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The
Glenview Watch April 8, 2001 |
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Victory was resounding and sweet for members of the Unite Glenview party who gathered at Hackney's Restaurant election night to celebrate. Party leaders credited a "wake-up call" in 1999 – the upset win by three Glenview First candidates -- for energizing the UG effort that elected Larry Carlson to the office of village president and his three running mates to seats on the Village Board.
Addressing his supporters on the victory over G3, Larry Carlson said he was quoting Winston Churchill: "We're consigning them to the dustbin of history." In fact, it was the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky who made that statement about his political opposition. Winston Churchill advised: "In victory, magnanimity."
Carlson's remark won cheers from about 200 people in the basement party room – among them, past village presidents Tom Smith, Paul Thomas, Jim Smirles and Nancy Firfer. Also on hand was the new generation of party leaders – Tim Doron, Ty Laurie, Mary Novotny – and a reporter from the Glenview Announcements.
At Grandpa's, where the Glenview Good Government group gathered to tally the results of Tuesday's vote, the mood was mournful. Many members of the G3 group seemed stunned by the loss and surprised by UG's margin of victory. Larry Carlson had 58.3 per cent of the vote to Donna Pappo's 41.7 per cent.
Richard Day, a Glenview resident and professional campaign consultant who gave occasional advice to the group, said the G3 party was right on the issues but did a poor job in executing its campaign. He speculated that Unite Glenview outspent G3 by a margin of two or three to one, allowing them to hire professional managers, while Pappo and her running mates relied on "rank amateurs."
MONEY AND MUD FUELED THE UG WIN
Campaign experts say UG spent at least $60,000 to retain control of Village Hall -- money they will now have to raise from individuals and corporations outside Glenview. "There's no way the people of a community this size can come up with that kind of cash," said one UG insider.
The money enabled UG to pay for four glossy color mailings, a series of letters targeted to special interest groups, a professional poll by Chicago-based Target Research Associates, reminder calls to voters on election day and perhaps the services of a veteran campaign consultant. Maine Township Republican Bill Darr denies he played an official role in the campaign, but concedes he "talked to folks." Asked if he will be paid for his counsel, Darr says, "I think that's between me and the parties."
Mud was also a factor in UG's success. Unite Glenview spread a series of lies and half-truths to discredit Pappo. One letter addressed to senior citizens said Pappo opposed affordable housing for seniors because she had voted against the high-density assisted living facility proposed by Belmont Village at the corner of Shermer and Golf. Pappo feared the impact of traffic and flooding on the neighbors and suggested the market for assisted living was already crowded with companies vying to care for the nation's growing population of elderly residents.
UG supporters told District 34 parents that Pappo opposed the referendum. In fact, as a citizen, Pappo had publicly stated her support. She is the mother of four children and a past president of the Lyon-Pleasant Ridge PTA.
In conversation with voters, the UG candidates repeatedly claimed G3 would craft laws to make home additions impossible and to prevent homeowners from taking down trees. There was no evidence to support the charge.
The old Jeep dealership on Waukegan Road was featured in an UG mailing that accused Pappo of fighting a project planned for that site. The charge: Pappo would block the redevelopment of downtown. In fact, Pappo had nothing to do with that failed project, and a tenant was expected there in June – something the UG candidates may have known.
But the most disturbing charge spread through West Glenview where UG supporters alleged the G3 ticket was anti-Semitic. Pappo's husband is Jewish, and she hosted a seder at her home this weekend, but most voters didn't know that, and in the absence of broadcast coverage for this suburban community, Pappo was powerless to stop the last-minute whisper campaign.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
UG was also blessed with some good institutional connections. Guinane and Denefe are parishioners at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a large Catholic parish in downtown Glenview. Guinane is president of his homeowners' association, and his promise to fix the roads and flooding problems in that community at no charge appealed strongly to voters from Glen Oak Acres. Denefe lives in Indian Ridge where she's been active in school affairs. Loyalty from her fellow moms was strong, and Jeff Lerner may have energized the Jewish vote in West Glenview.
THE SMIRLES MACHINE
Finally, we should not discount the power and persistence of Glenview's political establishment. G3's claim that one party had controlled Village Hall for 35 years was no exaggeration, and the individuals who have tended that party were not about to surrender without a serious fight.
