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The
Glenview Watch |
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A new group is forming to promote local government reform and, perhaps, to run a slate of candidates in next April's election for Village Board. Good Glenview Government or G3 is asking anyone interested in running for trustee or being part of a campaign to come to the field house at Johns Park, 2101 Central Road, from 7-9 p.m., Nov. 15-16 (Wednesday and Thursday) for a public forum. Four seats will be open in April, including the presidency. Incumbents Nancy Firfer, Kent Fuller, John Patton Jr., and Larry Carlson have not said if they will run for re-election. For more information, call Bob Sacoff at 486-0332.
McCARTHY GETS A PUBLIC SCOLDING
Incensed that some trustees were not informed about the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's (IEPA) complaints against Glenview, Trustees Donna Pappo and John Crawford took Village Manager Paul McCarthy to task at Tuesday night's board meeting. The IEPA had written to "Mayor Nancy Firfer & Village Board" in June to outline 19 complaints about construction run off at The Glen. The agency claimed the village and Concord Homes allowed significant amounts of soil to wash into the north branch of the Chicago River, polluting it, its tributaries and wetlands. The state said it might take Glenview to court over these violations, but the trustees never got the letter.
The situation got a passing mention during budget hearings, prompting Pappo to make inquiries. After she had seen the 10-page complaint, Pappo asked Manager McCarthy for a public accounting. "I'd be glad to give you a report on that," McCarthy said stiffly. "I believe it has been a subject of discussion with this board, and I'll give it to you in writing within the next day or so."
"I don't recall it ever being discussed," said Trustee Crawford. "As a matter of fact, I was rather shocked that the IEPA is about to sue us, and we've had correspondence since June about that. We were notified in March of violations, and we trustees have not been informed of that except by reading the Glenview Watch over the weekend."
"I'm not familiar with that publication," huffed McCarthy.
"I think it's disgraceful that mail is addressed to us, and the village manager does not forward it to us," Crawford continued. "I just think it's a sad day when the village manager fails to tell the trustees about being sued by a state agency."
Pappo then attempted to find out who knew about the IEPA complaints.
"I can't answer that accurately right now, and I'd prefer to give you a complete answer in writing," the manager replied.
Pushing through Paul's stone wall, Pappo persisted: "If I could just ask, who made the decision to not inform the trustees?"
"I would like to explore the veracity of that," said McCarthy.
"Are you doubting our word that we were not informed?" responded Crawford.
"No, I'm not doubting your word at all," said McCarthy. "I can't answer a question that I don't have the information to, so the answer is – I don't know."
"The question was: Who decided that you should not tell us about this?" said Crawford.
"Frankly, I can't answer that question," said McCarthy. "I was under the impression that you had been made aware generally of that. If that is not correct, then I stand corrected. . . It's also interesting that these questions would be raised now when it's my understanding that this thing has been circulating for three or four days, and I haven't received a telephone call from any trustees prior to this moment."
"A copy [of the complaint] was forwarded to me yesterday," said Crawford. "I don't know when it started circulating."
"My phone worked yesterday, John," said McCarthy.
The subject came up once more during testimony by a representative of Concord Homes, which was also cited for environmental violations. Crawford again expressed unhappiness at being left in the dark.
That's when Trustee John Patton, Jr. jumped into the fray. "Trustee Crawford, I have to be honest with you," he said. "You're sounding like a broken record. I really resent the fact that you apparently have had notice of this issue and now, in an ambush style, have tried to attack the village manager. I think that violates all protocol. You've made your point. . .I'd like to see this handled in a more professional manner."
Firfer tried to prevent the verbal sparring, "Are there any other questions? I don't want to get into. . ."
But Crawford would not be silenced: "If Mr. Patton knew about this, I want to know why I didn't know about it. That's why I didn't call the village manager yesterday. I was so damn mad, I didn't want to talk to him about it."
Patton said, "I think you'll get an appropriate response as the manager [promised], and after that point I would expect an apology from you to the board and the village manager."
