If you call 911 on a cell phone, you don’t get immediate service from the nearest firemen or paramedics. Instead, wireless calls to 911 are sent to the Illinois Department of Transportation or some other contractor charged with figuring out where you are and getting help to you.

Next spring, that will change as companies like Sprint, Primeco and Cellular One are required to send calls to the nearest emergency service center or to state police. Experts say this change will be a big one for public safety professionals, and Glenview plans to face the challenge head-on.

Since 1976, our fire and emergency medical calls have been routed through a regional dispatching service called the Red Center, but Glenview now plans to leave that coalition of nine suburbs to set up its own operation. The new communications center will field calls for fire and emergency medical services and will handle 911 wireless calls. If those calls were sent to the police department, Glenview would have to add dispatchers at considerable cost.

The decision comes at a critical time since the Red Center plans to build a new, $1 million center in Northbrook. Glenview officials want to skip that expense. They’re also anxious to begin collecting a monthly emergency surcharge of 48 cents for each wireless phone in the village. (The Red Center doesn’t plan to accept emergency calls from cell phones and will not get that money.)

Experts say Glenview was the largest single participant in the Red Center, and as the village grows, it makes more sense to do our own thing. Not only could the new service save money in the long run, but public safety experts predict it will mean faster, more direct emergency responses.

Officials in Wheeling agreed with Glenview’s strategy and plan to join us – sharing in the $500,000 expense of setting up the new, consolidated system.

No charges were filed Thursday when a 72-year-old woman drove her car into the front of Starbucks at the corner of Lake and Waukegan. The woman said she was wearing a new pair of shoes and her foot got stuck on the accelerator.

No one was seriously hurt, but one customer was treated for minor injuries at Glenbrook Hospital. Starbucks was busy rebuilding on Friday – hoping to open for business again on Wednesday.

A developer is proposing 344 apartments and townhomes at the site where the Missionary Sisters once lived. Would-be builders of the planned development known as Northpointe are asking for several exceptions to existing zoning rules so they can cram housing for an estimated 565 residents onto a parcel smaller than Wagner Farm. The Plan Commission will hold a hearing on Northpointe October 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the village hall board room.

Editor’s note: While the Watch won’t predict how this situation will turn out, it is not unusual for politically ambitious members of Plan Commissions to play tough with developers, and it is not unusual for developers to ask for more than they really want. In the end, the developer gets an okay for something that’s plenty profitable, and the politicians score points with the voters.

The Plan Commission and Zoning Board are still struggling to approve an ordinance regulating the size of homes that replace teardowns. Tuesday’s meeting got off to an embarrassing start when Plan Commission Chief Tim Doron read the following proposal:

"When calculating the maximum building size, the area of the lot shall be the lesser of either the actual lot area or an area calculated by multiplying the lot width by three times the lot width. Lot width times the lot width? It should be length. It’s the lot length."

No, said someone on the panel.

"Lot width by three times the lot length," said Doron again.

"Uh uh. No." said several more people. "It’s three times the lot width."

"That’s right," said Doron. "Thank you."

"I’m sorry, what is it?" said another committee member. "Say it again."

"All right," said Doron. "It’s an area calculated by multiplying the lot width by three times the lot length."

"Right," said someone.

"Width," said another. "Width is correct."

Planning Department Director Mary Bak then explained what Doron and the other panel members had discussed at length during one of their previous meetings. They decided that with very deep but narrow lots like those on Dewes and Henley Streets, a different formula was needed to prevent new homes from extending far into the back yard, blocking the neighbors’ sunlight and views. It was proposed that for those properties, square footage should be calculated by multiplying the width times a figure three times the width.

More than three hours later, the panel had still not agreed on a suitable ordinance and members of a group called Citizens’ Action for Proportionality, who sat patiently through the entire meeting, thought things were actually getting worse. They accused the panel members of focusing on formulas, refusing to limit building heights and failing to recognize that new homes should be proportional to those around them. Referring to those giant houses that some folks have built in older neighborhoods, one group leader said Glenview’s new motto might be "Hug the Monster." Talks will continue at the next meeting on September 26.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Mary Bak provided an unplanned moment of levity when she offered to e-mail documents to members of the panel. "We’re in the nineties," she said proudly – then laughed, realizing her error, and added, "ten years late."

After the first meeting of Glenview’s Comprehensive Planning Committee, Chairman Larry Carlson predicted the process would take 18 months but might go longer. Glenview Watch questioned the pace of this critical planning exercise. Now, we note that the city of Chicago has undertaken a similar effort for the six-square-mile area from Division Street to the Stevenson, Halsted to the lake. A group of citizen volunteers -- architects, business people, developers and open space advocates – started work in June and intend to complete their task by January – besting Glenview by nearly a year.

Life will get easier for homeowners planning certain construction projects. At their last meeting, the village trustees voted to amend their new law requiring six-foot fences around project sites. Those who are replacing or installing a driveway, replacing a roof or installing lawn sprinklers will not have to comply. If you’re adding a deck, however, you may have to fence. Development Director Bak said pier foundations go down 30-42 inches and if left open could pose a hazard to small children.

