By Arline Adamsick
The Beecher Herald: November 7, 1974
This week we also have the election results…
“Few GOP Winners; Democrats Sweep Will County, State Elections”
“As was widely predicted, the Democratic party cut a wide swath through county and state offices in Tuesday’s light voting. Only 45 percent of Will County’s 137,000 registered voters bothered to go to the polls.
“Biggest upset recorded here was the defeat of veteran legislator W. Robert Blair, Republican from the 42nd District. Blair, of Park Forest, has served in the Illinois Legislature since 1965. During his last two terms he was Speaker of the House.
“Winning big in the 42nd District was Democrat George Sangmeister, with 44,681-1/2 votes. His steadfast opposition to the RTA, plus Blair’s original stance in favor of the mass transit bill, were apparently major factors in the final vote. Besides their opposing stands, there was the Democratic tide that rode the crest of the Watergate backwash.
“In the tight race for U.S. Congressman from the 17th District, Republican George O’Brien was a scant 2,000 vote winner over his Democrat challenger John J. Houlihan.
“For the first time in 102 years, the Will County Board will have a Democratic majority and a strong one at that – 17 to 10. The most recent board was comprised of 15 Republicans and 12 Democrats.”
Other winners were Democrats Adlai E. Stevenson for the U.S. Senate, plus Alan J. Dixon – State Treasurer, Republican Clara Hartley Woodard for County Clerk, plus Democrats County Treasurer Kent Bosworth, and Sheriff Joseph R. Trizna.
“County Subdivision Ordinance Amended”
“Amendments to the county subdivision and plat ordinance were adopted by the county board last week. The amendments are the result of about six months’ work done cooperatively by the county planners, zoning and subdivision committee, area developers, and homeowners, according to the county planner.
“New requirements pointed out by Committee Chairman Robert Kiep are that developers install sidewalks within one mile from schools, hot asphalt be used on streets to decrease maintenance, and plats be presented for small subdivisions. The amendments also will give the builder more flexibility and cut down his time spent in processing, according to the planner.”
At the Holiday Theatre: Two Disney favorites, “The Bears and I,” plus “The Shaggy Dog.” The Sauk Trail Drive-In was still open and showing two PG rated films – “All the Way Boys,” plus George C. Scott in “The Day of the Dolphin.” Seemed like a good time to take the kids to the movies.
The Manteno News: November 7, 1974
Here are the Manteno election results…
“Democratic Triumphs in Manteno Precincts Cause Trend to Sweep Across the Nation”
“Democratic candidates led their Republican opponents in nearly every contest in Manteno’s three precincts and Rockville in Tuesday’s election, proving once more that as Manteno goes, so goes the nation. Adlai Stevenson, Alan Dixon, John Houlihan, and Jerry Joyce each won majorities over all in the four precincts, although O’Brien edged his opponent by nine votes in the first precinct.
“Republican James ‘Bud’ Washburn trailed Democrat Jack Beaupre by nearly 400 votes overall in the four precincts, but was second, finishing 14 votes ahead of Christensen and 22 ahead of Ryan. In county races, only Judge Patrick Burns received a majority in the four precincts among the Republicans, although Ed Soucie trailed Democrat Kate Sweeney by only 23 votes for county clerk. Sheriff candidate Larry Hildebrand and school superintendent candidate Richard Skinner each received more than 900 votes to their opponents’ 600-plus in the four precincts. The public health department referendum was defeated by a two-to-one margin locally. The local results closely matched the county, district, and state results, as well as setting a national trend.
“Spook House Attracts 260 Children at Academy Building”
“Two-hundred-sixty children in the community participated in the fun at the C.C.D. Halloween Spook House held October 31, at the Academy Building. The Spook House was sponsored by the junior and senior classes, with approximately 15 students in charge of the various activities.
“Twenty-six dollars was realized from the project, and the proceeds will be used by the sponsoring group toward the expenses of a retreat later in the year. The classes are planning a dance to be held in the near future as their next group find-raising activity.”
Manteno Foods was featuring: Center cut pork chops – $1.09 lb.; country-style spareribs – 89¢ lb.; Oscar Mayer Branunschweiger – 49¢/8 oz. roll; 20 lbs. white potatoes – $1.19; Libby’s pumpkin – 2 cans/79¢; Bounty jumbo towels – 2/89¢; 3 lb. bag onions – 29¢; and a 2 lb. can Maxwell House coffee – $1.89.