As one political analyst told the Watch, "Glenview First slapped them in the face two years ago."
The shock of that defeat was compounded by an on-going barrage of criticism from this newsletter, a series of critical letters from readers of the Announcements and the occasional unflattering story in Chicago's media.
Jim Smirles bristled when tenants at his shopping center on Waukegan Road demanded he take down signs supporting his party. It was, they said, bad for business.
Tim Doron and Ty Laurie were outraged over community criticism of their conduct on the Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, and Mary Novotny was no doubt upset when we wrote about her complete misunderstanding of prairie management, referring to "Open Space Between the Ears."
These individuals turned their anger on the well-meaning candidates of G3, sparing no expense and observing no ethical constraints to win. Afterward, Nancy Firfer predicted the party would control all seven seats after the next election, and Trustee John Patton Jr., said he may make his comeback in 2003.
THE REAL WINNER OF TUESDAY'S RACE
During his short tenure on the Village Board, Larry Carlson appears to have done whatever Village Manager Paul McCarthy proposed, and with a team of rookies joining Carlson on the board, McCarthy's control of local government will grow stronger. "They bought the election," said one UG insider, "but I'm not sure they're smart enough to govern. McCarthy will make sure they do what he wants them to do."
SCHOOL REFERENDUM FAILS AGAIN
School District 34's request for tax dollars to operate a new school at The Glen and to cover expenses at other schools in the system was defeated Tuesday. The final vote was 4,606 against, 3,305 in favor. Superintendent Dot Weber seemed resigned to the outcome, saying she knew of only one community that had approved a tax hike for schools – a small district in Northfield that had not raised taxes for more than 20 years. District 34's school board meets at 7 p.m. Monday at 1401 Greenwood to discuss future options. Weber says the board "faces a $1.3 million deficit and will have to do something."
"Our students continue to arrive," she added, noting that children from the Glen are now entering Westbrook, Glen Grove and Springman Schools. The largest gains, however, may come at Lyon School, where kindergarten enrollment next year will be at least 118 – up from 89 this year. Also bracing for a crowd is Henking School, which expects 121 kindergartners, up from 98 this year.
DEMOCRATS SAVOR SMALL VICTORY
Northfield Democrats are optimistic after one of their candidates for the Northfield Township Board, Cathy Baker of Northbrook, was elected. That body has long been a stronghold for Republicans, and the other three seats did go to the GOP, but the margin was so close that the Dems thinks they would have swept the race if the growing number of registered Democrats in Northbrook had voted. Because there were no exciting races on Northbrook's ballot, turnout was extremely low.
PLAYING FAVORITES
Unite Glenview's campaign manager Mary Novotny appeared at Village Hall again after the election to find out whether building inspectors had been to the home of G3 candidate Pappo. UG had made much of the fact that Pappo's contractor installed a bathroom without the proper permit. On learning that no inspection had taken place, Novotny insisted, and officials arranged to pay Pappo a visit on Monday.
Meanwhile, at the request of Glenview Watch, the village has contacted the owner of an abandoned house at 1967 Chestnut. One window is broken, there's a hole in the roof and the porch appears close to falling. The village has known about the potentially dangerous property since last fall, when it was mentioned in budget hearings. Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade says the owner, Saturn of Glenview, has 30 days to respond to the village request for improvements. Saturn is owned by Leo Stec, a prominent member of the Unite Glenview party.
A BREAK FOR BELMONT VILLAGE
The village of Glenview and the park district are trying to decide how they'll handle a legal hot potato. When Texas-based Belmont Village won approval to build its assisted-living center at Shermer and Golf, the impact fee it expected to pay Glenview's parks was $36,400. Then, the Village Board voted to raise impact fees, and now the company is looking at a bill in excess of $450,000. The company's lawyer argues that the average age of Belmont residents will be 82-84 and 24 of the residents will have Alzheimer's disease. He said these individuals are unlikely to have an impact on the park district, especially since Belmont will offer recreational activities on site. Even if some Belmont residents were to use Glenview's senior center, Belmont will pay $28,000 in real estate taxes to the park district each year.