Editor's note: As of Friday, the trustees had still not received McCarthy's report on IEPA's complaint.
PATTON DEFENDS THE DEVELOPER
In testimony before the board, a spokesman for Concord Homes admitted to a single violation of state environmental law, and Trustee Pappo set the record straight. "I have the IEPA document here," she said. "It wasn't just in March. There was also something in April stating that you operated heavy equipment which caused or contributed to water pollution in the Chicago River. I just don't appreciate your not telling us the full details."
Trustee Patton, a personal injury lawyer by trade, then stepped in to help the developer craft a stronger defense: "Is this a situation where you had storm water facilities in place, but because of the uniqueness of the storm, it exceeded what you thought would have been sufficient and it was not something that was anticipated or foreseen by you?"
"Yeah," said the developer.
"In fact, of all the properties out there, yours is the most unique in that you get the brunt of the storm runoff and have had to allocate the most amount of land in order to serve as a retention basin. Am I right on that?"
"Yes," said the developer.
PATTON, FULLER GO TOE-TO-TOE
Later in the meeting, Patton showed his pro-development bent on behalf of another builder – Catellus. The California-based company is ready to purchase its first piece of land for an office park, but is holding off on the option to buy two additional parcels until it comes to an agreement on necessary protections for the adjacent prairie. Trustees Kent Fuller and Rachel Cook are negotiating with the developer.
"I was hoping we'd be voting on all three parcels," said Patton. "The property was purchased back in August of 1999, and we're now a year and three months from that point, and we don't have a dime in the bank from that original agreement. It's about $2.6 million."
"Lot one that we are moving forward on will be slightly over $800,000," said Glen Redevelopment Director Don Owen."
"We still have a shortfall of $1.8 million," said Patton.
Fuller said he hoped the matter would be resolved by year's end.
"Madame President, with all due respect," said Patton, "the whole goal of selling these parcels is so that we can get the cash up front, address the debt that we're floating on this whole development, allow the developers, such as Catellus, to get these buildings in the ground, and allow [them] to attract tenants. The sooner they get these buildings in the ground, the sooner we begin to get the property tax revenue, all of which addresses the TIF and the retirement of the debt. It strikes me that a year and three months for something that is not all that complicated is a long time. . .This ought to be done, and this ought to be done soon. We cannot afford to carry this debt."
At that point, Fuller jumped in, "We're not preventing Catellus from doing anything. The moment they're ready to agree with us on some reasonable language, we're there."
"I think you are preventing. . ." Patton began.
"Excuse me, but I've been available on as short as a half day's notice, and in fact did meet with them on half a day's notice. I'm ready to meet with them any time," Fuller shot back. "I don't know where you're going with this, but tonight is not the time to talk about the details of that agreement."
"I think it is," said Patton. "We have one of the three jewels necessary to get the $2.6 million. . .You made the comment, ‘when Catellus is ready.' I think they are ready. My concern is that you are making demands upon Catellus that are unrealistic, and my own patience level is starting to run out on this. . . I'm concerned that Catellus may want to walk from these other parcels. . . and what is the repercussion in the marketplace? . . .What's going to happen with the Mixed Use Retail Center if potential buyers are seeing that they come in, sign an agreement and it takes a year and three months before they can get one building in?"
Firfer tried again to stop the blood-letting, but Fuller would not be silent: "I've listened patiently to you tell me that I am not here for the best interests of this village, to lecture me on the basics of development. Your statement is outrageous Trustee Patton!"
Firfer kept trying, but Patton shouted her down as he continued his diatribe against Fuller. Finally, Donna Pappo spoke-up, telling Patton, "We went into this in great depth at the last executive session at The Glen, which you did not attend. Perhaps if you'd been there, your questions would have been asked. I suggest that you have a private session with the village manager to bring you up to date."
