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The
Glenview Watch October 7, 2001 |
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Village President Larry Carlson, who recently told the public of his efforts to lure the Deerfield Bakery to Glenview, is apparently pressing ahead with his one-man commercial mission – sharing his plans for the future of downtown with Announcements reporter Mike Ulreich before discussing them with the Comprehensive Plan Commission or the Village Board.
Carlson reportedly wants to knock down the old Renneckar's store and other buildings on the north side of Glenview Road from Pine to Church streets, making way for a mixed use development "that would include restaurants and possibly condos or offices on the top floors." Carlson thinks the village should buy the buildings, then resell to a developer.
Existing businesses, such as the Cat's Meow, Hauff Hobby and Train Repair and Mert Silbar Public Relations, could be relocated, although Carlson isn't sure where they would go. Financing is also uncertain. Carlson told the Announcements: "We'll have to see whether we'll use a TIF or just make a short-term infusion of cash or a loan until we sell the property to a developer."
The village president complained that Glenview has "a 1950's downtown with no parking," and would not rule out condemnation of the block in question. He did, however, reject the idea of hiring an economic development director for the village, saying the money would be better spent on real estate.
Editor's note: Glenview's comprehensive planning process is underway, and Chairman Carlson had promised to "fast track" the discussion of downtown. Instead, he has bypassed the process and ignored fellow elected officials in going public with his ideas. This kind of conduct is okay for a private businessman, but it's really bad form for a village president.
His proposal also begs some very serious questions. First, could Glenview reasonably deprive Districts 34 and 225 of revenue by imposing a TIF, and could the use of tax increment financing withstand a court challenge from the schools or park district? State law allows this kind of TIF only in "blighted" areas. With new infrastructure, an improved streetscape and new businesses such as Optima and the Noodle downtown, Glenview hardly seems to qualify.
We also think it unwise to proceed with any public initiative for downtown until the community has debated and decided the controversial D-1 zoning that allows bulky buildings and high density housing. Unless that policy changes, Carlson's plan could make parking problems and congestion in the downtown area even worse.
And finally, having invested big public dollars at The Glen, do we taxpayers really want to compete with ourselves by providing large public subsidies for downtown development? How much new retail can this community absorb, and shouldn't we have some professional advice? Carlson says he'll discuss it with the Milwaukee firm hired to consult us on a long-term plan for the village and with Mesirow Stein, our consultant at The Glen, but it might make more sense to invest the relatively small amount of money needed to hire our own development director for the village rather than relying on outside consultants like Stein who walked away from The Glen with hefty fees.
No one should be surprised to hear of Carlson's plans. During the campaign, he promised to "revitalize our downtown, balancing the need to provide a solid economic base with a `citizen-friendly' shopping, residential and entertainment center," but Unite Glenview also pledged to avoid "over regulation and protect the taxpayers and our schools." That pledge hardly squares with talk of condemnation and a TIF for downtown.
VILLAGE BUYS NEW PHONES
The village of Glenview has been operating with six different phone systems and three separate voicemails which are only theoretically connected, but last week, the trustees approved a $294,000 purchase from Sound Incorporated – a Naperville-based company – for a single telecommunications system.
Village Manager Paul McCarthy said this purchase had been put off three times, and staff is struggling. "We have three digit extensions, we have four digit extensions, and we do have a way of enraging the public because they can't get through. . .When I raised the possibility of deferring this again, I was almost stoned to death by the department heads."
CRAWFORD AND CARLSON WARN NEW CABLE COMPANY
Wide Open West (WOW) will take over the franchise held by Ameritech New Media and begin selling cable service to Glenview residents this month. After representatives for the two companies addressed the village board, Trustee John Crawford braced for a spate of phone calls. "Will people be calling me three times on three consecutive days?" he wondered.
WOW said it would rely on mass mailing and make limited use of the phones, and a spokesman for Ameritech New Media advised Crawford that by law, telemarketers are obliged to take you off their calling list if you ask them to do so.
"Who's going to be in charge of filling holes?" asked President Carlson.
"That will be WOW from now on," said the man from Ameritech.
"There's nothing more frustrating as when a member of this board gets a complaint that the cable guys dug a hole three months ago, and it's still not filled," Carlson said. "We're a real nice bunch of people up here, and we're real easy to get along with, but when we get that fourth complaint, it gets a little tense, so you're starting with a clean slate, we're glad to have you. Welcome aboard, but a word to the wise – okay?"
