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The
Glenview Watch December 9, 2001 |
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When the park board voted to install a temporary building at Wagner Farm a place where Director Todd Price could work and school kids could gather members didn't bother to consult the Citizens Organized for Wagner's a group that had campaigned for more than a decade to save the property. Park administrators didn't discuss the color of that triple-wide trailer either, and some COWS members were unhappy with the bright red box. They would have preferred a muted shade to blend with the landscape.
Red is, of course, the traditional hue of barns in this country a function of the fact that iron oxides from strip mines were a cheap and plentiful source of pigment for paint, but color is just the tip of a much bigger iceberg that has threatened to sink a promising relationship between COWS and the park board.
The citizens wanted to play a central role in planning the future of the farm. They feared the park board would turn it into a tidy site for school and community programs, destroying the rustic, tumble down charm of the place. Already, more than 70 trees have been removed and a fence erected as part of a pasture restoration process. "It's all packed down, and there isn't much grass left," says Park District Executive Director Tom Richardson.
He and Program Director Bob Quill joined Board Members Catherine Crowley and Chris Warren in meeting with the COWS board on Monday. The park district people said they would welcome the help of a support group for Wagner Farm but were not interested in having a watchdog organization. "We want you to work with us. We'll talk to you, but we don't need you telling us what color a temporary building will be. That's a staff decision," says Richardson in recounting the park district's essential message.
He added that detailed citizen input was not practical. "We have to be able to move, or we won't have any programs next year," Richardson said. The park district also demanded that more people be added to the COWS board. There are now 11 on the panel, but the park district thinks 15-19 seats would provide a greater opportunity for public participation. "There is a perception that COWS is a closed group," Richardson explained. "That may not be the case, but the board wanted to open things up."
In the end, seven members of the COWS board voted to expand. Biff Thiele and Joe Warga opposed the motion, and Norma Morrison abstained, feeling there should be more discussion of the issue. Monday's vote established COWS as the official support group for Wagner Farm and set forth membership fees for the public: $10 per year for individuals, $15 for families, $100 for businesses and $1,000 for a lifetime "Moo" membership.
COWS MAY VISIT SCHOOLS FOR BUTTER-MAKING LESSONS
The Park District's 2-person Wagner Farm Committee (Commissioners Chris Warren and Cathy Crowley) proposed four different programs that could be offered. One would allow kids to serve as after school volunteers assisting with chores over a four-week period. Two others involve farm tours for pre-school and school-aged children, including a snack and discussion of where the food got its start. Finally, the park district will consider an outreach program taking cows to schools where they would be milked by students. After separating the cream in their classroom and swapping that product for a pasteurized supply, the students would make butter and spread it on crackers for a tasty end to their 90-minute, hands-on lesson.
GROVE HERITAGE ASSOCIATION WANTS PEACE AND QUIET
The Grove's citizen support group has written to the park district asking for help in controlling noise from Milwaukee Avenue and Interstate 294. "The noise is now constant, 24 hours a day, every day of the year," wrote Grove Heritage Association President Cheri McNish and Grounds Chairperson Karen Dempsey. "Noise levels are in excess of 70 decibels. All aspects of Grove visitation are being negatively impacted."
Executive Director of the Parks Tom Richardson had written to the Illinois Department of Transportation nearly two years ago, requesting a noise barrier be built along I-294, but so far no action has been taken. The park district board is expected to discuss the problem at its monthly meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, December 13 in Park Center.
FOURTH OF JULY VOLUNTEERS WANTED
The Independence Day Celebration Commission a group that helps plan Glenview's Fourth of July festivities and raises money to offset the costs is looking for new members. As many as 13 commissioners can serve, but they must be village residents or work at a local business within the Glenview Park District's boundaries. Volunteers serve a three-year term, attending monthly meetings. Experience with fund-raising or community service is a plus. For more information, pick up a packet at Park Center, the park district's administrative offices on Prairie Street across from the post office, the public library, Village Hall or the Chamber of Commerce offices. You can also call the park district's Mary Van Arsdale at 657-3203 or Commission Chairman Denny Hebson at 724-7171 for more information. Applications are due by the end of December.
GLENVIEW GOLF THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY
November's unusually nice weather was a blessing for Glenview's golf course, which experienced its fourth worst October in recorded history. With so many playable days in November, the course surpassed 50,000 rounds for the year and moved the anticipated revenue loss from 8-9 percent to just 6 percent.
