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The Unite Glenview party, which was expected to announce its slate of candidates for Village Board Saturday, December 16, instead posted a note at Village Hall, explaining that a decision had been put off so the party could interview all of the people interested in running.
The opposing G3 party is also screening candidates and is close to an announcement.
While UG and G3 see themselves as very different groups, several individuals who have been active in civic or school affairs report being invited to join both tickets.
THE CAUCUS FRACAS
About 25 people came to a meeting of the District 225 Caucus last week far fewer than organizers would like to have in choosing candidates for the high school board of education. President Brian Bulger began by "choosing" a screening committee hoping half the members would be from Glenview and half from Northbrook. Bulger passed a hat around, and volunteers put in their names. When he counted the cards, five were from Glenview and five from Northbrook.
That matter settled with ease, Bulger moved to the next hurdle choosing a chairman for the committee that will review the credentials of prospective candidates and make recommendations. Caucus rules dictate the office be filled by someone who has served on the screening committee in the past. Three people qualified, but one said he was not interested. That left former school board members Art Wulf and Susan Isenberg individuals who have feuded publicly for years.
Isenberg is a personal friend of Village Board President Nancy Firfer, while Wulf has bitterly attacked Firfer for failing to impose higher impact fees on developers.
Bulger was clearly uncomfortable and decided to put off a decision. On Saturday, he said the job would go to Isenberg because the caucus needed "diversity." Four other officers in the caucus are male.
Also at the meeting, District Superintendent David Hales presented a list of achievements by the current board. Topping that list, "improving the relationship between board and superintendent." Eight other accomplishments followed before Hales mentioned the board is "finally starting to focus on education."
The caucus is still looking for volunteers. If you'd like to serve, call Brian Bulger at 998-5208 or Jim Carroll at 998-9346.
THE PARTY POOP
Tis the season, and Glenview's partymeisters are keeping the village entertained. At the North Shore Country Club, dozens of appointed and elected officials were treated to a dinner of filet mignon. Also feasting at taxpayers' expense, former village presidents Jim Smirles, Paul Thomas, Jack Mabley and Tom Smith. They were seated with retiring President Firfer and former Plan Commission Chair Tim Doron at a spot referred to as the "has been table." Village Attorney Jeff Randall, who was also seated there, joked uneasily about his job security.
A few days later, the village spent $1,400 so trustees and managers could attend Glenview's Chamber of Commerce holiday dinner. The evening's highlight came when an attorney who often represents clients before the Village Board and Plan Commission seized the microphone and began a rambling, semi-coherent endorsement of Larry Carlson for Village Board President. Carlson reportedly became embarrassed and begged the lawyer to stop.
We trust that Carlson will recuse himself in all matters presented by the politically active attorney. Needless to say, the Watch will be watching.
DEVELOPER WANTS MORE TOWN HOMES AND ROW HOUSES
Northbrook-based Linden Tree Ventures will ask the Village Board Tuesday for permission to build 67 town homes and row houses at 1850 Landwehr Road. The ten-acre parcel targeted for development is across the street from the Glenview ice rink.
VILLAGE SAYS GLEN OAK PERMITS WERE ISSUED
Last week, we reported that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District had cited the developer of the Glen Oak Shopping Center at the corner of Lake and Waukegan for failing to properly notify it about sewer work. MWRD also expressed doubts about whether village permits had been issued for the renovations and construction now underway. When we called Village Hall on Friday, December 8, officials could not say whether the property, managed by former Village President Jim Smirles, had the necessary approvals. On Monday, we received a call from the manager's office assuring us that Glen Oaks had the necessary permits from Glenview.
VILLAGE BOARD PREVIEW
During this week's village board meeting, we'll learn about a new, one-year deal with Mesirow Stein, Glenview's marketing consultant at The Glen. Trustee Donna Pappo led negotiations on the contract that cuts Mesirow Stein's compensation from $1 million to $370,000 a year. Still to be sold the Mixed Use Retail Center at the heart of The Glen and a small piece of residential property.
