Words can’t do justice to the week we have had. It was horrifying, tragic, unsettling and many people found it hard to tear themselves away from the television, so we were not surprised when a member of our editorial team proposed that we not release the Watch. Readers, she reasoned, are preoccupied with the aftermath of Tuesday’s reign of terror in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Affairs in Glenview clearly pale by comparison. We gave some thought to her suggestion but decided to proceed.

Yes, we are sad about what happened. The images haunt us, and the future worries us, but to stop in our tracks is to hand the terrorists who attacked America another victory. If we are to triumph over them, we must return to the rhythm of everyday life as quickly as possible – acting with new passion and perspective. We must recommit to our families, our friends, our communities and to our country.

So this Sunday, as every Sunday, we post the Glenview Watch on our website and invite your comments. We begin with a short round-up of ways that residents can help the people of New York and Washington:

– Four families in east Glenview have organized a fundraising drive. On Sunday, they gathered friends and neighbors to assemble red, white and blue ribbons into lapel pins people can wear to express their patriotism. The ribbons will be sold, door-to-door, for a donation to the Tribune Disaster Relief Fund. Money will go to relief agencies in N.Y. and D.C. If you’d like to buy one, call the Nelsons (998-8963) or the Vicks (832-1726).

– Lifesource will be seeking blood donations for weeks to come. A spokesman says victims of Tuesday’s attacks will need transfusions continually over the course of their recovery. You must be 17 to give – 16 with parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health with no cold or flu symptoms and not have received a tattoo or body piercing in the past 12 months. For details, call 803-7943.

– Bank One is handling the Chicago Remembers fund set up by Mayor Daley to help New York and Washington with the mounting costs of search, rescue and clean-up. You can donate at any branch including banks in Glenview – at 909 River Drive off Glenview Road near downtown or at Willow and Pfingsten.

Early Friday afternoon, people at Park Center got a scare when the lights and exercise machines went off. Staff members circulated quickly around the building, urging members to get out. No explanation was given, and a few residents wondered if terrorists might be using old maps – thinking the Glenview Naval Air Station was still active here. Later, they learned that evacuation of the building is standard operating procedure in the event of a power outage.

Deputy Fire Chief Michael Sawicki appeared before Judge Dan Jordon in Cook County Circuit Court Monday on charges of assault. Sawicki allegedly threatened to punch Lt. Steve Hartnett while on duty at Glenview’s main fire station.

The judge agreed to delay the case until October 16 so Sawicki’s lawyer could prepare his argument. Meanwhile, Hartnett remains on assignment at the downtown fire station – working under Sawicki. Sources say the atmosphere is tense, but Chief Joe Robberson has not granted Hartnett’s request for a transfer.

Meanwhile, Glenview firemen will meet with representatives from the International Association of Firefighters early this week to discuss the possibility of unionizing. The IAF represents firemen in Chicago and a number of its suburbs.

Members of the Glenview Prairie Preservation Project (including Watch editor Sandy Hausman) and five other village residents expect a ruling Friday in their fight to assure maximum protection for a rare tallgrass prairie at the former Naval Air Station. When the suit was filed more than a year ago, the plaintiffs asked that Glenview be required to enforce its Environmentally Significant Areas Ordinance before proceeding with construction around the property.

The judge dismissed that complaint, noting that Glenview law sets no penalty for failing to enforce it – rendering the law optional. The village subsequently declared the area "Environmentally Significant" and is obeying the ordinance.

Lawyers for Glenview and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources continue to dispute a second claim – that the village and IDNR failed to follow the law governing land on the state’s Natural Areas Inventory. That statute says agencies planning development around a sensitive biological preserve must file a "detailed agency action report," explaining what they will do to protect the land. Sixty days later, the Department of Natural Resources is supposed to file a "biological opinion" on whether the action plan is sufficient and will achieve its goals.

Attorneys for the village and the state cannot produce those documents but claim that four boxes of information, a series of meetings, phone calls and e-mails constitute the agency action report and biological opinion. The plaintiffs say the information should be compiled in two reports that the public can easily access. Without those reports, attorney Jim Vroman argues, citizens cannot tell whether their public officials are doing a good job. Vroman heads the environmental division at Jenner and Block, a Chicago law firm that is providing services to the Prairie Project at no charge.

