Public opinion is generally positive when it comes to Glenview’s public schools. In a survey commissioned by the District 34 school board and conducted by UNICOM-ARC just over 500 people were surveyed by telephone. Nine of ten gave a grade of "A" or "B" to elementary schools in the district and to Glenbrook South High School. More than eight of ten assigned those high marks to Springman Middle School.

The vast majority of respondents were happy with the performance of teachers – 97.6% rating them as excellent or good, and nearly nine in ten thought the superintendent was doing a good or excellent job. Fifty-five percent said District 34 was doing a good or excellent job of managing its money, and 61% agreed with the statement. "Glenview has plenty of room to cut the budget before it will hurt the kids." Sixty-one percent of those surveyed said they could not afford to pay higher property taxes no matter how good the cause.

Five areas were considered priorities by eight of ten people questioned:

– Programs to make sure all students are proficient in basic skills and meet minimum requirements (93%)

– Programs to aid students who are struggling (90%)

– Making sure all Glenview schools have equal access to resources (88%)

– Music, art and physical education (86%)

– Programs directed at developing good character and values (81%)

Just over 70% thought it a priority to hire part-time teachers and aids to help with larger classes, and 69% wanted more full-time teachers to reduce class size. Just under 70% thought foreign language instruction should be a priority, but only 53% put English as a second language classes high on their list, and full-day kindergarten was a priority for only 43% of respondents.

The survey also provided some information about our growing community and its residents. A strong majority (67%) felt there was too much growth, but 61% were pleased with the way local government was handling it. Only four in ten felt redevelopment of The Glen would be good for this area.

Of those surveyed at random by telephone, 85% had some college education, and more than 37% had gone beyond a bachelor’s degree. Nearly six in ten people who took part in the survey had no children in Glenview public schools, and 58% were over the age of 50.

Most considered themselves well-informed on schools with 88% getting information about the elementary district from the Glenview Announcements, 86% turning to community newsletters, 79% relying on family or neighbors and 27% from web-based newsletters like Glenview Watch.

District 34 has released the results of six standardized tests given to students in various grades and concludes, "Students demonstrated high levels of achievement, especially when compared to state and national populations. Mathematics remains a strength area for student progress. Growth was also shown in the majority of measures for reading, language, writing, science and social studies."

Even so, the district concluded a "considerable number" of students fall below state and national norms. A summary of test results also noted: "Our eighth grade [state] writing scores dropped dramatically and need to be addressed this school year."

– District 34 has a new school board president. Beth Primer, who is now in her third year on the board, is the mother of two district graduates. Also, taking their seats for the first time are newly- elected board members Robert Berg and Julie Quinn. They replace Robert Campe and Robert Frank.

– The district has finally caught up with a state law allowing children with asthma to carry inhalers with them during the school day – the board voting to change administrative rules and regulations to make that possible. Other prescription medications are kept in the schools’ health offices.

Two weeks after a terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Commissioner Joseph DiMattina began a meeting of the Glenview Plan Commission with a prayer. Advised by the village attorney that prayer was not legal at a public meeting, Chairman Howard Silver has requested a moment of silence before the last three meetings, and this past week, he opted to do something new.

"Many of you here know Norma Morrison, who is the matriarch of our village of Glenview. Norma, for many years, has been on boards and commissions. She was a leader in saving the Wagner Farm from development, and if you didn’t know, Norma had a heart attack last week. . .

Since we can’t pray, thanks to the ACLU, I’d like to stand for a moment of silence and ask for a group silent prayer for Norma’s recovery so she can continue helping the village."

Morrison does not think prayers are appropriate at government meetings, but appreciated the sentiment. "I guess this is my 15 minutes of fame," she said.

Editor’s note: It was not the ACLU that decreed a separation of church and state but the U.S. Constitution. 

Shell Oil was back before the Plan Commission to discuss construction of a super station at the corner of Willow and Shermer where a more modest Shell filling station now stands. Last summer, when the company showed drawings of the gleaming red, yellow and white building it wanted to erect, Chairman Howard Silver questioned where on the Las Vegas strip it belonged. The commissioners attacked Shell’s estimates for tax revenues and traffic, derided its designs and disputed company contractors who said they could not deviate from corporate standards.

