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The
Glenview Watch April 15, 2001 |
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The headline was amusing: "Pappo's Attic Finished," but Trustee Donna Pappo was not pleased with coverage in this week's Glenview Announcements. The paper had filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the village manager to learn more about her home improvements. During this year's campaign, political opponents alleged Pappo had finished the third floor of her house without the proper permit.
The trustee's husband went to Village Hall on March 28 and got a permit for the bathroom installed in 1996. On April 9, two village inspectors took a look and determined that rooms on either side of the bathroom had also been finished. That was a problem, according to Phil Knudsen, Glenview's director of building and zoning, because local law limits the square footage of a third floor that can be finished. The Pappos had allegedly exceeded the maximum allowed by 115 square feet – information that was quickly conveyed to the Glenview Announcements.
In a letter to Trustee Pappo, Knudsen suggested two solutions. The family could reduce the amount of finished space or appeal to the Zoning Board. The Pappos have chosen the first option and expect a downsizing of their finished attic to be done soon.
Editor's note: We have to wonder whether Pappo could get a fair hearing from the Zoning Board when its chairman Ty Laurie recently penned a fundraising letter on behalf of Pappo's political opponent Larry Carlson. In the letter, Laurie suggested Pappo and her running mates would severely limit the size of new homes and additions. "We are quite frankly concerned about the direction of our town if the other party wins just one seat on April 3," he warned.
REPORTERS AS RETRIEVERS
There are two types of reporters – blood hounds and retrievers. This week's issue of the Glenview Announcements is the product of people who have clearly lost their sense of smell and can no longer separate facts from opinions.
In a roundup on Glenview's election, the newspaper cites local observers in concluding, "Unite Glenview's victory was not only won with money. Many voters were familiar with Carlson from contact with his heating and air conditioning business, and more voters knew and liked Carlson than knew Pappo."
The Watch wonders about those local observers. Did reporter Mike Ulreich base his remarks on the views of Jim Smirles, Tim Doron or any of the other Unite stalwarts with whom he partied on election night? Just how many more voters knew and liked Carlson than Papio? Did the Announcements undertake a survey, or did Ulreich go door-to-door confirming that claim?
Later, Ulreich wrote: "Lerner, a member of the Glenbrook District 225 school board, was accused of abstaining on a vote on which he claims he didn't abstain." It would have been easy enough to sniff out the truth. The school district office is a short walk from the newspaper, and a tape of the meeting in question is available at no charge. On that tape, Lerner clearly abstains.
And finally there is the matter of money. The Announcements claimed G3 had raised only $5,000 for its campaign. Perhaps the sense of smell isn't the only thing going. Campaign records show donations to G3 exceeded $15,000.
When UG officials boasted that their grand total was proof of "wide-ranging support" for their slate, a competent journalist would have howled. Much of the $24,000 UG raised by March 9 came from a few individuals and the mysterious Kenzie Financial Services, which kicked in $5,000. Carlson and his company gave $3,000. Shopping center owner and party boss Jim Smirles donated $2,000 and builder James Kenny provided $1,000. Bill Zanoni, who is still fuming over Watch criticism of his North Shore Country Club, gave a grand as did candidate Mike Guinane. Zoning Board Chairman Ty Laurie lent the party another $3,000 while former Plan Commission Chairman Tim Doron lent $2,000.
APRIL SHOWERS BRING STORM WATER DEBATE
The Plan Commission is finally looking at a controversial question raised over the months by people who plan home improvements or new construction on lots of a half acre or more. Parcels that size make up about 12 percent of Glenview. Right now, these folks are required to provide storm water detention, and the cost can be great. One homeowner told the commission that the most attractive approach for her riverside lot – underground water detention – would cost $30,000-$40,000 to build.
Developers are routinely required to create detention ponds so when it rains, water doesn't overwhelm village storm sewers. They pass the costs along to new home buyers. On the other hand, someone building on a lot smaller than a half acre is not required to provide detention.
Only four plan commissioners were at Tuesday's meeting, and they agreed that a village-wide approach to storm water management makes more sense than dealing with the problem piecemeal. That could mean charging a fee to anyone who does new construction or home additions, then putting the money into a fund that could be used to solve flooding problems all over town.