Meanwhile, the park district is hoping to get about $500 from the 27-year-old Glenview man who got drunk one night and decided to tour the Glenview National 9's and The Glen Club in his four-wheel-drive. The district reported extensive damage to the 5th fairway on the 9-hole public course and there was even more destruction at Kemper's course.
MORE PARK DISTRICT PATTER
Glenview's Park Board will vote Thursday on whether to increase taxes from 2.7 percent to 3.4 percent the maximum allowed under the tax cap. For most homeowners, the hike will amount to less than $20 a year. Executive Director Richardson says the park district needs more money for pay raises, gasoline and utilities. A public hearing will take place before a vote on the proposed increase at the board's monthly meeting, 7 p.m. Thursday, December 13 in Park Center.
Taxpayers lost $4,000 worth of water thanks to a significant leak at Flick Pool late last summer. Richardson said the problem would be repaired during the off-season. He also noted that next summer, patrons who must leave Flick or Roosevelt pools due to bad weather will be allowed to swim free at Park Center's indoor complex, Splash Landings.
Wagner Farm is selling Christmas trees, wreaths and garlands this month from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Director Todd Price urges the public to visit. "We are hoping to have a good year since all our cows need new shoes," he says.
Membership renewals have begun at Park Center. In the past year, 4,239 people joined.
The old Navy Chapel at The Glen is selling well five weddings are now confirmed for 2002, and the park district says foreign language classes and a stained glass program will be offered at the facility now known as the Schram Museum.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FUNDS ASSURED
District 34's finance director says state money earmarked for construction of the new Attea Middle School at The Glen is secure. A report in last week's Chicago Tribune said some state aid for building new schools was being cut, but Pat Siegel says Glenview is okay. "We're expecting $6.2 million, and the first payment should come this spring." Siegel said unusually warm, dry weather this fall has meant rapid progress on the building. "The foundation is complete, and they've started putting up steel. Unless there are problems, we should be open in the fall of 2003."
IRELAND'S BACK WITH A MISERLY MESSAGE
He ran for Village Board boasting that he was a tight wad, and while he didn't win, Grant Ireland has not abandoned his dream of fiscal responsibility at Village Hall. The corporate consultant and former CEO was the only member of the public to testify at a public hearing on Glenview's 2002 budget Tuesday. "In these uncertain times, I think we all should be concerned about our expenditures," he told the trustees. "When I look at a budget that has apparent expenditures going up [nearly 7 percent], it causes some concern."
Ireland questioned the way proposed expenditures were being reported, noting that $2.5 million in capital improvements were not mentioned because they're being funded through bond sales. If that amount were included, he argued that the spending increase would be even greater.
Ireland also noted $350,000 in new personnel charges to staff an emergency dispatch center that will replace the contract service now supplied by a regional group called the RED Center. He was puzzled that the line item for contract services had not gone down by $350,000 but instead was up $22,000. "Why are contract services so high?" he asked.
Village Manager Paul McCarthy did not respond to that question but noted Glenview would be providing fire and ambulance dispatch service to Wheeling and would receive cash from that community to help offset our costs. Wheeling is expected to pay $136,000 annually toward the overall cost of operation, the unincorporated areas will contributed $209,000 and Glenview's fire chief predicts revenues of $140,000 annually for the two communities when the new dispatch center begins taking cellular 911 calls. After all the revenue is in, Glenview's share of operating costs would come to $327,000 per year up from $213,000 paid to the RED Center in 2001.
In a follow-up letter to the trustees, Ireland said next year's operating budget would be up 6.84 percent over 2001. "That increase is triple the consumer price index and is counter to the plans of other government agencies, where decreases in expenditures are being aggressively pursued." He noted that planned raises of 4 percent for village employees "far exceed the private sector and probably much of the public sector,"and questioned a "first- time ever outside contract fee of nearly $40,000 to install Christmas lights."
Finally, Ireland told the trustees that village debt has reached record highs, and "our interest expense of more than $3.1 million is soaking up more revenue. I urge you to carefully review any and all requests over $10,000," he wrote, "and send requests that are not vital back to management for reconsideration."
