By Arline Adamsick
The Beecher Herald: September 20, 1973
“Beecher Village Board Alters Burning Law”
“By Roger Schoenwald
“On a motion by Trustee Alvin Fugett, the Beecher Village Board, in a special session last Monday, changed the burning law to allow the burning of leaves. According to Mayor Landis Wehling, after last week’s meeting ‘We found out the EPA is going along with the burning of leaves, but before last Monday’s meeting we thought all burning was prohibited.’
“The new law allows burning of leaves off the city street from noon until dark any day of the year. The variance of the ordinance is only for burning of leaves, while burning of rubbish is still prohibited.
“In discussing the matter, Trustee Robert Williamson, who attended last weekend’s Illinois Municipal League convention said he heard ‘four different interpretations of the recent action changing the EPA ruling. The intent of the ruling is a gigantic buck passing scheme giving the responsibility from the state legislator to the local government.’
“It was learned that, since last week’s board meeting, several village residents have complained bitterly about the ban on burning leaves.
“In what may have been a reflection of the public sentiment in Beecher, Erwin Ohlendorf commented, ‘If you are not going to burn leaves, there is going to be one hell of a lot of leaves flying around town from October ‘til spring, because people aren’t going to rake and bag the leaves. The town will look a lot more uncluttered if you allow burning of leaves.’ (How times and attitudes have changed!)
“Following the partial rescinding of last week’s order, the village board was told by Mayor Wehling he is looking into the possibility of acquiring a leave vacuum sweeper for next year at a cost of $2,000.”
At the Holiday Theatre: “Romeo and Juliet” was playing, while the Sauk Trail Drive-In featured “Dillinger,” with Warren Oates, and “Bloody Mama,” with Shelley Winters.
Now here’s something that could be most useful today…
“‘Fix It’ Class Offered for Women”
“Entitled ‘Saw and Solder,’ an eight-week course for the handy-WOMAN about the house will be offered this fall, starting Monday, October 1, from 1-2 p.m. (Doesn’t the time of the class tell you something about the culture of the time? Women must have been at home during the day to take that class.) Some of the subjects covered will be shelf installation, faucet leaks, and hand tool use, as well as instructions to complete unfinished projects. The course will be ‘invaluable to the woman whose husband travels or whose hours make it difficult to take care of the small repairs and do-it-yourself jobs that are so necessary to keep a home running. The course fee is $12.”
The Peotone Vedette: September 21, 1973
“JC Board Doesn’t Have Facts Straight: 207-U”
“The staff of the Illinois Junior College Board is making a recommendation to deny District 207-U’s petition for referendum on the junior college question based on inaccurate data. That was the substance of remarks made by members of the 207-U School Board in their regular meeting Monday night.
“The IJCB was slated to meet September 21 in Freeport, when it is expected to act on a variety of business, including three petitions from the Peotone School District.
“The first petition filed was from the entire 207-U District asking for a referendum to annex to Joliet Junior College District 525. It is this petition the staff is recommending the state board deny as ‘not being in the best interests of the schools in the general area or the educational welfare of the students within the territory described.
“The staff recommends the IJCB favor annexation of the Green Garden, Manhattan, and Wilton Township portions to JJC and await further advice from the Peotone board and residents regarding the petitions by Will and Peotone Township residents to annex to Kankakee Community College.
“The staff report states: ‘While we have received conflicting reports on the community college attendance pattern of students from the Peotone district, it is at least clear that: a.) Students from Green Garden, Manhattan, and Wilton Townships predominantly attend JJC; b.) Students from Peotone Township predominantly attend KCC; c.) Attendance at any Illinois public community college by residents of Will Township is negligible.’
“It is the second allegation that Peotone Township students predominantly attend Kankakee that raided the ire of the board. Rumblings of ‘somebody got to that board’ and ‘politics’ were heard from several sources.
“In separate recommendations, the IJCB staff advised the board should order the annexation of the Will Township portion of the 207-U District to Kankakee Community College and set a hearing on the petition of Peotone Township to annex to KCC. If approved, the hearing would be set for 10-60 days after September 21 when the board meets.”
The Crete Record: September 20, 1973
“Busing Woes Plague School Board Again”
“Busing and the safety of 201-U school children who must walk to school occupied much of the school board’s time when they met Monday night, with the board appearing to be completely split in their thinking on the solutions to the subject.
“With board member Sheldon Houston taking the position that, if one life is saved, the spending of an estimated $14,000 for extra busing was justified, and board president David Newhuis and member Virginia Whipple insisting it was dangerous to set a precedent for the busing, the discussion started.
“According to a report from Assistant Superintendent Larry Beckley, a total of 397 students in elementary and secondary schools live in walking areas without walkways. To transport these students would mean an additional $14,080 per year.
“The charge is $35 per student or $87.50 maximum for a family to ride the bus if the student lives within the 1-1/2 mile limit, and approximately one third have purchased the passes.
“It was pointed out if the other two thirds bought passes, it would be necessary to purchase more buses. Superintendent Dr. John Savage informed the board some of the buses in the Balmoral area are filled to capacity and cannot accommodate more passengers.
A referendum to raise the transportation tax rate was favored by Newhuis, who believed the community should decide the issue. At present it is 12 cents on each $100 assessed valuation. State law allows this figure to be raised to 20 cents.
“The drawback with a referendum, feared by board member Viers, is the time element. Since it takes 60-to-90 days to prepare a referendum and Daylight Savings Time soon will end, he believes ‘we can’t wait.’
“He would like to see children bused who walk in areas where the speed limit is high or who do not have adequate walkways.
“With Dr. Savage observing that ‘the assumption is an extra bus would be needed for every 50-to-60 children,’ Newhuis stated there are questions still to be answered and another report is necessary. Information also is needed on areas where children walk to a central place to be picked up, as well as how much money should be request in a referendum if this is the direction the district will go.
“Name Sought for New Junior High”
“The board of education is seeking suggested names for the new junior high school to be constructed in Monee Township. The entire 201-U community is encouraged to participate in the selection process by mailing possible names to the district by October 1.”
The Manteno News: September 20, 1973
“East Side Residents Meet with Village Board”
“A group of residents from Manteno’s East Side attended Monday evening’s meeting of the Manteno Village Board. The group outlined several specific complaints or requests for action, most of which the board acted on to start toward solution. The primary complaint was that in placing fill in Hendrickson Park from the excavation for the new elevator foundation, spoiled soybeans also were deposited in the park. Mayor Jacobs indicated the fill was placed in the wrong part of the park and would be moved first and then covered over. Residents noted Jan Drive needed some traffic controls. Trustees later voted to post traffic regulating signs on Jan Drive. The group also volunteered its thoughts on the development of the park, and Mayor Jacobs asked them to appoint a three-person committee from their ranks to meet with the village park committee in working on the development.”
On sale at Jerry’s Bi-Rite in Manteno: 10 cans Campbell’s soups for $1; spareribs – 98¢/lb.; red potatoes – 89¢/10 lbs.; cauliflower – 39¢/head; country-style chicken breasts or chicken legs – 79¢/lb.; and cottage cheese – 39¢/lb. carton. (In a small shop today, I noticed cans of Campbell’s mushroom soup were $1.99. Yes!!!)
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As I finish this column, can’t help but notice what a beautiful week it’s been – it could stay like this forever – according to most folks. Saw my first bit of color yesterday – one lone little maple leaf in my front yard, but I imagine that will change very soon. Have a great week – Life is Good!!