Glenview residents were reaching out late this week to families left homeless after a deadly fire burned through an apartment building on Greenwood at West Lake. The American Red Cross arranged temporary shelter and is supplying food and medicine for more than 70 children and adults, but some of them lost everything in the fire. To meet their long term needs, Northfield Township is asking for donations. The money will be used to provide a security deposit and pay the first month’s rent for new apartments. "In this part of the world, that can easily be a $1500 bill," said Township spokesman Miguel Nunez. Checks can be made payable to the Northfield Township Fire Relief Fund and mailed to 3801 W. Lake Ave., Glenview, IL 60025. Northfield may be accepting donations of furniture next week. For more information, call 724-8300.

You can also send a check to the "Debra Gelfand Fund for Children" at P.O. Box 368, Glenview. The Fund is administered through School District 34 and has been helping kids in Glenview for 10 years. Contributions are tax deductible.

The families need clothing, furniture, plates, silverware, pots and pans, sheets, towels, blankets, pillows, toiletries, toys, books, crayons and games. (If you donate used clothes, please put them into bags labeled for age and gender – i.e. boy, age 5.) Gift certificates to local stores and supermarkets would be a special treat – allowing families to replace those items not donated.

Smaller goods can be dropped off at Westbrook, Glen Grove, or Springman where many of the homeless kids attend school. Arrangements for furniture can be made by contacting Dina Shiner, Springman's social worker, at 998-5020.

St. Catherine Laboure is also collecting used clothes, shoes, coats and non-perishable food . You can leave donations in Father Murphy’s red truck in the church parking lot. (Take Lake west to Greenwood, go north to Thornwood, then west to St. Catherine’s.)

After the last local election in the spring of 1999, members of the Glenview First party complained that many people appointed to village boards and commissions were serving terms that expired months or years ago. They urged that new people be considered for positions on those panels and eventually submitted names of folks they thought well qualified.

Tuesday night Village Board President Nancy Firfer surprised the public with her own approach – a plan to keep her political pals on the Plan Commission, Zoning Board and Appearance Commission for years to come. Calling it a simple matter of "housekeeping," Firfer proposed the blanket reappointment of 16 people, including the Plan Commission’s Tim Doron and Jack Bevington and the Zoning Board’s Ty Laurie and Mary Novotny.

Trustee Rachel Cook was the first to object, saying she had no information about the reappointments and proposing a two-week delay. Firfer quickly produced a sheet with the names and term dates of those being considered, and Trustee Larry Carlson rushed to endorse the reappointments. "I think we all know these people. They’re good people. They have Glenview in their hearts."

But Cook wasn’t buying it. "We are looking to an election next April, and eight months before an election that could significantly change the direction of this village is not the time to be appointing people for five-year terms."

Her political ally John Crawford was equally irked by Firfer’s fast one. "The village president should be a unifying force," he thundered. "Instead, since last April when I and two other trustees were elected, the village president and some members of the Village United Party have made it their business to make us feel as unwelcome as possible. We have been insulted, ignored, and I’m getting tired of it. I hope that by next April we have a president who knows how to make nominations, who knows how to consult with people."

Firfer shrugged off the criticism, contending – in a chilly tone – that she was only responding to Crawford’s call (last January) to bring appointments up to date, and Trustee Patton urged a speedy sign off. "I think what best serves the people of this town is stability. These individuals have considerable experience. . .Keeping these individuals minimizes the amount of time the village staff would have to spend to educate new people that come to the boards. I don’t think the people in this town want us to worry about what an election is going to do or what an election isn’t going to do."

Editor’s note: What an astonishing statement – and from a politician no less! Of course voters care about the impact of an election. Why else do we bother casting ballots? We elect candidates who share our views, and we want them to appoint people who also share our perspective.

The Watch is surprised by Patton’s concern about the time needed to educate new appointees. Last spring, when President Firfer nominated Jim Patterson to the Plan Commission, Patton was all for putting novices on boards. Patterson had no government experience and no background in planning, but Patton argued that, "he represents the normal citizen."

In the weeks that followed, Patterson proved a serious embarrassment, struggling to understand the complexities of his new job and slowing the commission’s progress.

Larry Carlson seems to think being "good" and having Glenview in your heart is enough, but the difficult issues of our time demand real qualifications from our public servants. As Trustee Donna Pappo said, "This village is over 38,000 people, and we haven’t begun to tap into the talent that’s available. I feel it’s so important that this be an inclusive government and not an exclusive one and that we open up these seats that are available on our commissions to the whole village and not just the people who’ve shown interest in the past."

Sadly, a majority ignored her call to the high road, voting to reconfirm Zoning Board members for five year terms, Plan Commissioners for four years and Appearance Commissioners for three.

