The Beecher Herald: April 2, 1975
“County Department Heads Confused Over Board’s Order”
“Will County Weekly Press”
“Department heads are ‘really torn’ with confusion over a resolution the county board passed earlier this year requiring them to report to the board chairman, County Planner Tom Murphy complained last week to the board’s executive planning committee.
“Murphy made his point during a somewhat tense argument at the meeting when he mentioned a possible contractual agreement with a party he refused to name until plans are more definite this week. The man involved had asked his name not be revealed for competitive reasons, Murphy said.
“Robert Olson, committee chairman, however, took offense to Murphy’s name withholding and said he got ‘the feeling I’m not completely trusted.’
“Murphy pointed out he was not responsible directly to the committee, and he works through it as a means of informing and making recommendations to the county board. By statute, he also pointed out, he works under the Regional Planning Commission, although his salary is paid by the county board.
“‘I work directly for the county board chairman, isn’t that it?’ Murphy asked, referring to a resolution requiring department heads to report to the chairman.
“Charles Hanus disagreed, as did Olson, who remarked, ‘It seems to me every department should have a committee to report directly to.’
“Olson listened to Murphy explain the possible contract for consulting work, which could inject extra money into the county fund, as it involved work the planning department is already doing. The chairman then cautioned Murphy against setting up a ‘hot dog stand business’ just to make money.
“Murphy admitted the committee had the right to review his administration, but protested he wasn’t about to report every time he ordered a box of pencils. The situation is a ‘bastardized’ one, he declared, with department heads ‘doing a juggling act to keep everyone happy. I think it worked out pretty good,’ he added.
“Murphy informed Olson not every department and office reports through a committee, which apparently surprised Olson. The chairman said he intends to look into the matter in the course of his committee’s government study and hopes to come up with a coordinated reporting system.
“The committee also will undertake a study of possible better utilization of county owned land now leased as Bill’s Parking Lot, across from the courthouse. The former executive planning committee had begun such a study, but it was dropped.”
Something medically new… “Boot Therapy”
“Much of the risk of major surgery appears to be prevented by a new kind of ‘boot therapy’ pioneered by a surgeon at a New York VA hospital. Air-inflated, intermittently pressurized boots fitting over the feet and to the knees of the patient are put on before anesthesia and have helped prevent blood clots reaching the lungs, resulting in death. So far, the ‘boots’ have been successful in operations for 79 veterans. About 95 percent of post-op blood clots develop in leg or pelvic veins.”
The Monee Monitor: April 3, 1975
“Nab Two Burglars at Gast Residence”
“An alert neighbor, who spotted and immediately reported a suspicious car, foiled a burglary in progress at the home of Fred Gast on Pauling Road in Monee Tuesday night. The neighbor called Delmer Mather, a Sergeant with the Auxiliary Police who lives nearby, who in turn called the Laraway Road Sheriff’s substation. Mather proceeded to the Gast house where he and the county squad car, driven by Deputy Mike Webber, blocked the driveway.
“Arrested for the burglary were Reginald W. Smith, 22, who gave two different addresses, both in Chicago, and Sherman M. Collins, 28, who also had two addresses – one in Harvey and one in Chicago.
“A .38 caliber revolver was found under the hood of their car. Their vehicle also was seized by Sheriff’s deputies. Investigator Pat Barry is handling the case. Sgt. John Johnsen emphasized that vigilance by neighbors pays off, and it is only through such alertness and early reporting that burglaries are going to be reduced.”
“Tiger Chosen as Monee Elementary School Mascot”
–File photo.
“Following a month-long contest, the students at Monee Elementary School selected a tiger as their school’s mascot, and the name ‘Kool Kats’ to represent the school’s teams. According to John Clarkson, principal, the winning tiger design was submitted by William Payne, with runner-up entries submitted by Dale Batterman and Julie Webber. Other students selected as finalists in the contest were: JoAnn Petruszak, Lorrie Southerland, Jessica Cleek, Meg Czaszwicz, Pam Walczynski, David Watson, Preston Little, Mike Matthias, Dean Wishba, Mike Wille, and Therese Krohn.
“The mascot contest, a student recognition program, was jointly sponsored by Mrs. Francis Marion and Mrs. Richard Vail, members of the Parents Association of Monee and the teachers of Monee Elementary. The best entries were chosen from each class, and the final judging was carried out by the students, with assistance from Mrs. Marion and Mrs. Vail. T-shirts bearing the winning tiger design now are being ordered and will be available for purchase by the students sometime during May.”
The Manteno News: April 1,1975
–File photo.