The park board had rejected a request to charge Belmont the original rate, arguing that if one developer was given a pass, others would line up to make their case. The village fears a court challenge could mean trouble for Glenview and communities around the nation. First, many courts apply what's called the "rational nexus test," requiring taxing bodies to show a clear connection between the construction project and the need for new public facilities. Glenview would almost certainly fail that test, inviting a court to impose new limits on when and how impact fees are imposed and encouraging other developers to contest their impact fees. The matter was continued until the Village and Park District boards could talk.
STEERING THE STEERING COMMITTEE AT WAGNER FARM
Members of the Wagner Farm Steering Committee got hot under the collar when they reviewed new drawings from a consultant hired to help them plan the future of the farm. The park district and consultant had come up with several alternatives for location of the barn, caretaker's house and pedestrian paths. The problem, according to some committee members, was that the plans were designed to serve the needs of visitors without regard for the animals or neighbors.
In one drawing, the caretaker's house was a quarter of a mile from the barn, and a path around the perimeter of the property reduced the acreage available for grazing and the privacy enjoyed by neighbors. The committee had earlier rejected these ideas, but the consultants seemed determined to sell the group on its concept for an "educational and recreational amenity."
"This is a farm for cows," said Biff Thiele. "The pasture is not for bikers, not for children who want to run between the cow pies. The consultants are trying to steer the steering committee!"
After nearly three hours of at times angry debate, the consultant agreed to come back next week with new drawings.
PRAIRIE PLANS UNVEILED
Village planners said they were anxious to hear from the public about plans for a nature center at the Air Station Prairie. But they too had done a good deal of work before consulting community residents – meeting on 12 occasions and creating elaborate architectural drawings. At a Saturday session at Village Hall, staffers and consultants unveiled plans for a building of about 2,400 square feet with a covered outdoor area, an indoor classroom, office, restrooms and storage area. A small parking lot would be built with brick or some other material that allows water to seep into the ground. The lot would be sunken so as not to disrupt the view of prairie, and the building would be elevated by 18 inches – built over the ground to provide a better perspective for visitors and better drainage of the site. The roof could be covered with solar panels and plants to improve insulation and collect energy for heating and electricity. Window walls and skylights would mean lots of daylight for visitors and a feeling of inclusion in the prairie setting.
About 25 people sat through the presentation, most expressing approval for the plans. But 85-year-old Norma Morrison asked the question of the morning. "I don't mean to cast a damper," she said, "but I'd like to know about money. How much will this cost to build and maintain, and who is paying?"
Amy Ahner, assistant director of redevelopment at The Glen, predicted construction of the building, parking lot and paths, restoration of the prairie and wetlands would run about $1.5 million. The money would come from the TIF – a pool of tax dollars that's supposed to be used to improve property at The Glen to attract developers. Glenview also expects a $90,000 donation from Catellus, the company building an industrial park near the prairie.
Ahner said it may be possible to share some resources with the Kohl Museum, which has an option to build nearby, and she said the village was moving quickly on the parking lot so residents could begin enjoying the prairie this summer. That word was welcome in light of disappointing news from the Woodworth Prairie on Milwaukee Avenue. That University of Illinois facility will no longer be open for tours by school groups.
Ev Tyner, the prairie advocate for whom the nature center will be named, attended the session with her daughter Carol and granddaughter Liz. She expressed delight about preliminary plans. Tours of the Air Station Prairie are set for July 28 and August 11 with times to be determined. The North Branch Restoration Project will also sponsor two work days in August and invites volunteers to visit their website: www.northbranchrestoration.org. Glenview residents can share their ideas for the new nature center and learn more about volunteer opportunities by calling the village's environmental director Robyn Flackne at 998-9500.
THE PROOF OF THE PUDDING: SPRING IS HERE
The Glenview Dairy Bar is open again, and the faithful are flocking to that downtown landmark for dips and sundaes, cones and shakes. A family new to the village took their 4-month-old triplets for their first stroll Saturday and discovered Glenview's summer mecca. They said it made them glad they'd chosen to live here.
READERS WRITE
Regarding Tuesday's election results, KB writes: "Bummer."
SS writes: "I feel bad for Donna. After hearing two of her public presentations, I switched from UG to G3. Hopefully, she will stay active in Glenview politics for the future. The one bright side is that the Democratic candidates almost surprised the Republicans on the township side."