It could also mean establishing a whole new taxing body – like the Park District – to collect money for flood control, but Commissioner Joseph DiMattina warned there could be strong political opposition to that idea from residents who have already paid. "I'll use myself as an example," he said. "I bought new at the Villas of Indian Ridge, and I guess I paid $9,497.48 for storm water detention. I did my part. Why should I be paying additional tax?"
The commission voted to continue its discussion on June 26.
NO BULL AT WAGNER FARM
The steering committee formed to advise the Park District on the future of Wagner Farm approved a plan that makes minimal changes to the property. Rejecting more elaborate plans from a consultant, the group recommends restoring the old farmhouse and using it, initially, as a residence for the caretaker. Later, it might be furnished with period pieces to show visitors how simple farmers like the Wagners would have lived during the early 20th century. The group also voted to add a walking path around the area where corn, soybeans, pumpkins and fruit will grow, and keeping the barn at its current size with limited public access.
On a more controversial note, the committee suggested evicting the farm's bull, Bart. While he has always been a well-mannered beast, experts say bulls can get ornery with age, and seven committee members thought that might endanger the public. Some may also have feared that school kids might catch Bart and one of the farm's cows in a compromising position.
Six members felt the bull would pose no problem if he were kept in a larger, more secure pen by himself. They say keeping Bart could save the Park District future stud fees. The Park Board will vote on whether to accept the committee's recommendations, but not before a public hearing at 7 p.m. June 4 in Park Center.
LERNER TO DO DOUBLE DUTY
Newly-elected village trustee Jeff Lerner says he will not give up his seat as a member of the District 225 Board – at least not yet. The law does not require Lerner to step down, and he told the Glenview Announcements that there were some matters, including major construction projects at both high schools, that he wants to oversee. Lerner's term ends in November when three newly-elected board members take office.
NEW MATH FOR DISTRICT 34
Last week we reported that District 34 was projecting increased enrollment for kindergarten kids at Lyon and Henking Schools. We said the district expected 118 students at Lyon, up from 89 enrolled this year, and that Henking expected 121, up from 98.
What we should have said is that 118 students have pre-registered for kindergarten at Lyon – up from 89 students who had pre-registered at the school by this time last year. There are actually 149 kindergartners at Lyon this year. The same correction applies for Henking where, at this time last year, 98 students had pre-registered for their first year of school. To date, 121 kids have signed-up for kindergarten in 2001-2002.
PARK DISTRICT PREVIEW
The Park Board will take up the subject of free or low-cost memberships for low-income senior citizens at its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday in Park Center. Officials say they don't have a ready source of cash to fund so-called "leisureships," although revenue from the new community center is meeting expectations.
Meeting rooms are booked, party spaces are filled, and the fitness center is so popular that the Park Board is already planning the purchase of 12 more pieces of exercise equipment.
Meanwhile, some residents of Heatherfield – a pricey new neighborhood near the corner of Willow and Waukegan, are upset about plans to put a new playground near the Sunset Village Mobile Home Park next door. They want the equipment at Heatherfield's new park. The matter will be discussed during a public hearing in the meeting room of Sunset Village at 7 p.m. Wednesday.
ROAD WORK AHEAD
Long-awaited improvements to Lake Avenue between Milwaukee Avenue and Waukegan Road may have to wait another year. The county had planned to begin in spring 2002, but Public Works Director Bill Porter says a new county engineer will need time to become familiar with the project, and the village has plenty on its plate. If the prediction of delay proves correct, Glenview could be coping with major road work on both Lake and Shermer Road in 2003.
Meanwhile, bridge work downtown has narrowed Glenview Road, but traffic is still moving in both directions. No word on how the construction will impact this summer's street fair, but the project should be finished in November. Three hundred trees are being planted on parkways around town. It's too late to request one for your area this year, but Porter says you can get on the list for next year by calling 724-1700, extension 251.
UNTANGLING THE WEB
Glenview's public library offers a seminar called "Untangling the Web" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. If you're confused about the Internet, this program is for you! Sign up at the Information
Desk or call 729-7500 ext. 112.