Patton made light of his truancy and continued to press his points. Firfer demanded an end to the debate, and Fuller took one more shot at Patton. "Doggone it! The things you've said in the last 20 minutes have done more to damage the standing of this village and its relationship with developers than I can imagine."
Firfer again called for an end to the conflict. Patton again shouted that it was Fuller who was hurting Glenview's good name, and John Crawford ended the battle of the egos with his own take on the issues: "I just want to say that I am proud of Trustee Cook and Trustee Fuller for showing people that we are concerned with the environment and not just out to make a fast buck."
Editor's note: While Patton frets over $1.8 million and ignores the need to protect an ecosystem more rare than the tropical rain forest, he has argued strongly to spend $2 million on a boathouse at Gallery Park.
TOSSING A STEEL LIFE PRESERVER
The subject should not have provoked passion, but Tuesday's board meeting was so contentious that a proposed change to local ordinance sparked more angry words. Trustee Crawford proposed that when board members choose to abstain from voting, their vote should not count. Right now, abstentions count as a vote with the majority.
Trustee Larry Carlson was puzzled. "Why would anyone abstain from voting?" he wondered.
"Because they don't have enough information," said Trustee Pappo. "Because they object to the proceedings," said Crawford.
Trustee Patton didn't buy it. "If you object to the proceedings, you don't abstain, you vote no," he said. "If you have questions, you get answers from village staff or other trustees. . .When people vote for us to be on the board, they want us to take action. They want us to take a stand."
If there were a bonafide question that could not be answered, Patton said, "I would expect the other trustees to say, ‘Okay, then let's continue it to the next meeting,' because you need more information. You have to rely on the good will and good faith of the other trustees."
"Mr. Patton, you wouldn't throw me a life preserver if I was drowning," said Crawford.
"It might be made out of steel, but I would throw it to you," said Patton, sitting back in his chair with a grin.
When Crawford made his motion to change the ordinance, President Firfer informed him that he would need four votes. With Trustee Cook absent, Crawford realized he could not prevail and moved to withdraw his motion. Demonstrating the good will that Patton had spoken of, all of the trustees voted to let Crawford withdraw the motion – except Trustee Patton.
NEWS ABOUT NATURE
– The village of Glenview followed Northbrook's lead in donating $5,000 to Friends of the River, a Chicago-based group that studies the waterway and recommends projects to clean it.
– Lake County residents voted 2-1 for open space. The county will sell $85 million in bonds to buy farms, forests and prairies in developing communities. Voters refused to increase the corporate tax, so Lake County will remain a magnet for office parks and industrial sites, leaving Cook County developers at a disadvantage.
PRESERVATION PANEL TO MEET
Less than a week after Glenview Watch criticized Village Board President
Firfer for failing to appoint a chairman to the new Historic Preservation
Commission, Firfer named David Silver to the job. The president chose
Silver, a welding engineer and former president of the Glenbrook South
High School Parents Council, because he "knows how to run a meeting
and runs his own business." In making the selection, Firfer by-passed
Beverly Dawson, executive vice president of the Glenview Area Historical
Society and a member of that group's board for more than a decade.
Bowing to critics who said there were too few historians and
restorationists on the panel, Firfer also appointed Charles Kramer, an
architect who served on the Skokie Appearance Commission, was active in
the redevelopment of downtown Skokie and helped with the preservation of
the Fisher Building in downtown Chicago. Kramer is a member of the
Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois and the National Trust. The new
board will hold its first meeting on Nov. 29.
OTHER APPOINTMENTS
Firfer appointed architect Peter Brinckerhoff to the Plan Commission and
put Leonard Bloomfield on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Bloomfield served
as chairman of Morton Grove's plan commission before moving to Glenview in
1995. He was referred to Firfer by Trustee John Crawford, who has
criticized Firfer for failing to consult the board before making
appointments.
