Documents filed with the state show one of Glenview’s "new" political parties began the year with more than $7,600 in campaign contributions – mostly from businesses and professionals who do work for the village of Glenview. Larry Carlson, who heads the Unite Glenview ticket for Village Board, gave $500 as did his family’s company – Carlson Heating, Cooling and Electric, according to records submitted by the Glenview Boosters Association, the fund-raising arm for Unite Glenview (UG).

Casting doubt on a claim that UG is a whole new party, separate from Nancy Firfer’s organization, is the transfer of $1,653.05 from her Glenview United party. Ron Greco, its treasurer, was re-appointed by Firfer to the Zoning Board of Appeals last year and given a seat on the Comprehensive Plan Commission this month.

Other donations come from Glen Oak Plaza ($500) and Homer’s Ice Cream ($600), businesses owned by the family of UG party organizer Jim Smirles. The law firm of Mike Downing, who frequently appears before the Plan Commission and the Village Board on behalf of developers, gave $500 as did the firm of Steve Friedman who is an economic/real estate consultant to the village.

Northview Bank and Trust gave $500. So did Glenview Car Wash, and Alpha Signs – two firms that do work for the village, and Hackney’s on Lake which was paid $589 for "Food for Kickoff Party." It was at Hackney’s that Carlson kicked off his bid to be village president. In addition, there was a payment of $1,558 to Morris Marketing, a political consultant to Carlson and UG.

UG held its first fundraiser at Valley Lo Country Club last weekend, but details on donations will not be available until after the election. The Glenview Good Government Party, which formed in January, started with no bankroll. The group will hold its first fundraiser on February 9.

After 10 years on the Glenview police force, Stefan Johnson was promoted to sergeant. There were 25 letters of appreciation in his file – from grateful citizens, the FBI and police chiefs in neighboring communities where Johnson had helped solve cases. There was even a letter from the commanding officer of the former naval air station stemming from a shootout that occurred there. He lauded Johnson’s "courage, coolness, professionalism and bravery under fire as he removed a shooting victim from the line of fire. He protected this victim with his own body during this rescue," the commander wrote.

Other letters praised Johnson for sensitivity in dealing with children and all victims of crime. Johnson has won the public safety award from the Glenview Civic Awards Association twice, and he’s frequently had a perfect score in the department’s fitness program.

His superiors describe him as an excellent teacher with younger cops, and his fellow officers seem to like him. So many of them showed up for the promotion ceremony at Village Hall that one trustee quipped, "Is there anyone left on the street?"

In making the promotion, Village President Firfer noted that Johnson does not live in Glenview. "We’ll have to do something about that," she added.

Editor’s note: The fact is that when he assumes the role of sergeant on February 5, Johnson will earn $66,000 a year. On that salary, it might not be easy to find a nice home in Glenview. The supply of affordable houses is declining as people buy and replace them with larger, more expensive homes. Developers are charging more than a million dollars for new houses in some parts of Glenview, and well over $300,000 for town homes in more congested areas. Village officials won’t approve construction of one-bedroom units for fear they would be purchased and rented out.

If Nancy Firfer is serious about making a place for hard-working public servants, she might want to propose a program of local housing subsidies that would make it possible for Glenview policemen, firefighters, teachers and village employees to purchase homes here.

Victor Moore and his family own the last working nursery in Glenview, a 10-acre site near the intersection of Lake and Landwehr roads. They recently decided to move their business to unincorporated Northbrook and to develop their Glenview property.

Calling themselves Linden Tree Ventures, they have asked the Plan Commission for permission to build 67 town homes and row houses that would sell for $337,500 - $444,835.

They pledge to keep most of the 260 trees around the grounds and to create a 75-foot buffer between their new construction and existing single-family homes nearby.

The Moores say they could build single-family homes, but that would change the layout of the property – requiring them to take down trees and reduce the buffer to 25 feet. They argued that their own plan preserved about half the land as open space and promised to plant so many more trees and shrubs that the neighbors wouldn’t know they were there. (They did not say that building town homes and row houses is a lot more profitable than building single-family houses.)

A traffic expert said the impact of this planned development would be minimal with 45 cars moving onto Landwehr Road during the busiest hour of the morning and 60 going in or out during an hour of the evening rush. They based their claim on traffic counts in the area and studies of hundreds of similar developments and pointed out that the nursery had employed about 90 people who were coming and going in cars and trucks each day.