Editor's note: Per capita debt in Glenview has risen from $1,258 in 2000 to $2,237. Finance Director Dan Wiersma sees no cause for concern, noting the increased debt will be repaid from tax revenues at The Glen.
MANAGER MIFFED
The discussion got edgy Tuesday night when Trustee John Crawford called for a delay in the vote on next year's spending plan. "Are we okay as long as that's done by the end of the year?" President Larry Carlson asked the village manager. "Yeah. It's your budget," Paul McCarthy replied cooly. "But I don't know why you're doing this."
"Well because you'll recall, Mr. Manager, I suggested a change in the 2002 budget," said Crawford. "I thought we would be able to discuss this before our next meeting. I would like to have the other board members consider my suggestions before adopting the budget."
"Which suggestions are you referring to?" asked Trustee Jeff Lerner.
"Well, uh, the one I had in mind was [to strike] the provision for purchase of a Chevrolet Suburban for $45,000. I just think there is no need for a vehicle like that. . .In these times, I think we should be economizing."
Manager McCarthy has been driving a village-owned Suburban for several years and may have been looking forward to a new one. Consumer Reports describes the 18-foot long, 5,590-pound vehicle as "huge," capable of seating up to nine and towing a 4.5-ton trailer. "The 5.3 liter V8 is powerful, but delivered only 13 miles per gallon." (The Village Manager of Northbrook drives a clean-burning, fuel efficient Ford Taurus that runs on 85% ethanol.)
The board agreed to delay its vote but later approved the budget, noting that appropriations of $10,000 or more could still be voted down when they come before the board in 2002.
Editor's note: Glenview supplies cars to all of its department directors, a common practice of local governments in this area. Insurance, fuel and maintenance are provided at no charge, although municipal managers are supposed to track their personal use of village vehicles and pay income tax based on their use of the car for non-business reasons.
What kind of transportation do you think the village manager should have? Send your thoughts to 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025.
MESIROW STEIN CONTRACT DELAYED
Village management postponed presentation of the 2002 contract with real estate consultant Mesirow Stein after learning that some trustees were prepared to vote against the deal. Under the proposed agreement, Chicago-based Stein would provide marketing services for the remaining 5 percent of land at The Glen along with financial advice, oversight on the new Lehigh Avenue and Gallery Park and maintenance of a master schedule for development. Two senior people on the project finance expert Karen Butler and marketing man Dan Walsh would get a total of $88,400 for spending 10 percent of their time helping Glenview. A senior engineer would receive $171,600 for devoting half of his time to The Glen. At least three trustees balked noting that staff engineers at Village Hall make less than $100,000 for a full-time job, and that we're already paying Harza Engineering for oversight at The Glen.
CRAWFORD WANTS IT IN WRITING
When other communities use tax increment financing to encourage development in depressed areas, the state requires an annual report for the taxpayers, but there is no such requirement for the three TIF areas that involve former military bases the Glenview Naval Air Station, Ft. Sheridan and Rantoul.
At Tuesday's board meeting, Trustee John Crawford said he thought the village should offer a report for residents. The village already prepares a report for the schools, park district and library core jurisdictions that get a share of revenues from The Glen.
Trustee Lerner thought maybe the legislature, in its wisdom, had some reason for letting base TIFs off the reporting hook, and Trustee Mary Beth Denefe thought a report written for the core jurisdictions provided more than enough information. "It's quite detailed, and I would be interested in exactly what my colleague here is requesting in addition to this 55-page report that we already have."
President Carlson said the report "was great for the financial officers," but thought a simple executive summary was more valuable to laymen like himself. Lerner wondered how much a report would cost the village, and Manager McCarthy proposed a compromise working with Crawford to determine what information should be included in a report to the public. That would help him to estimate the time and money needed to prepare a summary for taxpayers. Crawford agreed.
DOWNTOWN'S GEOPOLITICS
This week's issue of the Glenview Announcements features a series of articles on downtown redevelopment. Village President Larry Carlson backs away from his plan to bulldoze a block of local businesses along Glenview Road, saying he is open to other ideas, and Village Manager McCarthy provides a unique perspective on our problems. "You have conflicting expectations as to what a successful downtown is," he told the Pioneer Press. "It has to do with values, and it has to do with geopolitics."
Whatever that means, the public is invited to give advice this week when the Comprehensive Plan Commission convenes at 6 p.m. Thursday, December 13 in the Village Hall board room to discuss the future of downtown.
