The agenda for Tuesday’s board meeting is jammed with proposed construction projects – and questions.

– Why, for example, has it taken the board so long to discuss installation of left turn lanes off Lake onto Forest and Magnolia streets west of Milwaukee Avenue? Why did the neighbors have to petition to correct an obvious hazard? There have been 44 accidents reported at those intersections since 1996, and public works chief Bill Porter says one in four could have been prevented with turn lanes. The work, which involves collaboration between Cook County and the village, will not begin until 2002. When did President Firfer tell County Commissioner Greg Goslin about the problem?

– Harza Engineering may be asked to undertake a preliminary study of drainage problems along Shermer Road between Lake and Golf. Some folks who live in that area have complained about flooding for years. How much longer will they wait for action?

– Also on the agenda, plans to rebuild the Glenview Road bridge and water main. The project is set to start on April Fool’s Day 2001. Is village management celebrating early? In their pre-meeting information packet at the library there’s a photograph of a bridge. It’s not the one on Glenview Road next to OLPH, but the Waukegan Avenue bridge just south of Optima.

– Concord Homes wants to build 66 townhouses on an 8.7- acre parcel south of Glenview Road with frontage on Milwaukee. The land is now zoned to allow two houses per acre, and the comprehensive plan drafted in 1990 designates the property as a good site for single-family homes. No formal request has been made, but the developer would like to know if the trustees might consider a zoning change to permit high density construction? Tune in at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday on cable channel 17.

The trustees may also discuss an ordinance that would regulate destruction of trees above a certain size. Homeowners would be allowed to remove them but might have to pay a fine or replace the trees. The current moratorium bans cutting of trees with a trunk diameter of 10 inches or more, and some advocates think the bar should drop to six inches – the measure used by Northbrook and other communities. Watch for Kent Fuller, a trained forester, to argue for leniency – allowing bigger trees to be removed without penalty.

Members of the CAP organization – a group formed to fight for proportional new homes replacing teardowns – scored a small victory last week when they called village hall to report that builder Bernie Schmidt was piling dirt around a large tree’s trunk at his construction site on Lenox Road. That practice deprives the tree of oxygen and can lead to its death. The current moratorium on cutting down trees exempts dead ones.

At first, village bureaucrats claimed nothing could be done, but defenders of the tree asked that in light of our moratorium Glenview’s professional arborist be called. A short time later, the village ordered Schmidt to stop work and closed down his construction site.

A large citizen panel appointed to plan Glenview’s future met Monday and announced its first order of business – to hire a consultant.

Among other things, the Comprehensive Plan Committee wants an expert to look at quality of life, commercial and economic goals, community facilities and transportation, and to consider what might best be done with the Old Willow Triangle and the Lehigh/Chestnut Triangle – industrial areas adjacent to The Glen, Chestnut Avenue from Lehigh to the cemetery, the Jefferson/Monroe area (behind the Glenview Car Wash), Waukegan Road from Harrison to Willow, the Greenwood/West Lake area (west of The Glen), Milwaukee Avenue and downtown.

Committee Chair Larry Carlson predicts the panel will take 18 months to reach its conclusions, but in a tone reminiscent of the defiant Tim Doron who would not be pressed for a timely teardown ordinance, Carlson warned, "If we end up going over because there’s things that require more of our attention, then that’s what we’re going to do."

Editor’s note: We are disturbed by this lack of urgency. At a time when developers are moving full-speed ahead and important, long-term decisions must be made, it seems arrogant to disregard reasonable deadlines. Is 18 months such a difficult target? If your boss asked for a report in 18 months, would you shrug and say it might take longer?

More critically, the committee intends to spend two to four months on public hearings. Those open meetings at village hall give the impression that residents are being consulted, but the vast majority of citizens never show up. They may be busy or tired or afraid to speak publicly. Perhaps they think their views won’t count. Whatever the reason, there must be outreach to learn what all of Glenview really wants. It’s time for village officials to conduct a substantial professional poll of residents and their hopes for the future of our village.

This week’s issue of the Glenview Announcements details our water deal with Wilmette. As reported in the Watch, we’ll pay our sister suburb $100 million over the next twenty years for up to eight million gallons a day – much of it for The Glen. We also pay $4.5 million to improve their water plant, and our rates are expected to rise more than 15 percent over time.

