PARTY OF CIVILITY FILES FORMAL COMPLAINT

Glenview politics fell to a new low last week when a local lawyer allied with the Unite Glenview party filed a formal complaint over raffle tickets sold by Glenview Good Government at its Valley Lo Fundraiser.  Because the party is new, the law does not permit it to hold a raffle, but G3 officials say they weren't aware of that restriction. They have returned about $195 raised through the sale of tickets.

G3 Chairman Richard Day said the action was "remarkably petty," and the Illinois Board of Elections showed no interest in the violation.  An official held a conference call with attorneys from both sides and said he hoped they could  "work it out."  

Editor's note: Upholding its tradition of bogus, biased coverage, the Glenview Announcements teased the story on its front page with the headline: "Glenview Good Government slammed for raffle at benefit."

The Chicago Tribune, which was tipped to the story by UG Campaign Chairman Tim Doron, chose to ignore the matter – recognizing, perhaps, that there are no issues of substance involved. 

It is ironic that Larry Carlson's party, which has repeatedly called for more "civility" in local government, chose to take this action.  It is further proof that members of Unite Glenview are the real source of rancor at Village Hall – that their pettiness and refusal to respect political opposition provokes much of the fighting we have witnessed over the past two years.

NO MORE NAPPING

Caught by surprise in the last election, the UG party seems determined to win this time around.  Its lawn signs began appearing last week.  Its candidates have campaigned at Park Center and the library and given coffee to train station commuters.  The campaign has produced three slick pieces of literature, completed two mass mailings and hired a prominent Chicago pollster to do a telephone survey of Glenview residents.  Experts say UG may easily have spent $30,000, and the election is still four weeks away.

The Glenview Good Government party is moving more slowly and appears to have far less money.  G3 began its campaign by announcing that it would not accept donations from developers and is relying on contributions from residents and small businesses.  The party has produced a hand-out for volunteers who will be going door-to-door over the next four weeks and will be planting lawn signs this week.  The G3 candidates say they don't need to do a survey since they live in Glenview and have a pretty good idea what voters think.

OUR SURVEY SHOWS

In a straw poll of Watch readers, 62 percent say they plan to vote for the Glenview Good Government ticket, 13 percent will cast ballots for Unite Glenview and 23 percent will split their vote.  The other 2 percent do not intend to vote.

Looking back to 1999, 47 percent of our readers supported Glenview First – Donna Pappo, Rachel Cook and John Crawford.  Eighteen percent backed Bob McLennan, Bill Stickney and Emil Ulstrup, while 34 percent did not vote.

On the issues, we found 34.5 percent supporting a tax hike for District 34 schools while 48 percent oppose it.  Nearly 12 percent remain undecided and 5.5% don't plan to vote on that question.

Half of those questioned feel the current "teardown ordinance" is not strict enough, 14.5 percent think the new law is fine, 15.5 percent say it's too strict, 12 percent are undecided and 6 percent say they don't care.

A majority – 64.5 percent – think high density housing is not the way to spark economic development downtown while 14.5 percent think it's a viable approach.  The rest are undecided or have no opinion.

On the subject of open space, 64.5 percent think the village should acquire it, 27.3% do not, and the balance are undecided or expressed no opinion.

Our thanks to all of those who took part.

THE CANDIDATES' DEBATE

Candidates from both parties will take part in the Chamber of Commerce debate on Monday night at 5:30 in Park Center.   That event will be taped and played on GVTV.  Then, at 7:00 p.m., discussion will shift to Glenbrook South High School where State Representative Beth Coulson, State Senator Kathy Parker,  local politicians and candidates will discuss future prospects for Willow Road.

SCHOOLS TO SHOW VOTERS WHERE THE MONEY GOES

In an apparent effort to persuade voters that times have changed and more money is needed to educate children, District 34 will be conducting tours of all seven schools.

"We keep talking about how schools have changed," says Superintendent Dot Weber.  "We're going to open our buildings from March 19-23 for one-hour tours at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.  You don't need to call ahead.  Just show up at those times to see the schools in operation and have a chance to ask questions. "Things are different," she adds, "especially at our middle school – Springman."

Weber said the tours are for all residents – even parents who usually visit during the evening or on weekends when kids are not in class.

Also on the school front, a competition to name the new middle school at The Glen continues.  If you have an idea, send it to meier@ncook.k12.il.us.  Explain your choice in 50 words or less.

LIBRARY BOARD CANDIDATES MAKE THEIR CASE

When a seat opened on the library board last summer, 10 people applied for the job.  It's a testament to how strongly some people feel about libraries that so many expressed interest, and even in the face of a time-consuming election, six people are running for four seats.  They are unanimous in wanting to keep the library downtown, but the candidates are very different people.  If you plan to vote, you can hear from them at the League of Women Voters' Forum on March 20 at 7 p.m. in Park Center or read our profiles below.  In the upstart tradition of Glenview Watch, we'll begin with the challengers. 

