. In an attempt to build on the success of Lotto, instant and daily games, lottery officials are experimenting with a new lot­ tery game devised to attract a new audience. *n»e video lottery, offering a variety erf arcade-type games, has been operating since Aug. 1, 1984 in four test markets: Chicago's near north side, the northwest suburbs, Rockford and Champaign. Lottery of­ ficials hope this new game will attract the young, urban professionals who traditionally have not been big lottery players. During the first six months of the experiment, profits from 225 machines did not measure up to expectations. It was originally estimated that the state would receive about $1.35 million during the trial period, but as of January, only $615,000 had been collected. But, profits did pick up recently and the test has been extended to April 30. The idea of video lottery was developed by a Chicago-based manufacturer of the games, which is also underwriting the project. , Each game costs $1 to play. When the experiment began, players had a l-in-20 chance of winning a cash prize of $5, $10, $20, $1,000 or $5,000. In hopes of luring more people to the games, the prize structure was changed to offer a l-in-9 chance of winning. Players may also win a free play. To date, 131 n lottery { not require to win. Lotte: any degree of officii itials people have won the top prize Video lottery flames, by law lOtteiy have found that despite winning is determined by the luck of the draw, it is important to offer games with some degree of skill. If successful, video lottery games will be placed around the state, probably exclusively in bars, since no one under age 18 is allowed to play. While the video lottery ap­ pears to be off to a much slower start than its predecessors, it may not be fair to make the comparison. Whereas all other games were successful in other states before Illinois adopted them, video lottery is a new concept. Only time will tell if Illinois has found a new source of revenue. V -7 -Pi. WM nmm if-urnrm UPTHERKS THE NEW U.S. SPY SATELLITE.. IT CAN EVEN PICKUP TELEPHONE CALLS! ZZ/SO-WHO^ (SOTA TELEPHONE! Public pulse Snowmobiles ruin park visit Measures are needed to avert strikes Dear Editor: ~ - On Saturday, Feb. 9,1 visited Glacial Park for the purpose of doing some cross-country skiing. As I am a nearby neigh- boroff * **' ' * however, the visit was somewhat less enjoyable due to the park having been inundated with snowmobilers. Their equipment filled the parting lots and was being illegally run on part roads. I found soon after getting onto the ski trails that they had also been used by the machines and that certain sections of the prairie, which are being developed from formerly cultivated lands, were used at the snowmobilers, whims. On forum for We invite their Tte shorter tte letter, the less we will have to edit to fit our SQaee. The Mcflenry Plaindealer reserves the rtghttflwit objectionable or libelous statements. All letters raftst be signed with the author's atWrrtw and phone number (addresses and phone numbers will not be printed). Readers are to one letter per on tte same topic. V. Elm St., HI., 60060. meeting some of the group responsible for these actions, I learned they were part of a Sheriff-sponsored group which had permission to use the park. This was apparently carte blanche permission because on inquiry I was told that there was no one from the conservation district in the area. For some time, the section of Glacial Park near the office has been closed to snowmobiles for good and valid reasons. I do not Believe this rule has been changed. It is obvious that the exception made on this Saturday is a bit of political favoritism of the type one expects to find in Cook County, but which I had hoped to avoid in this county. To clarify this type of use of park property, which I consider to be contrary to the idea of conservation, I request that a conservation district by-law be instituted which would require public hearings be held, after due notice, before any special use permits be approved. Special use would be defined as any use which would require any change to established park rules and procedure. Gerald A. Fehr Dear Editor: Hie McHenry High School teachers' strike is now history and we hope the animosity and hurt feelings are being replaced by a renewed vigor to ac­ complish the task for which the schools exist-to educate students. We must realize, however, that settling the strike only relieves the symptom but does not cure the disease-the inability to break an impasse without resorting to strike ac­ tions. It is imperative that we investigate possible solutions to resolve these deadlocks without closing the schools. We might first consider set­ ting ground rules in negotiating a contract. One rule might be to mandate that a contract be ratified before the fall semester begins. Another rule might be that in the event of a deadlock, binding arbitration is automatically invoked to prevent a strike. I understand state law requires this in Wisconsin. It seems there was actually one good side effect of the strike. It made me, and I believe many others, realize how little we know about the workings of the school and the board. Most of us have not taken a personal in­ terest in the schools. We find it convenient to blame the teachers or the board when problems