LAWYER TRUMPS LERNER
Lexus dealer Joe Bredemann appeared before the village board last week, asking for approval to build a larger building and parking lot. Town home owners who live behind the dealership sent their attorney, Mark Schwartz, to do battle – arguing that Bredemann should provide more landscaping so they won't be subject to a view of cars lining-up for their weekly wash.
Bredemann argued that would present a hardship since his crew will be plowing snow into a detention pond and trees would get in the way. "We're out of business as long as the cars are covered in snow," he explained.
Trustee Jeff Lerner was sympathetic, telling the residents' lawyer, "This is obviously an operational problem. What do you suggest? How do you solve his need to move 10 acres of snow to the detention pond?"
Schwartz didn't miss a beat, noting that Bredemann didn't need to keep the whole area open. He referred Lerner to an earlier proposal from Bredemann – Exhibit B. "Their initial proposal. . . was the planting of 11 trees on the north end of the detention basin," said the lawyer. "They advised us that was the total number of trees they could plant because they needed eight feet or so between the trees to move their front-end loaders. . .Give us those trees on the north end of the detention basin and we're happy."
At that point, President Carlson echoed an idea first offered by Trustee Crawford – that Bredemann and Schwartz sit down and agree on a landscape that would make both sides happy.
TRUSTEE COOK STARTS MATERNITY LEAVE
For the first time in Glenview's history, a village board member is taking maternity leave. Rachel Cook and husband David are expecting their second child this month. Trustee Cook plans to stay in touch by phone and fax, following issues that face the village, but she is likely to be missing from most public meetings through the end of the year.
NEWS FROM THE BLUES
Glenview Fire Lt. Steve Hartnett has finally been transferred from the main station where he worked under the supervision of Deputy Chief Michael Sawicki to the Landwehr station. Hartnett had requested the transfer more than a month ago after pressing criminal assault charges against Sawicki.
Glenview Police Sgt. Frank Stankowicz has been promoted to commander after more than 20 years of work in the field of juvenile crime including nearly a decade of duty at Glenbrook South High School. A new school liaison officer, Joshua Evans, will assume the high school post sporting a badge and an earring.
The Village Board has also approved the appointment of former Judge Louis Garippo to serve on Glenview's Police and Fire Commission – a group responsible for hiring and firing public safety personnel. The Swainwood resident presided over the trial of John Wayne Gacy in 1980. More recently, Garippo helped mediate the matter of Chief Illiniwek – the controversial University of Illinois mascot. Garippo's name was forwarded to Village President Carlson by Trustee John Crawford, and the nomination received a unanimous okay from the board.
Editor's note: We hope President Carlson and other members of the board will continue to think out of the political box – choosing from the extensive pool of talented Glenview residents available to serve on our local boards and commissions. We also hope Trustee Cook's leave does not delay discussions of the new panels she and Trustee Lerner have proposed to serve the 21st century needs of the village.
FIRE CHIEF BLAMES PHONE COMPANIES FOR DELAYS
Efforts to establish a new emergency dispatch center in Glenview have been delayed by technical problems at two companies that provide wireless 911 service. Chief Joe Robberson said he and other planners had met with AT&T and Nextel, warning that if they cannot make the connection by month's end, Glenview will file a complaint with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Glenview is counting on revenue for providing wireless 911 service to finance the transition from a regional emergency dispatch service to a center owned and operated by Glenview. Robberson said he hoped to activate the new emergency dispatch service in November.
CONTRACT AWARDED FOR FIRE STATION DESIGN
The village has awarded a $260,000 design contract for two new fire stations – one to be located on East Lake Avenue near Wagner Farm and a second to be built at The Glen. The Watch mistakenly reported, last week, that the second station would be located next to Hangar One. In fact, it will probably be built next to an old Army helicopter hangar on the Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) campus.
While several companies were invited to bid on the job, a selection committee was not told about prices until it had selected FGM. "Their proposal was not the least costly of the four," said Robberson, "but we were impressed with their enthusiastic approach and also their experience and depth of staff. FGM has completed many similar projects in the Chicago metropolitan area."
The firm has reportedly built 25 area fire stations, and Trustee Donna Pappo hastened to help the chief make his case, knowing that the low bid was $220,000. "Any time the public hears that we're not taking the cheapest bidder, they get a little nervous as I do, and I think it's important to point out that the highest bid was $690,000. . .and I believe this bid [from FGM] is from the lowest bidder with experience designing fire stations."