Mark Grant is the father of two young kids and a private banker.  He lends money to construction projects for Bank One and feels his expertise could be valuable as a new library is planned and built. 

Recognizing that the post office may not leave its current location, Grant would consider moving our library to The Glen, but he's adamant that children be able to ride their bikes there and would insist on construction of a bridge or tunnel so pedestrians would not have to cross Lake Avenue.

Grant enjoys reading history and autobiographies and is proud of our library's programs.  He has visited new libraries in several other communities and was impressed by what he saw.  "The children's areas are much larger and more kid-friendly.  One had an indoor jungle!  There are many private study rooms and some of the open reading areas have fireplaces."

"Our library is way too crowded," he concludes.  "New libraries are from 80,000-160,000 square feet.  It makes a world of difference. You really want to hang around there."
 
Like the Grants, Jerome McQuie (pronounced Mc-KWAY) and his family live within walking distance of the library and would like to see an expansion or a new building at the present location.  If that can't be done, McQuie says the library should explore whether the site of Rugen Center on Shermer Road or the Park District Administration Building on Prairie Street might be available.

He feels a bigger library is needed so Glenview can have a better collection of books.  Right now, when a new book is added, an old book must be removed, and McQuie says it can be difficult finding works that were published 10-20 years ago.  The library's space consultant has recommended a building that is about double the size of our current facility.  McQuie is not sure we need something that big and wants community input before making a decision.

McQuie, who enjoys reading mysteries and political thrillers, has an MBA from the University of Chicago.  As a manager of information technology projects, he hopes to give the board a special perspective – helping it to anticipate future needs and changes.  "I deliver multi-million dollar projects on time and on budget.  If we decide to proceed with a new library, the trustees will benefit by having a member who can help deliver a larger library in the time expected for the amount expected," he says.

Bob Cagen says the four years he's served on the library board have given him valuable insight on how libraries operate and the challenges they face with the explosion of new technology.  "Although we have a fine library today, we have major problems to deal with.  We are at zero growth with our collection.  Lack of adequate parking is a major concern of our patrons, and we badly need an auditorium and additional meeting rooms."

Asked how large the new library should be, Cagen says, "the site and available financing will be the determining factors."  He adds that it's a real challenge building a library that will serve us today and 20 years from today. 

As a small business man and partner in a firm of manufacturers' representatives, Cagen has some expertise in management.  "My work has also brought me into contact with architects and engineers.  That experience could be of value as we go ahead in our building program." 

A World War II veteran, Cagen enjoys non-fiction books about science, politics and history.  Right now he's reading Shutterbabe, the true story of a photojournalist. 

Dick Clark has been on the board for eight years and recently served as its president.  Because of his experience and because "we're in the middle of a long process," he hopes the voters will re-elect him.  "We're at an interesting point as far as libraries go.  There are still many traditional functions for the library – books and story time, but there are all kinds of media around that we didn't have 20 years ago – books on tape, videos, DVD's.  Those things don't displace books.  They're an addition."

What's more, technology has changed the way we find information.  There are electronic indexes for searching and reading the full text of magazines, business information and other sources.  All of these require work stations which take up space."

"We'd like to have computer labs to train people," he adds.  "If this is how information is going to be available, it's important for us to teach people how to access it, and we'd like to have a top-notch space in which to do that."

Clark is an attorney and the father of two teen-aged sons.  His wife is a librarian in Northbrook, and the candidate says that gives him another perspective on library operations. When he's at the library, you'll probably find Clark in the periodicals room, reading one of more than 500 magazines available there.  "We have a wonderful collection," he says, "and most people don't realize you can checkout back issues."  He also reads poetry and cookbooks. With a working wife and a vegetarian son, Clark finds himself in the kitchen at least three times a week and is always in search of good, meatless recipes.  (He recommends some of the books from the Moosewood Restaurant.)

At 79, Richard Murphy is the most senior candidate for library board – two years older than Cagen –  but he says "nobody's ever found me sleeping at meetings.  I really do enjoy serving on the board, and I bring the seasoned good judgment of many years to the job."

Murphy, a veteran of World War II,  is a former Federal Administrative Judge and an attorney. He points to four years on the board and suggests that "continuity is important," given the planning that has taken place over the past three years. " The new library needs more space to accommodate new computer technology, its expanded collections and increased patronage. Since the library was last enlarged, its book collection has grown from 150,000 volumes to 254,000 and the number of patrons increased 43 percent."

Murphy pledges to "leave no stone unturned in trying to keep the library at its present location.  I think it's good for downtown Glenview and conforms to the wishes of our patrons."