A fiscal impact expert claimed the town homes and row houses would be less likely to attract families with children and would have a smaller impact on the already crowded schools in District 31. They projected a total of 138 residents with 11 kids in grades K-8 and three students in high school.

A village planner signed off on those numbers, but Commissioner Joseph DiMattina wasn’t buying. "In my 10 years on the commission, there’s two things I don’t do," he said. "I don’t read fiscal impact studies, and I never believe traffic studies."

DiMattina, who lives in a town house at Indian Ridge, said he thought Glenview might have too many town homes and argued that this is fundamentally a village of single-family homes.

Chairman Silver echoed that sentiment, noting that there are single-family homes to the north and west of the site. (A large apartment complex lies to the south along Lake, and to the east is Glenview’s public skating rink and hospital.)

About 30 neighbors turned up with petitions bearing 162 signatures and testified they would prefer construction of single-family houses. They expressed fears that neighboring town homes would bring their property values down, and one woman suggested that the area had plenty of open space already. She cited land around Glenbrook Hospital, the high school and "even the parking lot to the ice center. Half the time they’re not that full, so that is kind of open space also."

The two Plan Commissioners who are architects, Peter Brinkerhoff and Gary Wendt, praised the Moores profusely for their design but felt too many units were planned. Commissioner Jim Patterson wasn’t sure what to do. He thought maybe a combination of town homes and single-family houses would be good. Commissioner Jack Bevington was absent, and – as usual – Commissioner Linda Witt left early.

The Moores agreed to come back another time to discuss alternative plans.

Editor’s note: The elementary school serving the area has been crowded for years, and the community has been unwilling to vote higher taxes for a new building. Last year, the voters okayed an addition to Winkelman School, but projects like Linden Tree Ventures could again strain the capacity of the system. Where was District 31? School boards everywhere should be vigilant about new development and active in early debate rather than wringing their hands and playing the victim later.

For the third time, District 225's caucus has rejected some incumbent candidates in favor of newcomers who want to sit on the school board. Neal Schact and Jim Seymour decided not to run when the caucus failed to endorse them. That leaves four people running, uncontested, for the board. They are attorney Elias Matsakis, a graduate of the University of Chicago and Harvard Law School, who has two kids at GBS and a third at Willowbrook School; former t.v. sportscaster Tom Shaer who has a daughter at GBS and a son at OLPH, and speech pathologist Donna Torf who holds a master’s degree from Northwestern and has children at GBN, Northbrook Junior High and Greenbriar Elementary. The current board president, Carol Rogal, was also slated.

In other school districts – 30, 31 and 34 – candidates are also running unopposed.

Meanwhile, District 34 is moving to define attendance boundaries for the new middle school. Superintendent Dot Weber hopes kids will come from all three intermediate schools – a pattern that could improve the odds for passage of a referendum to pay for more teachers and supplies. The district has struggled with a perception that the new school is being built for kids at The Glen when, in fact, the vast majority of students will come from other parts of Glenview.

Both the new school and Springman Middle School will serve grades 6-8, offering the same educational programs.

Voters will have a choice on April 3 when it comes to the Northfield Township Board and the Glenview Library Board. Four incumbents from the library board, Richard Clark, Richard Cagen, Richard Murphy and Karen Teitelbaum, have filed to keep their seats. They face a challenge from Mark Grant and Jerome McQuie. We’ll have details on each candidate as we get closer to election day.

The Democratic Party will field a slate of candidates for the Northfield Township Board, hoping to end years of GOP dominance. Party Chairman Elaine Nekritz told the Glenview Announcements that "no party should dominate government to the exclusion of all others for 40 years."

Glenview’s public library has launched an e-news service. As we reported in our last issue, you can get updates by going to www.glenview.lib.il.us. Click on "What’s New" and fill out the subscription form. Here’s a sample of activities listed this week:

The Glenview Public Library hosts "Antique Appraisals" with Fred Dose on Tuesday, January 30 at 7 PM. He will appraise one small item per household with a ticket which may be obtained from the Information Desk when you register. No jewelry will be appraised. There are a limited number of tickets so that he can appraise each item in front of the audience. Even if you do not bring an item, you can still attend this popular evening at the library.

You may sign up now at the Info Desk for other upcoming programs including the next International Night on Wednesday, February 7 at 7 PM. Canada's famous Manitoba Winter Festival will be presented by French Professor Susan Boldrey who is also the former Director of Public Affairs for the Government of Quebec. She'll show slides of the Festival highlighting ice sculptures, dog races, maple syrup taffy pulls, and the challenges for the French fur trappers and Hudson Bay traders. This Winter Festival is held in February each year so take a seat and pretend you're there!