“…and Here’s Another Champ with Three More Trophies”
“Mrs. Sophia Kelderhouse of Manteno, one of three students from International Dance Studio of Chicago, participated in the Heart of America Dance-O-Rama held recently at the Lodge of the Four Seasons at Lake Ozark, Missouri. More than 200 dancers participated in the competition, with Mrs. Kelderhouse winning two first place trophies in International-style dancing and one second place in American-style. Her dance partner was Dan Kanoksak, champion of Thailand and winner of the Dance Teachers’ Association competition title. Mrs. Kelderhouse has traveled and seen competitive dancing in California, India, Canda, and Japan.”
“Easter Egg Hunt Attracts 70 Children”
“Approximately 70 children participated in the Easter Egg Hunt held at Manteno Sportsmen’ Club last Saturday. The search began at 2 o’clock, with the children scrambling eagerly to find the 300 brightly colored eggs hidden on the club grounds. The boy and girl finding the most eggs were Billy Kistner and Renee Renchen. Prizes were awarded to the following children, who found special large eggs – Billy Kistner, Pam Finn, Paul Lockwood, Donna Meyer, and Patrick Mickler.
“Two Easter Bunnies, resembling Annette LaMore and Ann Bringelson, passed out candy to the participants. The Sportsmen’s Club Auxiliary wishes to thank everyone for making the event a success, despite the chilly weather.”
“Form Committee to Name Schools”
“A committee of citizens and teachers has been formed to name the schools at 251 North Maple Street. The committee is working with the idea of naming the buildings with a name from local history. The building in question bears the names of Joe Mallaney, Alfred Guimond, Albert Jacobs, and Charles Wright, as school board members when the building was built in 1926. Going further back in history, the committee has found men instrumental in forming the first school district to include Fred LaRocque, Nathaniel Wright, Leon Euziere, L.J. Smith, and Smith Payne.
“The committee would like area residents to voice their opinion in the matter of naming the buildings. It will be greatly appreciated if anyone with ideas would write them down and their reason for the name or names and mail to Cheryl Burns at Manteno Elementary. The deadline is May 1.”
Here’s what was on sale at Manteno Foods: Chuck roast – 63¢ lb.; ground beef – 69¢ lb.; round bone shoulder roast – 98¢ lb.; Corn King hot dogs – 69¢ lb.; On-Cor Veal Parmesan – 99¢ for 2 lb. pkg.; four 10 oz. Birdseye peas or corn for $1; North Dakota white potatoes – 89¢/20 lbs.; cabbage – 10¢ lb.; Washington extra-fancy Golden Delicious apples four pounds – $1; Red Label milk – $1.19 gallon; Joan of Arc cream corn or peas – three cans – $1; Gala towels – two big rolls for 89¢; and Campbell’s pork and beans – four 16 oz. cans – $1.
The Peotone Vedette: April 2, 1975
“Discuss Pay Increase for Village Trustees”
“During the next-to-last board meeting before the village election, members of the Peotone Village Board considered a salary increase for trustees.
“A pay raise measure would have to be passed before the next election since board members cannot, by law, raise their own salaries. Any increase would apply only to the newly elected trustees; holdovers would have to wait two years for their own re-election to collect the increased pay. Trustees now get a flat $500 a year.
“Trustee Lloyd Collins proposed the $500 a year rate be continued but with the addition of $10 per meeting attended. Meetings of the full board are held twice a month and there are sometimes special committee meetings for various purposes.
“Other board members agreed with the paid-by-meeting concept rather than an annual salary, as it would reward and encourage attendance at meetings.
“Trustee Pat Hauert suggested the annual pay be abolished in favor of a per diem rate of $30 a meeting. It was not clear if a per meeting rate would cover regular board meetings only or committee meetings, as well. (County Board members are paid per diem for every board and committee meeting for both the County Board and Forest Preserve Commission. Members of both boards usually sit on two or three or more committees.)
“The Peotone trustees agreed to ask the advice of village attorneys Clinton and Tongren about the advisability of combining a yearly base with a low per meeting rate or converting to an all per diem pay schedule with a higher rate.
“Hauert wondered if all trustees, rather than just the newly elected, might be included if the method of payment were changed completely. It seems unfair for new members to get a higher salary than old members for doing the same work, several noted.
“The board will have to act at its next meeting for any action to take effect prior to the election. Trustees Leo Stender and Roy Hartman, both seeking re-election, are the only present board members who could immediately benefit from an increase. Trustee Duane Giles is not seeking re-election. There are nine candidates in the race for the April 15 election.”
At the Holiday Theatre: Held over for second week – “Escape to Witch Mountain” plus a cartoon fest.
*****
Have a marvelous week and enjoy what spring means in the Chicagoland area – warm, hot, cold and maybe all in the same day. It’s great to see the first flowers of spring in bloom and the beautiful ‘soon-to-emerge’ red blossoms of my flowering quince beginning to bud. Just hang on to your hat, as the wind has been a doozy lately. Life is Good!!!!