Herald and Review from Decatur, Illinois • Page 3

Decatur, Illinois, Saturday, May 1979 DECATUR HERALD Briefly Speaking DecaturMacon County Gas rationing not close: Proxmire Louis, with robbing a gambling game at 817 N. Broadway Dec. 23. Four Decatur men were shot during the robbery. Vacancies will limit use of auxiliary deputies There are 14 vacancies in the 40-man force of Macon County auxiliary deputy sheriffs, and Sheriff Stephen D.

Fisher says that wiil limit their future participation in community events. Fisher said economic conditions which cause some of the deputies to work two jobs are largely responsible for the vacancies. The auxiliaries are committed to work the annual Fun Fair next month, but Fisher said their participation in such later events as the County Fair, the Fourth of July lake celebration and the Yesteryear Fair are uncertain. Meeting set on ways to recover flood costs An informational meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. May 10 in the Salvation Army gymnasium, 229 W.

Main on how taxing bodies in Macon County can recover damage costs caused by the April flood. County Board Chairman Bennett Bradley Jr. said federal engineers will explain how to fill out necessary paperwork. Every taxing body that sustained damage because of the flooding or which spent money to clean up flood debris should have a representative at the meeting, Bradley said. A meeting will be scheduled later for private citizens who sustained losses to apply for federal aid, he said.

Federal aid is available because President Carter has declared Macon County a disaster area. By Al Stamborski Sen. William Proxmire told a group of Richland Community College students Friday that if there's going to be gas rationing, it probably won't happen until late this year. The Wisconsin Democrat spoke to the students via telephone from his office in Washington, D.C. The political science students, who are calling politicians to supplement their book study, asked Proxmire questions for about 20 minutes.

"It's very, very hard to tell when gas rationing will go into effect, if it does," Proxmire told the group. At the earliest, he said, the government would start rationing gas late this year if at all. Whether gas is rationed depends on many factors, Proxmire said. These in- elude conservation, building cars that get better mileage, oil production, development of alternate energy sources, and whether the United States will be able to buy oil from Mexico. Proxmire also said he doesn't believe Sen.

Edward Kennedy will oppose President Carter for the Democratic presidential nomination next year. That would mean a bloody, divisive battle, he said. He predicted Carter will be nomi-. nated, "probably by acclamation," and will go on to win re-election. On the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty with the Soviets, Proxmire said, "I don't think we're getting the short end of the stick." He said "we're still ahead of the Soviets in every important military technological area.

They may have more tanks, but ours are better." One student asked the senator about the draft. "I'm very much opposed to reinstituting the draft," Proxmire said. He said he thinks the volunteer Army is working well. "In peace time, it's unfair to coerce people (to join the Army)," he added. Proxmire also was asked about his Golden Fleece awards, which he has presented monthly for the last four years for the most outrageous expenditure of tax money the previous month.

"We think we've gotten pretty good results," he said. In two-thirds of the cases, the programs cited were either eliminated or sharply cut, he said. Proxmire was the second politician called by students of Larry Klugman, professor of political science at the college. The students called Rep. Edward Madigan, R-Lincoln, last week.

On Monday, the students will talk to a high official in the U.S. Energy Department possibly Secretary "James Schlesinger at 10 a.m. At noon, they are scheduled to talk to Sen. Barry Goldwater, R-Arizona. Klugman said anyone can come to Room 212 and listen to the question-and-answer sessions.

A special telephone is used to project the speakers' voices throughout the room. Klugman said he's making these calls "to give the students a chance to talk to decision-makers." While the idea of the calls is not prtK found, Klugman said, it doesn't seem to have been tried before. He said that's, probably because no one thought these people would cooperate. However, Klugman said that's not been the case. He said both Proxmire and Goldwater have been very enthusiastic about it.

Commitments to talk to the students also have been received from Senators Charles Percy and Adlai Stevenson and Gov. James R. Thompson, Klugman said. Because this semester is almost over, calls to those people and hopefully others will have to wait until summer or fall, Klugman said. He said he also hopes to call local and state politicians.

Klugman said other college departments, such as business, also may use this calling system to supplement instruction. "It'll run up the phone bill," Klugman said, "but it's well worth it." Staff photo by Doug Gaumon The interior of the new Bergner's department store at Hickory Point. Bergner's ribbon cut About 200 people witnessed a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday that marked the opening of the new. Bergner's department store at Hickory Point Mall. "We had a difficult birth," Herbert O.