TWO LOCAL WOMEN TO SEEK STATE HOUSE SEATS
Representative Beth Coulson will seek her fourth term in the Illinois House next year running in the newly drawn 17th district that includes most of Glenview, Golf, and Northfield, the northern half of Skokie, parts of west Wilmette, west Evanston and northeast Morton Grove. A resident of Glenview and a part-time teacher of physical therapy, Coulson has worked on health issues including low-cost prescriptions for seniors and insurance for needy kids. Generally viewed as a moderate, she has a strong environmental track record and a $60,000 campaign fund.
At least two Democrats are known to be planning a run against Coulson Wilmette Village Trustee Pat Hughes and Skokie Park Board Commissioner Michael Bender.
After losing to Beth Coulson in the 1996 election, Northfield Township's Democratic Committeewoman Elaine Nekritz will try again to win a seat in Springfield this time running in a newly-drawn district that includes part of northwest Glenview. In the presidential election, 57 percent of voters in the new 57th House District voted for Democratic Al Gore.
Nekritz, a Northbrook attorney, says she's most concerned about health care, education and employment opportunities for local families. She has already raised $25,000 for her campaign.
Another lawyer from Northbrook, Dan Scott, has been circulating petitions for the March 19 primary but has yet to announce his candidacy, and there's no word on who might run from the Republican side.
MOSQUITO ABATEMENT SPENDING UP
The North Shore Mosquito Abatement District held its annual meeting to approve a budget of nearly $1 million last week, and as usual citizen watchdog Mike Luxem showed up to represent the tax-paying public. Luxem says two new people have been appointed to the little- known board of directors Morton Grove's Deputy Building Commissioner Bill Zimmer and Helen Chrones of Northfield. Chrones did not attend Friday's meeting, nor did board member Evelyn Raden, but Zimmer, 80-year-old Otto Cesario, who has served on the board for 22 years, and Treasurer Don Israel did attend. It took 57 seconds for those three men, chosen by the Cook County Board, to approve the 2002 spending plan which is up $27,000 from 2001. Most of the increase will go to salaries and wages. The budget also contains nearly $50,000 for legal bills and auditing.
READERS WRITE
BP drove past Hanger One last week and says, "It is an impressive structure. The idea that our own Glen Development Director could suggest that the building should not be saved in it's entirety is ridiculous. Any plan to tear off the sides and save the center is tantamount to ripping the wings off a plane and saving the fuselage so we can say we saved something. Go look at that building. It is an architectural gem waiting to be reborn, especially on Patriot Blvd."
The Watch replies: The Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois met with the developer and village officials last week and submitted an alternative plan that would protect the original appearance of the building but allow what it called "sensitive" changes to the hangar door areas. Group spokesman David Bahlman says the drawings were "favorably received," and he hopes Von Maur the anchor tenant for a new shopping center at the site will go along. "This will probably end up in the courts if a compromise cannot be reached," he told Hangar One supporters.
JL asks about talk of a library at the old site of Rugen Center where the Park Board plans to build a skate park but not a fenced area for dogs: "When was the old Rugen site considered for the location of the library and for how long--30 seconds? It seems that dog lovers have to find another place to let their pets play, and now library patrons cannot have the area either, even though it might have been a great compromise. I guess the multitudes of in-line skaters and skate-boarders win this round. Can't wait until the noise and congestion of flocks of teens makes the area unbearable. I'll set my poodle on them, and he'll lick them to death."
Terry Wodder is back with concerns about a new library: "In the December 2 edition of Glenview Watch, a reader by the name of Ron suggested that the citizens of Glenview got shafted' when the library wasn't informed about the availability of the Rugen Center as a potential site for a new library. I don't know if Ron was right about that, but I do know that the taxpayers of Glenview will get the shaft big time if the library builds a new facility.
"The latest proposal calls for a new building as big as Evanston's downtown public library despite the fact that Glenview's current population roughly 40,000 -- is far smaller than Evanston's 73,000. Even if Glenview grows to 54,000 in 20 years as projected, the village would have far fewer residents than Evanston.