The debate described above and several other topics took up most of the board’s meeting Tuesday, but these topics did not appear on the agenda. The argument over reappointments came as part of what was listed only as the "president’s report." On August 15, as part of the "manager’s report," the board and the public spent two and a half hours debating a moratorium on teardowns.

Editor’s note: The problem with such unscheduled discussions is that people who may care about a subject don’t know that it will be discussed and that action may be taken. They don’t get a chance to speak before the board or even to write a letter. Worse still, some people may know what’s coming while others do not. When the teardown moratorium was debated, for example, opponents got a call from village staff, but supporters were not notified of plans to talk about and vote on the subject.

At best, the failure to put important and controversial subjects on the agenda is sloppy government. At worst, it’s devious, and in either event, it’s not the way a democracy should work.

The Glenview Announcements faces an uncertain future as parent company Hollinger International tries to sell off many of its local newspapers. The Canadian firm owns 77 dailies and 302 weeklies but announced, in April, that it wanted to unload the weeklies. All of the Pioneer Press papers, including the Announcements, may be on the block.

In an apparent effort to cut operating costs and make the company more appealing to prospective buyers, The Pioneer Press has imposed a hiring freeze, and no overtime is being paid to reporters. That could explain why there was so little coverage of Glenview news in this week’s issue of the Announcements and no coverage of the Village Board meeting.

Village Manager Paul McCarthy, who used to copy and distribute The Watch to Glenview’s Trustees, is no longer doing so. Do the questions we raise make his job more difficult? Has reporting on his performance become too embarrassing for his bosses to read?

Once upon a time, Glenview trustees felt that a thriving business community was the key to survival of our "downtown" at Glenview and Waukegan Roads. They created a special "D-1" district where merchants would prosper on the first floors of buildings and banished service industries to second-floor offices.

Of late, two real estate companies have begun doing business from first-floor storefronts in violation of the ordinance. The apparently hoped to get a change in the rules, but the Plan Commission recommended against it and sent the matter to the trustees.

Carlson and Crawford thought exceptions should be allowed, but Pappo argued that the whole matter should be decided as part of the comprehensive planning process. "If we deal with the D-1 in a cafeteria-style ordinance, it’s not going to work. . .It’s going to become very arbitrary," she said in asking the Comprehensive Planning Committee to address the matter quickly.

Village Attorney Jeff Randall, who figured he’d be getting a call from the lawyer who represents one of the realtors, wondered if the village was willing to press the matter in court. An incredulous Trustee Fuller interrupted Randall’s monologue. "Somebody is doing something in flat contradiction of the zoning ordinance. Are we supposed to take that into consideration when we decide our zoning policy? I don’t think that should even be a factor in our decision – that somebody is breaking the law."

The board voted not to approve offices in the D-1 zone.

The Board also sent Concord Homes packing after the developer asked whether Glenview might annex an eight-acre site on Milwaukee Avenue across from the Triumvera condo complex. The land is bounded by a self-storage facility and a retail strip, so Concord contends single-family housing at that location is not likely to sell. Instead, they propose 66 townhomes.

Most of the trustees thought that was too dense, and Larry Carlson said single-family homes could be sold from any place in Glenview.

The developer noted that much of the property was zoned commercial by Cook County and hinted that something much worse than townhomes could be built, but the village manager was in no mood for threats. He told the attorney for Concord that they might have to drill a well, because the village wouldn’t supply an unwanted development with water.

"I don’t know the situation with water," said the Concord lawyer.

"I do," said McCarthy. "Trust me."

"You’ll find out," said a gleeful President Firfer. "You’ll find out."

Northern Illinois’ gas company isn’t saying how many houses it will visit in Glenview, but the utility is now contacting homeowners to schedule inspections for possible mercury contamination. At risk are houses built before 1961 that have or used to have indoor meters. NICOR also says it has checked its former property near the corner of Shermer and Golf on two occasions and found no traces of mercury. So far, NICOR has been to more than 1,600 homes in the greater Chicago area and found traces of mercury in 80 of them. Cleaning of those properties is complete or underway. For more information, visit NICOR’s website (www.Nicor.com) or call their toll-free number: 888-288-8110.

Has your parakeet flown the coop? Residents of the Peachgate subdivision say a little yellow bird with a blue bill is hanging around their trees and bird feeders. If you know someone who’s missing a feathered pet, contact GlenviewWatch@aol.com.

SJ writes: Right now I am so mad that I can hardly see straight. Your reporting of the fire in unincorporated Cook County was unnecessary by you. If you were there, then you should have asked, "What can I do?" These people had many needs that needed to be met but you were too busy. It was a 4-year-old that died. Thank goodness for the kind hearts of a few who walked in, found out what these 53 adults and children needed, called stores, went to their own homes, and did the best they could to help out. Shame on you!