Attorney Jeff Randall also offered a verbal assist. "What you might want to point out, Chief, is that this is the lowest responsive bidder – responsive by experience. You have to look at the total package rather than just the price."
DISTRICT 34 PLUGS BUDGET HOLES
Board members for District 34 Schools approved a $48 million budget for this year – imposing $600,000 in spending cuts and approving the use of $600,000 in reserves. Kids will no longer have an activities bus for after school transportation from Springman. Annual field trips to The Grove and an outdoor education program have been eliminated. The board scaled back conference attendance and technology purchases while cutting two half-time jobs in health and human resources. No instructional programs were cut, and funds remain for hiring 17 teachers and support staff to deal with increased enrollment.
GLENBROOK BUILDS FIRST, ASKS QUESTIONS LATER
Now in the midst of $45 million in construction, the Glenbrook High School Board will pay a consultant $5,000 to project enrollment through 2012. The last study of this kind took place in 1994. Assistant Superintendent Craig Schilling says new numbers will help the board determine how much staff to add in the next few years and how much revenue to expect from The Glen. Board member Jeff Lerner, who also serves on Glenview's Village Board, did not vote.
Editor's note: Isn't it time for Mr. Lerner to give someone else a turn? The jobs of a school board member and a trustee are demanding. Couple them with a full-time legal career and a family and something is bound to get short shrift. A case in point may have occurred Tuesday when Village Board President Carlson presumed the trustees had all reviewed the Glen Redevelopment Commission's taped proceedings on Costco. Under the circumstances, Carlson didn't think it necessary for Costco to make a presentation, and Trustee Lerner agreed, but moments later, Lerner asked a question that had been addressed at length by the GRC. Had he done his homework, the trustee who gave Costco such speedy approval would have known that the store did not intend to sell gasoline here in Glenview.
YOUTH BASEBALL STRIKES OUT AGAINST FRAUD
Glenview Youth Baseball, a private group that organizes leagues for about 1,300 kids each year, says more than $50,000 has disappeared from its accounts. While Illinois' Attorney General investigates, the Board of Directors will only say that its recently-elected president, Joe LaCassa, is no longer on the board and that former President Steve Mack will resume the office until this matter is resolved.
The group said it would work to recover the missing money and assured parents, in a letter sent last week, that the 2002 season will proceed as planned. The group said it owes money to several vendors, but they are "being very cooperative."
Among them is Glenview's Park District, which is paid for the use of ball fields at Westbrook and Apollo Schools and for maintenance of those properties. Executive Director Tom Richardson said he was pleased with the way Youth Baseball was handling the situation and refused further comment.
IT'S BAD ALL OVER
In Northbrook, a local snow-plowing company faces charges of defrauding consumers – collecting fees in advance – then failing to provide service when the snow fell. The firm, located at 3330 Dundee Road, is known as Northshore Snow Plowing, Elliott Miller Snow Plowing, Buffalo Grove Snow Plowing and Pro Plowing Inc. Owner Elliott Miller, his wife and son are accused of collecting $200 from 1,700 customers – a total of $340,000 for the 2000-2001 season. After heavy snow in December, Miller allegedly closed the companies but continued to accept new business. Forty-eight people complained to the Attorney General, prompting a probe and a call for refunds.
In Skokie, the former treasurer of Skokie Central Traditional Congregation faces federal charges after allegedly embezzling about $250,000. Joel Blatt turned himself in. Officials say he forged more than $1 million in checks but replaced most of that money. The synagogue is a small one with an annual budget of about $200,000.
CAMBRIDGE HOMES CITED FOR VIOLATIONS
While its town homes sprout like mushrooms at The Glen, Cambridge Homes is facing a lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court and has been cited by Park Ridge for failing to report the substitution of home building materials and improper installation. Cambridge had reportedly agreed to use a stucco-like material called EIFS on a single-family home, but ended up using stucco without the necessary expansion joints. The homeowners now say their walls are cracking and water is getting into the building.
