By Arline Adamsick
The Beecher Herald: September 6, 1973
There seemed to be a problem concerning Farmers Markets…
“Witvoets Fight to Use Farmers Market”
“By Roger Schoenwald
“State law against city ordinance. Tradition against modern times. That’s what the endless hassles with Chicago police and courts boil down to for Jim, Hugo, and Albert Witvoet
“Every Saturday, the truck farmers from St. Anne, Beecher, and Chicago Heights, travel to the farmers market on West Randolph Street in Chicago, and every Saturday, the Chicago police ticket them for selling produce on a public way.
“During an interview, Hugo Witvoet displayed four tickets he received lately in Chicago. ‘They used to throw my brother in jail and chase all the customers away, but now they just ask us for our license and give us a ticket,’ Hugo said. “‘I just can’t understand why they are doing this. I have been going to the farmers market all my life.’
“The farmers market was established in 1851, when Randolph Street was designated as the market area by Hatti Green. The Witvoets contend state law says a farmer can sell his produce on any designated market area, and the 1965 Chicago ordinance abolishing the market on Randolph Street is illegal.
“The Witvoets currently are seeking an injunction that would allow them and other farmers to sell their produce on Randolph Street, but the court motion was delayed last week when U.S. District Court Judge Bernard Decker gave the city a continuance to allow it more time to answer Witvoet’s complaint.
“How will this all end? Jim Witvoet has a remarkably successful record in court, but as Hugo said the other day, ‘business is really good now.’ It may be too good in the eyes of Chicago politicians.”
Seems the weather was really hot during the end of August in 1973, but that didn’t deter the Bobcat Marching Band…
“Marching Bobcats Win First Place at Sauk Village”
“On August 26, the Beecher High School Marching Bobcats received a first-place trophy for musical organization in the Sauk Village Homecoming Parade. The band survived the near 100-degree temperatures to achieve this fine success. On September 29, the band will attend Band Day at Northwestern University in Evanston, and October 20 the band will travel to Champaign to attend the U of I Marching Band Festival. The band also will make an overnight trip to Champaign on December 8.”
The Peotone Vedette: September 7, 1973
Here’s a photo of the 1973 PHS Football Team…
“RTA Supported at Joliet Hearing”
“Will County residents gave general support to the concept of a regional mass transportation authority (RTA) at a hearing in Joliet last week. However, there were some disagreements on the way the authority should be financed and how much representation Will County will have on a governing board. About 150 people attended the hearing at the Sheraton Inn in Joliet, which was conducted by the state Department of Transportation. Several people gave their views on the RTA at the three-hour hearing.
“Theodore Desch, of the Rock Island Railroad, said losses for the company in commuter service are climbing at the rate of $650,000 annually, and he was convinced the solution lies in the RTA. He said the transportation crisis will become critical if the RTA fails to pass, and he urged the public to rally behind the formation of an RTA.”
According to the article, the main descent to the RTA appeared to be in the way it was to be financed. Will County officials felt that, according to Rep. George Sangmeister, ‘no one wants this county to be a subsidy for the problems of another Mass Transit District, which were not of our making.’
“Sangmeister said only 2.4 percent of the working population in Will County uses public transportation, and he does not feel there is a great need for mass transit in the county at this time. Before a transit bill is passed, Sangmeister said the right of a referendum should be insured to county residents; Will County should be guaranteed a seat on the governing board of the RTA; and no tax increase should be made for funding.”
“New License Plate for Handicapped”
“A new license plate for physically handicapped persons has been approved for 1974 registrations, Michael J. Howlett, Secretary of State, said. The special plate, called the wheelchair plate, uses the handicapped symbol of a person in a wheelchair. It is believed nearly 20,000 people are eligible to apply.”
“Fire Destroys Abandoned Barn Near Peotone”
“A fire destroyed an abandoned barn Sunday along Harlem Avenue, north of the village. Bennett Industries of Peotone owned the barn and property, firefighters reported. The structure was destroyed, and the cause of the fire is under investigation.”