Also at the library, you can register for "Sushi with Chef Jonathan Bean" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. Bean will demonstrate various types of sushi and provide samples. There is a $2 non-refundable fee to cover the cost of food.
Sign-up begins Monday, April 16 for "Infant Massage" being offered on four different dates in May, and "The Reading Forest," – a program for older kids – continues through April. Have a book added to the collection in your family's name by reading aloud and completing your tree in the forest. Stop by the Youth Desk for more information.
The regular monthly meeting of the library's Board of Trustees is at 7:30 p.m.Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the library's conference room.
UNLOADING OLD ELECTRONICS
At last, there's a way to get rid of your old electronics without guilt. On April 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., head to the east parking lot of Northbrook's METRA station to drop off old computers, printers, monitors, telephones, fax machines, portable TV's, VCR's and counter-top microwaves for recycling. Remove toner cartridges from printers and personal data from computers.
READERS WRITE:
Mark Ganchiff wonders if Glenview's ready for a new kind of government: "The events surrounding the last election have me thinking that perhaps Glenview has outgrown its current form of government – six trustees and a board president.
"The most recent census shows that demographic diversity is increasing as Glenview grows. In contrast, the Village Board has little ethnic or socio-economic diversity. In the recent election, Unite Glenview made an issue of geography, pointing out that none of their opponents lived west of Waukegan Road. On the other hand, only one of Unite's four candidates lived east of Shermer. That raises an interesting question: Can a six-member board, elected at large, adequately represent the interests of a community that will soon have close to 50,000 residents?
"Finally, there is the matter of money. Having a volunteer board president was fine for the small, homogenous village that Glenview once was, but times have changed. Maybe we need to consider a professional mayor and a larger, more representative city council."
Alan Butman asks about Zcloser: "Who is this person who says UG won with, ‘class and honesty?' It was UG that ran a despicable campaign with lies that meant to divide and not unite Glenview. How ironic. I was also approached by an UG thug when I went to vote. He was well within the 100-foot buffer. Larry Carlson ran a typically dirty campaign and won. He shouldn't be proud."
PLR sends the following election night quotes to the "Buffoonery Hall of Fame. ‘It's a good day, it's a good day for Glenview.' – Mike Guinane. (I think what he is really saying is that it's a good day for HIM!)
"In his reference to the G3 Party: ‘In the words of Winston Churchill, we're consigning them to the dustbin of history.' – Larry Carlson. (Very classy, Larry! Do you believe he has the audacity to place himself in the company of Sir Winston? Our new village leader has delusions of grandeur!)
"Regarding the victory: ‘No one was happier than retiring President Nancy Firfer' – Announcements staff writer Michael Ulreich. (So much for UG's claim of independence from past party leaders!)
"Regarding how the Village has been run for decades: ‘Everyone here has a voice, and not just a select few.' --Trustee John Patton Jr. (Yes, John, but only if the voice agrees with YOU. Otherwise, the voice will be shouted down!)
"‘Money did not win this election, developers did not win this election, the candidates won this election. This is a new party' – Jim Smirles (PUH-LEEEEEEEESE!)
"Referring to the New Church area voting decisively for UG: ‘I think that people figured out their (G3) negativity' – Kent Fuller (If ‘negative' means trying to keep Glenview from going the way of other extremely dense communities such as Arlington Heights or Schaumburg, then perhaps Fuller should move to one of those towns where things are more ‘positive.')
"Mr. Cernek's sentiment was the only positive, encouraging, and most probably truest of all: ‘Glenview has certainly benefitted from the two-party race in this election. We should have two parties run in every election. It's a healthy system.'"
A Watch Word: While Carlson attributed his quote to Churchill, the statement was actually made by the Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky.
JTS speculates on why voter turn out was low: "Less than 10,000 people voted in this election and wondered why. I had planned to vote but didn't. Why? Because when all I hear is people throwing mud at one another, I figure you can't believe anything any of them say. They all walk up to the plate and downgrade the opposition because they feel if ‘I make them look bad than I look good.' When you walk up to that plate and prove to me you are good on your own qualities and sincere with what you promise, then I will go back to the voting booth."