The Watch replies: Actually, we arrived at the scene after the fire had been extinguished. The Red Cross was attending to the needs of displaced families and doctors at two area hospitals were taking care of the injured. Under those circumstances, it is our job – as a newsletter – to inform the public about what happened. We hope that what we do serves an important function for all of Glenview – helping to build and sustain our sense of community.

Mr. H says: Frankly, I was shocked at President Firfer's attempt to railroad and rubber stamp the list of commissioners. It should have been included in each information packet that the Trustees received several days prior to the meeting. Since that didn't happen, the request to delay the approval for two weeks was certainly reasonable. Virtually every term on the list had already expired, including two Plan Commission members' terms that expired in 1992, so what harm would the wait do? Firfer called it "housekeeping." Maybe it's time for a "housecleaning!"

EL writes: Thank you for the GlenviewWatch. You must be commended on your newsletters. After reading them my husband has decided to register to vote and hopes that there will be some recommendations from the Glenview Watch. Of course, after watching the Village Board hearings on TV, I guess a person could see who should stay and who should go. Question for the Glenview Watch: Where is this downtown Glenview that I hear about? I have looked but can't seem to locate the area. If it is on Glenview from Waukegan to the river I don't think that constitutes a "downtown. " I guess we will have to wait for a downtown at "The Glen." That is all I have heard about since moving to Glenview. Does that mean that the area east of Lehigh will be a suburb of "The Glen?"

And Ken Bertolucci offers these comments: First of all, a note of thanks for your very valuable public service. I have always been frustrated at the lack of local information available in the Tribune and Pioneer Press. The Watch really meets a public need.

I am neither anti_growth nor excessively pro_growth, but I am confused by the direction of the city in our plans for downtown Glenview. The city has refused companies such as Hollywood Video and Panera Bread permission to locate on Waukegan Road, but instead it seems we have the greatest number of dry cleaning stores per capita. Near the intersection of Waukegan and Glenview Road, there are dry cleaners on every block, often across the street or right next to each other. I guess the city must feel we have an excessive amount of dirty clothes, but no need for other services.

In the redevelopment of other downtown areas (i.e., Highland Park), national chain stores were allowed to locate, such as The Gap, Crown Books, and Starbucks. Despite the suburban nature of these companies, they provide a service and would add some interest to a downtown dominated by vacant storefronts and the aforementioned dry cleaners. Couldn't we make some efforts to attract new retailers to downtown rather than make it difficult for them?

The Watch replies: After years of talking about downtown development, it’s apparent to us that the village isn’t doing enough. Maybe our resources are exhausted by planning and selling The Glen, but if we’re serious about economic development in other parts of town, a concerted effort is needed. We can’t just rely on the Chamber of Commerce. Local government needs to play an active role in attracting new businesses and assisting ones that are already here.

We hope Glenview will consider a model like that of Evanston. There, you find a thriving downtown, but there are other commercial districts near Chicago and Dempster, Chicago and Main and along Central. Evanston’s population is considerably larger than ours, but we believe Glenview can and should support more than one retail area.

JLF, the mom who was annoyed by a requirement that she visit the courthouse in Skokie in order to enroll her son in high school for the third year writes: We have yet to hear one word from any school board member, despite the six phone messages left, the visit to a school board meeting and a letter to the superintendent and the board! (Our tax dollars at work?) I have a friend who is a school board member of a Northfield elementary school district. She informs me that by law school board members must be accessible to the public. In our district, this apparently means only if the school board is meeting and you are free to attend that night. Otherwise you can leave voice mail messages all you want. Don't expect to hear from any member! Even a politely-worded, stiffly-formal letter would have served as an acknowledgment we existed and were heard. We don't rate even that!

Editor’s note: If you’d like to try your luck with District 225 board members call 486-4400. Extension numbers are 4748 - Sarah Beyne, 4781 - Jeffrey Lerner, 4784 - Neal Schact, 4783 - Jim Seymour, 4788 - Karen Long, 4789 - Andy Olson and 4782 - Carol Rogal.

"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."

This week, District 34 teacher Gary Riskin replies: I don't think I have ever been more appalled at a statement than that made by JgR regarding our schools, fiscal responsibility and the Department of Motor Vehicles (except for the time that former school board member Lawrence Miller told me he had no need to go into the schools he was responsible for because he had gone all the way through college and therefore had all the firsthand knowledge he required).

There are two administrators in my building and about 40 certified personnel and about 20 more non_certified support staff, so it would be hard to have four administrators watching one of us with a shovel.

The normal teacher at Henking, and I believe throughout the district, works through lunch, is here early, leaves late and is here for part of a weekend day (as well as prior to the time of year when we get paid). Sounds very different from the DMV.

The teachers in Glenview have negotiated a constitution in conjunction with administration in which we required of ourselves very serious commitments to decision-making positions, responsibilities outside of our classroom and ongoing education which exceeds that now required by our state for recertification.

