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The
Glenview Watch February 18, 2001 |
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A CLOSER LOOK AT THE ANNOUNCEMENTS
The Glenview Announcements claims to be an "unbiased source of
election information," but a close look at what has appeared in its
pages since mid-January suggests otherwise.
In the February 8 issue, for example, the editors devoted 43.5 column
inches to discussing the Unite Glenview (UG) party, its candidates and
supporters. The opposing Glenview Good Government (G3) party, and
its backers received only 22 column inches.
A letter attacking G3's presidential candidate was headlined "Pappo
Supporters May Hurt Downtown," but a letter attacking UG's Larry
Carlson on that issue carried a more neutral headline: "Carlson Has
Altered His Stance on D1."
On January 25, the paper carried 20 column inches of letters
supporting Carlson and 12 column inches backing Pappo. The
"unbiased" headlines included: "Carlson's Stance on Willow
Road Right," and "Unite Glenview Ticket Backed."
In a news story about the lottery used to assign ballot positions, the
Announcements wrote, "The Unite Glenview Party's presidential
candidate claimed the top spot on the April 3 ballot." Two
paragraphs later, the paper repeated that point when it wrote:
"Carlson won."
In this week's issue of the Announcements, not a single letter appeared in
support of the G3 candidates, although letters were submitted.
Instead, the paper ran 41 column inches of letters supporting Larry
Carlson and attacking Donna Pappo.
The paper had previously called Pappo's party by the wrong name and
misidentified one of the candidates as "Donna" Anderson when her
name is Gail Anderson. The errors were barely acknowledged. At the
end of the Weekly Digest, the paper said simply: "Gail Anderson is
running for village trustee on the Glenview Good Government party
ticket."
But the most disturbing attack came last week on the editorial page.
If you read the Announcement's news coverage about a flap over G3's
request to use a cable studio, you knew that Glenview Television
"does not preclude partisan activities," and Assistant Village
Manager Joe Wade had approved the idea, offering an equal opportunity to
members of the UG Party.
In a memo to the trustees, Village Attorney Jeff Randall had made it clear
the G3 people acted properly, yet the Announcements' editor raised the
possibility that G3's action was "criminal" and asserted the
party was attempting to get air time. In fact, the group made it
clear they were planning to use the studio for off-air training, not
on-air programming.
Editor's note: It is a sad fact that most suburbanites get little
accurate news coverage about their own communities. Instead, they
rely on word of mouth and marginal weekly newspapers that are
dependent on advertising revenue from real estate companies and banks to
survive. The prosperity of these papers is linked to development.
The more new homes, the more ads. The more new residents, the more
subscribers. In short, it is entirely predictable that the Glenview
Announcements would back the pro-development UG Party and its presidential
candidate.
VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE LOOMS
If you or someone you know is not registered to vote and would like to
take part in the April 3 election, there's still time to register at
Village Hall or the Northfield Township office at 3801 W. Lake Ave. across
from Glenbrook South High School. March 6 is
the deadline. Bring some form of
identification with your address on it a current driver's license,
bank statement, water bill or library card. You can also
order a registration form by mail, find out where you go to vote or
preview the ballot by visiting www.voterinfonet.com.
VOTING ABSENTEE
If you are going to be out of town on election day or are physically
disabled, will be serving as an election judge, on jury duty, hospitalized
or observing a religious holiday, you can vote at Village Hall or
the Northfield Township office during the three-week period before the
election. You can also vote by mail. To apply for an absentee
ballot, write to rchew@cookctyclerk.com explaining why you'll be unable to
vote in person. The clerk will then send you an application. As soon
as you get it, sign and return it. The document must reach the
office by March 27.
PARK BOARD LEAVES POLITICIANS OUT IN THE COLD
In response to a request from citizens hoping to pass a referendum in
School District 34, the Glenview Park District said it would not allow
candidates or interest groups to set up tables in the lobby of Park
Center. Admitting they could not keep politicians from talking with people
in the building, they approved a new rule which would restrict
distribution of political literature to areas outside the building.
"People come here to relax and recreate," said Board member Doug
Kaiser. "I don't want them to be hounded."
STAFF CREATES "TOP TEN" LISTS FOR PARK CENTER
Glenview's new community center remains very popular with residents.