The Watch wonders how planners of The Glen, who promised no new taxes, could have forgotten something as fundamental as water. This expense and the call for higher school taxes support the claim of open space advocates who say development is often more expensive for a community than preserving land for passive recreation.

Also in the Announcements, reporter Lynne Stiefel shares the surprising story that office developer Lane Industries hopes to build a 128,000 square-foot building on Skokie Boulevard south of Dundee. They’re asking School District 225 for a tax break, arguing that competition from Lake County (low tax land for office parks) makes building in Cook County a difficult proposition. About a year ago, Stiefel says, Lane Industries argued against such a tax break for their competitor, Douglas Elliman-Beitler, which wanted to build offices near the intersection of Techny and Waukegan Roads. District 225 refused the tax break, and Douglas Elliman-Beitler decided not to build.

But the best reading of all was found among letters to the editor. There, Plan Commissioner Jack Bevington discourses on drinking beer around the campfire and discussing the fate of the universe, Glenview politicians and life on other planets with his neighbor and their wives. "My neighbor is not often moved, nor am I, to making brilliant observations that tend to stop the conversation in its tracks," Bevington says, "but this night he did. When we all turned to stare at him in apparent disbelief he said, ‘Well, hey, my mother didn’t raise a piece of cheese.’"

Leaving puzzled readers in the dust, Bevington goes on to complain that he was mistakenly called "Dick Bevington" by a reader of the Announcements. "If it will help you to remember my name, please call me jack cheese," he wrote.

"Someone once said that cheese and politicians begin to smell and get moldy the longer they age and stay in office," Bevington continued. "I would also add that the same applies to political preachers, practitioners of public relations spin doctoring, and certainly to political appointees like myself."

He then rails against one of his critics, calling her "rancid," and describes another as a "vocal virago with political ambitions." Webster defines "virago" in two ways – a loud overbearing woman or a woman of great stature, strength, and courage. We suppose Bevington had that first meaning in mind, but the second might actually apply.

The long time Plan Commissioner then concludes, "Perhaps this old cheese is ready to be thrown out, voluntarily or otherwise. But then again, like fine old wine, maybe just maybe, I’ll stick around a bit longer and see what develops."

Editor’s note: Bevington’s term has expired. The Plan Commission urgently needs new blood, new vision and new expertise if Glenview is to survive the intense years of development ahead. In appointing new members to the team, we hope President Firfer and the board will consider credentials rather than politics.

At the start of this school year, District 225 parents got an apologetic note from Associate Principal Barbara Dill-Varga. It began: "We are aware of the increasing cost of books, and we want to assure you that we are doing all that we can do to bring you books and materials as reasonably as possible," and concluded: "Please know that we will continue to do all that we can to control costs."

A few days later, former school board member and parent Art Wulf came to a board meeting to complain. His kid was not allowed to use a two-year-old Spanish text because a new edition was required. "The Board guidelines say books are to be used for at least five years unless the book is obsolete," said Wulf. "Since the new book is about 95 percent the same, it certainly is not obsolete."

He also pointed out that some teachers encourage students to use a highlighter for better learning. "My student used a highlighter in a textbook on five pages out of 500. The book store would not buy it back."

Parents routinely pay $400 - $500 for high school books. Barbara Dill-Varga says she’s new to the job but has put textbooks at the top of her list for discussion with staff.

In our story about the District 34 referenda, we identified Gay Meier as the schools’ chief financial officer. In fact, she is Executive Assistant to the Superintendent . The serious number crunching and dollar counting duties belong to Patricia Siegel, who joined the district in July.

If you’re looking for that first career or yearning for a change, you might get some help from Glenview’s Public Library. On the first Wednesday of each month, beginning September 6, a professional career counselor will be standing by to advise. You can make an appointment for your free 30-minute session by calling 729-7500, or come by and hope for the best. Walk-ins will be served as time permits.

READERS WRITE ABOUT SKUNKS:

"The skunks are everywhere," says south Glenview resident Rick Nasello. "Since the development of The Glen began, there has been a very noticeable increase in the skunk population in the village. Everywhere you go people are talking about skunks. Their home on the old naval base has been eliminated, and they are infiltrating the neighborhoods. You have

to make a lot of noise every time you go into your back yard so the little smell bombs know you are coming."