And LG writes: "I feel so horrible about this mess. Less than 10,000 people in Glenview voted. Where were all those who said they wanted a change? I really feel like Glenview is no longer the place for me to be. Funny thing: Larry Carlson's mother, Jan, was the person who convinced me to move here 40 years ago, and now I feel her son is convincing me to leave!"
But David DeHorn is pleased by Unite Glenview's win: "Enough with the whining. Your information on Unite Glenview is very misleading. Please stop your lies. As a newcomer to Glenview, I voted for the party that ran the cleanest campaign. I had absolutely no idea what the G3 party stood for, except they disagreed and disparaged everything about the UG party. That is
what lost the race, not the professional consultants, money, etc., that you allege. Get your facts straight."
And Zcloser cheers Unite Glenview: "The sounds of sour grapes from the G3 campaign should be a surprise to no one. UG=4, G3=0, so time to move on and follow the leadership of the UG that has been mandated. The negativism and whining from G3 have fallen on deaf ears. The voters have spoken, so live with it or move. Your message and messenger have failed. Even Al Gore has gotten over it, so show a little class and do the same.
"UG – Way to take the high road and way to win with class, honesty, and a straightforward campaign. Congratulations to President Carlson and your slate, campaign volunteers, and all other supporters. Way to take the high road and way to win with honesty and class. The lies and misrepresentation of the G3 party and its political hacks did not work. Smart voters saw through this and used common sense, which isn't so common."
PLR applauds G3: "Many of us who hoped that honesty and common sense and dedication to better government for all the people would prevail have been issued the harsh reality: That will not be the case, and we will see a return to business as usual. The one positive result from this campaign may be that Glenview residents got the opportunity to either first-hand or through word realize the dishonest tactics employed by the UG's.
"The G3 Party, on the other hand, can and should be proud of their campaign. They did not have the money nor the professional consultants, but they did have honesty and integrity, and what I feel to be genuine concern about the present state and the future of Glenview."
And another fan of Glenview Good Government writes: "We did scare them. I think their legacy of traffic and other problems caused by over-development will go with them to their graves."
A reader from Lincolnwood sends condolences to the G3 ticket: "So Sorry! You had a rough battle on your hands, and the enemy had more money, the media on their side, and your own trustees did not help by going along with the humongous Glen development!
"You will be pleased to know all three candidates of the candidates I backed here were elected by a landslide. This gives us a 4-2 majority on the (Lincolnwood) board, which we needed so badly to fight IDOT and development in our midst.
"Dry your tears, hug each other, re-group, and try again next time. I drink a toast to your valiant efforts! My best to all of you, from a veteran of the suburban wars."
And Luvroses writes: "It is a sad day for Glenview. Good job G3. Get ‘em next time!"
HS writes: "Yesterday I voted at Winkelman School. As I parked my car and walked up to the building I notice two men handing our flyers for Carlson. They were on the sidewalk just in front of the door to the building. I thought that they were not allowed to campaign so close to a voting facility, but the Cook County Board of Election told me campaigners had to be 100 feet from the actual polling facility. If the voting booths were more than 100 feet inside the building, then the campaigners could stand right by the front door. While the campaigners were within their legal bounds I think the rule should apply to the building."
MJ Ghiselli reports on her adventure at the polls: "I went to vote today and I was ‘instructed' to remove my G3 button from my coat, and then from the sweater that I was wearing also. If I had been wearing my G3 T-shirt would I have been ‘ordered' to remove that too. I didn't know if they had the right to ask that so, I complied. ‘Ignorance is no excuse.' What do you know?
"I want to express my gratitude and offer this testimonial to the editors of the Glenview Watch: The research, time and effort that you put into keeping us thoroughly informed on the local issues is a reflection of your commitment to improving the quality of life for all of us in
Glenview . We are so lucky to have the Glenview Watch. It's an factual, honest, and impartial paper. The opinions and ideas expressed by both the editors and the readers is also very enlightening. It's a refreshing change from the blatantly biased Glenview Announcements and Village Report. The better informed we all are - the greater impact we can have in making decisions, working for effective change, and realizing true democracy in our village."