Gayle Nelson writes: I am really surprised by the comments from the "CARE" representative. Not only do our kids compete against these kids in college and beyond but our properties are right next door. If a family with children had to pick between two similar homes but one had better schools and a better reputation, which do you think they would choose? This choice of the home in the better school district raises the property value of that house. In turn the property in the other school district goes down. Our schools compete with those in surrounding areas, but with the mentality of the "CARE" representative they will not compete much longer.

And Glenview resident Rob Blomquist asks: What schools has he been in lately? I teach at a school in Skokie, and most teachers I teach with work their tails off. What he calls "objective

analysis" is really appealing to the worst in people's prejudices about government workers. Teachers and administrators are professionals and to attract us you need to pay competitive wages. If Glenview paid half of what they now offer, many high_quality teachers would take other jobs. There are many openings in education, and most experienced teachers would leave for better paying school districts right next door to Glenview. I wonder if this "CARE" representative would keep his job if his pay was slashed in half.

As for special education kids, the "CARE" representative seems to be ignorant. In the last five to eight years, educators have changed how we serve most special education students. They are included in regular programs. In many of my classes, I have 20-30 percent of my students receiving special help, such as English as a Second Language (not bi-lingual education) or social work services. I must make adaptations for all of these students with the support and input of special education experts who assist both the students and the classroom teachers.

As for class size, I don't know where he gets his information. Washington, D.C. is a troubled urban district with troubled at_risk youth, and to use it as an example of small classes not working is very deceptive. As for Minnesota's larger classes, that state has a strong commitment to education and taxpayers there have a lot of respect for teachers and schools – something the "CARE" representative lacks.

But MLH thinks Ranz was right on the money. She writes: While I agree that schools are one of the factors that contribute to a community's quality, I also believe that everything must be relative. Is it necessary for a Glenview teacher to receive a salary in excess of $60,000 soon after graduating? Is it necessary for that teacher to have a Master's degree? Parents in this community seem to have gotten pretty far in their lives, and I would venture to say that almost all of their teachers, and women no less, had only an undergraduate degree. And they certainly weren't making anywhere near $60,000, taking inflation into account. If the referendum does not pass, perhaps the quality of education will fall to a more realistic one.

A clarification from The Watch: While some of our experienced teachers earn more than $60,000 annually, new teachers at the elementary and middle school levels would be more likely to earn a salary in the low to mid 20's.

JLF, who lives down the way from Village President Firfer writes: We also are having serious skunk problems. Our dog has had three close encounters since March of this year and that is in our own fenced back yard! I can't begin to tell you how horrible the whole thing is! We have searched and removed anything they could be living in, but there’s no relief.

I have overheard "skunk trouble" conversations at the beauty parlor, Jewel, and at Boston Chicken. Our neighborhoods are definitely having serious problems. Glenview's animal control person does nothing. I don't have any magic answer, but I do believe something needs to happen when we can't use our own yards and Glenview says, "Oh well." (Is this another thing they "forgot" to plan for when developing the Air Station?) I'm sure it doesn't bother you unless you are the one who can't even let your dog out in your own yard.

Kittye Hermes tells this tale: Our home backs up to The Glen. This year we have a resident skunk who enjoys our deck almost as much as we do, although he lives "under" and we "over." Our cat, Shadow, had a skunk encounter over the weekend, and I thought other pet owners might appreciate our recipe for successful de-skunking: 1 bottle hydrogen peroxide, 1/2 cup baking soda and 2T shampoo. Mix ingredients. Place cat in bathtub. Close door! Pour solution over cat, gently rubbing into fur. Let stand for 15 minutes. (This is the tricky part. Wet cats really don't stand still for 15 minutes. They become quite vocal and wild.)

When the human screams because the cat has sprung from her grasp and is clawing at her back, with the human holding the cat by the tail, it is strongly advised that the less brave member of the family not rush in and try to pull the cat off! The cat is really pissed off by now and digs his claws in deeper, prompting the human to become very vocal and wild!

To make a long story short. The vet said to repeat the process a second time, but I really didn't think it necessary. The cat smelled just fine to me! After blow_drying the cat, it found a warm place and slept for the rest of the day. The human on the other hand, licked her wounds and was a lot worse off than the cat.

EAW, who also owns a cat, offers a tip for avoiding skunk attacks at night: I take our cat out every night on a leash. Occasionally, we encounter a skunk. The cat usually spots the skunk before I do. After our first encounter, both animals retreating with me pulling the cat's leash, I decided to try shining a flashlight in the skunk's eyes. It works. When I shine a flashlight in their eyes, they always stop and usually retreat rapidly. I retreat, carrying the cat, whether or not the skunk retreats. I use a three cell flashlight of the type carried by the police.

Your Turn. What's on your mind? Send us an e-mail. We are Sandy Hausman and Dean Schott – GlenviewWatch@aol.com.