Attention parents interested in exploring childcare possibilities in Glenview and the surrounding area! Attend our Preschool and Childcare Fair on Wednesday, January 31 at 7 PM in the Maynard Room. Here's your chance to meet teachers, directors and providers from area organizations. Collect brochures, lesson plans, and various other materials explaining school and care programs. There will be coffee, cocoa and snacks, too. There is no registration or ticket for this evening of information _ - just come!

On Thursday, February 8 at 7 PM there will be an Internet Tour and Demonstration for newcomers to the Internet. It is a good introduction to our hands_on Internet workshops, or for the merely curious. Please register in advance at the Information Desk under the skylight.

In the midst of a snowy winter, Dan writes: "I wonder if there is any information available about the new nine and 18-hole golf courses on The Glen?"

The Watch replies: The Park District will have some general information about the Glenview National Nine, our new public course, in its February brochure. It should arrive by mail in the next few days. Fees have not been set, and the course won’t open until midsummer, so you’ll have to wait for details.

The private course, owned and operated by Kemper Sports Management, will be ready July 1. The 18-hole championship course will also be open to the public. Rates are not yet available, but Glenview residents will get a 25 percent discount on green fees and will be able to make reservations two days before residents of other communities. For more information, call Will Kernahan at 480-4873.

Susie Brownell has a beef with Park Center: "I took my son to the Park Center Open House on Saturday afternoon (January 20) to try out the pool before spending the outrageous amount of money they want for a membership. Not only was the pool freezing cold (my son, who never gets cold, had blue lips within 10 minutes of getting in), but there was so much chlorine in the water that those of us who wouldn't go in because of the cold water had burning eyes due to the fumes! We were also kicked out by an abrupt message over the PA system with no mention of members being allowed to remain. Hell would have to freeze over, and it might given the water temperature, before I spent a dime for a membership there! It would be interesting to see if anybody else had the same opinion that we did."

The Watch replies: I heard the same complaint about chlorine from two other moms in the locker room and shared the complaint about ejecting Open House visitors in our last edition. While the eviction is history, Parks Director Tom Richardson says temperature is always a problem since some people prefer a cool and refreshing swim while others like their pool bath water warm. As for the chlorine, it’s part of the chemical mix that makes pools safe from a public health standpoint. Richardson says a team is working to achieve the right balance, but the problem is complex and may take some time

Ib Jorgenson wonders why Park Center does not require showers, with soap, before entering the pools: "I called the state’s health department, and they say a legal mandate to shower was taken off the books in 1998. With all the infectious diseases, it should be common sense."

The Watch replies: Dr. Walter Campbell, Glenview’s Public Health Officer, says chemicals in the water should be sufficient to kill any bacteria in the pools at Park Center, making showers unnecessary.

David Shapiro has a sharp eye and an inquiring mind: "Does anyone know why the United Way flag flies in front of Glenview's new Park Center?"

The Watch replies: The Park District supports the efforts of United Way and does sometimes fly its flag at various park facilities, but in this case, someone goofed. The state flag (which is also white) was supposed to go up below the U.S. flag at Park Center, but someone grabbed the United Way flag instead. Officials pledge to correct the situation eventually. Right now, with so much happening at the new community center, the flag situation is not a priority.

MMC wonders why no senior discount at Park Center: "I checked out Glenview's new health club and was disappointed to note there is no price recognition for Glenview seniors. Whether you make $200,000 annually or a minimal Social Security, it’s the same price. Senior discounts are common elsewhere. I have a Senior YMCA membership with no restrictions, and it’s measurably less than the new club. Twelve hundred free acres at The Glen and no senior consideration. It doesn't seem equitable."

The Watch replies: Park Center is determined to pay for itself, so there is no tax hike for the facility. While the land was free, the building cost nearly $23 million, so the District has a mortgage to pay and is not giving many discounts. The policy will be reviewed in April, and the board may also discuss offering "leisureships" – free or reduced fee memberships to low-income adults. Such passes are already available to children whose families demonstrate financial need.

In the mean time, there is a $25 reduction for signing up before the end of January, and you can get a limited membership for less. It allows you to use the fitness center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Other facilities including the pool, sauna, locker rooms and gym would be available to you at any time, and the track is free to all residents.

