Circle, The (Newspaper) - March 31, 1971, Chicago, Illinois Berlinsky vs Barr The great debates begin The first great debate between Joliet's two mayoral candidates Maurice Berlinsky and William Barr became a reality last week at Joliet Catholic High school See related editorial on page 4 The debate was brought about through the efforts of a senior and vice president of the Student Council and Dale Hardin president of the sophomore class The students asked that the candidates refrain from making personal at- tacks and the two spent the evening obeying the request almost to the letter Both candidates however exceeded alloted time limits during the speeches and question and answer period even though they were asked to keep an eye on the clock Mayor Berlinsky started the evening with an an- that he said Vividly demonstrates the positive accomplishments of this administration and justifies the uncounted hours of hard work and dedication of your mayor your city council and your city manager Berlinsky then told the audience that he received a letter from the Economics Laboratory of Minnesota agreeing to purchase a 70 acre tract of land in the Chicago Sand and Gravel Co southwest of Joliet The proposed to million plant should be in by December of this year Berlinsky said the plant will first employ 125 Joliet working people but added that the number would rise to 300 The mayor pointed out that the plant would broaden the tax base and Provide more services without increasing the real estate tax This is certainly an an- swer to those who have called Joliet stagnant This has come about because of the planning that my op- ponent has ridiculed In rebuttal Barr pointed out that Berlinsky had op- annexation of the land on which the new plant will be built The mayor defended his track record of the past 12 years saying Much is there for us to see and not all is in brick and He cited the financial condition of Joliet pointing out that the city has yet to sell its first tax anticipation warrant He also pointed to various projects undertaken during his administration including the trainee program at city hall the police cadet program progress made on plans for the improvement of the waterway which will eliminate bridge lifts the proposed downtown lighting program and the Joliet bus system On downtown Berlinsky cited the proposed lighting program and pointed to the downtown property owners commitment of for sidewalks curbs and ters Berlinsky said that tax bills may be higher But that is because of the educational levy The city has reduced its levy and has increased services He said that Joliet municipal employees are the highest paid in the state and pointed to the law turnover rate There is no such thing as patronage in the city administration Their jobs are secure because they're not beholden to any person for their jobs continued on page 3 What's Happening The American Cancer Society will hold a Teen Kickoff and training session tonight at the Moraine Valley Building Joliet Junior College p.m Any interested teen ts invited The Joliet YMCA Youth Legislature will sponsor an Overnight for alt girls ages 7 through 14 on Friday at p.m at the Deadline for absentee voting in the Joliet Township election is Saturday April to 4.30 p m at the Clerk's Office 155 N Scott st Tomorrow is the last day to apply for ballet by mail Shorewood Ladies of the Lions Club will hold a meeting tomorrow at p.m at Anderson's Restaurant There will be an Environmental Teach-in at Way High school Saturday Apr 3 from p.m Joliet Catholic High school's annual Ham Dinner will be this Sunday Apr 4 in the school cafeteria from to p.m Bring your Joliet Mayoral Candidates will debate at Joliet West High school Apr 7 between 1 and 3 p.m Go and ask questions It's your city Circle An Economist Publication For Fort Action WANT ADS Goi VOL 3 NO 10 WEDNESDAY MARCH 31 1971 IOC PER COPY Burglary victims testify as cop case goes to jury The grand jury began hearing testimony last week from 23 businessmen tims of a series of burglaries that took place in Crest Hill Joliet and Lockport The businessmen were called upon to testify as to whether merchandise confiscated from the homes of five area policemen and the home of a civilian is stolen Arrested and charged conspiracy to commit burglary are five Police Chief Paul Eaker Sgt Patrick Barnett and patrolmen Gregory Hutson and Dennis all of the Crest Hill Police and Sgt Richard Morelli of the Lockport Police All are now out on bond State's Attorney Lewis Bertani refused to confirm whether the informant that tipped state and county police to the possible im- plication of the officers is Tony Wright 33 of Crest Hill a convicted burglar now out on probation Bertani said that Chicago newspapers had jumped the gun in naming Wright as the informant According to reliable Crest Hill sources Wright was instrumental in burglary tip off m Crest Hill some years ago informing authorities of a burglary that was to take place on the night on Dec 12 1969 as he and an accomplice Andy Kovacivich now in prison and perhaps an informant in the police broke into World of Sports on Plainfield rd Wright is said to have told authorities of the burglary Police in- Hutson Barnett and Eaker arrested both Wright and Kovacevich that night A jury found both not guilty because of police en- Bertani would also not confirm whether Wright's house was being watched as a protective precaution but two squad cars have been seen parked in the vicinity of Wright's home since the arrests were made State and county police searched the homes of the five officers and the home of Joyce who was described by Bertani as a friend of Hutson's She is also the sister of Jack Santerelli a Crest Hill policeman Bertani said neither Joyce or Jack is implicated in the case Miss Sate re Hi received a television set from Hutson which may or may not be one of those that was stolon She is an innocent Bertani said Bertani called the fact that Joyce and Jack being related a Barnett and Hutson have relatives on the Crest Hill Auxiliary Force but they too have not been arrested and Bertani said they are in no way implicated He said it was common practice in a small town to have a number of relatives involved in police work and in the Crest Hill case it has no legal significance Bertani said he could rule out the of further arrests of policemen or civilians at this time He added that he had no Continued on Page Easter Seal Sweetheart Little Stephanie 3 smiles the hope that everyone will be during this year's Easter Seal campaign Stephanie is one of the many youngsters and adults who receive help and guidance at the Easter Seal Center in Joliet A bright little doll Stephanie looks forward to the day she can walk with braces to help her way ircle photo by Rick Harty Easter Bunny for kids That's how Suzanne Vavrus described Joliet Easter Seal Campaign Drive Mrs Vavrus chairman of the ex- pressed the hope when people think of Easter they will think of Seals The campaign is in full swing now and will run through the month of April with mailings door-to-door campaigns school tions and canisters in local businesses Mrs Vavrus said teers are still needed for door bell ringing which is underway now through April 4 Anyone who wants to volunteer their services to collect donations door should contact the drive by calling or 153 Funds raised during the continued on page 8