The latest drawings showed a tasteful brick building with recessed lighting, extensive landscaping, a wooden fence and minimal signage, but neighbors from the condo complex known as Princeton Club were not satisfied, and the commissioners were feeling their oats. Silver attacked the canopy and quoting from the company’s website, noted that it could be modified to meet local zoning requirements. He showed pictures of Shell stations in Barrington and Lake Forest – stations with canopies devoid of stripes, supported by brick columns.

Shell’s real estate consultant Laura Sawicki told the commission she was not optimistic. Other canopies may have been permitted in the past – particularly where stations were being renovated, but "going forward, we are not constructing anything without a level one canopy. . . I’m sure there’s a number of sites within the village that were approved many years ago, five years ago, that you would not approve by your standards today. The same thing occurs at Shell. Two years ago, when the [parent company] became more involved in the U.S. business, the mandate was given that we were going to go to a global retail identity."

Development Director Mary Bak challenged the need for such bright lights. "Is there a corporate standard for the intensity of the lights underneath the canopy? "The foot candles that you’re proposing are extremely bright, and I think in excess of some of the things that have been approved in the village lately," she said.

Mitch Weiss, who lives next to the Shell site, brought a visual aid to challenge the need for such a high canopy. Noting that it is supposed to protect consumers from rain or snow, he opened a big black umbrella, to demonstrate the fact that closer to the head it provided greater protection, and neighbor Marshall Wolf joked, "The Chicago Bulls will not be playing under this canopy."

A consultant to Shell said a 14-foot canopy was needed so large trucks could use the gas station.

Chairman Silver again mentioned the website and its nod to local zoning requirements. Sawicki said she would share his request for a lower key canopy with Houston (the home of Shell’s U.S. headquarters) but was not hopeful. "We’re under construction in Lincolnshire and Lombard with level one canopies," she said.

Suggesting Shell would change if pressed, Commissioner Joseph DiMattina replied, "So I guess we’ll be pretty unique then." The planners agreed to continue the case when Shell is ready with a new design.

The Zoning Board of Appeals will consider Shell’s case on December 17 – discussing the brightness of the lights and hours of operation. Shell wants to do business 24/7. Expect the neighbors to protest that plan.

Architect James Metropulos was again before the Plan Commission asking for permission to build four town houses at 918 Harlem. When he appeared two weeks ago to show a plan for three units, he also offered a design involving four homes. The commission preferred that layout and asked the developer to come back with drawings.

Commissioner Jim Patterson, who was absent from the last meeting, didn’t like the four-unit design and didn’t think the Village Board would go for it, but Metropulos argued that the proposal met all local zoning requirements, worked well and would mean more affordable housing than a three-unit development.

Architect and Commissioner Gary Wendt spoke in support of the four-unit plan. "So many cooks have gotten into this situation. It was better six months ago than what we’re seeing right now."

Chef Patterson was not deterred. A vending machine broker by trade and the newest member of the Plan Commission, Patterson told architect Metropulos, "I believe that if you had looked at three, and you had moved this third building straight back and turned it the other way so all three were facing the curb, you wouldn’t have the single front, which is what you’re trying to stop – the mass, you would have opened up the driveway and only have three units, and I think [the Village Board] would have supported that."

Without comment, Chairman Silver called for a vote. All but Patterson approved the new design.

In the wake of problems with large crowds of permit-less picnickers in Glenview parks last summer, the Park District’s board has voted to hire two people next year to provide service and supervision from Memorial Day to Labor Day. While the weekend staffers will not be charged with enforcement, they’ll spend 13 hours apiece keeping an eye on the parks and "assisting patrons," according to Commissioner Chris Warren.

Board member Tom Pontarelli wondered why the district wouldn’t just hire off-duty policemen. He was told that they charge $45-$60 an hour and are in short supply. Warren argued the community might not need enforcement. "This is really just a trial program to see how the parks are being used." He estimated the total cost at $7,500.