The Village Board also voted unanimously to approve left turn lanes off Lake Avenue west of Milwaukee for Magnolia and Forest Streets. There have been 44 accidents at those intersections over the past four years. The improvements will come as part of county road work planned for 2002. President Firfer suggested residents living on other roads off Lake let the village know if they need left turn lanes too. The phone number at Village Hall is 724-1700. Hit zero and ask for the manager’s office.

Glenview has asked Harza Engineering to study drainage problems along Shermer Road from Lake Avenue to Golf. The village has known about flooding in the area for years but was waiting for state road work to make any changes. The state has refused to schedule major improvements, but Public Works Director Bill Porter says Illinois First money could mean a makeover for Shermer.

In announcing a contract for nearly $2 million for additional road work and infrastructure at The Glen, Redevelopment Director Don Owen defended the competitive bidding process and insisted there are no cost overruns.

"A lot of people have misinterpreted additional work that we’ve decided to do as cost overruns, " he said, adding that the village is "getting great prices. . .The public bidding process works great."

Editor’s note: If Glenview sold land at The Glen for far more than expected, if there are no cost overruns and if prices are so great, why can’t the village live up to its original promise – to use 20 percent of land sale proceeds for capital improvements in other parts of town. We smell something – and it isn’t a skunk

While planners have repeatedly described a thriving retail and residential complex at the heart of The Glen, no buyer has come forward to claim the land and start building. One problem – officials had wanted a multi-screen theater to anchor the development, but massive movie houses are in trouble. The New York Times reports "the number of movie screens in the country has grown to more than 37,000," but experts say only 28,000 can exist profitably.

To make matters worse for us, new theaters are already under construction at Old Orchard and in downtown Evanston.

As Glenview’s Park Center prepares for a grand opening in January of 2001, the athletic facility that’s served Glenview families for 45 years seems unconcerned. The North Suburban Y counts 2600 members from this community – 28 percent of its membership, but because it’s a not-for-profit funded by a central organization, its survival is not threatened. Still, Acting Director Eva Prokop hopes Glenview won’t forget about the Y entirely. "We can only hope Glenview understands that dollars spent at the Y are also earmarked for charitable purposes, and they can continue to support the Y even if they lift weights elsewhere."

Meanwhile, the Five Seasons Country Club at Techny and Waukegan Roads is apparently finding plush memberships a tough sell. The firm which had been asking a $5,000 initiation fee is now down to $3888.

Next Saturday (September 23) is Public Lands Day, and volunteers will gather at Harms Woods from 9 a.m. to noon to show their appreciation. Help clear brush and litter, plant trees and gather seeds. Wear boots or hard soled shoes. Bring work gloves, bottled water and snacks. Kids are welcome. For details, call David at 312-346-8166, extension 31.

Supporters of referenda to build and operate a new school at The Glen have launched a website: www.greatschools4glenview.com. The opposition, a group called CARE, can be reached by e-mail. Their address is CARE2000GLVW@aol.com.

Tuesday’s board meeting (September 19) will feature two significant projects at The Glen. Bethany Methodist will announce plans to build 180 residential units for senior citizens on five and a half acres. Residents will pay a refundable $125,000 - $230,000 to get in. Monthly service charges for one meal a day, weekly housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, health education and recreation will run $1,555-$2,355 a month.

Cambridge Homes will ask for approval to build 244 single family and townhomes. The developer wants a long list of variances to, among other things, allow taller buildings, fewer parking spaces and 80 percent impervious surface (asphalt, buildings and other surfaces that don’t absorb rain water).

Editor’s note: Had Cambridge bought the land from the navy, Glenview could have exercised serious control over density, requiring the developer to comply with all of our zoning rules. Instead, as the seller, we let them develop to the max in order to collect the highest possible price for the land.

The Board will also consider asking Catellus, the developer of the industrial park, to consult with members of the Environmental Review Committee and with "the village naturalist" before building around the prairie. There is no village naturalist on the payroll now, but some members of the village board want to hire one – this despite the fact that employees of our park district know a lot about natural land management and a consultant, Conservation Design Forum, is set to collect more than $60,000 for prairie restoration and management.

Former School Board Member Lawrence Miller weighs in – responding to a claim by teacher Gary Riskin. Riskin accused Miller of refusing to visit local classrooms when he was on the board because he had attended school as a child. Miller writes:

I was surprised by the gratuitous appearance of my name in a reply in the Glenview Watch. I did not write the letter to which Mr. Riskin was responding, nor did that letter refer to me.

I have had perhaps one or two conversations with [Riskin] at District 34 meetings and such over many years. I do not recall ever having said what he attributes to me, not that it is important as I am not now a public official or a candidate for anything. Moreover, his incorrect attribution does not reflect a point of view that I have held.

[With regard to visiting classrooms], Board of Education Members do not individually or collectively administer schools. The superintendent and his staff do. The board is concerned with policy, finance, and direction of the superintendent. There is a concern that "visiting" by board members may be characterized as meddling or micro-managing. When I did visit schools, I was careful to avoid anything that might be misunderstood as a direction to administrators and staff.