Nature lovers should also tune in to channel 17 or attend the village board meeting on Tuesday, December 19 at 7:30 for a review of agreements with Catellus, developer of an industrial park at The Glen. Those legal covenants are supposed to protect rare prairie plants and animals living next door.
NORTHBROOK CENTENNIAL CELEBRATES PROFIT
Glenview's Centennial Chairman Jim Smirles is set to report on the finances of festivities this past year including publication of a Centennial book that was offered free to any Glenview household. The village advanced $30,000 for the Centennial celebration and has offered an additional $70,000 to cover expenses.
Meanwhile, Northbrook reports that its Centennial committee raised $240,000 to build a commemorative plaza at the northwest corner of the Village Green, and their Centennial book has paid for itself with 826 copies sold. Northbrook provided a $5,000 subsidy for that community's Centennial festivities.
DORON FINDS TOUGH SLEDDING ON THE OTHER SIDE
Glenview's former Plan Commission Chair Tim Doron is getting a taste of his own medicine in pleadings before Northbrook's Plan Commission. Doron is the traffic consultant for Wintrust Financial which hopes to build a bank at the corner of Shermer and Waukegan roads. The panel attacked parking and drive-through plans, according to the Northbrook Star. After listening to the commissioners' complaints, Doron reportedly said the design wasn't as bad as some thought.
IDOT TO WIDEN WAUKEGAN ROAD?
As part of the planning process for the new bank, Northbrook made a surprising discovery. The Illinois Department of Transportation is talking about widening Waukegan Road from Lake-Cook to Walters creating a thoroughfare 90-100 feet wide, forcing condemnation of 24-34 feet of land along the way. One Northbrook official said that would wipe out almost every business on Waukegan Road. IDOT has not set money aside for the project, suggesting that like the widening of Willow Road it is far from a certainty.
VILLAGE MANAGER LAMENTS "BALKANIZED PASTICHE OF ROADS"
The Watch recently received three letters from readers with ideas on making Glenview roads safer and more efficient. We forwarded them to the official Traffic Committee by way of the Village Manager's Office. Last week, Manager Paul McCarthy sent this response:
"Please understand that the Traffic Committee reviews requests that are made in writing directly to the committee at this address. These requests usually ask for specific traffic changes (e.g. stop signs, speed limit restrictions, stricter or looser parking regulations, etc.) and is normally accompanied by a petition signed by people living in the affected neighborhood to show there is a real support for the request.
"As a matter of background, the traffic committee is comprised of one member of the Police, Fire, Engineering, and Public Works Departments, as well as the Village Manager's Office. The mission of the traffic committee is to provide objective, sound analysis of traffic requests to insure installation of legal signage, and to provide an avenue for the public to voice concerns and make requests. The traffic committee responds to requests in writing.
"Moreover, all requests for review/installation of change of traffic signage, general traffic complaints, and inquiries into traffic problems/patterns are directed to the traffic committee for review, response, and in some cases, recommendation to the Village Board. Capital improvements such as road construction, traffic mitigation, and road alignment are not within the scope of the traffic committee.
"There are, of course other broader based issues regarding traffic levels in areas of town or our region. The Board of Trustees have included in the 2001 Budget an appropriation to support the development and implementation of traffic calming measures on village owned roads. Unfortunately, an underlying impediment to a well coordinated program is the balkanized pastiche of roads in and around the Village under the control of other jurisdictions such as the state, the county as well as immediately adjacent municipalities but we're going to try this year."
Editor's note: We think the village manager should welcome opinions of all citizens concerned about traffic safety and efficiency whether they come with petitions or not. Staff should facilitate community advice rather than discourage it. We also wish the manager would speak in plain English rather than trying to intimidate citizens with bureaucratic lingo and mysterious McCarthyisms.
MAIN TENANT FOUND FOR GLEN SHOPPING DISTRICT
After years of searching, The Glen appears to have found its anchor a 150,000-square-foot store to do business at the heart of the new development. Von Maur (rhymes with power) is a small department store chain based in Davenport, Iowa. It has 14 properties, including stores in Forsyth, Lombard, Moline and Normal, Illinois.
The store will be built out from one side of Hangar One. Besides upscale clothing, Von Maur offers special services free gift wrapping and shipping, wardrobe planning and gift selection. Clerks phone to tell customers about sales and send thank you notes to those who buy.