Glaser, president of Bergner's, told the crowd gathered at the mall's third major retail store. "It was hard getting here, but we welcome you to a great adventure inside." A dry-run operation of the store on Thursday had been canceled because of last minute cleanup and construction work on the store's interior, Glaser said. A second-floor restaurant, which will overlook the inside of the mall, will not be completed for about a month. Part of the women's sportswear department was also incomplete at the opening. It will be finished within about 10 days.

The store will employ 175 people, in cluding 25 from the former Myers Brothers store in downtown Decatur. Bergner's owns the Myers Brothers chain. Thomas P. Listen, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the parent P.A. Bergner announced the formation of a Decatur hospital fund which the company hopes will raise about $12,000 to be split between St.

Mary's and Decatur Memorial Hospitals. According to Bergner's, contractors hired to build the store and merchandise supplies have been asked to contribute instead of usual congratulations to the company on its new store. The building has 120,000 square feet of space. Store hours will be 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Proposals to be aired in apartment dispute ILffloll Three proposals to end a dispute about construction of apartments on Blue Mound's east side will be considered today by a homeowners association. The dispute involves alleged zoning violations, and the proposals are from the apartments' developers. "We've really got little to say until we've sat down and decided what to do," Harold Kraus, a member of the Country Side Homeowners Association, said Friday.

Neither Kraus nor John Greanias, attorney for the developers, would say what the proposals were. The developers are Joy B. Kennendy, a real estate agent, and Dr. Sydney S. Rothman, an optometrist, both of Decatur.

The homeowners charge the apartments, located in the Rainey Country Side Addition, violate the village zoning Officials mum after meeting on freeway Three arrested on drug, liquor charges Three persons were arrested on drug and liquor charges after an investigation by an undercover police officer inside the Survival Club at 337 S. Oakland Ave. Friday evening. Sgt. Gerald Hunk said police arrested a 58-year-old man and his 45-year-old wife, who operate the after-hours establishment, as well as an 18-year-old patron.

The older persons were booked for selling liquor without a license, illegal delivery of marijuana and felony possession of marijuana. The 18-year-old was booked for possession of marijuana. Hunk said that in addition to the arrests officers seized a large quantity of liquor and beer, as well as the marijuana. Boy in fair condition after bike accident Rolander A. Phillips, 11, of 1525 N.

Warren was in fair condition in Decatur Memorial Hospital with injuries received when he ran into the side of a car. The car was driven by Marvin B. Watkins, 18, of 2405 Brooks Drive. The accident occurred at Broadway and Leafland Ave. about 4:25 p.m.

Friday. Water lines to be purged The Decatur Water Department will start purging mains to free them1 of mud caused by the April flood, a spokeswoman said Friday. She said flushing will start in the South Shores area from midnight Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday. It will continue from midnight Sunday until 6 a.m.

Monday. She said flushing will be limited to early morning hours because water will become muddy. Door-to-door drive set for multiple sclerosis About 1,300 volunteers will go door-to-door in Decatur seeking donations for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society beginning Sunday. The local unit hopes to raise $20,000 by May 13, according to Robert Lamb, campaign chairman. Sixty percent of the money raised will be spent for local services and programs, and 40 percent will go to the national society, to be used primarily for research, he said.

Teens taking part in drug abuse workshop About 100 teen-agers from central Illinois are taking part in a drug abuse workshop this week at the Holiday Inn. The workshop, which will continue through Sunday, is designed to provide knowledge of alcoholism and other drug dependencies. It is sponsored by the Decatur Mental Health Center and the fahgamon-Menard Alcoholism-Drugs council. Gem. mineral show under way at Fairground The 27th annual Central Illinois Gem and Mineral Club show continues today and Sunday at the Macon County Fairground.

Indian jewelry, jade, gold and silver wirecraft, wood carving and minerals will be on display. The show, which was open Friday for school children only, is open today from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is 75 cents.

Vocational Center registration set Monday The Decatur Area Vocational Center will register pupils Monday for next year's preschool classes. Applications must be submitted in person at the center, 300 E. Eldorado St. Morning session registration will be at 8:45 a.m. Afternoon session registration will be at 12:15 p.m.