And Debbie Botthof wonders if the Park District’s Rugen Center site might be suitable for a new library: "I noticed that they're looking for something to do with the old Rugen Center. Is there some zoning regulation which would prohibit building a library on that property or better yet, renovate the existing building? There would be plenty of parking, and it is really quite lovely over there."

The Watch replies: Your idea is a good one, but it probably won’t fly. The Park District and Library are separate organizations – cooperative but independent, so any deal would have to be blessed by both parties, and for now the Park District has no plans to part with Rugen. It will either be renovated to provide additional space for indoor recreation or bulldozed to make way for more playing fields.

After reading our summary of Centennial news, Rhonda Newman writes: "The disappointing part in the Centennial book was that Willowbrook School was not even mentioned. After I picked up my book and realized that, I closed it and never opened it again. What an oversight. The families that have lived in the Willows and sent their kids to Willowbrook do not get the recognition they deserve."

The Watch replies: As fellow residents of District 30, we share your disappointment and were especially surprised. Our Superintendent of Schools, Harry Rossi, has been a big booster of the Firfer administration’s political agenda – backing TIF financing at The Glen and the Character Counts program. What’s more, the president of District 30's school board, Karen Roloff, is a personal friend to Glenview Village Board President Firfer who also lives in District 30.

G Wicklander is not impressed with the newest building downtown: "The Optima complex is one of the ugliest I’ve seen. I can't wait to see all the trees around the outside of the building as shown in the pictures. I guess they will have to plant them in the street."

And Alan Butman has one more thing to say about snow and sidewalks: "I have an idea regarding the village being able to makes more streets walkable without requiring them to shovel more than the 58 miles they currently shovel: If I am correct, Glenview shovels the sidewalk on both sides of Pfingsten as well as most if not all the other major streets. If they were to only shovel one side of the street and then focus their attention on shoveling one side of other streets, wouldn't they make twice as many streets walkable? Why do both sides of one street and neither side of other streets?"

Kim Brownell is concerned about safety on county roads: "I live on Sunset Ridge Rd. I know the upkeep is in the hands of the County. The road is in really bad shape, not potholes but just huge bumps. I worry about someone skidding and ending up in the ditch they are so bad. Does Glenview have any say about the maintenance of the roads that the County maintains? If so, I really wish they would do something."

The Watch replies: While some informal pressure from the village might help, repairs are a matter for the County. We suggest you contact your County Commissioner Gregg Goslin for help. His number is 998-5696.

GR is not convinced we need a bigger library right away: "Is the library really in need of 50,000 square feet of ADDITIONAL space. I think not. Check out Wilmette. They expanded twice in recent years and will soon fall into a deficit in their operating budget if they don't increase their tax rate via a referendum. They build and now can't afford to keep the lights on and heat it. Has our board run the numbers on costs for a 90,000 to 100,000 square foot facility?

"If the library were to plan a more modest expansion, there would be new options. For example, the Renneckar's site is too small for the library but perfect for Epco paint, and maybe the coffee shop could stay. I'm sure the village has been good to Dominick's, so they should be willing to sell at a reasonable price (ha, ha). With Epco gone, there would be more room for parking.

"To raise money for expansion, the library board might consider selling its current parking lot south of Glenview Road. It’s in a lousy location, especially for seniors and kids, but might be a suitable home for the Ameritech switching station. The phone company could keep the world's biggest "junction box" underneath their present location and tunnel under Glenview Rd. to their new building.

"Even assuming Ameritech stays where it is, the library could build over the alley and up from its present building. With a new facade the whole block would look great."

CARE leader John Ranz sends this note about the campaign for a school referendum in District 34: "In this week's SchooLook, the district says they have no money and need more money to maintain the status quo. In this week’s Glenview Announcements, the bond rating companies say our schools have millions of dollars in reserves.

"Both the SchooLook and Announcements carry threats of cutbacks in programs if more tax dollars are not forthcoming, but after allowing for increases in both enrollment and inflation, they spend $4 million more per year now than they did in 1987. That's 80 percent of the $5 million they're crying for. We have all the same basic programs that we have had for years.

"Without the referendum, tax receipts are going to go up enough in the next two years to pay for 300 kids. And that's separate from the over $4 million the TIF is supposedly going to pay for the Glen students.

"For more information, call me at 847-537-8401 or Larry Miller at 312-236-2431."

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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