"If they are feeding, they will hold their ground and dare you to get closer. They are deadly with their aim. If you’re within 15 feet of them, they will get you right between the eyes with their spray. At about $75.00 a skunk, most homeowners won’t call in a professional to get rid of them. Why can’t the village allow us homeowners to trap and (ahem) dispatch these rabid nuisances?"

Skunks are found everywhere in Illinois and according to Steve Swanson at the Grove they are common in Glenview. By late summer, skunk babies, born in litters that average between five and seven, are becoming independent. This could account for more sightings. Skunks do find plenty of food in Glenview. They eat grubs, grasshoppers, crickets, mice, bird eggs, berries, pet food and garbage.

There’s no official skunk census and no evidence that these beasts are being driven from homes at The Glen. I live next to the former Air Station, and I have not noticed anymore skunks than usual – though I did rescue four harmless and homeless snakes from my window-wells this spring.

Rick is correct that skunks hold their ground and can spray up to 15 feet. Fortunately, the slow moving skunk usually uses its fragrant defense as a last resort when threatened, and skunks often give a warning beforehand – stomping their feet; arching their backs and positioning the body in a U-shape where both head and tail are turned towards the target.

The skunk’s distinctive stripe is an advertisement to leave them alone. This warning works well for everything except great horned owls (immune to the spray), cars and dogs. Therefore, I advise you to keep pets leashed, even in your yard.

Trapping may be a waste of time and money. Relocating the skunk you have will often produce an influx of skunks from the surrounding area. Instead, keep skunks out of your yard with a fence that’s secure at ground level and at least three feet high. Unless it’s slatted or rough, these animals can’t climb over a structure that tall. Eliminate small holes that allow access to spaces under houses, decks and sheds.

Refrain from feeding pets outside and close garbage cans tightly. Avoid overwatering yards. A wet lawn attracts more grubs and makes it easier for skunks to dig for them. Plant more native, drought-resistant plants which are less skunk-friendly.

If you suspect there’s a skunk nearby, make some noise so the animal knows you’re there. Skunks have poor vision and will spray if startled. If you come face to face with this member of the weasel family, stand still and speak in a low voice. With luck, the animal will run away.

If it doesn’t, visit www.projectwildlife.org for advice on eliminating the smell of a skunk.

Finally, if you see a skunk that’s paralyzed, unsteady or has a discharge from the eyes or nose, that animal could be suffering distemper or rabies. Call Glenview police and ask for animal control. My vet says there are no reports of rabid skunks in this area, but with wildlife, it’s best to be careful.

Other good sources of information include Stokes Guide to Animal Tracking and Behavior by Donald and Lillian Stokes, Coyotes in the Crosswalks by Diane Swanson (a great kids book – ages 8 – 12) and Peterson’s Field Guide to Mammals by William B. Hurt.

Lisa and Mike Helford: "We just wanted to respond to the printed comment from CARE ‘that they want to keep the promise that redevelopment of the Naval Air Station will not cost homeowners additional taxes.’ This is not the schools' promise; this is straight from the village. The trustees at that time neglected to require the developers to pay impact fees as they do in other communities. Let's not take out our frustration on the education of our children because of the way the village is redeveloping the base. While it is true that the majority of voters do not have children in District 34, the reputation of our schools will most directly affect the value of everyone's property. Without proper space and funding, the quality of education will undoubtedly fall and we will not educate our children as effectively as our neighboring communities. Do we want Glenview to become the educational slum of the North Shore?"

"The Illinois State Board of Education finds it important enough for District 34 to have a new middle school that they are willing to grant us 1/4 of the cost ($6.2+ million) IF WE PASS the November referenda to 1) build and equip the school and 2) staff the school. Our children and our community are worth it and it will be reflected in the increased value of homes/real estate."

JgR, a member of the CARE group opposing more money for District 34 disputes "Dot Weber's explanation in GW that our white paper facts are outdated, and that the schools are ‘different than they were even five years ago.’"

"The Kasarda Study is a PROJECTION, and, as far as I can see, is right on the money so far. As to children with special needs, we have been serving these kids for years. What she is really saying is that as they define each OLD program with new labels, they now want to identify a physical place for that class. For shame if two teachers needed to share the same black board at two different times of day."

"Fiscally Responsible? Why is it that people in general are always making jokes about waste in government, lazy do nothing public employees leaning on a shovel with four supervisors watching and the like, and don't use that same objective analysis of our schools? Been to the motor vehicle department lately? The same mentality is alive and well in our schools."