LOCAL BIRDS HAVE WEST NILE VIRUS
Birds infected with the deadly West Nile virus have been found in Glenview, Northbrook, Wheeling, Skokie, Niles and Highland Park, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The disease can be transmitted to people if they're bitten by mosquitoes that carry the virus. Officials stress that West Nile, which can cause fever, headache and mild flu-like symptoms, rarely proves fatal, and most people who are infected don't get sick. What's more, the risk decreases daily as cool weather moves in and mosquitoes die off. For more information, visit www.idph.state.il.us.
HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION SET FOR SATURDAY
If you have paint, cleaning fluids or other hazardous chemicals you'd like to toss, head for Maine East High School at the corner of Potter Road and Dempster Street on Saturday, October 13 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Officials say drop off could take 10-40 minutes, so come prepared to wait. For more information, call 312-751-6633 or visit www.mwrdgc.dst.il.us.
GIVE SPRINGFIELD A PIECE OF YOUR MIND
Glenview's three representatives in Springfield – State Senator Kathy Parker, State Representatives Beth Coulson and Jeff Schoenberg – will answer your questions at an open meeting from 7:30- 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 16 at Patten House, 939 Harlem Avenue (at the intersection of Harlem and Glenview Roads). You can also register to vote – but please don't park in the Patten House lot. For more information, call the event's sponsor – the Glenview League of Women Voters – at 998-6510.
SAVE THESE DATES TOO
October 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and October 14, 1-5 p.m. at Wagner Farm - An open house with food and fun for the family. Already on sale: gourds, pumpkins, cornstalks and mums. Volunteers are needed
to help with the event. Call 998-0312.
October 10 and 24, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Village Hall - One or two trustees will answer questions and concerns from the public. No appointment is necessary.
October 11, 6 - 8 p.m. at Village Hall - The Comprehensive Plan Committee will hear public comment on the future of the Lehigh Triangle, an industrial area along Lehigh Road, adjacent to The Glen.
October 16, 7:30 p.m. at Village Hall - Glenview's Trustees will discuss storm water management and debate whether the village should pay more than 25 percent of the cost for new storm sewers. The board will also get an overview of next year's budget.
October 17, 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall - Trustees and the public will learn more about special expenses planned in next year's budget. In addition, two all-day budget workshops are set for October 20 and 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and an evening session is planned for October 24 at 6:30. Public comment on how Glenview plans to spend its money will be invited in November.
SHIRT SALES MOVE TO WEBSITE
After raising more than $200,000 to benefit the families of firemen killed in New York, Glenview firefighters have moved their sale of memorial tee-shirts to the web. Those still interested in buying shirts at $15 apiece can go to www.911sbravest.com.
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
The library presents a piano concert with Eugene Kwok at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, in honor of Illinois Arts Week. Kwok will perform a crowd-pleasing repertoire of music from Andrew Lloyd Weber, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Broadway shows, and requests from the audience. Born in Singapore, Kwok began to study piano at age 5. He has degrees from both DePaul and Northwestern universities. Register at the Information Desk or call the library at 729-7500, ext. 112.
OLYMPIC TORCH COMING THIS WAY
The Olympic Committee has announced that a torch kindled in Athens will be carried along Chicago's North Shore en route to Salt Lake City – site of next year's winter games. Runners will pass through Evanston, Wilmette and Highland Park on January 5. The torch will actually begin its journey in Atlanta and travel 13,500 miles in the hands of amateur athletes.
WIFE OF LOCAL TRACK COACH SETS FAMILY RECORD
Glenbrook South's track coach, Kurt Hasenstein, didn't know his wife was so fast. The couple was expecting their third child and headed to the hospital on the evening of September 11, but it soon became apparent that Lynn and baby Jenna could not wait for a sterile delivery room. Kurt pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald's in Schaumburg and called 911. Paramedics arrived a short time later to find the newborn in her mother's arms, wrapped in Dad's tee-shirt. Hasenstein told the Pioneer Press that it was an "unbelievable experience." While everything turned out well, the coach – whose medical experience was limited to taping ankles – says he'd rather deliver pizzas than deliver another baby.
READERS WRITE
LS dislikes plans floated by Larry Carlson for Glenview's downtown: "I read in the Announcements that President Carlson is planning to use the village's eminent domain power to condemn and develop a downtown block to improve the business district. This would be an amazing exercise of the extraordinary governmental power of condemnation. You can understand it when it has to be done to make room for a new airport or interstate highway, and there's no other alternative. But isn't it a little extreme just to mollify those who complain that our downtown has too many dry cleaners?"