Like the other candidates, Murphy has visited several libraries in Northern Illinois and was especially impressed by the one in Niles.  "It had an airy feeling about it – a lot of light.  Our library is cluttered and congested, and the whole thing needs to spread out."

Murphy enjoys a variety of books.  Last year, he read Huckleberry Finn for the tenth time along with the Brothers Karamazov and lots of mysteries.

Karen Teitelbaum has served on the board since last August.  She was chosen by fellow board members from a pool of 10 people who applied when one of the trustees left.  "I considered it an honor,  knowing that the field was a crowded and capable one," she says.

In seven months on the board, Teitelbaum says she has learned a lot about the operations of the library and the issues it faces.  She cites that expertise, her perspective as a mother of children who depend on the library, and her professional experience in planning, community relations and marketing as assets she brings to the board.  She is a senior vice president at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago and holds an MBA in Finance from Northwestern University.

Teitelbaum says the right-sizing of the new library is a key challenge for the board.  "We need to account for growth and changes in how the library might be used in both the short and long term. She stresses the need to create a place that fits the needs of Glenview and its people.  "Libraries are not cookie-cutter projects," she explains.  "The demographics of each community are different.  We must ensure that the new Glenview Public Library is built for the residents now and in the future." 

Today, she adds,  the library provides excellent customer service, but "technology provides opportunities to streamline operations and serve patrons better."   Teitelbaum says the library could also offer more services by teaming with community groups.  Right now, for example, you can get career counseling at the library thanks to the partnership with JVS – a local social service agency.

Teitelbaum describes her reading as "eclectic," noting that she recently checked out a book on the McCarthy Era, a novel by Edith Wharton and a copy of Amistad.

Editor's note: It's a blessing to have so many good people running for the library board, and it's a shame that all cannot serve.  Fortunately, anyone can attend library board meetings on the third Wednesday of each month, and comments from the public are welcomed.  There is also a group dedicated to supporting the library by raising money and hosting lunch time speakers.  It's called the Glenview Library Association, and since its founding in 1930 it has donated more than $600,000 for books, furniture, work stations and other library needs.  For more information, call Mary Miller at 729-7941.

IS THE CURTAIN GOING DOWN?

Developers have been talking about a movie theatre in Hangar One for years, but no firm plans have been announced.  Recent news raises doubts about the wisdom of adding more screens on the North Shore.  Theatres at Deerbrook Mall and on Central Street in Evanston have now closed due to lack of business.  The industry has been retracting for more than a year.  Experts say companies like Loews and Sony have overbuilt, so newer theatres are driving older ones out of business.

WHEEL TIME                   

Glenview has a fair number of bicyclists, but no bicycling club.  Watch co-editor Dean Schott is thinking of starting one and asks fellow cyclists: Would you be interested in:

–Helping to organize a club that would plan weekend group rides?
–Sharing bicycling information on equipment, training, trails, safety?
–Advocating better treatment of cyclists around town – more bike racks, more bike traffic signs, more bike lane markings on streets, better safety programs?
–Promoting development of more bike trails north, south, east and west through Glenview?

If so, send an e-mail to Schottcycle@aol.com

READERS WRITE

Kathy Schulte sees hypocrisy in our critique of the Glenview Announcements: "I can certainly understand all the praise for the supposed comprehensive, accurate, and straight up reporting of the Glenview Watch as compared to that of the very biased Glenview Announcements.  But reader beware.  The Glenview Watch has an agenda also, along with strong bias on most issues.  Don't forget to salt your free lunch."

The Watch replies: The Watch does, indeed, have an agenda – to promote better public information and better local government.  We are not beholden to advertisers, only to our readers, and we identify our opinions through the use of Editor's notes.

The Announcements' bias is rarely identified.  The paper pretends to be fair-minded but rarely asks critical questions or investigates serious problems in our community.  It does not, for example, cover the Plan Commission with any regularity and does no investigative reporting.

The reason is simple.  The Announcements' money comes from advertisers – real estate companies, banks and other big businesses that are usually happy with the status quo.  They don't want anyone rocking the boat, and they support a newspaper that tries to keep things on an even keel.

The same is true in other communities like ours.  There is no economic mandate for a watchdog press in the suburbs.  Maybe that's why we've attracted readers from all over the North Shore.  We had to chuckle when one of them wrote to say she wished there was a "Kenilworth Watch." 

Trustee Rachel Cook takes offense at our report on the truck mechanic who probably left Village Hall marveling at the kindness of local government in Glenview.  He didn't ask to stay open until 6 p.m. on Saturdays.  He didn't need to store a tow truck at the site, but Trustees Cook and Fuller insisted the village give him those options.  Cook writes: "I would like to clarify my position on allowing the mechanic less restrictions on operation than was proposed by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This may be an election year, but I am not running for office, nor do I cast my votes that way in any circumstance. 