arise, but we fail to remember that we are the employers who elect the board members, who we empower to hire the teachers. We residents are ultimately responsible for the health of the schools. It might be helpful if we could .create a forum for continuous dialog which would encourage input from the residents, students, board, teachers and adminstrators. We must be more aware of how our tax dollars are spent and how salaries compare with those of surrounding com­ munities. Since we delegate the responsibility of running our schools to a seven-member board, we must take a much iter interest in selecting members. I personally believe that a majority of the board members should have children attending Dist. 15 or 156 schools. Only 20 percent of the voters bothered to cast a ballot in the last board election. We must sponsor and attend a candidates night, acquaint ourselves with the issues and the views of the candidates and then actually go to the polls and vote. Possibly many res; not aware that board residents are members Life insurance thafs right for today and tomorrow Our Unirersal Life lets you change coverage or premiums easily. A turn turn* Serine* jnd Strvirrs MCHENRY II 20-FEB. 25 -McHENRY DRUG IAILV 9 Tl 9 SAT. 9 Tl 6 SUNDAY (STOIC) 9 TO 7PM SIMMY (PHARMACY) S TO 3PM WE KSUVE THE llfiNT TO IMP MARTINIS. PUCES i EFFECT WHILE QUANTITIES LAST PHARMACY (IIS) 305-4426 1327 H. RIVERSIK OR. MCHEHRY COME IN AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR yiA2J( K^EARANCE PRICES!!! I BUDWEISER & BUD LIGHT 6 PACK CANS. ....... GALLO WINES 1.5 LITERS $J99 $2*9 SAVE 4 91 GARDEN SEEDS WITH COUPON 10/99', COUPON GOOD THRU 2-25-83 | I REG | I j55'EA. I I F II LIMIT 10 j JI r SAVE ASSORTED GREETING CARDS COUPON 4/99C LIMIT 12 REG. PRICE UP TO 1.25 EA. COUPON GOOD THRU 2-25-85 ' SAVE IT HOSTESS FRUIT PIES WITH C O U P O N U M I T 4 COUPON GOOD THRU 2-25-85 2/88 I 11 Reg I | 30'EA I I II II II I I I I I I I I I I SAVE 81* QUAKER CHEWY GRANOLABARS WITH COUPON 6f99' COUPON CONCENTRATED ALL DETERGENT 49 0Z W I T H $ j l 9 COUPON GOOD THRU 2-25-85 I I LIMIT 12 I I COUPON GOOD THRU 2-25-85 I ~~~ "Hi 1.69 I I I receive not one penny for their time and effdrt. I believe this is very unfair and may be the reason that so few residents are willing to run for a seat. As a point of comparison, the McHenry City alderman receives $75 per meeting and manages a budget of ap­ proximately $2 million. The board members are not even reimbursed for transportation expenses and yet are respon­ sible for a budget about three times the size of the city's. Dist. 156 alone devours one-thirc( of our real estate tax money. If we add the other two school districts, the percentage rises to a whopping 68 percent. Ob­ viously, education qualifies as a big business #bnd should be treated accordingly-not as a charity organization. Less than the salary of one beginning < teacher would probably provide sufficient r remuneration for board members and encourage ' more residents to become ; candidates. At present, some qualified citizens may feel thev . cannot afford the time required. In closing, I believe an ex­ pression of appreciation is in ' order for our board members, even if we disagreed with their policies in handling the strike. I'm sure they were personally • convinced of the rightfulness of , their positions. The also waking us to the serious " lems in our district. I ilieve we have an unusually high number of good teachers in our high schools. Some even teach extra classes without pay or donate personal time to school activities. We must commit ourselves to retain this high standard by supporting their e efforts and compensating them fairly: n ot sftft <»"i • Ruth Bnardsley positions. The teachers deserve appreciation for SCRATCH 'N SNIFF OR CNROME STICKERS L I M I T WITH COUPON 21*1 69 LIMIT 8 COUPON GOOD THRU 2 25-85 HAVE YOU RECEIVED YOUR TAX REFUND YET? All Hardwoods DINETTE SET Table. Leaf, 4 Chairs, Oak, Maple, or Pine Finish REG. $449.95 Large Selection TABLE LAMPS " O F«r lh* 1 PrUa m I Buy one at our Re««ler lew Price Receive 2nd FREE 90 DAYS SAME AS CASH TO QUALIFIED BUYERS CONTEMPORARY BEDROOM SET HEADBOARD. CHEST DRESSER OCTAGONAL MIRROR NIGHSTAND OPTIONAL REG. M 195° DINING ROOM OAK 48 ROUND TABLE CLAW FOOT 4 CHAIRS 2 MORE OPTIONAL CHINA CABINET W GLASS LEADED LOOK OPTIONAL SPECIAL PRICE! 1984 STOCK MUST 60 AT GIVEAWAY PRICESI •SOFAS •LOVESEATS -LAMPS •TABLES *END PIECES NEW 1985 FURNITURE IN STOCK! WITH EACH SOFA & LOVESEAT PURCHASED WE ARE OFFERING A SPECIAL PRICE ON FABRICATE! f.ibr* (<MU\> RECLINERS COUNTRY STYLE SOFA & LOVESEAT OLEFIN S ACRYLIC FABRIC (Very Durable) SCOTCHGUARDED LIFETIME WARRANTY ON FRAME ^ s79995 1 NOW 10 Yft. WARRANTY FIRM BEDDING TWIN SIZE Mattress ( Bo* Sprtng NOW Rag. 339.95 QUEEN SIZE HIDE-A-BED HERCULON FABRIC AND UP MANY TO CHOOSE FROM Moltress & Bo* Spimcj *•9 419 95 NOW QUEEN SIZE Mottress & Bo NOW SU0UR MCOtATOf PRICES "We'll mtkt it earth f»af wfcto to Mb tto tnjp" •HvlttiltlCV Home itavniKhittux Th* St«f« Tw CKH T»l«>t TM UNOER NEW CONCEPT OF MANAGEMENT K I N G S I Z E A L S O A V A I L A B L E THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF OUR MANY SHOWROOM SPECIALS! AH OUR FURNITURE IS WOOD NO PLASTICS f»EE SETUP AN0 DELIVERY 4618 f Bt{ |?0 McHfNRT II 815 385 8200 •*ii ficiums SiMilM* UtMMr AV«'IA8U HO JUS "tm t ifti 4 tufs *([/ I.,, ASAMS >u>«