In a single day, the staff booked 73 birthday parties and
sold 150 memberships. With the flood of
interest has come a flood of suggestions for improving Park Center, and
Superintendent of Leisure Services Bob Quill says each department is
creating a Top 10 list setting priorities for improvements.
As if to prove that everyone has an idea, three board members spoke up
when Quill announced the situation at last week's board meeting. Steven
Schulte asked if more hooks could be installed in lockers. Catherine
Crowley worried that people stretching before a run on the track would
leave fingerprints on the white walls and proposed installation of a
plexiglass strip, and Judy Beck said the public wants food!
Quill said the park district was looking into providing coffee and light
snacks from a cart in the lobby.
On a related note, Quill will be honored with a special Civic
Award bestowed by the village, police department, chamber of commerce and
other local groups on March 23. Others to be honored include retiring
Village President Nancy Firfer, former Police Chief Dave Kelly, paramedic
John Hutchison, Grove advocate Mary Lee Attea, Youth of the Year Bill
Macfadden and Public Service Award winner Mary Beth Hartmann.
A SUMMER VACATION AT WAGNER FARM?
While the Park District is not ready to open Wagner Farm to the public, it
may offer access on a few weekends this summer. Meanwhile, a
consultant to the steering committee will present three different models
for how the farm might evolve as a center for education and passive
recreation. There is broad agreement that it will be a working farm
and a historical museum, and that the Glenview Historical Society's house
will not relocated to the site. The committee has yet to decide what
animals, other than cows and chickens, will be kept at Wagner Farm and
which buildings will be preserved. The public is welcome to attend
the consultants' presentation at 7 p.m. March 14 in Park Center.
SILVER SHREDS DEVELOPER'S EVIDENCE
Howard Silver, chairman of the Plan Commission, attacked Insignia Homes
a developer hoping to build 37 town homes on the west side of
Milwaukee Avenue just south of Lake. During a
public hearing Tuesday, Silver reviewed the firm's economic impact
statement. It claimed Glenview's schools and
village government would benefit from the arrival of 37 new families
that the cost of providing them with services would be lower than the
taxes they would pay.
"Whoever prepared this made a notation," Silver said, "that
residential properties in Northfield Township were assessed in 1997 at
9.35 percent of market value rather than 16 percent, yet in doing the
math, you used the whole 16 percent."
In other words, the developer may have
overestimated tax revenue by as much as 35 percent. He
also described a similar development being planned on Landwehr Road, just
north of Lake. "Their town homes are
selling for an average of $395,000. Their
fiscal impact study came with about a $6,500 average real estate tax bill.
You're at $350,000 with almost a $10,000 tax bill.
I believe your numbers are considerably off."
He then turned to Insignia's claim that its town homes would send just two
kids to Glenbrook South High School. The
developer said residents would pay $66,000 in
property tax revenues to District 225, with the students costing just
under $14,000 apiece to educate. That would
leave a $38,000 net profit.
Silver pointed out that if the developer was wrong and four more students
went to the high school, "South would be in the red because of your
development, and that's with your [inflated] numbers. . .The
village of Glenview is a business," he added, "and I don't think
any business welcomes net losses."
The developer defended his fiscal report, pointing out that the village's
economic consultant Steve Friedman had approved it. "I'm
not accepting Mr. Friedman's analysis either," Silver said. "I'm
in real estate finance for a living. . . I can work the math."
Insignia Homes will be at the next Plan Commission meeting perhaps
with a modified statement on the fiscal impact of its proposed
development.
HIGH SCHOOLS TO ADD STUDENTS AND STAFF
District 225's two high schools are bracing for the largest influx of new
students in 27 years. This fall, officials expect 182 new students
will enroll. Sixty-four of them will attend North while 118 are
headed for South. The district plans to add 23 staffers to
accommodate the increase and provide special education and services, such
as remedial reading and guided studies.
HUNTER ROAD GETS PUBLIC PARKING BAN
Ever since work started on a new parking garage for the County Courthouse
on Old Orchard Road in Skokie, Glenview residents who live nearby have
complained that dozens of county workers are parking on their street
rather than using remote lots and taking a shuttle bus. One couple
shared their frustration with the Watch, and we urged them to ask the
village for restricted parking on Hunter Road. This month, the board
approved that request, making day-time parking legal for residents only.