A self-addressed envelope and two 15-cent stamps should be brought for each applicant. Charges filed after court disturbance Charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest have been filed in Macon County Circuit Court against Ira Lee III, 25, of 421 S. Maffit who allegedly created a disturbance Monday in the chambers of Judge Rodney A. Scott. Man charged with beating son A battery charge has been filed in Macon County Circuit Court against Robert Spates, 43, of 981 W.

Green St Spates is charged with using a belt to strike his 13-year-old son, who has been placed temporarily in the custody of the state Department of Children and Family Services. Innocent pleas entered by Jackson Zachary Jackson, 25, of St Louis, has pleaded innocent in Macon County Circuit Court to charges of attempted murder, armed violence and armed robbery. Jackson, who was brought here from Madison County April 19, is accused, along with Frederick Johnson, 26, of St 100 price monitors sought Reps. John Dunn, D-Decatur, B.T. "Tim" Donovan, D-Decatur, and Sen.j James Rupp, R-Decatur, had no comment.

Mental health report to bring personnel shifts A report to be released later this month about the area's mental health services will result in some personnel changes, according to the director of the Illinois Department of Mental Health. Dr. Robert deVito said Friday that the department is planning "a series of announcements, including some administrative changes." Earlier, deVito had indicated that a forthcoming report about the 16-county mental health region would be both critical and complimentary. That report will be made public about the middle of this month, according to Dick Battles, a member of the department's public information staff. Neither deVito nor Battles would disclose any details of the report or pending changes.

Local legislators met Friday with Transportation Secretary John Kramer and a Decatur Chamber of Commerce official about the fate of the U.S. 51 modified freeway project But participants at the Springfield meeting shed little light on what was discussed. The meeting was called at the request of Richard Lutovsky, Chamber of Commerce executive vice president. The Chamber has endorsed an increase in the state gasoline tax. Kramer and Gov.

James Thompson say it is needed before major projects like U.S. 51 can be completed. Without the increase, work on the Decatur-Bloomington-Rockford freeway is scheduled to come to a halt in midyear. None of the 51st District's legislators has voiced support publicly for the proposed tax increase. "I don't think much has changed," said Kramer after the meeting.

Lutovsky said he would go to the Chamber board next week "and try and reach a consensus." He would not amplify. "We've had several of these meetings that are informational in nature. We want to continue our dialogue on the gas tax and on how it relates to U.S. 51," Lutovsky added, Persons with questions about flood recovery programs can call toll-free, 1-800-322-2641, for information from 10 a.m. to 7 m.

seven days a week. Red Cross to hold annual meeting Thursday The annual meeting of the Macon County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Decatur Holiday Inn. Dr. C.

William Nichols of Central Christian Church, chairman of the chapter, will speak. Reservations for the dinner meeting are due by Monday. Patrolman Williams promoted to sergeant Police patrolman James Williams has been promoted to police sergeant, assuming supervisory duties with the department's second shift uniform patrol. Williams joined the department in January 1970. He has worked second and third shifts as a patrolman.

In January 1976 he began work as a juvenile officer on the day shift. Besides extensive police training courses, he has an associate degree from Richland Community College. He is seeking a bachelor's degree in social justice at Sangamon State University. Mount Zion reviewing superintendent resumes The Mount Zion Board of Education is reviewing the resumes of eight persons who have applied to be superintendent of the district according to Richard Hahn, board president. He said the screening committee recommended the eight out of the 81 persons who applied for the job.

The job was publicized throughout Illinois and five surrounding states, Hahn said. An annual salary of about $35,000 was advertised for the position, he said. Robert L. Hickman, who quit March 1 as superintendent received $35,100. Hahn said candidates will be interviewed later this month.

He said the goal is to have a new superintendent on the job by July 1. 560 to compete in Special Olympics More than 560 contestants from seven counties will participate today in the Seventh Annual Special Olympics Outdoor Track and Field Meet at Millikin University. Registration will take place from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. in the Griswold Physical Education Center. A parade around the track will be held at 8:30 a.m.