The new staffers will wear uniforms, but Warren told the board they would not look like what police officers wear. "Maybe they could have flowers on them or something," joked Executive Director Tom Richardson.

– The American Institute of Architects’ Northeastern Illinois Chapter has given its Distinguished Building Award for Design Excellence to Glenview’s Park Center. That announcement follows news that the Illinois Park and Recreation Association would give Glenview its Facility of the Year Design and Programming Award.

– Park Center now has 4,135 members and is gearing up for renewals in January – officials noting the average person gains eight pounds over the holidays and warning Glenview residents, "Don’t become a statistic!" For the super fit, there’s a new membership package that includes all membership privileges and unlimited access to passport level exercise programs for $150 more. The Park District says it might make a little money on the deal since only 3 percent of group exercise participants take classes at a rate that would surpass the break-even point – 82 classes per year.

– Glenview golfers will have to rise earlier to assure a good tee-time. The district feels it’s losing too many players from neighboring communities by refusing to make reservations for them until 10 a.m. The Park Board has now voted to book tee-times for "locals only" until 7 a.m.

– Wagner Farm will install a temporary building to provide office, classroom and training space until a permanent visitors center is built. The facility could be used for three to five years. Officials also plan to construct a circular drive to allow easy drop-off at the farm.

– The old Navy chapel, now known as the Schram Memorial Museum, is open for business with two events scheduled in November and six wedding ceremonies pending for 2002. For more information, call Sandy Dixon at Park Center – 724-5670.

– The Park District has a new supervisor of youth athletics. In her bio, Jill Hendrickson says she’s a huge Michael Jordan fan, her favorite food combo is chocolate and peanut butter, she’s double jointed in her elbows and detests bananas. Also joining the Park Center team, Cultural Art Supervisor Amber Hirt, Facility Supervisor Scott Oleniczak and Supervisor of Adult Athletics Joe Pollina who says he’ll soon be starting a men’s wiffleball league for those who want to shape up for the spring softball season.

– Two staff members at the Fitness Center successfully completed the Chicago Marathon -- Aaron Klein and Joe Carver. Congrats are also in order for Aquatics Supervisor Amy Novotny who got married on November 10, and to a happy couple at Glenview Village Hall – Cable Services Director Julie Soto wed Building Inspector Chris Gray on November 16.

A family-owned chain of west suburban newspapers is poised to produce a Glenview edition. The Journal and Topics already covers Park Ridge, Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village, Mt. Prospect, Niles and Prospect Heights. In addition to classified ads, sports, business and boilerplate coverage of local news, the papers feature a lively "Speak Out" section in which readers rant about everything from airline security and adult bookstores to a stolen tree swing and dead animals left too long in the road. Subscriptions are available by mail or you can read it at www.journal-topics.com.

Meanwhile, at the Pioneer Press, ace reporter Lynne Stiefel has assumed the municipal beat most recently covered by the excellent Mike Ulreich, and Sara Loeb, a University of Chicago graduate who began her reporting career at the Evanston Review, has been assigned to Stiefel’s old beat – education. Ulreich is freelancing for the Chicago Tribune and plans to teach.

There were few surprises in Sunday’s State of the Village talk by President Larry Carlson to about 70 members and friends of the League of Women Voters. Carlson gave a cursory review of construction projects from new police and fire stations to the lack of a new library. He said the village wants to help the library find a new home and is holding land at The Glen. Asked if the library will be expected to pay for that parcel, Carlson said he did not know.

The Village President also spoke about the shops, restaurants, cinema, apartments and townhomes that will make up the new mixed use retail center or MURC. He conceded the anchor tenant – a Von Maur department store – has yet to sign a lease. In fact, Carlson said a number of prospective retailers had backed out of the MURC since September 11, and Hangar One had decided not to locate an air and space museum there.

Asked about the fate of the hangar itself – the subject of a legal dispute between Glenview and historic preservation officials with the state – Carlson said, "We’re not entirely sure what will happen. There’s an awful lot of asbestos in there. It may be less expensive to tear down the wings and save the core."

The Village President offered no new ideas for downtown but repeated his tale of a failed personal effort to woo the Deerfield Bakery. He urged citizens to attend a public hearing on the future of downtown at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 13 in the board room of Village Hall.