DOWNTOWN DOINGS
There are unconfirmed reports that the Renneckar's site has been sold
again this time to a local developer intent on building town homes.
The news has alarmed critics of downtown zoning who feel high-density
housing is not the way to spur economic growth, that it will only increase
traffic congestion and parking problems.
Meanwhile, the Optima West building on Dewes is asking for permission to
turn its storefronts into professional and business offices. Current
downtown zoning restricts first floor use to retail, but the developer
says it has not been able to find retail tenants. A
public hearing on the matter will be held at Village Hall on March 13 at
7:30 p.m.
And, finally, there is no action to report on a public promise by village
management to help the library stay downtown. Unwilling to pay top dollar
for property at The Glen, the post office has said it will stay at its
current location, blocking library plans to expand.
THE MEAT OF THE MATTER
In the last year, Americans have been reading about health hazards posed
by contaminated meat. Now, Sunset Foods in Northbrook is going on
the offensive. They'll host a seminar on the subject at the
Northbrook Library, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, February 22. The event
will feature talks by industry executives, tips for safe handling of
beef, lamb, pork and poultry along with recipes, cooking demonstrations
and samples.
At 7 p.m. February 28, Glenview's public library hosts another discussion
about food. Dr. Garry Sigman, an expert in pediatric medicine, and
social worker Sandy Rosenberg will talk about healthy weight management in
the Maynard Room.
READERS WRITE
ABJ wonders why we failed to eulogize a popular high school football
coach: "I am deeply disappointed that your
publication did not include anything about Coach John Davis, who passed
away this week. Coach Davis was a beloved
member of the high school, as well as the community as a whole.
While your articles tend to center around negative issues
and shortcoming (as you see them) of local government leaders, it would be
nice for once to remember a man who had a positive impact on the students
and faculty at Glenbrook South. If you call
yourself the Glenview Watch,' then please report on all the significant
events in the town, and not just the government bashing journalism you
indulge in. Coach Davis deserves to be honored and remembered.
The Watch replies: As you probably know, the Glenview
Watch is published by a couple of working parents in their spare time --
which means we have very limited resources. As a rule, we focus on
politics and public affairs and write few feature stories. We wish
we could do more.
MK got our note asking that the Watch not be forwarded without an okay
from the recipient and wonders: "Is it permitted to
print out an issue occasionally for distribution to Glenview people and
others who are not on line and do not get out regularly to pick up a copy
at the library? Also what about on-line individuals who may
not want a weekly subscription but would like to receive a particular
issue? I do promise not to sell copies of Glenview Watch no matter
how valuable I think it is!"
The Watch replies: Thanks, MK. We're flattered that you would
even mention sale of our newsletter, but money is not the issue here.
We had a gentleman who said he did not wish to get the Watch, but when we
looked through the addresses on our e-mailing list, we couldn't find him.
We thought maybe someone was forwarding the Watch and asked that folks not
do that without the recipient's permission.
JR wonders what makes some public servants defensive: "Why do
public officials get defensive and lie when we go to board meetings or
write about their votes in the paper? Maybe it's because they don't
know anything and don't want people to know they don't know anything.
Go to a meeting, ask a smart question and wait for a dumb or defensive
answer. Ask a District 34 School Board member how much any single
program costs, how much more it will cost to heat our schools this year or
next, or what a tax cap is and how it works. Ask the Park District
Board what their energy plan is for the new play dome [Park Center] at The
Glen. Ask the Village Board candidates why the expense for a single
project is buried in several different places on the budget, or why their
public comment meetings are always held after the decision has already
been made."
Biff Thiele was upset by Trustee Patton's attack on the Watch: "Once
again, His Royal Arrogance John Patton was up there losing control and
preaching from his pulpit. As his amigo Larry Carlson chuckled, Patton
publicly attacked the Glenview Watch because it doesn't cater to his
personal views on politics.
He wouldn't know civility if it bit him. It's no wonder his own party
wouldn't support his candidacy. Tuesdays just won't be the same after
April 3rd. I'm really going to miss his pompous antics."