PARKS DIRECTOR ON HISTORICAL HOUSE
Tom Richardson, executive director of Glenview's Park District, writes to
set the record straight on talk about moving the historical society's
headquarters to Wagner Farm: "There has been no formal discussion
with the Glenview Area Historical Society about [moving the Hutchings
House from 1121 Waukegan Road to Wagner Farm]. . .When going through the
Wagner planning process on October 18, the idea was put forth. There is no
way that the Glenview Park Board would proceed with anything concerning
the Hutchings House without full discussions with the Glenview Historical
Society. . .At this point, we only hope that everyone's mind remains open.
The Park District is not interested in taking over the Glenview Area
Historical Society. . .Their planning, direction and work on the heritage
of Glenview has been and continues to be commendable."
BOARD SAYS "NO" TO WIDENING WILLOW
The Glenview Village Board voted unanimously to send a letter to the
Illinois Department of Transportation, repeating its view on Willow Road.
While urging improvements to intersections, such as turn lanes and better
timing of traffic lights, the trustees said it would be wrong to widen
Willow to six lanes unless the road is widened in Northfield. That
community has fought hard to keep Willow at two lanes with the addition of
a third turning lane at key intersections. IDOT will hold a public hearing
on the matter from 2- 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Northbrook Hilton, 2855 N.
Milwaukee Ave. or you can go to: www.dot.state.il.us and click on
"comments" to express your views.
RESIDENT MOUNTS ANTI-DOMINICK'S CAMPAIGN
The new Dominick's on Lake Avenue opens Thursday, but Mike Klemke won't be
celebrating. The Swainwood resident lives across from the store and has
been disturbed by construction noise, truck traffic and bright lights at
all hours. He also thinks cracks in his ceiling and foundation could be
linked to heavy construction at the Dominick's site. Feeling helpless and
hostile, Klemke and his artistic director (13-year-old daughter Katie)
mounted Christmas lights on his fence facing Lake Avenue spelling out his
sentiments: "Dominick's Go Home." He had considered
"Dominick's Sucks," but police advised him a local ordinance
prohibits use of lewd words. Klemke says he has the support of many
neighbors, some allowing him to use their fence to display part of the
sign. Ironically, the fence was paid for by the village in an effort to
shield the neighbors from the new Dominick's. So far, the grocery chain
has been silent on the subject – refusing to return calls from Glenview
Watch and failing to contact Klemke, but Swainwood's angry man doesn't
mind. "If my protest discourages 10 people from shopping at
Dominick's," he says, "it will be worth it."
READERS WRITE
SITE SENSITIVE: Ann Chalem writes, "The most disturbing bit of
news in your most recent edition was hidden in the budget report and may
not have been noticed by many readers: an item noting that the village
will be holding a dinner to honor members of all village boards and
commissions at the North Shore Country Club – a private facility that
does not admit Jews, blacks or Asians as members. This is reprehensible,
and I urge all Glenview citizens to join me in letting our elected
officials know that we will not tolerate having our tax dollars spent at
an institution that discriminates against Glenview citizens because of
their race or religion."
The Watch replies: It is also common knowledge that several members of our
village boards and commissions are members of the North Shore Country
Club. We wonder how readers feel about that. Is it okay for elected and
appointed officials to belong to exclusive clubs? Click reply, write and
send to speak your mind.
BURGER BACK-UP: David Kreiman writes: "I am wondering if the
village of Glenview has any power to force the McDonald's on Waukegan Road
to change its drive-through set-up before someone gets seriously hurt or
killed. I have phoned a complaint to McDonald's corporate headquarters,
but have yet to receive a promised response. Not only do cars routinely
get backed up onto Waukegan Road during the lunch hour, but the set-up is
such that pedestrians are forced to walk between idling cars to enter and
exit the restaurant. I fear that if something is not done, either someone
will be run over, or a car traveling south on Waukegan will eventually
pile into cars waiting to enter the drive-through lanes. My hope is that
something changes before an accident happens, so we don't read another
headline that begins with ‘The tragedy could have been avoided if. .
.'"