When a member of the audience asked about traffic problems on Waukegan Road, Carlson said not much could be done by the village since the road is under state control. He added that Waukegan is not currently at capacity – a piece of news that startled some dinner guests.

If Carlson had been listening during last month’s public hearing on the Waukegan Road corridor, he would know that the thoroughfare was designed to handle 24,000 cars a day but actually carries 27,000.

The Village Board is expected to vote Tuesday on another payment to real estate consultant Mesirow-Stein, the company hired to help Glenview market property at the base. The firm wants about $300,000 to assist with the mixed use retail center where restaurants and a movie theater are supposed to be located. In August of 2000, Glen Redevelopment Director Don Owen asked the board to hire Northern Realty to advise Glenview on the MURC. Owen argued that Stein had no expertise in dealing with restaurants and movie theaters. Without proper advice, he warned, developers "could take us to the cleaners."

In the uncertain hours after terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center, Glenview senior citizens opted to cancel their September 12 excursion on board the Odyssey – a luxury ship that offers lunch and dinner cruises from Navy Pier. On October 2, the group of about 155 seniors tried again. The bus they had chartered from Wisconsin was a little late, but Senior Center Director Joyce Pottinger wasn’t worried. She had budgeted time for shopping at the pier. Then, the bus broke down just before getting onto the Edens Expressway. Using their cellphones, the resourceful seniors contacted their charter company which lined up another bus and the Odyssey’s crew which agreed to wait for them. Pottinger says their troubles were forgotten as soon as they left the dock. We "actually had a good laugh once everything fell into place. It was the most beautiful day we had all month."

The Glenview Symphony Society presents a free "Do-It-Yourself Messiah" at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, December 8 at the Christian Heritage Academy, 315 Waukegan Road. Philip Simmons will conduct the Community Players Orchestra, joined by vocal soloists Elaine Lemieux, Julie Ann Zavala, Anatoliy Rykunov, and Andrew Schultze. The audience is invited to sing along in choral selections from Handel's masterpiece. Call 847-475-4819 for more information.

MG writes to "praise Biff Thiele for recognizing the benefit of multiple news sources and the need for controversy. However, despite its obvious controversial nature, I find it remarkable that he recognizes the Glenview Watch as a better source of news than those that he condemns. There is a difference between being controversial and muckraking, and being generally one-sided.

This is apparent not only in the Watch's articles, but in the "Readers Write" section as well. The purpose of a letter to the editor is to express one's opinion for other readers to benefit from, whether or not they agree. However, the Watch takes the unprofessional stance that it is necessary to respond to almost every letter it publishes, praising the readers who agree with their opinions and defending itself and its opinions from, and at times belittling those readers who do not agree. I appreciate the fact that there are multiple sources of information in Glenview, but shame on anyone who puts the tactless Glenview Watch above the others.

The Watch replies: One thing that has always bothered us about the Glenview Announcements is the paper’s willingness to print almost anything readers write without checking the facts or providing perspective. That failure leaves readers vulnerable to misinformation, which is why we often choose to comment on letters to the editor of this publication.

John Kozicki, President of Glenview Coin & Collectibles, "was glad to see that Village President Larry Carlson is not afraid to voice his opinion as to the future of downtown Glenview. His proposal, in my opinion, would be a dramatic facelift for the area, but at what cost? As a Glenview Rd. business owner, I feel for my friends down the block at Hauff Hobby, A Little Something and Cat's Meow. If Carlson had been proposing to tear down the building in which I lease my store, my stomach would probably have a very queasy feeling. Business before Sept 11 had not been that great, and now I know most of us are suffering further from the economic slowdown. I do support changes and upgrades to downtown Glenview Rd. My proposal would be to financially compensate the affected businesses during the down time and to set up temporary sites from which they can conduct some business during reconstruction of the new building. There is a full plate of discussion here, and I am glad we have a village president like Larry Carlson who obviously cares about the future of Glenview and has a vision of how to make things better."