"Several years ago, when a group of concerned citizens in Northbrook researched the expansion of their library, they found that the average number of square feet per capita for 16 north suburban libraries was only 1.6 . If Glenview builds new at 110,000 square feet, the ratio will be 2.75! Either Glenview has a heck of a lot more readers than any other north shore community or the library board is going to shaft the taxpayers. Now is the time for citizens to ask tough questions.
"The library has yet to conduct an annual headcount, so board members can't say whether a consultant's recommendation on space is excessive. I have repeatedly offered to retract my criticism of the board's expansion plans if they can simply prove that my analysis of their feasibility study is wrong. To date, the silence is deafening."
Ken Denenberg lives in east Glenview and wonders "about the noise of firearms that I hear on weekends, especially on Sunday mornings. I was told by a neighbor that there is skeet shooting at one of the local country clubs. I live several miles away from the nearest country club. I can imagine the noise level for people who live nearer the source. This noise is intrusive and creates tension, and my dog doesn't seem appreciative and wakes us up a bit too early. The noise continues sporadically for about four hours. I wonder if there has been any effort, or interest for that matter, in determining whether this noise pollution could be stopped. (Oops! Have I stepped on anyone's toes?) I suspect that this activity was less disturbing when housing was sparse in this neck of the woods, but now there may be a great many people who would like peace and quiet. I do. I don't recall hearing this noise last year. It seems only to have begun recently. Any one know the facts?"
The Watch replies: According to Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade, the Glen View Country Club in Golf and the Westmoreland Country Club in Wilmette have trap shooting. So does the Sunset Ridge Club in Northfield and the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie. Since none are in Glenview, Wade says enforcement of our noise ordinance is not possible.
We're not sure why you haven't noticed this noise before. At least one club (Glen View) says shooting has gone on there since 1890. Perhaps it's a function of wind direction. In any event, you might take a drive some Sunday to try and confirm the source of the noise you're hearing. Westmoreland is at 2601 Old Glenview Road, the Glen View Country Club is at 100 Golf, Sunset Ridge is at 2100 Sunset Ridge and Evanston is at 4401 W. Dempster. Perhaps you can find some locals to pursue enforcement of their noise laws.
GJW finds it "odd that for months now the streetlights at one of the Village's busiest intersections Lake & Waukegan -- are not operating. In fact, the streetlights on the northeast corner from Starbucks to the shopping center entrance have been out all spring and summer. Moreover, for the second straight year the holiday decorations on the streetlights just north of Lake on Waukegan do not light. What gives? Shouldn't the village at least be concerned about safe lighting for this intersection? I realize the state and county control these roadways, but doesn't the village deserve better? To whom can we take this up? Also, do you know when the public hearings will take place regarding the traffic improvements proposed for Lake Avenue?"
The Watch replies: Village Hall is checking on your report that street lights are out and says no date has been set yet for a discussion of Lake Avenue improvements. We'll keep you posted on both counts.
JB has an idea for teachers and counselors who think zero tolerance is a bad policy: "Over the past years we have seen a steady, seemingly unstoppable slide downward of personal conduct. In the schools, this trend has manifested itself in a near abandonment of discipline and the idea of living up to high standards. Incessant whining that you can't determine what the standards should be, hand wringing over who will set these standards and constant blame of the parents for not doing their job have lead many to believe that the schools are just clueless.
"In all school discipline matters, sound judgment and energetic efforts of teachers and administrators are essential. The teachers must be willing to punish and the administrators must back them up. Zero tolerance springs from the fear of our school board that teachers won't do anything about misbehavior. If zero tolerance is eliminated, board members may fear lax standards would assert themselves, and we would see a rise in drug use. If teachers and school counselors want the community to abandon zero tolerance, to be more flexible and to trust their judgement on a very important issue such as drugs, they must convince us that they can effectively discipline students on a day to day basis. After we see an improvement, we can move on to a new plan for those who violate rules against drug possession at school."
YOUR TURN: Give us your thoughts on the issues, your questions about life in Glenview and your ideas for The Watch. Our computer guru, Robert Klarman, has offered to give us a whole new look. Shall we keep our grumpy bear or go with something new? We accept e-mail (glenviewwatch@aol.com) or snail mail (3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025). We also welcome financial contributions payable to Glenview Watch. These contributions are not tax deductible, but they do help us pay for duplication and mailing to readers who lack computers, and they fund our website. So thanks for giving. Thanks for reading and for writing. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.