The Huntley Farmside

              SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HUNTLEY SINCE 1960
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USPS 580-360
THURSDAY, MAY 18,1995 - VOLUME 35, NUMBER 7 - HUNTLEY, ILLINOIS
TWENTY-nVE CENTS
Huntley organization rallies against gangs
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By Jill Wenzloff
News Director	
While Huntley may seem like a quiet, peaceM place to live, increasing gang activity threatens the quality of life residents enjoy.
Commimities Against Gangs, an organization devoted to preventing gangs within commimities, held their first meeting Tuesday night at Huntley Grade School.
Phyllis K. Walters, President of the C.A.G. explained that the only way to keep gangs from coming to Huntley is to implement a strong prevention program.
"Gangs are not a problem here yet, but they are a presence," Walters said.
"Huntley is surroimded by many other communities that are filled with gangs, and unless we do something, they will come here, too," she said.
"I like McHenry County. I
want to live in McHenry for the rest of my life, but I also want it to be a safe place, and a nice place, for my grandchildren," Walters said.
She urged Huntley residents to become more involved in local prevention by forming neighbor¬ hood watch groups and other commimity awareness groups.
Les Lunsman ofthe North Central Narcotics Task Force Gang Unit also spoke on the dangers of gang infiltration in the community.
"No one should be allowed to come in and force our children into doing something they don't want to do," Lunsman said.
Philip Prossnitz, Asst. 111. State's Attomey, compared the gangs to cockroaches.
"Once you get cockroaches into your home, it's almost impossible to get them out. You have to stop
them fi-om coming in the first place. The same holds true for gangs," Prossnitz said.
He added that he does not feel Huntley .^^       ' *^^   has a
lage ^
g a n g"^    ^   ^ problem
at this time, but he stressed that
this is no reason not to be
concemed.
"I think that, for the most part, we are ahead of it, and that's good," Prossnitz said. "If we are on top of it, we can deter it."
He said that residents need to look at the gang situations in towns around Huntley as well, not just at the town itself
"Ifyou don't think this problem
is just a hop, skip and jump away from Huntley, you're wrong," said Prossnitz.
"We are surrounded by hardcore gangs. Ifyou watch the papers, you'll hear of a big gang- related drag roundup in Carpentersville within the next week. Carpentersville is a nest of gang activity. Elgin has gangs. Just because you don't see it in Huntley yet...it is all around you."
Huntley police officer Mike Hewitt spoke on prevention measures residents can take and urged all residents to get involved in the Huntley chapter of C. A.G.
C. A.G. has scheduled another meeting for May 24 at 7:00p.m. at the park district office.
Residents interested in joining the Huntley chapter of C.A.G. can call the Huntley Police Department at 669-2141 for more information.
First National Bank opens Huntley branch
By Jill Wenzloff
News Director
On Tuesday, May 16, First National Bank ofMarengo officially opened the new Huntley branch with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house.
"We're very pleased to be in Huntley," said Carole Bartman, bank president.
"Huntley resident Millie Ruth encouraged us to build a branch ^ •«f;ntley, and we're certainly gi<.ache did! She is now a director ofthe bank," Bartman said.
The new Huntley banking ,5^.7 is a iiill-service branch of the First National Bank of Marengo. It offers an on-site loan department, complete teller, drive-through and ATM services, and also offers safe deposit boxes.
^re Huntley's only ir ntly-owned bank, and
we're aedicated to providing excellent customer service," Bartman said.
First National Bank of Marengo was formed in 1976 by a group of local businessmen and women who wanted a fiill- service, commercial bank that would work well with its
Mayor Jim Dhamer cuts the ribbon in front of the new First National Bank of Marengo Huntley Branch as (I to r) Carole Bartman, bank president, Cathy DeQuaker, executive director of Huntley Chamber of Commerce, and Brenda Curry, branch manager, look on.
customers.
Many ofthe bank's founders are still directors ofthe vaious branches because they feel it is important to keep strong ties within the community.
First National Bank of
Marengo also operates two other locations. The original bank is located at 102 N. State St., Marengo, IL 60152. The Lake in the Hills branch is located at 2100 Algonquin Road, Lake in the Hills, IL 60102.
Bankers using the Huntley Banking Center will always be able to bank at the other two locations as well, Bartman said.
Last year, the First National Bank ofMarengo was rated first in local lending (within McHenry
C.A.G. offers strategies for varents
Communities Against Gangs C.A.G.) has compiled a list of 10 parenting strategics which iiclp prevent children and tecn- iigers from getting involved in ;ang.s.
1. We cannot say it cannot happen here.
2. Demand accountability br time spent.
3. Demand accountability 'or friends.
4. Demand accountability br money and clothes.
5. Meet and greet friends.
6. Introduce yourself to larents of friends.
7. Be observant of dress satterns and jewelry.
8. Require positive activities for your sons and [laughters.
9. Talk about dangers find impress upon them the reality of gangs.
10. Ask questions whenever vou're
suspicious.
I
Due to a printing error, The Huntley Farmside is being published one day later than usual. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
County) by Illinois State Treasurer Patrick Quinn. More than 75% of bank deposits were re-invested locally in loans.
The Huntley Banking Center will continue to celebrate its grand opening May 18, 19 and 20.
The public is invited to come see the new bank during these days, as there will be many giveaways and prizes.
Refreshments will be served, and there will be balloons for kids.