Amy Brossard applauds a citizens’ group dedicated to making Glenview more attractive. Already, Scenic Glenview is putting the works of local artists in the windows of vacant storefronts: "Kudos to Bob Sherman and John Hedrick for forging a partnership with such wonderful and creative results – and no bills for consultants! Next, they could take on beautification of the shops that Larry Carlson wants to bulldoze without any input from store owners. We have already lost Glenview treasures during this uncoordinated downtown revitalization. Ann and Nick's restaurant in Renneckar’s was an historic 50's diner. They fixed old fashioned phosphates and milk shakes and the best breakfasts in town, but they're gone and no one has worked to get them back in Glenview. We were supposed to be welcoming the North Branch Restaurant back, but they chose not to return and nothing has replaced them. We continue to lose bread shops downtown and at the Plaza del Prado when we should be working to keep them. We have too many empty storefronts. Now the downtown hobby store, gift shops, and other stores in the 1800 block of Glenview Rd. are under siege by off-the-cuff remarks from the village president. For shame! I encourage one and all to go talk to our downtown shopkeepers and tell them how much they are valued by Glenview residents before we lose them as well. Pretty soon, the only businesses we'll have will be auto dealerships and dry cleaners!"

And Kittye Hermes is sympathetic to downtown merchants like Lana Gernady, but she’s not surprised. Kittye lives along the former Navy golf course – now home to pricey houses at The Glen: "How very interesting this issue of The Glenview Watch was.For four years now, the residents bordering The Glen have been ignored. We begged for consideration and support from Glenview when it came to planning that property, but guess what? Glenview never even considered us. All they wanted was to sell the land to developers, and the heck with the homes that bordered the once user-friendly golf course. Now, with the golf course built and ready to go - - Oh Golly! The golfers decide it's too expensive to play there. Where were those golfers when all of these decisions were being discussed? You obviously are men and women of some community standing, and maybe with your help this expensive monstrosity of a development would never have happened. You must have had your heads in some sand trap. When we were yelling "foul", you were yelling "fore"! And to the Glenview business owners who all of a sudden find themselves at the mercy of Glenview government run amuck, I’d say this is Glenview at it's best: always after the little guy. You all now have a small taste of what we homeowners that border the James Company development were up against. We got absolutely nothing from this village. "We have no future," laments Lana Gernady. Ah, Lana, come visit our home and see what kind of future is in store for us! I do not believe the residents of Glenview will stand for your cozy little block of charming stores being torn down. It is the only area of Glenview with character, and that's what Glenview lacks! Do not be misled by my anger. I will support you even though no one supported us. Kittye Hermes

And JS waxes poetic in the face of development of more open space on Milwaukee Avenue: "Once there were green fields, kissed by the sun... What arrogance or delusion to name the new development opposite Motel 6 ‘Insignia Preserve.’ Empty lots are preserves, not concrete and chain link fences. I’ll never forget the morning I stopped at that site to watch a coyote hunting for small rodents – paying no attention to the commuter traffic rushing by. Maybe there's still hope. The developer has not yet bulldozed that gorgeous stand of tall pampas_like grass on the north edge of the property. I'm sure many have noticed how it catches the slanted magic light of morning and evening."

GB read our description of next year’s budget for the village and wondered, "If Glenview is planning to ‘spend no more money this year than last,’ and we have $2 million in new expenses related to maintenance at The Glen, then something has to get the short end of the stick, yet [Village Manager Paul] McCarthy states ‘no cuts are planned.’ New math? Any idea what services are really being reduced?"

The Watch replies: According to Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade, no services will be cut. That’s because money to pay for maintenance at The Glen comes from land sale revenues and tax dollars from The Glen.

And F.S. says there were fewer leaves changing color this fall in Glenview: "If anyone wants to see the impact of the Glenview's tree ordinance, they should come down Hunter Rd. Where once stood one house on a heavily wooded lot, is now a relatively barren lot where three homes will be built. We were amazed at how many trees can be cut down under our tree ordinance."

YOUR TURN

What's on your mind? Drop us a line by e-mail at GlenviewWatch@aol.com or the old-fashioned way. We're at 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. Thanks for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.

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