While the store's website boasts traditional designer merchandise (Polo, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger and Kenneth Cole), the virtual tour on Von Maur's website gave us pause. In the shoe department, we were told, you can get everything from "platforms to penny loafers."
HOME DEPOT UPDATE
If you're waiting for Home Depot's Design Expo to open at The Glen, put down your tools. The company is now guessing it might open in the spring of 2002 with the hardware store opening in fall 2001 one year later than originally expected. A company spokesman says they're still trying to work out details with the village. Meanwhile, officials say they have found a way to relieve drainage problems on the triangular Home Depot site a problem that had caused serious flooding in Northbrook.
NORTHBROOK IMPOSES TREE MORATORIUM
Earlier this year, Glenview adopted a new tree ordinance based on Northbrook's law governing front and side yards. Our neighbor to the north banned cutting of trees with a breast height diameter of six inches or more without permission. Glenview found that too strict and enacted a ban on cutting of 10-inch trees. Now comes word that people in Northbrook don't think their ordinance is strict enough. They've imposed a 60-day moratorium on removing any trees over six-inches in diameter even those in back yards until the board can consider a tougher law. Both Northbrook and Glenview exempt nuisance trees species that grow quickly in almost any location.
BREATHE EASY
Earlier this year, a story in the Chicago Sun-Times raised fears that
dangerous air pollutants generated by planes at O'Hare might be drifting
to suburbs and cities as far away as Waukegan. To determine
possible risk, the Illinois EPA set up monitoring stations in four suburbs
including Northbrook. After sampling the air for 24 hours on six occasions
this summer, the IEPA says levels of chemicals linked to the burning of
jet fuel and other petroleum products were no higher than at other sites
in the metropolitan area. IEPA Director Tom Skinner described the findings
as "preliminary" and said the agency would continue to collect
and analyze air
samples.
SONGS OF THE SEASON
Glenbrook South High School is tuning up for its annual holiday choral
concert. The public is welcome at 7:30 p.m. on December 20 in the
auditorium. Admission is free.
READERS SHOW SUPPORT
Many thanks to those who sent donations to help Glenview Watch cover
on-going expenses of duplication, mailing and website maintenance.
Your support means a lot to us! For those who would still like to
chip in, our mailing address is Glenview Watch, 3537 Maple Leaf Dr.,
Glenview 60025.
BRITS ORDER ENGLISH TOFFEE FROM GLENVIEW
If you've got a sweet tooth, you know about Cora Lee's a charming
little candy store that's been in Glenview for more than 40 years.
If you wander into the old fashioned confectionary on a summer morning,
you might think the shop is your secret, but at this time of year, it's
apparent. The whole world knows about Cora Lee near the corner of
Lake and Waukegan Road.
Several English customers send mail orders for the shop's specialty,
English toffee. A newspaper publisher from New Jersey ordered 100
boxes for his employees and closest friends, and a magnate at the
Merchandise Mart in Chicago set the record when she bought 800 boxes of
the buttery, chocolate-covered treat.
Cora Lee imports its dried, candied fruits from Australia. Chocolate comes
from a variety of sources and is blended on the premises for a special
taste and texture. In fact, almost every kind of candy on display is
made here in Glenview, and the two stoves in the back are cooking almost
non-stop.
"We make everything fresh," says Leonard Toll, who owns the
business with Kenneth Klien and James Priebe. "This is definitely our
busy time. We do 40 percent of our business in November and
December."
The Watch had hoped to speak with Cora herself but was told she's long
gone. Toll thinks the original owners (some time before 1962) were a
couple named Cora and Lee.
If this story has you salivating, there's one more thing you should know.
Cora Lee is in urgent need of staff. To apply for the chance to
inhale toffee and chocolate fumes, to sample and to serve fellow candy
fans, call 724-2754.
READERS WRITE:
SS TELLS A SNOWY JOKE: "Do you remember the controversy about
building the sidewalk to nowhere on Landwehr south of Willow? Have
you noticed some sloppy snow removal around Glenview? Well, I have
good news for Kent Fuller and all the other winter walkers: the sidewalk
to nowhere has been plowed and maintained perfectly all week!"