"I voted for the amendments because I thought it was good for Glenview and good for this business owner. First, the individual was going into business to operate a truck repair shop. He intentionally located in an industrial area to be close to the businesses he hoped to serve. Since his business was new, he did not think he would have the traffic required to stay open past 3 pm.

"However, since businesses need their trucks during the week, and will not take them out of circulation unless broken, he hoped weekend truck maintenance business would pick up as time went on. The restriction was artificial and not designed to accommodate a hopefully successful and growing business. As well, the restriction of the storage of tow trucks in an industrial district seemed to me ridiculous."

And GVTV fan accuses Tim Doron of dirty tricks: "It is most fitting that the small-minded former Plan Commission Chairman, who used to fall all over himself to find ways to agree with and give praise to architects, builders and developers but gave short shrift to the residents should resort to "the raffle trick" to try to make the UG party look good. Such pettiness must be bred out of desperation because no one would relish being seen as a "tattletale" on page one of the Glenview Announcements except the UG Campaign Chairman.  He just doesn't get it."

BR responds to Lisa Helford's claim that John Ranz and Larry Miller are the only people who publicly oppose District 34's referendum: "I would like to thank Mr. Miller and Mr. Ranz for providing their much needed review and assessment for the people in District 34.  Without them, I doubt that we would have had any analysis of the tax referendum.  I can also assure you that Mr. Miller and Mr. Ranz are not alone in their belief that District 34 will continue to thrive without the requested removal of the tax cap.  District 34 should be accountable for their actions through review and control of expenses.  And where is the tax money that will come from new developments in The Glen?  In other new areas, the developers are asked to help pay for the required town services.  Not here.  Vote NO to the referendum - again.  To quote a saying, ‘What part of NO didn't you understand?'"

And John Ranz offers his own reply: "The other active members of CARE wish to remain largely out of the public eye so they can avoid the thoughtless negative campaign comments such as Lisa Helford 's in this weeks Watch.   They were not about  issues –  just mudslinging.  Shame, shame, Lisa.

"How is it that so many  people are willing to question the motive of every single thing that our village board and other governmental bodies do but do not use that same critical thinking when it is clear that the school district propaganda machine is out  telling half truths and sharing bad data regarding the referendum? They do not spend even five minutes going over a district budget to understand what is going on. 

"Our desire for a better education for our students in Glenview is based on hard work and long hours of study.  The pro tax gang "feels" this issue and does not think.  We cannot cure our educational  ills by throwing more money at them and hoping that something works. 

"Let's stick to the issues and stop the negative campaigning.  If you can't handle the message, don't attack the messenger."

Mitch Serota marvels at Glenview politics: "I am truly fascinated by politics in this community.  While the Glenview Watch was created as a reaction to biased reporting by the Glenview Announcements on village and school issues,  both sides of the referendum are ardent supporters of the Watch!  Here we have Larry Miller responding to Chuck Barron, who in turn is supported by Lisa Helford.  If I am not mistaken, all three support changing the trustees of the village, while they differ terrifically on the District 34 Referendum.

"To complicate local politics further, I observed at the G3 fundraiser Democrats allied with Republicans to support Donna Pappo and her group.  I am also aware of some rock solid Democrats allied with rock solid Republicans who support Carlson's group.  Does politics create strange bedfellows?  You bet!"

SS responds to our poll on the upcoming election: "I tell you one thing.  It is a crime that we are forced to choose between these two slates of candidates.  Oh, how I wish someone would have urged Howard Silver to run for village president.  Howard is one of the few people who  blends intelligence with a sense of humor and civility.  The one reason I may not vote is that I think I am not happy with either slate."

Mick offers us a pat on the back:  "I would be remiss if I didn't again convey thanks for your strong interest, huge time investment, and an ongoing effort to comprehensively report happenings in the village. Could a weekly summary in the format of a Glenview Watch column be published in the Announcements or would a balanced view be rejected by them?  Thanks for a job well done."  

The Watch replies: And thanks for your support, Mick.  We doubt that the Announcements would even take our call right now let alone offer us a column.  We do, however, have space in a new paper called the Talisman News.  It's available free from various merchants and locations around town.

Last week, we reported that The Watch has a reader in England!  We have since learned of another one in the U.K. and a third Down Under: Heather Sommer writes from Brisbane, Australia: "I was sent the Glenview Watch by a friend.  It is interesting how this technology can bring us all closer with the click of a mouse.  I  read with interest about the workings of your local government –  the way things are done in your community, the way law enforcement works and how you manage all that snow." 

Brisbane may have similar problems with local government, but Heather assures us that the weather is mostly sunny.  She concludes:   "I hope that I can continue to subscribe to The Watch, even if  I am not a resident. Having friends around the world and being able to learn more about their communities is one of life's little pleasures.  I look forward to the next installment."



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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