Looking Back

By Arline Adamsick

The Crete Record: May 10, 1973

To continue with issues of concern in School District 201-U, here were the predictions…

“Nine New Schools Seen By 1978; Only Six with 45-15”

“Enrollment projections for the next five years in District 201-U show planning must be implemented for nine new schools if the district stays on the present 18-day calendar. If the district shifts to a 45-15 year-round schedule, only six new schools would be needed in the same time period.

“That was the essence of a report to the school board given by Asst. Superintendent Dr. Larry Beckley on Monday night. He pointed out it takes two years from the time a building project is approved by the voters until completion and occupancy, hence the need to plan two years ahead. The report based building needs for the regular school year on 800 elementary students, 1,000 junior high students, and 2,000 high school students per building.

“Costs also were projected, based on 60,000 square feet for elementary buildings at $25 a square foot; 100,000 square feet for junior high schools at $30 a square foot; and 200,000 square feet at $30 per square foot for senior high schools. The costs reflect building and equipping, although inflation may outstrip these figures in the next few years, the report noted.

“Under the 180-day calendar, one new elementary school would have to be started each year, beginning with 1974, and two in 1978. In addition, a new senior high would have to be started in 1974, a third junior high in 1976, and a fourth junior high in 1978.

“On the 45-15 plan (or 240-day calendar), these needs could be reduced to six schools, beginning with a senior high and an elementary in 1976, another elementary in 1977, and a third new elementary and another junior high in 1978. (I checked the article three times – this only adds up to five schools?????)

“The difference in cost between the 180-day schedule ($21 million) and the 240-day schedule ($13.5 million) is $7.5 million during the next eight years, according to the report. On the 180-day schedule, there is a time lag of about four years between building needs and bonding power. On the 240-day schedule, the lag is about two years.

In a corollary report to the board, information was presented about the 45-15 day program in St. Charles, Missouri, where the program was implemented one phase at a time as space was needed. This is what they found regarding the year-round program: Children’s attitudes about school had not changed significantly; Most parents felt the schedule helped children learn; Vast majority of parents favored extending the program to the remainder of the district, with some hesitancy concerning high school; Most parents favored four three-week vacations over one three-month; Most parents felt the program was working better than a year ago; and most parents saw the program as the best alternative available. They also did not wish to return to the traditional year, even if they could.

The Beecher Herald: April 10, 1973

“Money Problems Still Plague Township Board”

By Roger Schoenwald

“At the Washington Township Board meeting, the board of auditors authorized the payment of a $14,227.20 bank note to Farmers State Bank of Beecher. With the $1,715.31 left in the road and bridge fund, numerous outstanding bills were paid.

“The board then decided to take out a $12,000 anticipation warrant from Farmers State Bank, following payment of the bank note. Money problems still plague the township. Howard Westerberg, supervisor, said as soon as the township receives money from the county, it is used to pay bills. Consequently, money must be borrowed. Westerberg also said he is unable to received word from County Treasurer Ken Bosworth of when the township will get its next monies.”

And coming to the area…

“Great Scout Show Coming to Crete”

“With two weeks to go, nearly 300 Scout units already have signed up to participate in the 1973 Great Scout Show. Local Scouting’s biggest annual event is being held this year at Balmoral Park Race Track, May 19-20.

“General Chairman Richard Hoffman said the two-day fun-and-skill show will bring together more than 300 Explorer posts, Scout troops, and Cub packs from throughout the Calumet Council’s two-state area. Some 10,000 boys and girls of Scouting age are expected to participate.

Mother’s Day was right around the corner and Shady Lawn was serving prime rib or roast turkey and dressing. Kaufman’s Jewelry suggested a Mother’s love ring, consisting of two bands of 14K gold, signifying a husband and wife, plus synthetic stones for each of the children – only $40. That was not gold-plated – the ring was 14K gold! Johnson’s also had an ad suggesting a lovely arrangement of flowers or a green plant to remember Mom – starting at $12.50.