MICKEY SAFSTROM SHARES HER LINK TO VILLAGE HALL: "In your reply to HS
for names and phone numbers of village trustees you neglected to give the
e-mail address for the village. One can use it and then designate
the person to whom the message is directed using the subject bar of the
e-mail. I assume you have it, but if not, here it is: Chrisw@glenview.il.us
"Thanks for keeping the information coming in such a prompt,
insightful and sometimes humorous way."
Editor's note: Chris W. is Glenview's data processing guru. He'll
see that your e-mail is delivered to the person who can help you best.
ROB BLOMQUIST, APPRENTICE STEWARD FOR THE AIR STATION PRAIRIE, SETS
THE WATCH STRAIGHT ON PUBLIC ACCESS: "While I agree that access to
the Air Station Prairie is limited right now and that the village is
taking its time while contaminated fill is being removed, you are
mistaken to say that there is no access for scout troops and school
groups. This fall there were two workdays where both girl scouts and
cub scouts had great times working to collect seed. This seed will be
planted on the eastern shore prairie of Gallery Park. There was also
a school group from Baker Demonstration School in Wilmette that paid a
visit to our prairie.
"Though access is allowed only on North Branch Restoration Project
workdays, it is a chance for valuable work by interested children and
adults from Glenview and beyond. There is another workday scheduled
for 1 p.m. Saturday, January 13 to remove invasive brush. All ages are
welcome. Just bundle up!"
GW WONDERS ABOUT UNLIT HOLIDAY LIGHTS: "Though this may be the least
of Public Works' problems right now, does Glenview Watch know why the
holiday decorations on the streetlights on Waukegan Road, just north of
Lake Avenue, have yet to be turned on? All the other decorations along
Waukegan Road are lighted except those between Lake and Loren Buick."
The Watch replies: The utility poles in that stretch do not have
electrical outlets, so it isn't possible to light the lights. By the
way, we thought you might be interested in what Glenview spends on holiday
decorations. The 2001 budget contains an appropriation for $44,500.
MARGE RICHTER WANTS TO KEEP THE LIBRARY WHERE IT IS: "Seems
like The Glen has become the village of Glenview. I agree with P.L.
in wanting to keep the library and the downtown area vibrant."
FORMER GLENVIEW AND NORTHBROOK RESIDENT TERRY WODDER HAS THIS WARNING
ABOUT OUR LIBRARY: "Poor old Santa. If the library board gets
its wish, he'll be carrying a mighty heavy load this Christmas. In
fact, he'll probably need to add a couple of extra reindeer just to get
off the ground. Over a year ago I wrote a letter about the
architectural firm of Frye, Gillan & Molinaro (FGM) which had been
hired to study whether or not to expand Glenview's library.
"Several years ago the Northbrook Public Library Board hired FGM to
conduct a needs analysis report which led to the construction of an
additional 35,000 square feet at a cost of over $10 million. I first
became suspicious of the Northbrook expansion when I read that they wanted
to add 283 patron seats to bring their total to 454. In one of my
past lives I was an auditor, so I counted the number of patrons in the
library at various times during the month and how many seats were occupied
at any one time. The figure never exceeded 90. After a
year-long investigation, a small group of citizens determined that the
proposed addition was 10,000-15,000 square feet too large at a cost of $3
million-$4 million too much.
"FGM is an architectural firm, not a consulting firm
specializing in library space analysis. FGM is likely to bid on design of
the building. A bigger project could mean more money for them, but
bigger isn't always better for a community. What's more, in the age
of the information super highway, which allows someone with a PC and an
e-mail address to access the Library of Congress faster than a speeding
bullet, Glenview may not need an enormous new library."
Editor's note: You can see the space needs analysis that was done for
Glenview by going to the library's website: www.glenview.lib.il.us.
While FGM was hired to look at the structural integrity of the current
library building, an independent consultant named George Lawson did the
space needs analysis. FGM is one of four architectural firms that
have expressed interest in working on a new or enlarged public library
downtown or at The Glen.