The village is represented by lawyers Jeff Randall and Thomas Trybowsky who have charged more than $42,000 for their services to date. The Illinois Attorney General’s office is representing the Department of Natural Resources, but in the latest round of arguments Assistant Attorney General Phillip Robinson relied on Glenview’s lawyers to submit a brief.

The state and village argue that they have complied with the spirit if not the letter of the law governing natural areas – a law they consider advisory, not mandatory, since no penalties are set for failure to comply. The plaintiffs say penalties are not the point – that the law does allow them to go into court and demand enforcement. They hope a ruling in their favor will mean more consistent regulation and protection of natural areas around the state.

The judge says she will rule on the case at 2:30 p.m. Friday, September 21.

Three families living at the end of Pleasant Lane in Glen Oak Acres appeared before the Village Board last month. They were concerned about a flood control plan that might funnel water from as many as 250 homes through a village-owned channel between their yards. Based on advice from a civil engineer, they wanted the village to remove weeds and debris from that ditch, to make sure water flowed all the way to the Chicago River and to maintain the conduit.

Village engineers didn’t think that was necessary, but the trustees offered to pay 25 percent of the cost. Angered by what seemed an inadequate response, one of the men said the families would rather pay the whole cost and make sure the work was done properly than to allow village engineers to oversee it.

At last week’s meeting, a woman from one of the families returned. Penny Theodorakis said the husbands hadn’t consulted their mates before making their macho offer, and she felt the village should pay for 100 percent of the work.

Noting that many new buyers in Glen Oak Acres have torn down small homes and built large ones with big basements that displace more water, Theodorakis told the board, "There is a principle here. We are residents. We pay our taxes. We follow your rules and regulations and build according to village specifications. . .This is not our water, and it is your property that it comes through. . .Mr. McCarthy told us to call if there’s a problem next year. I’m telling you now, water and mosquitoes do not read village maps."

Trustee Jeff Lerner proposed that the village get an estimate for the cost of cleaning and streamlining the channel and asked the engineers for a better explanation. "The staff doesn’t feel this needs to be done. The residents’ engineer feels it does. Maybe we ought to have more information." The board agreed, and the matter is likely to come up at a future meeting.

Property tax reassessments for Northfield Township went out last week, and the Pioneer Press says area residents will see increases of 15 to 50 percent. The average price of a home has reportedly risen from $310,000 to $370,000 since 1997, with The Glen and a growing number of teardowns driving home values up.

When you get your notice, Township Assessor Patty Damisch suggests you look at comparable properties listed on the Cook County Assessor’s website: www.cookcountyassessor.com. If you feel your assessment is too high, you can call a lawyer to handle your appeal or consult with Damisch’s office at no charge. The number: 724-8300.

Costco and Design Expo Center have spelled out plans for their new property north of Willow Road, telling the Glen Redevelopment Commission that the prognosis has improved since Home Depot and some restaurants disappeared from the site plan. Traffic is expected to decline by 40-140 trips during peak afternoon hours, and landscaping has increased. There will be 10 acres of wetlands, required by the Army Corps of Engineers, a planted green buffer along Patriot Boulevard, 152 trees in the parking lot and 185 trees around it.

GRC Chairman Howard Silver and Commissioner Bruce Burch had made field trips to Schaumburg and Oak Brook – checking out other Costco stores. They liked the looks of Schaumburg’s Costco and pressed the company for better building materials, lighting and design here. The developer promised to consider their suggestions, but said the Schaumburg store was designed to blend with its neighbors. Here, he said, the building should be similar to the Design Expo Center.

An economic consultant hired by the developer claimed the shopping center (including Harley Davidson and some smaller stores) would generate $850,000 a year in property taxes for schools when the TIF is retired more than ten years from now. District 34, which is getting all of the elementary and middle school kids from The Glen, will get none of the tax dollars from this area. Instead, the money will go to District 225 and District 30 which has just three schools, two of them in Northbrook.