I especially reject Riskin's derogatory innuendo that I was somehow inattentive to my duties

as a member of the Board of Education. Over my four years, no one said that. The complaint

was quite the opposite. Raising such a canard now after I have completed my service is a

"late hit."

CARE’s John Ranz, an opponent of higher taxes for District 34, suggested that the work ethic in our schools was like that of the Department of Motor Vehicles, but RCB says it isn’t so:

As a conservative Republican and one who believes our educational system needs dramatic reform, I find the sweeping general remarks of Mr. Ranz both uninformed and irresponsible. My hope is we can work together to improve our schools through intelligent dialogue instead of sensational nastiness and stereotypical nonsense.

In my 30 years in Glenview I have seen my children flourish in life after an excellent education in District 34. I have many friends who have devoted their careers to the excellence of District 34. How dare you, sir, question their work ethic without knowing them or what they have done! You might consider learning some things before stating your opinion.

Teachers are so predictable. Most of the responses to my comments from the teachers were off the point and rather mean spirited. The real issues are: Do we need a new school, and does the district need the tax cap that is meant to protect us from run-amuck spending by local taxing bodies?

When our school boards from District 34 and 225 rolled over and played dead to the powers at Village hall regarding base redevelopment and the TIF, they should have been run out of town. This is, in part, why we have the choices we face with the referenda. The public needs to have the facts in order to make an informed decision at election time. The "facts" as presented by the district’s newsletter, "SchooLook," are false and purposely misleading propaganda mailed out at taxpayer expense. We need to make our decision based on real numbers.

CARE has compiled research, which suggests:

Current facilities are not being utilized to the extent reasonably possible given designed capacity.

The district campaign for a new school has been based on one-sided false and misleading statistics about expected student populations and school building capacities.

The tax cap legislation was made the law of the land for good reasons and should not be tossed out based on a "we want more" request from the district.

With the massive increase in equalized assessed value of homes over the last several years, the current authorized tax rate in the district has in the past, and will in the future, support the high quality schools that we demand.

Rick Nasello says:

I am an avid outdoorsman. I hunt, fish, and sleep with all the animals that live in the woods. I have sat in a tree stand while deer hunting many times and watched Mr. Skunk harass the heck out of everything that invades his space. Under these circumstances he will take no prisoners. I read the Glenview Watch and found it interesting that so many residents are having the same problems with the skunks. I also got a kick out of the many home remedies people have concocted to eliminate the smell. Now here is one that most people don't know about, and I am not making a joke here: Massengill [Feminine Douche]. Yes, that’s right, Massengill. This stuff is made with an enzyme. Skunk spray is an enzyme. You have to eliminate an enzyme with another enzyme. Just soak your pet, or yourself, with the Massengill right where the skunk gets you, and the smell will be gone almost immediately.

Oh yes, one other thing. I don't believe that any of the wildlife that was living on the base did not move into the surrounding areas. We took away their home. Any one with a knowledge of wild life and the outdoors is aware of the problems that come with development. Just ask Mr. Coyote. He is everywhere now.

KB writes:

I live behind one of those monstrously new homes (after a tear down). I am having a problem. They leave their backyard lights on until approximately two a.m. and they are extremely bright and make my bedroom like the middle of the day. Is there any ordinance that controls the brightness of lights and how late they can be on? I would appreciate any input you can give me. Also, in your newsletter about the fire, you stated that it was difficult to get at the cause of the fire because most of the residents were Hispanic. Does this mean there is no one on our fire department of police department who speak Spanish? If so, that could cause real problems in any future emergency.

The Watch replies: While the police department has seven Spanish speaking officers and a social workers, the fire department has no one on staff who is fluent en Espanol. Instead, the department depends on a multi-lingual telephone translation service provided to many local agencies by AT&T. Obviously, that works for 911 calls but is not useful during a post-fire investigation. (While they don’t speak Spanish, every one of our firemen IS certified as a paramedic.)

As for your "neighbor problems," Glenview’s Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade says there are legal restrictions on light pollution that may help. Give him a call at 724-1700, extension 201 to discuss your situation.

And JC asks:

Are we to believe the apartment dwellers who experienced the fire on Greenwood did not have insurance? This outpouring of support is great to see, but who is getting the money? Surely coverage would be required by the owner of the building since it will be out significant income in lost rents.

Next, can we do something about the geese "residuals" at Glenbrook South? There is almost an epidemic of "pink eye" in the school, and the goose droppings the students trample through surely aren't helping the situation.

The Watch replies: The nurse at GBS says there is no "outbreak" of pinkeye, and a spokesman for the Illinois Department of Public Health says there is no known connection between that condition and goose droppings – or any other human disease for that matter.

As for your intriguing question about insurance, we are told that coverage to the building – purchased by its owner – would not extend to the contents of individual units. Renters are responsible for buying their own insurance, and it appears they didn’t do that. We are pleased to report, however, that volunteers were no longer accepting clothing for fire victims since generous area residents had filled a warehouse with donations.

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

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