The games will begin at 9:30 a.m. Barn Colony art sale begins Sunday The Decatur Barn Colony Artists Inc. will sell works of art by its members Sunday through Wednesday in the Haines Essick Building, 116 N. Main St The 60 to 70 works of art will be on display from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday and noon to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Monday through Wednesday. Crestwood residents may connect to new line City engineering officials have announced that those within the Crest-, wood special assessment sanitary sewer district may connect to a newly-in- stalled sewer line. Plumbers can obtain permits for the -connections from the Decatur Engineering Department. The district includes 47 sites west of South Franklin Street Road and between West Grove Road and Hillshire Street ordinance in three ways: having twice as many units (16 instead of eight) as the multi-family zone allows, having insufficient parking space, and having parking in front of, rather than behind, the buildings. Village officials issued the developers a building permit, but say they did not realize how many apartment units were involved at the time.

Village Attorney Jeffrey K. Davison said the village has not issued a stop work order, but as part of the negotiations to solve the problem the builder has not expanded the project beyond the eight units under construction. The homeowners association has retained Decatur attorney Daniel L. Gau-mer to represent it. Members have vowed they will not back down on their demands that the provisions of the village zoning ordinance be met prices should call Monkota Karnes at 428-0039 for more information.

Local man dies in Jacksonville auto accident A 31-year-old Decatur man was killed and his wife and two children injured in a two-vehicle accident Friday at the east edge of Jacksonville. John R. Morse of 1807 S. 34th Place was killed when the pickup he was driving westbound on U.S. 36 was hit in the side by a car driven by Mary D.

Griff-itts, 31, of Jacksonville, according to Illinois State Police. Mrs. Griffitts, travelling eastbound, was attempting to make a left turn when she struck the Morse vehicle, police said. Morse's Stephanie, 30, and son, Michael, 2, were reported in satisfactory condition Friday in Passavant Area Hospital, Jacksonville. His daughter, Jennifer, 7, was reported in serious condition Friday in St John's Hospital, Springfield.

Mrs. Griffits was treated and released at the Jacksonville hospital. Her three children, who were passengers in the car, were not injured. OKs plan new wells "We can't go back and say everyone who has a well must reconstruct it to meet the standards that would be set by this ordinance," Shrout said. "But if a property owner proposes to make any major change in a well, the ordinance would apply," he said.

The Health Department lately has received a number of complaints about bad wells, Shrout said. "In one recent case an older woman called to ask whether her well was safe to drink from after she found a dead rat in it" Shrout said. That well's top was left open with only a few boards thrown over it, he jsaid. The boards did not cover the opening adequately and "almost anything" could have fallen in, he said. Shrout said without any enforcement 'tools the department has had to call on the Illinois Department of Public Aid it receives a complaint.

By Marc Meltzer About 100 people are needed to monitor prices in Decatur as part of a nationwide Price Watch program sponsored by the AFL-CIO. Ray Maulden, labor liaison for the United Way of Decatur Macon County, said volunteers are needed to keep track of prices of groceries, medical costs, clothing, rent and utility bills. He said information collected locally will be passed on to the AFL-CIO, which is forwarding it to President Carter. Anyone in the community interested in taking part is welcome, he added. "We welcome all the help we can get, and we'll be glad to teach anyone who wants to help how to keep tabs on prices fairly, accurately and consistently," Decatur Trades Labor Assembly President William J.

Moore said. Maulden said the assembly began organizing the local Price Watch effort about a month ago after being asked by the AFL-CIO. He said it's his opinion the AFL-CIO began the program because its leadership wants to convince President Carter to impose mandatory wage and price controls. The leadership is convinced the current voluntary wage and price guidelines are not effective, he said. Anyone interested in monitoring Committee to regulate A proposed ordinance to regulate construction of private wells was approved Thursday by the Macon County Board Health, Agriculture, Welfare and Safety Committee.

The tentative ordinance will be circulated among the 24 members of the board for their comments. A public, bearing to give well drillers and the public an opportunity to comment will be scheduled the end of this month. Final action by the board is anticipated at its June 12 meeting. County Health Department Administrator Robert Shrout told the committee "Thursday the county needs the ordinance to enforce sanitary conditions in new wells. The proposed ordinance would make well contractors licensed, by paying $50 "a year to the state or county.

Con-(tractors also would have to get well (construction permits, costing $15, for leach well they drill. CHILDREN PUT ON a happy face Friday at Roach School's Outdoor Carnival, with a little help from teacher Darla Mendenhall. Here, Mich-, elle Knorr, 10, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Knorr of 109 S.

21st gets a set of chin whiskers. (Staff photo by Doug Gaumon).