The Crete Record: September 6, 1973
Well, the teachers had a contract, but there always seems to be something to discuss in District 201-U…
“School Board Listens to Bussing Woes of Parents”
“New bus rules and regulations occupied much of the Crete-Monee School Board’s time when they met on Tuesday, September 4. Their regular meeting night had been postponed because of the Labor Day holiday.
“Parents, particularly from the Lincolnshire and Balmoral areas, crowded the room to complain about the unsafe areas in which their children have to walk to school. Sangamon Street was the main target – a street recently completed to give better access to Hubbard Trail and the high school.
“Mrs. Jerry Neubauer, the first spokesman to discuss the Sangamon Street problem, asserted the street not only was unsafe because of traffic, but also young children could be molested on their way to school, and it could be hours before a parent would be aware of this. The narrow street, with much high-speed traffic, also is dangerous at any time of the year, but when weather conditions become bad, it will be doubly dangerous for the walkers, she said.
“Others in the audience echoed her sentiments, criticizing the speeders from high school children to bus drivers, who use the street as a racecourse. Kenneth Popp estimated speeds of 40-mph on the road.
“The dangerous problem at Balmoral School, with the railroad track nearby, was another point brought up, as was Exchange Street leading in from Lincolnshire, where a few of the children are being charged to ride the bus, as they are less than a tenth of a mile inside of the 1-1/2 mile limit, according to Leslie Tucker.
“He raised the question of how much the school district would lose when a child does not get to school because of bad weather. According to District Superintendent John Savage, this figure amounts to about $3 a day.
“One suggestion came from board member Ken Vieres that possibly the administration could get in touch with the villages in the district to investigate the cost of sidewalks. With parents paying $35 a student, much of the money could possibly come from this source, he thought. However, if this was possible, it still would not solve the problem of molesters in isolated areas, one parent pointed out. The matter was referred for further study.”
At the movies: Sauk Trail Drive-In was featuring “Mary Poppins” and “Snowball Express.”
The Manteno News: September 6, 1973
“Manteno Business Improvements Continue at a Rapid Pace”
Jacobs ITCO was holding its grand opening that week with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 6. In the pictures, from top to bottom, are: Paul Keigher – one of the early customers of co-owner Harold Jacobs; a display of fan belts and miscellaneous tools; co-owner Ron Jacobs and Wilbert Jacobs rolling chain; followed by the bottom picture depicting ropes and halters awaiting buyers. The company also had a big ad announcing plans for the grand opening festival, which included 10 percent off all purchases September 6 -8, free balloons for all children, free refreshments, plus $150 worth of merchandise certificates to be given away as door prizes.
“District Library to Remain Open Every Evening”
“With the beginning of the new school year, the Manteno District Library is going to be open every evening, Monday through Friday, throughout the school year. It is hoped students will be encouraged to use the facilities offered by the library during the new hours now available to them.”
On sale at Manteno Foods for that week were: Northern Jumbo Towels – 3 for $1; Kraft marshmallows – (4) one-lb. packages/$1; Kraft OJ – 69¢/half gallon; Kraft Velveeta – $1.29/2 lbs.; ground chuck – $1.29/lb.; and Breast-o-Chicken tuna – 49¢.
“Adult Classes to Begin in Manteno Monday September 17”
Principal Charles Sullivan announced adult education classes will begin on Monday, September 17, at the high school, with Art Hagener as the coordinator. Classes in the program included: Crocheting I and II; Beginning Typing; Woodworking and Furniture Refinishing; Accelerated Reading; Air Flight Training; Clothing Construction I; Painting as a Hobby; Intro to Calculus; Basic Photography; Child Guidance; Problem of Narcotics and Drugs; Preparation for Your Future; Bookkeeping I; Securities and Investment; Welding; and Guitar I. (What do you think “Air Flight Training” was about???)
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Have a wonderful week – it’s September and all things fall – Life is Good!!