KAREN FANN VOUCHES FOR BIFF THIELE: "I would just like to say
something on behalf of Biff Thiele. He was one of the first people that my
husband and I met after our move to Glenview. Biff has helped us a lot to
keep up on current events and things that are going on in the village. He
is also the one who made us aware of Glenview Watch, and for that I am
very thankful.
"Biff is more concerned about the citizens of Glenview than anything
else. He wants to help get people into office who will respond to the
residents' needs people who are not afraid to go after the things that
can make Glenview better. I know he's not interested in running, but
he has my vote for any office if he ever decides to run.
"On the other hand, Larry Carlson starts his campaign by
judging the residents he hopes to serve. His arrogance suggests he's
putting up the same old tent."
GAYLE NELSON WANTS MORE SIDEWALKS: "I'm glad to hear about the
sidewalk proposal on Willow. Any chance it could be extended farther
west? While we were driving down Willow on Saturday people were
walking on the street between the new temple and Plaza del Prado.
Many Jews do not drive on Saturdays, so the sidewalk is critical. It
would also seem that if the expense is being made to get crews out
there, it might be worthwhile to extend it further and protect the
walkers and riders in this area."
The Watch replies: Alas, much of the land in question lies in
unincorporated Northbrook. That means the village has no right to
build sidewalks there. If and when the property is developed,
Northbrook officials say the builder will be required to install
sidewalks.
JOHN MOYNIHAN ON WIDENING WILLOW ROAD: "I noticed the reference to
better-timed lights in your latest e-mail. I have lived in other
cities where the lights on major roads are so well timed that you will go
for miles and miles without stopping even during rush-hour traffic.
It has been so in these cities for decades. The first step in that
direction on Willow Road could be the re-calibration of the hair-trigger
traffic sensors on the exits from the Kohl's and Target parking lots.
These sensors instantly stop traffic on Willow when one car pulls
up."
DK HAS AN IDEA FOR GVTV: " Thanks to Glenview Watch for the updates
on weather emergencies, school and park district closings. It's too
bad our local cable station can't find it within their means to post
updates on Channel 17. They should have the capability to scroll
emergency messages at the bottom of the screen at any time of the
day."
Editor's note: We don't know what GVTV can do, but we were pleased to know
that District 225 began collecting e-mail addresses from parents at
the start of this school year. As a result, GBS and GBN were able to
instantly alert 2,400 families of plans to close school. In
addition, folks can call the main number at GBS (729-2000) for a recorded
announcement or tune into cable channel 26 for the latest
information. If you want to be on the high school's e-mailing list,
call 486-4724.
STAN EVANS TAKES BEVINGTON TO TASK: "Bevington never stops
loving those developers. At this week's Plan Commission meeting, the
builder of the town homes west of the car wash on Chestnut Street
appeared. Five years ago, the village gave him specific direction as
to how his development should look from the road, as it was the Gateway
to the Glen.' The developer built it in total disregard for the approved
plans, and now he wants the Plan Commission to let it all slide because it
will cost too much to do it over. (Chairman Howard Silver analogized it
well. He said it was like a boy that poisoned his parents and then
pleaded with the court for mercy because he was an orphan!) Most of
the commissioners came down on the builder and agreed that they should
make him go back and do it right. All except Commissioner Bevington.
"Also this week, the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals
explored capping maximum building size in certain neighborhoods based on
zoning. After lengthy discussions, Chairman Silver said that it would be
unwise to pass this ordinance at one sitting, and he suggested letting
everyone think about it until next time. He was also concerned that
there was not enough public input from the people who would be affected
most. Enter Jack Cheese' Bevington with his typical
bull-in-a-china-shop demeanor. He jumped on Silver and insisted that
there was no reason to carry it over. Zoning board member Mary
Novotny joined Silver in opposing the one meeting slam-dunk that Bevington
was attempting to engineer and reasonableness prevailed. The issue
has been continued until January 9th. I urge everyone to be there,
except Commissioner Bevington, the developers' best friend."
Your Turn. What's on your mind? Send us an e-mail. We are Sandy Hausman and Dean Schott GlenviewWatch@aol.com.