"I do not have a college education, and most times I am glad of it because my experience tells me that you can have all the paid-for brains in the world, but without common sense you ain't got much. Although I do understand that paid-for brains is the name of the game today, and people with common sense scare the bejeebers out of the whiz kids. Like hiring a consultant to name
the old base, ‘The Glen.' All that money spent for what? We could have conducted a poll among our own citizens with a free vacation for the winner. A third grader at Hoffman could have come up with ‘The Glen.'
"How to develop ‘The Glen'? Maybe some common sense citizens would have some suggestions for that too. Whoops, that would probably be too easy, and some consultant would miss out on the Big Bucks. I have lived in Glenview since 1966. I remember when it was a wonderful place to be. I don't like it anymore, and when I retire I will be pulling up stakes and moving out. I hope that happens before the ‘North Shore Wannabes' raise taxes again. "
Barbara Hines says the new election system should be as private as the old one: "DG blamed the new voting system for a loss of privacy, but it was the individual judge who was at fault. All judges were asked to attend a special training session just before the election to learn the new system. During the hour-long session, the central theme was privacy. Judges were to keep the ballot covered at all times, letting the machine pull the ballot out of the privacy sleeve and holding the sleeve until the machine had taken it. That way, if the ballot were kicked back, the judge would be able to cover it immediately. Done properly, there is no sacrifice of privacy, and a great gain in tabulating the votes since the checking machine sends results directly downtown."
DC hopes for change before all charm is gone from Glenview: "As a resident in Glenview for 48 years, I have seen many village elections. Some have been more promising than others. This year I am really disappointed that such a great group of candidates was passed over in favor of the same old gang. Much as I hate the huge funds raised for political campaigns, I think spending a little more here at home to elect really well-intentioned people makes sense. We have seen many of Glenview's charms whittled away little by little. Trees have disappeared. ComEd and other utilities have been permitted to destroy our neighborhoods by stringing unsightly wires and installing poles, cutting trees in half instead of going underground. Isn't anyone watching? We are beginning to look like Hong Kong instead of a suburban community. Better luck next time. Maybe we can get some really responsible people to run the village."
PG surveys the political scene in Glenview: "Supporters of G3 and interested citizens should take heart, and Unite Glenview folks should take note, that the margin of victory was as small as it was, all things considered. Let's see what UG actually does, and whether in fact they have any interest in uniting Glenview."
He also responds to Stan Evans' claim that the village has been misled on the real costs of the MURC: "Evans has an excellent point, and if his facts are true as presented, this is a serious issue: I, too, wondered about this when it was presented. It begs credulity to believe that village trustees are not aware of the time value of money, an argument they invoked to justify the smelly deal with Abt electronics. If the numbers are accurate as simplistically presented so far by the developer, then Glenview is indeed being ‘had' in dollar amounts that make all other issues pale in comparison. Please investigate this further: If true as presented, it really does call into huge question the competency, veracity and culpability of everyone involved."
The Watch replies: We consulted one expert on this subject – a Glenview resident who prefers to remain anonymous. He writes, "Your reader is onto something big. . .If the real numbers could be secured, this is something that should be brought up to the Village Board for everyone's sake. If Mesirow-Stein is ignoring the present value concept, then we will all suffer for years to come."
Mary Ann Toma may have the answer to our downtown library dream. "Each time I drive around the post office looking for a parking place, I have to wonder why our village leaders do not offer a spot in The Glen to the post office at a price the post office can afford. That would allow the library to take the post office land for future expansion and benefit the citizens of Glenview in two ways. Our library could stay downtown and postal patrons could find parking. I would hope the village trustees could lower the price for something that would benefit all of Glenview. I will continue to use the Northbrook post office, unless I have a package to pick up. Any idea if this has been considered at all?"
The Watch replies: Village Manage Paul McCarthy has said the post office cannot afford to build at The Glen, so a gift of land would not help. A spokesman for the postal service told the Watch, however, that they would be willing to discuss such an offer. When the community first learned that the post office would not be moving, our trustees and manager promised they'd do everything possible to keep the library downtown. So far, we've heard nothing but a large sucking sound from The Glen, and we'd be surprised if the new trustees and board president are much help. Three of the four live west of Shermer Road where the prospect of a new library at The Glen may be popular.