LL joins three readers who called to say prayer is a private experience -- appropriate in the home or a place of worship but not at meetings of the Glenview Plan Commission: "Chairman Silver and Commissioner DiMattina laudably expressed their patriotic sentiments and deep personal sadness over the terrorist attacks. They spoke what we all feel. With the best of intentions, however, they institutionalized prayer into the Commission's meetings, which is not where personal religious expressions belong. Even apart from the obvious Constitutional problems this creates, this is simply not the right response for our government to take."
But Stan Evans says, "This week's Glenview Watch seems to want to start a controversy out of nothing by asking if the Plan Commission should stick to planning and not bother with an opening prayer. I watched last week's meeting where Commissioner DiMattina gave his thoughts and his prayers for the victims of the Sept. 11 tragedy. I also watched the Glenview Redevelopment Commission meeting the week before where Chairman Silver opened with a beautiful, well written thought and a prayer for our country. He ended it with ‘God Bless America.'
"I was very touched by both and was proud that my village thought enough of itself to participate in some way to show its support. I don't believe that this takes away from the business of planning; rather, I believe that it enhances the spirit of the commissioners and all those attending or watching. After all, that is why they are holding open governmental meetings in the first place – because we are in a free country."
MS agrees: "God Bless America. God Bless the Glenview Plan Commission and Chairman Howard Silver."
And JC writes: "How utterly stupid can you get by ignoring or urging a ban on
the need we all have at times like this to offer prayer. A bit too PC are we?"
Mary Anne Taylor was "just wondering: we live in the East Glenview area, and always have a lot of wildlife in our back yard -- deer, racoons, possums, bunnies, squirrels and lots of birds. We have lived in the same house for over 20 years, and the wildlife is always here. My husband gets a lot of pleasure out of putting various types of food out in our yard. I know its not my imagination that we haven't seen any deer, racoons, or possums since the tragic day of September 11th, but we are wondering if there is anything going on that we don't know about that would be hindering the wildlife? It concerns us that we don't see all the beautiful animals we normally have -- especially this time of year when they are fattening up for the long winter months to come!"
The Watch replies: We spoke with Patti K., a naturalist at The Grove. She says possums and raccoons may be getting ready to hibernate. Also, Sunday's Tribune reports a record crop of acorns this year, so if your neighbors have oaks, perhaps the deer are feasting there. In any event, Patti warns that feeding racoons can backfire if you ever stop since they can become quite aggressive in searching for food inside your garbage cans, garage or house. Ditto for deer who will eat your plants and lawn if you stop feeding them.
TGW writes about a consulting firm called FGM. At Tuesday's board meeting, the trustees gave them a design contract for two new fire stations: "FGM did a number on Northbrook – building a library far bigger than was needed, and Glenview has fallen for their scam as well. They didn't get the design contract for our library but were asked to assess our need for space. Based on their work, our library board wants to build 110,000 square feet. That's the size of Evanston's new central library. Evanston's current population is around 74,000. Glenview's is expected to peak at 54,000 in 20 years. FGM should be stopped not hired!"
BH says there is a relationship between increased air traffic noise over Glenview and the closing of GNAS: "The reason we feel the impact of O'Hare so much more now is because during the base's tenure, commercial air traffic was not allowed to fly within five air miles of the Base. Now, flight paths bring commercial jets right over Glenview."
And Larry Eugene, who lived in Glenview for 17 years before moving to Lincolnshire, elaborates: "Re KG's observations on airplane noise, the base closing, and Dominick's light pollution: GNAS closed as part of the Pentagon's agenda, not because of noise pollution which was something we got used to. The noise, while horrendous at times, was very brief--only when the planes took off and landed. The real problem originated at O'Hare, when they opened the NE-SE runway and the commercial jets were landing at the rate of one per minute. That was when we began searching for a new home farther north.
"As for the Dominick's light pollution, I agree with those who complain about it. I forced the Marriott to replace nine outdoor globular lights – their trademark – with shaded lights. The pollution was so bad, it made the Marriott look like an airport, causing pilots to prepare to land when they got to Lincolnshire. This was pointed out by the commercial pilots who lived in Lincolnshire at that time!
"Anyone who is willing to accept constant aircraft noise and light pollution from a commercial establishment is a fool. To those who feel the O'Hare noise and the Dominick's light pollution is adversely affecting their way of life in Glenview, I say, ‘Fight it every way you can.'"
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