And Ib Jorgenson, a native of Denmark, defends us:
"I think you should sue John Patton for slander. Who
does he think he is Fidel Castro? We live in America where freedom of
speech is protected by our Constitution. You have every right to ask the
Village Board and him any questions and write anything you want.
You are good journalists,
and I will support and defend you. Thanks
to the Glenview Watch, we citizens get to know things
that otherwise would fall through the cracks.
The Watch replies: The Constitution does guarantee Trustee
Patton the right to say what he will about Glenview Watch. Thanks
for your support.
And TGW, who has been a community watchdog himself, writes about
Trustee Patton's name for Glenview Watch. Patton called it
"Sandy Hausman's Internet Tabloid," and urged cable
viewers to consider the acronym. TGW writes: "Don't
feel bad. I once received a fan letter that began, Dear Parasite with
no redeeming value.' I saved it. I
consider it a badge of honor."
Amy Brossard is back with observations on last week's fireworks
at the Glenview Village Board meeting: "John
Patton's angry verbal assault on Sandy Hausman as editor of the Glenview
Watch demonstrates his complete lack of emotional control and/or lack of
judgment and his willingness to go to war with Glenview residents who
espouse anything contrary to what he believes. The
board should make a motion to sanction him, ask him if he would like to
resign or tell him if he does anything that egregious again, he will be
dismissed for violating the oath of trustee.
"Thankfully, Rachel Cook was able to verbalize the offense and
disdain that many of us felt as we witnessed Patton's unprovoked attack.
Perhaps she can also refer Patton to an employee assistance
provider or anger management class. Is it any
wonder that village residents love the Glenview Watch? It's
our bully pulpit, Mr. Patton!
"As for Manager McCarthy, who considers himself an agent of change
someone who has shed his bureaucrat skin I'd
say the emperor has no clothes. He tries to
intimidate residents who ask questions, telling them to go read old copies
of the Glenview Announcements as if the answers were there.
"It might help residents if McCarthy would review the key facts and
board decision dates leading to multi-million dollar decisions about the
RED Center instead of complaining when residents ask questions that he
isn't prepared to answer."
Henry Hill, a long-time Glenview resident and a leader in the
fight for Wagner Farm, urges readers to be open: "I know that
Glenview Watch encourages public response but I am a little fed up with
people using only initials. If they don't want their full name to be used,
their comments shouldn't receive space. If you want to write, sign
it!"
The Watch replies: Thanks, Henry. We, too, prefer that people
use their names, but the political climate has been so uptight in Glenview
for so long there are folks who feel shy about admitting they read our
controversial copy. We're glad you're a courageous guy and
urge others to follow Henry's fine example.
Charles J Barron replies to letters written by John Ranz in opposition
to increased taxes for District 34 schools. Barron takes issue with
Ranz's math: "District 34 did not spend $4 million per year in
excess of 1987 spending. Rather, over the past several years,
additional money per year was spent on badly needed renovations and school
improvements. These were one-time expenses. When you look at on-going
costs, District 34 has reduced spending in terms of 1987 dollars to remain
within its budget. Indeed, the district now spends less money per
pupil than it did in 1987 and much less than neighboring districts.
"Without a referendum, tax receipts will not be sufficient to educate
all students within the district based upon the anticipated increase of
300-500 students. It is also improper to imply the programs and approach
to educating kids is the same as it was in 1987.
"I was bothered by Ranz's claim that the latest issue of Schoolook
was not appropriate. In fact, it would be inappropriate if the Board did
not communicate honestly and effectively with its constituency. The
Glenview community has always been one to value education and deserves to
know that the high standard of education here could change dramatically
without passage of this referendum.
"I also disagree with Ranz's interpretation of the No vote in
November. It did not represent a mandate against raising
taxes. Rather, it sent a message that the voters wanted additional
information about why a rate increase was needed and what its impact on
property tax bills would be. Ranz's group, CARE, had itself
suggested a No vote in November to allow for additional time to review the
tax increase.
"The school board and referendum committee are committed to
discussing the merits of the tax rate increase. I urge everybody to go to
upcoming meetings on the rate increase and ask questions. Perhaps, Mr.
Ranz should follow his own advice. "