POST MORTEM ON SCHOOL REFERENDUM: PM says: "The people of
Glenview voted with their bank accounts and not with their brains.
Although I am not a pundit, nor a prominent journalist, allow me to
suggest that the School District and Board really got what they asked for;
namely, they didn't mince words about the operating fund tax increase
costing the homeowners money, but they painted the new school as a
‘freebie,' which wouldn't cost the taxpayers anything because it was
going to be paid for by the state and by issuing bonds, which, we all know
are free."
John Ranz, a leader of the anti-tax camp, writes: "The voters have
spoken. If you think you know what they have said, you are the only one.
The district now has permission to build a new school and no funds for
teachers. Maybe people did not understand the complexity of the issues. I
urge them to go to school board meetings. Ask the tough questions in
public and demand answers.
"We have been told, for example, that the district has a new style of
education that takes up more space and resources. Ask the board: when and
where this new style was tested, how much student learning increased and
at what cost? Find out where they expect to get money for pay raises
promised to teachers several years ago, and ask that donations to the
pro-referenda campaign from the PTA be returned. It was inappropriate and
heavy handed to ask for them and wrong to give them."
Karen Fann writes: "I am really confused. . .The residents want the
new middle school but they don't want to pay for it? What is up with that?
If you want something new, you have to pay for it, and our children's
education should not be taken lightly. Good schools and good teachers cost
money. . . Get off the wallets people, and let's make sure our kids have a
good quality education."
Biff Thiele offers his take on the vote: "What it boils down to is
two guys with nothing more than some "white paper" defeated the
entire District 34 effort, along with all the parents and teachers who
supported it and in spite of all the money raised and hard work done. Why?
Because no ‘sale' was ever made to the public. This was an uphill ‘he
said/she said' battle from the start, with 75 percent of the community
already opposed to raising their taxes to pay for a school that only 25
percent of residents would utilize. Add to that the fact The Glen
residents would get a free ride and you have a formula for failure.
"The only hope of passing this now, is to focus on getting all those
YES voters to actually vote again in April and to try and convince NO
voters to change their minds. But, the next one won't be a presidential
election, and the odds are most of them won't show up at the polls. The
election brought out over 14,000 Glenview voters. For comparison, Wagner
Farm drew just over 8,000 total, and we won by only a few hundred votes.
We need to find a way to bring people together on this, or drop it. Why
not join both sides of the tax issue into a united front to persuade
voters to mandate the TIF (Tax Incremental Financing) pay for the school
at The Glen? That way everybody wins. We get a school, and The Glen, which
created the need for it, pays for it.
NIX NEW LIBRARY: Ib Jorgenson gets a head start on the next
referendum to appear on the ballot this spring: "We do not need a new
library. The one we have is fine. I go there all the time and never find
it crowded. Besides, the future is in electronic books, and they take up
less space. Welcome to the 21st century. Let's spend our money teaching
kids to read."
TEEN TENSION: The citizen also writes about a teen center,
"I'm sorry I don't have more sympathy for teens. Teens have more
'toys' and things to keep them busy then ever before. We never had all
these consumer goods to keep us busy. We were inventive, and we thought of
creative things to do in our neighborhoods. We went to the YMCA. I know
this sounds like I'm an old fart, but I'm not (only 40). I believe kids
need to do some thinking and exploring on their own. Furthermore, what is
the city going to do when a teen gets hurt at the center? Or mugged on the
way to the center? Or drunk at the center? I can just see the lawsuits
piling up."
The Watch replies: At 40, you have way too much fuddy in your duddy. How
about focusing on the good things that could happen for our kids?
RUGEN RAVE: HS writes, "Jennifer Sheridan's suggestion to have
a teen center is a great idea, and we may already have a ready-made one.
