Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Manteno News: April 12, 1973

Apparently, residents had not considered the worth of election consolidation back in 1973, as the Manteno School Board election was on Saturday, April 14, and was followed by the Manteno Village Board election on Tuesday, April 17. Add to this, Palm Sunday was April 15 and Easter on April 22. It certainly was a very busy time. Would people actually take time to vote twice?

How about this ad? It appears tempers were flying…

“Voters of Manteno Consider the Real Facts”

“We, the donors of the W.R. Hendrickson Memorial Park on the east side take issue with a letter put out by the United Party.

“Namely: Item 1, under East Side Park, Quote: ‘Received as a worthless city dump and filled with free dirt and volunteer labor.’

“Real Facts: Donors purchased this park land from Miles Smith and paid the same price per acre as for the rest of the farm. Donors spent several hundred dollars clearing buildings, abandoned truck bodies, and other trash. Under agreement with contractors, donors had 2/3 of the dirt fill now in place hauled in and leveled. Donors gave free easement through their property for village to construct storm sewer, primarily to ease flooding on the west side of town.

“Therefore, from the statement of the United Party, it appears the donors’ cash and efforts were worthless in helping to clean up and improve the east side area that had been a village problem for years. We don’t feel east side residents will agree with this.

“Evidently, this so-called dump must not be any relation to the south side dump for which the village records show payments of $7,200 per acre of taxpayers’ hard-earned money. But then, who are we to decide which dump is worthless and which one is worth $7,200 per acre. Maybe the voters and taxpayers will check it out. –Donors of W.R. Hendrickson Memorial Park”

Even though Easter was a little over a week away, food ads were not featuring the traditional hams, but here’s what was on sale at Kasco Foods: Rib steak – 99¢/lb.; Pillsbury cake mixes – 2 pkgs./65¢; Golden Bake bread – 7 loaves/$1; red or white potatoes – 89¢/10 lbs.; and fresh asparagus – 39¢/lb.

“Plan to Recharter Scout Troop 385”

“An adult committee for Scout Troop 385 was formed April 9 at a rechartering meeting. All boys desiring to join the troop are urged to attend a meeting on April 13, at 7 p.m., at Manteno Methodist Church. An adult training session is to be scheduled in the near future.”

The Crete Record: April 13, 1973

Crete also was faced with an April 15 school board election, with six vying for three seats. Running were: David Newhuis, who was unopposed; incumbent Edward Epstein of Park Forest, who faced challenges from Park Forest South residents Robert Kaysen and Bernard Gerber; and incumbent Sheldon Houston, who was appointed to fill an unexpired term and was opposed by Lee Albrecht.

In the Tuesday, April 17 election, in addition to village positions on the ballot, there also were park district and library board contests, with no opposition for either the park district or library candidates.

In the Crete Mayoral race, incumbent Ronald Christopher was challenged by Harold Martin. Clerk Mariann Gemper was unopposed in her race, but four trustee candidates were vying for only three board positions, and included incumbent Bill Bruin, Frank Wisher, Edward Newton Jr., and Ted Bowman.

“Discuss Land Need for Second Fire Station”

“A motion to establish a fire station west of the C&EI railroad tracks was passed by the Crete Village Board Monday night, thereby creating a dilemma – exactly where to put it.

“Quick passage of Don Easterday’s motion led him to ask whether the board would advertise for property. He said he had made a report earlier, which was rejected by the board. It was pointed out the property he suggested was rejected by a committee as unsuitable, and the matter had never come to a vote of the full board.

“Trustee Wendall Regnier said village representatives talked to the owner of the vacant property near the high school, which is to be developed as soon as sanitary sewers are available. Regnier indicated something could probably be worked out with the owner once the sanitation problem is settled. He added, ‘I can just imagine the prices we’re going to get if we advertise.’

“A wrangle developed over suitability of the undisclosed property proffered before as a fire station site. Said Easterday, ‘I was told to do something, and I did it, and you rejected it.’ Regnier replied, ‘We had good reason.’”

The 24-hour Thrif T Mart, on Sauk Trail in Park Forest, had the following items on sale in its ad: Downy fabric softener – 99¢/64 oz.; asparagus – 49¢/lb.; cantaloups – 49¢ each; and Steaks – T-bone, sirloin tip, top round, cube, or rib – $1.48/lb.

At the Holiday Theatre: Winner of eight Oscars – “Cabaret,” plus “Clarence the Cross-Eyed Lion,” as the Saturday and Sunday kiddie show.