The Peotone Vedette: May 11, 1973

Talk about nostalgia; there was a delightful, but totally ‘dated’ picture of the Class of 1973 in front of the Capitol in Washington, D.C. According to the caption, the class toured the FBI Building, the Capitol, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, the White House, Bureau of Printing and Engraving, and the Smithsonian. (Sound familiar?) They also witnessed the Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I can remember my friends and I posing in much the same location just a few years prior. I know I’m dating myself, but my graduating class was one of the last to travel by train on the annual senior trip. It was just a few years later that train travel was out, and air travel was the way to go. Our train ride was quite memorable, as the rail car where I was assigned ran out of water quite soon after leaving Chicago, and it wouldn’t be refilled until we stopped in Fort Wayne. That meant no air conditioning and, believe me, that train car got quite warm. Nothing like starting your trip hot and sweaty!!

“Growing Pains Plague Peotone Village Board”

“Growing pains continued to plague the Peotone Village Board Tuesday night when the hall was filled with developers, builders, lawyers, and engineers. Actually, there were only two developments involved. The first was for Paul Rathje’s property just west of the high school. Present plans are for the development to be known as Peotone Manor, with Chuck Bruti as developer and Joseph Schudt engineer.

“Once again, a major concern of the board was storm water. Schudt said he had been in contact with the village engineer, and they had pretty much agreed the ultimate solution seemed to be a holding pond, which would handle several hundred acres in the area, with one possibility being those ponds created when I-57 was constructed. (Bet our present ducks and geese are mighty glad those ponds came to be!!)

“The longest discussion of the evening, over an hour, came up concerning the recently annexed Nick Hauert property on the east edge of the village. Developer Robert Fredien, his attorney Jack Hynds, and builders Ken Pearson and Ralph Younker were upset over a recent change in the village ordinances calling for a minimum of 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit, as compared to the old requirement of 2,000 square feet.

“Fredien said he agreed to purchase the land six-to-eight months ago and, at that time, the requirement was 2,000 square feet. He said he incurred considerable expense, along with the builders, in preparing preliminary plots and then, just as he brought the plat in, the ordinance was changed to the 3,000 square feet requirement, creating considerable hardship on him and particularly the builders, who have since purchased the land.

“The board agreed this was an unfortunate situation. However, village attorney Thomas Clinton said the ordinance was legal, and the only possible solution would have to come in a request to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance. This was the way the matter was left.”

The Manteno News: May 10, 1973

This still happens today – in one article the person is a ‘Mayor’ and in a second reference that same official is ‘President.’

“Mayor Jacobs Appoints Remaining Committees; Gives Recommendation”

“Manteno’s Village Board held a special meeting last night to transact business originally scheduled for Monday evening when a quorum failed to materialize. A vacation, an illness, and a death in the family all happened to occur at the same time to prevent the normally hardworking trustees from attending.

“Having completed the appointment of all committees, President Jacobs made a list of recommendations for committee study and action, including…”

Finance: Recommended refuse pick-up charges be cut 50 percent; Study made of most feasible way to spend revenue sharing monies; Survey made of building permit charges, in addition to water and sewer permits.

“’I would like you to gather this information from surrounding communities and arrive at an average for our use. I would like to have action on this immediately,’” Jacobs stated.

Regarding local improvements – parks/recreation: Landscape Main Street Park ASAP; Academy Park – electric excavation leveled and seeded, with possible addition of playground equipment and picnic benches; Lucile Thies Park – meet with surrounding residents to decide on ways to finish park; In near future, decide something definite on Hendrickson Park, such as cutting weeds better than has been done in the past.

Streets and Alleys: Postpone reconstruction of Maple Street for one year; Consider the following streets for reconstruction during the summer – portions of Section Line Road, South Walnut, Adams, and the alley in the rear of Main Street. Next year, recommended planning for reconstruction of Maple and Adams from Main to Rt. 50. Also, attention needed for the street sweeper, as it wasn’t getting the job done.

Long-range Plans: Feasibility, cost, and possible site for additional water storage; Take survey on the possibility of a sewer interceptor around east end of town; Feasibility study of new site for treatment plant; and work out a system to address and take care of stray dogs running around loose without tags.

*****

As I look back on what was happening in May 50 years, not a lot really seems to change…streets get repaired, schools either face jumps in enrollment or significant declines, and developers are still developing. The biggest changes always seen to occur with the price of things – quite frankly, I wish that hadn’t changed. After grocery shopping this past week, found it might be easier to stay on a diet in 2023, as all those lovely and delicious snacks none of us need, are priced sky high. So maybe it’s a win after all. Have a great week and enjoy this fantastic weather!!! Life is Good!!!