How about Rugen? It has a gym, craft rooms, classrooms, activity rooms, a
library and a large open room in the lower level perfect for dances and
gatherings. It also has outdoor fields and basketball courts. It worked
well for the seniors for many years and would be a great reuse of the
building. Additionally, Youth Services of Glenview/Northbrook now runs an
after-school ‘drop-in' center at Springman. This could be moved to Rugen,
as it is only a few blocks from the school. Also, Youth Services must
eventually leave the house at Shermer and Lake. Why not move their whole
facility there, too?"
SENIOR WAIVER: FL wonders, "To join Glenview's senior club,
would-be members must sign a disclaimer saying that if injured or in any
way encumbered while on the premises of the club, they waive all rights to
seek redress from the Park District. That same park district is having a
$150 per person New Year's Eve soiree at the new Park Center. Will guests
at that event be required to sign a waiver?"
FLAGGING THE DEVELOPERS: Kittye Hermes, who lives just south of the
former Navy golf course, writes, "As one of the homeowners who for
the last three years have begged Glenview not to allow development of
major homes on the other side of our fence, I now watch and listen as the
rape of Glenview land continues. Day and night, enormous earth moving
equipment is rolling. They have stripped the land of topsoil and created a
mountain of dirt, preparing the way for the next desecraters. Off in the
distance, I see the new Championship Golf Course, where families will
never play because it's too expensive.
"And over the fence in my back yard are the first signs of what
Glenview considers progress. Brightly colored flags dot the terrain. Does
this mean the circus is coming to town? Actually, the circus came here
years ago. The clowns now have infiltrated the Village Board, Plan
Commission and the Zoning Board. Come one, come all and visit our back
yard to watch the three-ring circus they have created. I have to watch it
everyday. This circus does not make me happy! Soon the flags will be gone,
and in their place will stand monuments erected to the greed of man.
Hopefully, the clowns will be on the circus train when it chugs out of
town, but they will leave behind their elephants!"
FRANKLY A WATCH FAN: Phil writes, "Unlike Frank Felka, I think
the Watch is great. My biggest regret is that it doesn't get wider
distribution (like on TV at 10:00 pm). If the electorate of Glenview kept
reading/seeing/hearing what their elected and appointed officials have
done, are doing and proposing, they might organize a march on the Village
Hall -- once they stopped laughing. But then they (the electorate) might
have to explain voting to build a school officials say cannot operate
because there aren't sufficient funds."
THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! Alexis Reynolds thinks, "Perhaps
Glenview should hire some consultants and attorneys to do a study to find
out whether the Sybaris is a hotel or not. Sybaris should not charge hotel
taxes of 11 percent, but instead charge an "entertainment" tax
of 9.9 percent just as the rest of us pay when we go to see the Cubs play.
. .and most likely with a lot less luck."
BE LIKE LAKE FOREST: Alexis also writes, "I personally don't
see anything wrong with modeling anything in Glenview after Lake Forest.
They have the No. 2 high school in Illinois, a great tree ordinance
(especially after Mr. T.), homes proportional to the land, well-manicured
streets and a lovely downtown shopping area without too many dry
cleaners."
KEEP WAGNER DOWN ON THE FARM: A concerned citizen says, "I
live a half mile from the Wagner Farm, and I concur with Ginny Guerant.
That corner is a traffic nightmare, especially when the Greek Orthodox
church is in session or having a function, which happens frequently.
Furthermore, we don't have to turn everything that is interesting in our
city into some pagan amusement center that buses tourists or children in
to make money. YUK. The farm is charming and wonderful the way it is. The
Park District can perform the necessary renovation and keep it open to the
public; the public can go on their own, during specific hours. Families
can have their own outings and spend quality quiet time just with each
other. Not everything has to be an organized production about making
money."
SIDEWALK SUCCESS: Mickey Safstrom writes that after some
frustrating attempts, the sidewalk at Greenwood and Lake is now being
replaced "Looks as if Glenview Watch once again provided a forum for
citizens like me to gain attention to neglected matters and expedite a
speedy solution. Thank you."
The Watch replies: Glad to help.