Prestige Leasing continued its fight to put a large, modern building on its lot across from Village Hall, but Plan Commissioners said – again – they don’t like its looks. They want fewer parking spaces, more landscaping and different construction materials. Prestige proposes metal and glass. The Commissioners want brick or stone. The discussion will continue at the Plan Commission’s next meeting, September 25.

Glenview’s Village Board is inching toward a review of current commissions months after Trustee Rachel Cook proposed the idea. The Plan Commission, Zoning Board, Glen Redevelopment and Appearance Commissions are known to many residents, but we also have an Emergency Telephone System Board, a Forestry Commission, a Building Commission, Fire and Police Commission, an Electrical Commission, Fire Pension Board, Police Pension Board, Senior Citizen Commission, Comprehensive Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Environmental Review Commission.

Cook thought it might be time to abolish some of those bodies, change them or create some new panels "to meet the needs of the community. . .and attract a continuous stream of fresh blood – people who are interested in local government and have many ways to contribute." Cook also suggested the possible imposition of term limits and standardization of terms. Today, some commissioners serve for five years, while others are appointed for two, three or four years. "It’s difficult for anyone to keep track of," Cook said.

Trustee Lerner agreed that it was time to look at the citizen panels and asked staff to provide a report on who serves where. He thought maybe the forestry commission could be replaced by a natural resource committee that would look at wetlands and other areas that may need protection. He also felt a technology committee could be helpful.

Trustee Crawford thought it might be time to expand the Plan Commission and Zoning Board which– due to multiple absences -- sometimes have too few members to do business. Village Manager Paul McCarthy promised to provide an overview of the committee system.

Northbrook trustees could vote as early as September 25 on an increase in the sales tax for that suburb in an effort to fill the $2 million gap in this year’s budget. The shortfall comes as sales at Northbrook Court fall and a local auto dealership plans its move to Glencoe. There’s no word on how much the tax would increase, but a quarter-percent hike could bring an additional $1.5 million in revenues.

Northbrook’s Park District is also making news – awarding $71,000 to a local company that will conduct focus groups, hold public hearings and help plan the use of 60 acres recently acquired through an open space referendum. The community is committed to keeping a golf course at the site, but some park board members favor a new gym or community center and a skate park. Others hope Anetsberger can be maintained in a natural state with paths and wetlands. No decision is expected before the summer of 2002.

A parent in Avoca School District 37 is campaigning to have principal Deanna Reed removed, arguing that Reed’s summer sex change operation could be disturbing to students. Officials say Reed, a tenured staffer, is well respected as an educator, and the kids are settling into the routine of the year – losing their initial curiosity about Donald Reed’s transformation. Despite the parent’s petition drive, administrators say they have no plans to dump Deanna.

In District 34, a new group has formed to study the programs and financial needs. Calling themselves Friends of Cooperation and Understanding for Schools or FOCUS, the organization is putting out an electronic newsletter that will report on a series of relevant issues. First up: an explanation of Illinois’ tax cap and its impact on public education. If you’d like to get the newsletter, send an e-mail to jacqueline.lutz@us.cgeyc.com or sharonlpratt@juno.com.

In School District 30, administrators are asking residents to help them set priorities for the next five years. They’ve issued an invitation to their forum on Thursday, September 20 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Field Middle School. For more information, call 272-6880.

A veterinarian was called to Wagner Farm this week to attend Bart the Bull who suffered an injury Friday during an amorous activity. Dr. Michael Mann, DVM said Bart had sprained an ankle when he slipped off a cow.

The bull was resting comfortably during Saturday’s open house at the farm after his doctor prescribed a mega dose of painkiller – 35 baby aspirins a day+. The event drew nearly a thousand people to Wagner Farm for a look at the antique farm implements, lush vegetable and flower garden, tidy barn and pasture. Children seemed especially excited by the chance to chase chickens and observe the cows.

Runners are invited to help raise money for a range of local causes, from high school scholarships, scout troops and youth baseball to Glenview’s Senior Center later this month. The Rotary Club is organizing a one-mile, five-K and ten-K event on Sunday, September 30. To learn more, call 374-0660.

Many readers tell us that they sometimes get an old issue when going to our website. Last week we explained that the problem can be fixed on aol by holding down the CONTROL and SHIFT buttons while clicking the "refresh" icon (a circular arrow on the top left toolbar next to the small house).