DG doesn't like the new voting system that sacrifices privacy for speed: "I was prepared to have my ballot checked for missing votes, but I did not like the fact that the judge who took my ballot actually removed it from the "privacy" sleeve prior to placing it in the checking machine. True, he had it printed side down, but anyone who wants to could figure out how to read the card and see what some of my crucial votes went to. Do I not have the right to a secret ballot? I think mine was violated. Later on TV I saw another election worker placing the ballot in the machine by letting it slide out of the sleeve, the ballot being thus not viewable by anyone at that point. Either the judges need to be trained to do this to ensure the secrecy of our ballots, or the voter should place it in the checking machine, or we should step into the new century and forsake punched cards altogether for touch screens or something less dependent on antiquated materials!"
The Watch replies: You make a good point, and we will share your concern with the Cook County Board of Elections.
Ron Bartsch is one of eight people who tell us they are boycotting Glenview's local newspaper: "Please add me to the list of those who have cancelled their subscription to the Announcements. Whatever happened to editorial responsibility? What I have read recently in Glenview's only newspaper is appalling. Shame on them for their lack of fairness and accurate reporting! I hope enough of us cancel that they feel the need to report accurately and fairly.
"I also would like to challenge opponents of the District 34 referendum. Now that the election is over, I hope you'll contribute something positive to this community. Enough tearing down and accusing. Glenview deserves better than that!"
Jeremy Kudan is a real estate broker and a Glenview resident with a gripe: "I am surprised at how poorly the developers leasing and selling the properties at The Glen have marketed the properties. I have detailed information on nearly every available site in the country from numerous organizations and web-based services, and I can't find out one thing about availabilities for commercial and retail properties on the former base. I am sure a call to Mesirow Stein could clear it up, but it seems they are doing a terrible job getting the right tenants for this fantastic opportunity. I would love to see a bowling alley and skate park in lieu of a movie theater.
"Also, I have tenants who are interested in restaurants and entertainment facilities in Glenview, but with the current climate for developers here, they are unwilling to approach the village and the tedious process they must endure to even investigate possibilities. We need these tenants to make Glenview an attractive place for everyone to enjoy now and in the future. I hope the new Glenview board will recognize the need to weigh the traffic issues and subsidies with what's best for Glenview's residents without preconceived opinions and biases about developers."
Stan Evans says Mesirow's math on the MURC was off by a few million: "I watched the presentation about the MURC (Mixed Use Retail Center) and read the details, and I am amazed at how Mesirow Stein used more trick illusions than David Copperfield. When the experts in real estate gave their talk, they explained that Glenview would be putting out $70 million now for infrastructure and would get 38.8 million back over 20 years. According to the experts, that will mean a net investment by Glenview of only $31.2 million. Simple math, right?
"Wrong. I have been in real estate for over 20 years, and everyone in real estate--including Karen Butler and the rest of Mesirow's crew--understands ‘present value.' That's a simple concept that allows us to calculate what a stream of income over those 20 years is really worth today. After all, the $70 million is going out in front, so we need to change an apple and an orange into two oranges so we can really compare them.
"Although the stream of cash back to Glenview is unpredictable, we'll make it simple by assuming that we will get back 1/20th of the $38.8 million equally each year. Most experts use an interest rate of 6 percent. Given that, our future income over the 20 years would be worth only $22.3 million if we had it to invest today.
"Now let's do the math. Seventy million minus 22.3 million equals a true net investment of 47.7 million, not 31.2 million. Did I blink, or did the MURC just cost us another cool $16.5 million?"
Paul Fischl writes about the movies: "For those who are concerned about the viability of a cineplex as part of the MURC, be sure to visit the Century 12/Fine Arts 6 Theaters in Evanston. There was tremendous opposition to the theaters during public hearings (now there's a concept), but the theaters to date seem to be a huge success. Our last trip there, both films we wanted to see were sold out. The huge apparent success of the new theaters in Evanston must be observed with an open eye toward the Evanston Theaters on Central Street which closed almost at the same time the new ones opened."
And Deb says: "Our families have been in Glenview since 1967 – not long by some standards, but long enough to remember that Glenview used to be a ‘nice' community. We see none of that lately. There is so much politicking and not enough thought for the regular guy who pays the taxes. I was horrified to hear that there was going to be a publicly-subsidized movie theater at The Glen. My husband and I could not afford to take all four of us to the show at the current prices. We may have to move if this keeps up."