The Crete Record: November 7, 1974
Remember all those Halloween warnings…
“Ten-Year-Old Finds Pin in Candy Bar”
“A Crete trick-or-treater, 10-year-old Marcie Carter could have been a victim of the malicious insertion of a large straight pin into a candy bar if she hadn’t discovered it before eating. She and a friend went out Halloween night for not more than a half hour in the Laurelwood area. When she returned to her home and started to pull the candy from her bag, she scratched her finger on the tip of the pin that hadn’t been well buried in the bar. An attempt had been made to warn all families whose children trick-or-treated in that area to be very careful of the candy and fruit they brought home, although no other pins have yet shown up.
“With the exception of the pin in the candy bar and a few acts of vandalism, Halloween night was comparatively quiet in the village. The group of young people from the Crete United Methodist Church, who collected for UNICEF and sold ‘Spook Insurance,’ reported they had collected $230 but had not received one call for help in cleaning up after Halloween. Their offer had been to help with window soaping, pumpkin smashing, toilet papering, or egging.
“Paint was sprayed on the trunks of two cars on Vincennes Street, and a bicycle was stolen from a garage on Exchange Street – a 24-inch girl’s green Schwinn. Police also report they were kept busy rounding up groups of marijuana smoking youths.”
“New Boundary Lines Proposed for Hickory”
“Dr. John Savage, superintendent of schools, presented a proposal for changing the geographic boundaries for Hickory School to the District 201-U School Board at its regular meeting on Monday evening, November 4. Under this proposal, on which the board took no action, the area west of Burnham Drive would be designated for Balmoral School.
“According to Dr. Larry Beckley, assistant superintendent-administration, the most recent figures obtained two weeks ago show each grade level at Hickory School had more than the desirable maximum of 100-110 students. He believes since then total enrollment at the school has risen to approximately 820 from the 811 shown two weeks ago.
“Overcrowding also prominently was emphasized in a ‘Concern Night,’ attended by approximately 60 parents and teachers on October 28. The report was presented to the board by Mrs. Donna Dettbarn, PTO President The board took no action on any proposal to relieve conditions at Hickory but gave their assurances all alternatives will be considered before making a decision.”
The Peotone Vedette: November 8, 1974
“Clergy Sets Community Thanksgiving Eve Service”
“After a lapse of some years, the Greater Peotone Clergy Association again is sponsoring a community Thanksgiving service to mark locally what is a religious holiday. This year’s worship service is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening, November 27, and will be held in the sanctuary of the Peotone United Methodist Church on Main and West Streets.
“Another innovation of this year’s service will be the emphasis on lay leadership. Lay people from the various participating congregations will bear a Christ candle in the processional and light it to open the service. The candles are to be unique creations representative of each church. At the close of the service, each candle bearer will remove a candle other than the one from his/her own congregation, and that candle, representing the Universal Christ – the Light of the World – will be bourn back to the bearer’s sanctuary to be used during the Advent season.
“The Thanksgiving Eve service is one of two services planned by the Greater Peotone Clergy Association. In the months ahead, again after a lapse of time, the association is reinstating the ecumenical Service of Unity on Sunday, January 19, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul’s Catholic Church.”
“Ambulance Fund Drive Progressing at Rapid Rate”
“The fundraising drive for the Peotone Fire Department’s new ambulance is progressing rapidly according to all reports. The department is asking for donations of $30 from each family they serve to purchase the $34,000 equipment. When the new unit is placed in operation, Peotone will have the only paramedic unit in Will County. It will provide the finest emergency medical service available anywhere in the country.”
“County Court House Closes at 4:30”
“With the change to Central Standard Time, residents are reminded the Will County Court House will close at 4:30 p.m. Closing 30 minutes earlier than usual is mandated by a standing county board resolution approved some years ago, according to Roy Hassert, board chairman. ‘The idea is to clear the area before dark,’ he explained. The resolution was approved after some women employees had been attacked leaving the building after dark.
“County office holders have the option of asking their employees to come in 30 minutes earlier each day to make up for the time lost, Hassert continued. He said most employees put in more time than required to get their jobs done, and it balances up in a year’s time. When the clocks are changed to Daylight Savings Time, the building will be open until 5 p.m. again.”
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Have a great week – Life is Good!!