This action is called "clearing your cache," and reader Karen Finerman says it’s easy to do with other servers: "In Netscape, on the toolbar, click edit, preferences, advanced, cache, clear memory cache and clear disc cache. In Internet Explorer: tools, internet options, general tab; delete files, and clear history." If you continue to have trouble or would like to share the process for cache clearing with other servers, please feel free to send us an e-mail.

Biff Thiele defends Norma Morrison’s request for a tougher sign ordinance: "Glenview has been waiting for years for Brian Boyd and the Chamber of Commerce to give us that window signage report they promised to have in six months. Because she alone reminded the board of that fact at the September 4 meeting, Mr. Boyd tried to blame Norma Morrison for our downtown woes, suggesting that she was one of two "complainers" who actually care about this subject.

Of course Boyd was the only one defending the status quo. Applying his logic, he must be the only one who supports the strip mall appearance of Waukegan and Glenview roads.

"Bigger signs won’t help downtown business. In fact, 25-foot neon towers won’t help sales. What we need is more parking in front of the stores where we shop _- parking like Glenview is offering to the shops at The Glen. And speaking of The Glen, isn’t there a double standard if we restrict the size of signs in store windows there but not downtown?"

FH comments on Glenview’s split from RED Center: "I agree with JAS, who is concerned that Glenview disconnecting from RED Center will result in a decreased level of service delivered to the taxpayers. In light of our recent national disaster, I wonder if the residents are aware that RED Center is the dispatch center for IEMA (Illinois Emergency Management Association) during any disasters. Glenview dispatch will not be connected with IEMA dispatch, but instead will report to RED Center. When Glenview splits from RED, I expect many of the experienced dispatchers to stay with the Regional Emergency Dispatch team. I hope the less experienced people manning Glenview’s center can handle a disaster.

"I would also like to point out that our post office isn’t the only public building that fails to comply with laws providing access for people with disabilities. All three of our fire department buildings lack ramp access, handicapped parking spaces, elevators, and access to classrooms used by the public. What happens to the girl scout troop that requests a tour with a child who is wheelchair bound? Does the scout leader leave that child behind? Does the village of Glenview believe they are exempt from following this federal mandate?

"Finally, with regard to the deputy fire chief who was required to appear in court this week, what is the village policy regarding violence in the work place? Would we, as residents, not hold him to a higher standard of behavior as a leader in the community? His conduct as a leader is not what I want my children to model. I also wonder if ‘management by intimidation’ is used by others in the department."

Kimberly Even says a day care center is coming to downtown Glenview: "While reading your column I came across a letter asking about plans for a child care center downtown. I would like to assure the writer and any other readers that the center will be opening on January 2, 2002. Call 847-729-3232 or e-mail ECDCGlenview@aol.com for more information."

As District 34 plans its future, Fritz offers this idea: "Tell these guy's to check out Glenbard High Schools -- lower costs, higher test scores, same type of community."

The Vice President of the Glenridge Meadows Homeowners Association writes: "Our neighborhood, located near the intersection of Willow and Landwehr, has been very concerned with Willow Road expansion plans. The official position of Glenview is that they are against the widening of Willow in our area, but I understand our trustees agreed to sell just under half an acre of village property at Willow and Landwehr to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Which trustees voted for this? Are there any stipulations on how this land can be used? Has the village said one thing and done another? Why hasn't the public been better notified about this?

The Watch replies: According to a memo from Glenview’s Director of Development, this land will be used by IDOT to "relieve congestion at Milwaukee, Sanders and the I-294 interchange," and widening of Willow east of Landwehr is not part of the picture. The state apparently plans to create turn lanes at Landwehr and Willow in 2003. All of the trustees voted for the sale except Donna Pappo who was absent on August 7 when the matter was considered.

YOUR TURN: Share your views on local issues and news. E-mail to glenviewwatch@aol.com or snail mail to 3537 Maple Leaf Dr., Glenview, IL 60025.  We look forward to hearing from you and consider readers' remarks an essential part of our newsletter. Thanks for reading!  – Sandy Hausman and Dean Schott

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