PLR writes about Kathy Schulte's view of the MURC: "Kathy seems to have a rather simplistic, even defeatist attitude here. No, Kathy, no one of sound mind would think this (MURC) would be arriving free, but everyone of sound mind would have appreciated the opportunity to be thoroughly briefed on it and given a chance to say ‘yeah' or ‘nay.' And, in answer to Kathy's question, ‘Is there a viable alternative?' Yes, there was, but now due to our village leaders' voting on it and closing the door, there probably isn't. You say, ‘We're probably lucky to get quality developers willing to come here and build.' Who determined they are ‘quality' builders, and how many others were standing in line with them?"
The Watch adds: Village officials would like you to believe that the deal is done, and certainly it seems to be, but there are two things that could undo or change the MURC project. First, Glenview is counting on the Von Maur Department Store chain to anchor the new mall, and Von Maur has yet to sign on the dotted line. Second, the property must be re-zoned for commercial use, and before that can happen, the Glen Redevelopment Commission must hold public hearings. Those hearings will happen in late May, and while it is highly unlikely that the GRC would vote against re-zoning to permit the mall, the public will have a chance at that time to raise concerns, to state objections and to make suggestions.
Howard Silver, chairman of the Plan Commission and The Glen Redevelopment Commission, writes in response to Connie Avildsen's complaint that "over-regulation" by local government makes it difficult for developers to provide affordable housing: "In last week's edition of the Glenview Watch, Connie Avildsen had concerns about the treatment that the developers got when they presented their plans for Chestnut Square. Although it is not appropriate for me to comment on the merits of a case while it is pending, I would like to set her straight on a few issues.
"First, The Glen Redevelopment Commission is the body hearing the case, not the Plan Commission. Second, it was not the GRC that was trying to force the developer to an indefinite date. It was the developer who wanted the time to look over his options, and we were trying to accommodate him.
"Ms. Avildsen also implies that the commission is anti low-cost senior housing. I won't dignify her comment with an answer, but I would like to suggest that she get the facts straight. Chestnut Square is not designed as low-cost housing and, in fact, the village has made concessions to the developer so that he would provide 10 out of 174 units that would be affordable. The cost concept is actually the same as the Hyatt that she mentioned, just with smaller numbers. At Chestnut Square, the resident puts up an average of $175,000 for the developer to hold in perpetuity without interest. That means that the tenant loses over $10,500 per year that could be in a 6 percent C.D. That's $875 per month that the developer keeps to ‘subsidize' the unit so the rent seems reasonable. ‘Affordable" housing?' You tell me."
A new reader writes: "Lately I've noticed the increased number of road kills in my neighborhood. I live just north of Lake St. on Greenwood Road, and today I saw six dead animals in the area. This is disturbing to me. Why suddenly do you think is there such an increase? I'd also like to point out it seems to take village officials a long time to remove the carcasses from the road. It's not a pleasant sight."
The Watch replies: Glenview's animal control officer Judy Roseman says this is the season when small furry creatures come out of hibernation. What's more, it's mating season, so the animals may be a little distracted, and finally, we note that the builders are back at work, destroying habitat on Greenwood north of Lake, on Lake south of Greenwood, at The Glen and in other parts of town.
To report a dead animal on the road, call the non-emergency number for Glenview Police – 729-5000 – or the Department of Public Works at 657-3030. Delays in service may be attributed to the fact that Glenview must call the state, county or township to remove road kill that's not on village streets. Your section of Greenwood is a state road.
DanMan77 asks about ads in The Watch: "I'm interested in providing an opportunity to Glenview students for SAT/ACT tutoring. Would the Glenview Watch be an appropriate forum for such an ad? If not, could you suggest another place where such an ad would be more appropriate."
The Watch replies: We have avoided advertising to date, not wanting to jeopardize our editorial freedom and recognizing that realtors are not going to put their names in such a controversial spot. We also dismissed the idea of paid personal ads, since we have no one available to handle the administrative costs. On the other hand, we can think of few places in this town where one can post a notice.
We are interested in the potential of a newsletter like this and will, therefore, do a little experiment. Anyone interested in talking with Dan should e-mail us, and we'll forward your note and phone number. If this concept proves workable, perhaps we can provide another service through Glenview Watch.