The Beecher Herald: April 13,1973

“No Opposition in Village Election”

“By, Roger Schoenwald

“Beecher residents will go to the polls on April 17 to vote for a village president, clerk, and three trustees in the village election. All the candidates are unopposed, with no incumbents seeking reelection. Consequently, one effect of the election will be a vote of confidence in the candidates. Needless to say, all citizens are urged to vote.”

Candidates on the ballot included Landis Wehling for village president; Violette Metter – village clerk; and Walter Boyens, Alvin Fugett, and Robert Williamson for trustees.

“Record Crowd Attends Annual Town Meeting”

“By Roger Schoenwald

“Approximately 40 citizens were on hand for last Tuesday’s annual town meeting. It was the largest turnout for a town meeting ever. Many of those present were complaining about the poor conditions of roads. Discussion centered on what the revenue sharing funds would be spent on. Washington Township received $9,694 from the federal government, and the citizens unanimously voted these funds be designated to the road and bridge fund for road construction. The funds mainly will be used for the purchasing of stone.

“Several citizens asked why more roads are not blacktopped in the country. Clarence Bunte, road commissioner, pointed out it would cost $13,000 to tar and chip one mile of road. The money comes from motor fuel taxes, which is held and distributed by the county. Consequently, the township cannot blacktop until the county releases those funds.

“Howard Westerberg, supervisor, pointed out the deteriorating condition of the bridges in Washington Township. Reading from a township official’s magazine, Westerberg said there are 22 – 24,000 bridges in Illinois. On average, one bridge is closed a day because of its poor condition. Westerberg said that in Washington Township many of the bridges are in bad shape and will need costly repairs in the near future.”

Must have been a very quiet school board election, as there were absolutely no remarks or ads about the election or the candidates, except for a very small article on page two announcing “School Board Election Saturday,” reminding voters to use the west side doors to the high school, and the polling place would be open from noon to 7 p.m.

The Peotone Vedette: April 13, 1973

“Ballots for School Board Election to be Cast at Schools”

“With three unopposed incumbent candidates for members of the Board of Education in District 207-U, it is highly unlikely there will be any changes in board personnel at the annual election on Saturday, April 14.

“There is, however, an important change as far as the voters are concerned, as the polling places are all different from past elections. The schools are being used this year, with polls open from noon to 7 p.m. Candidates seeking re-election are Dr. James March, current president, Donald Bate, and Joseph Koomar.”

“Six Candidates Seek Four Seats on Village Board”

“One of the elections on the calendar for the coming week is the balloting for village officials, Tuesday, April 17. Although there are six candidates for four trustee seats on the board, the campaign has been quiet. In fact, so quiet candidates are concerned about voter turn-out. All of them are urging the people of the community to cast their ballots on Tuesday. Voting for the entire village will take place at the fire station, next door to the village hall on Main Street. The polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“There is one full slate of candidates running under the Citizen’s Party. Heading the ticket is incumbent Mayor Howard Scrivens, seeking his second term in office as mayor, after serving as a board trustee for 24 years.

“Evelyn Berry is seeking her third term as village clerk, while their three candidates for four-year terms as trustees are incumbent Kenneth Hauert, Warren Baker, and Lloyd Collins Sr, and two-year candidate W. Roy Hartman.”

The two other parties each had only one candidate listed on their ballots, with each candidate running for the four-year trustee seat. Robert Cross was the People’s Party candidate, while Walter Pollak was running on the Independent slate.

“Board Denies Zoning for Wilton Center Trailer Park”

“The Will County Board Wednesday denied Clarke and Ruth Willard the necessary zoning for a proposed trailer park at Wilton Center. The vote was 21-3, with members Glenn Coburn, Helen Harshbarger, and Robert Kiep voting in favor of the park.

“The case had been held over from the previous board meeting to allow the State’s Attorney’s office time to rule on the validity of a legal objection to the zoning. Assistant State’s Attorney Joe Sayer reported the objection was valid, and that another objection had just been received. Zoning Committee Chairman Kiep said he also had a petition signed by approximately 150 people against the trailer park. The development would have had 322 trailers.”

Have a wonderful week and, hopefully, a much calmer one weather-wise! Seems we’ve been hit with a lot of storms and wind lately, but so far have been blessed compared to other parts of the country. With those very warm days last week, it seems overnight the trees and bushes are beginning to show their tiny buds. Have to really pay attention, as those tiny buds can become big leaves overnight, too!! Life is Good!!