"Fiscally responsible? We don't live in Lake Forest or Northbrook. Our tax base is different, and the ‘keep up with the Joneses’ mentality of this district is what has gotten us into our fiscal trouble. If they think that they have to pay the same as Wilmette and Glencoe for a superintendent they are fools. Prospective, top notch superintendents and teachers would die for a job in Glenview at just above half the price we now pay."

"Look at the bottom line: District 28 and District 27 cost per pupil versus state test scores. Look at Minneapolis versus Washington D.C. In Minneapolis, they have low-cost larger classes and the best test scores in the country. In D.C. they pay more than here, have small classes, and except for Mississippi, have the worst test scores in the country. COST IS NOT THE ISSUE. The only proven indicator of success for students is the socioeconomic background of the parents, not how much space the class has or how much we pay the teachers and principals."

"The full White Paper and the Kasarda Report are available at the Glenview Library. Take a look for yourself. If at election time you are not sure about the facts of these maters, vote NO. You will get another chance in April."

Alexis Reynolds argues the other side: "The Illinois State Board of Education finds it important enough for District 34 to have a new middle school, that they are willing to grant us one-fourth of the cost ($6.2+ million) if we pass the November referenda to build, equip and staff a new school. Our children and our community are worth it and it will be reflected in the increased value of our homes."

LG writes: "It seems odd that the village of Glenview has not taken advantage of the experience, knowledge, vision and fiscal responsibility demonstrated over and over by the Glenview Park District in areas concerning the environment, land and space planning, wildlife needs, etc. What gives? Or should I say, what doesn't give? There is a lot of unnecessary confusion and misinformation. In the end, we will have spent far more planning and implementing these areas at the Glen than was necessary. Take a look at the Grove, a Park District enterprise, and you'll realize the value of the Park District's input."

PW writes: "The location where Trader Joe's is moving in used to house Homer’s Ice Cream. We were wondering if they moved to another location or closed shop (which would be sad). We have never seen a sign indicating any information. Do you know? Thanks."

The Watch replies: A spokesman for Homer’s (Lonnie the Manager) says the Glenview ice cream parlor was displaced by Walgreen’s. "Whatever Walgreen’s wants, Walgreen’s gets," he says referring to the pharmacy giant’s decision to locate on the northeast corner of Waukegan and Glenview Roads. Homer’s hopes to find a new home at The Glen in a year or two. Until then, you can order a double dip at their store on Green Bay Road in Wilmette.

The Glenview Straight Talk, a new publication around town, begins this week with an attack on our occasional practice of quoting Village Board President Nancy Firfer verbatim. The still anonymous authors believe we "intentionally make fun of people."

We want to say, again, that we do not mean to mock Ms. Firfer but have observed a very clear pattern in her public pronouncements. When she is confident of her position and understands the issues, Firfer is articulate. When she is uncertain and, perhaps, trying to conceal the facts, she becomes quite tongue tied.

On at least three occasions we have pointed this out. Once, Firfer was confronted about her failure to put a representative from the League of Women Voters on an important village committee. The League had done a good deal of research on the subject and clearly wanted to be involved.

In the second instance, Firfer was asked to cast a tie-breaking vote on the issue of fencing construction sites. She seemed not to have followed debate on the matter and did not know what to say.

Finally, when confronted with a question about affordable senior housing at The Glen, Firfer appeared to be fudging – making it sound like such accommodations were just around the corner when, in fact, cheap digs at The Glen may never be a reality.

Glenview Watch is not about personal attack. It is about the performance of public officials, about the conduct of local government and the quality of leadership in our village.

That said, readers may challenge last week’s story in which Plan Commission Chair Tim Doron mistook a noun for an adverb. The truth is, some people can’t identify parts of speech – and really, who cares? On the other hand, we do like to pick-out those precious moments from public meetings, the funny things that people say and do. While we have criticized Doron in the past for substantive issues, we meant no offense with our remark about grammar and would have shared that humorous moment with the public even if it had been uttered by our dearest friends in government. Observing public meetings can be a chore, but the humor and odd details make government watching fun.

If the folks at Straight Talk want to be cheerleaders, we suggest they go back to high school.

To read past isssues of Glenview Watch, Click Here