Village President Larry Carlson is expected to press for three new appointees to local government commissions when the trustees meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, January 15. He has selected Steve Bucklin to fill a vacancy on the Plan Commission and will ask the board to approve Alan Ruter and Ellen Dickson to serve on the Appearance Commission.

Bucklin, who heads a local security company, has served six years on the Appearance Commission and contributed more than $1,250 to Carlson’s re-election. Ruter, a high school English teacher, was active in the Unite Glenview campaign and gave $250. Dickson is an architect currently serving on the Historic Preservation Commission.

Editor’s note: To borrow a phrase from Carlson’s campaign, we’d like to raise a question of balance. Women are poorly represented on Glenview’s appointed boards and commissions – especially those with significant impact on the community’s future. There is only one woman on the Plan Commission, one on the Zoning Board of Appeals and none serve on the Appearance Commission.

It’s not that women would make better decisions than men, but we feel they deserve an equal chance to participate in local government. The voters have shown a willingness to give female candidates a chance, clearly believing they are as qualified as men to serve. Half of the trustees are, after all, women. But in the case of appointments, the good old boys’ network seems secure, giving women fewer opportunities to learn about local government and to develop their leadership skills.

Even more disturbing, perhaps, is the pattern of rewarding political friends. What do you think? Send an e-mail to glenviewwatch@aol.com. 

Linden Tree Ventures has won approval from the Plan Commission to build 52 new town homes along Landwehr Road just north of Lake at the site of the old Moore Landscaping Company. The developers had asked for permission to build 62 units on the 10-acre site – down from an initial request of 67.

The matter has been under review for more than a year, in part because the land is not part of the village. Its owners would like to annex so their development would have access to village water supplies, but if they can’t get permission to build what they want, the Moore brothers have threatened to dig a well and get a building permit from the county. That might enable them to build 68 units since Cook County generally allows higher density construction.

Neighbors object to the density and dislike the design which includes alleys adjacent to their back yards. Led by Zoning Board member Mary Novotny, some neighbors are now trying to persuade unincorporated property owners around the site to become part of the village. If that were to happen, the site could be annexed without the owners’ permission, giving Glenview full control over what could be built there.

In making his case for the Moores, attorney Mike Downing asked the Plan Commission to vote on the matter and send it to the village board for a final decision. Downing rejected repeated calls from the commissioners to build fewer units: "We took all your comments into consideration," he said, "but we would like to stay with what we have proposed." The lawyer insisted single-family homes built at that location could not be sold. A market consultant, "told us that [town homes are] the right product for this piece of property," Downing said.

The commissioners approved a motion to allow construction of 52 town homes and stipulated that alleys be eliminated. After hearing the unanimous vote, Downing looked pleased. "The grin on his face was incredible," said one commissioner who then wondered if Linden Tree had actually been willing to build even fewer units. The matter will be presented to the village board on February 5.

A few minutes later, Downing returned to represent another developer at a site not far from the Linden Tree property. Just five homes will be built at Portage Run, a 10-acre development on the south side of Lake, opposite Glenbrook South High School and adjacent to The Grove.

Zoning of that property is highly restrictive. Because it is part of an environmentally significant area, the developer can build no more than one home for every two acres, but he apparently figured out how to make low-density, single-family housing profitable – something the guys at Linden Tree claimed they couldn’t do.

Earlier this month, fire broke out at the Princeton Club – a 52-unit apartment complex on Willow Road. The blaze did significant damage, forcing all the residents to leave for several days. Observers say the situation was handled efficiently by firemen but botched by dispatchers who called it a "Code 3A." That designation is normally used when a fire alarm goes off but no fire is confirmed. The closest truck goes out with lights flashing and sirens wailing. The chief, ambulance and other units head for the scene quietly, at a normal rate of speed, obeying traffic signals and signs.

Once the fire is confirmed, a Code 3 is normally declared and all units "go hot," racing to the fire with lights and sirens on. In the case of Princeton Club, residents called to report smoke and fire, but the dispatchers stayed with a 3A, possibly bringing firefighting units to the scene later than they might have arrived under a Code 3.

Village Manager Paul McCarthy has decreed that Olga’s Massage and Spa will not reopen on Waukegan Road. The operation was closed after an undercover policeman paid $65 for a rub down but got some unexpected extras. He claimed the masseuse touched him inappropriately and bared her breasts.

Uniformed officers later cited the business for allowing a non-licensed therapist to practice massage, failing to provide information about the therapists, failing to keep oils, creams and towels in closed cabinets, putting locks on massage room doors and having no custodial sink.

Two therapists, 39-year-old Nataliya and 26-year-old Vera, also got tickets for failing to display a massage therapist identification card. Police charged Nataliya with being improperly dressed and touching the genital area of a customer.

Even if all of the violations were corrected, Manager McCarthy said he was unwilling to allow the parlor, operated by E.R. Enterprises, to reopen. "The wholly improper massage performed on the detective, the baring of breasts and Olga’s admitted use of unlicensed, uncertified massage therapists is more than sufficient to revoke the operation’s license," he said.

Village Attorney Jeff Randall billed the taxpayers $6,120 for his work on the case.

A Pennsylvania-based group called Farm Sanctuary has written to the Glenview Park District to suggest that Bart and his senior lady friends stay in Glenview rather than be sold for slaughter. Group executive David Cantor writes, "In deciding it wanted to have a dairy on Park District land rather than allow building to take place there, the Glenview community did not consent to the typical cattle-industry practices that include killing animals long before they have lived to their natural lifespans. Some members of the community also understand that ‘humane slaughter’ is a myth, and that transport and slaughter cause terrible suffering.

"I understand that the community and the Park District do not depend on income from the animals, and that it would pose no hardship for the animals to live out their lives at their current location. Ideally, that will happen and the unnecessary business aspect of the facility can be subordinated to the need for the animals to have the best possible care. If that cannot be arranged, perhaps you will be kind enough to allow the community to find good permanent homes for the animals so those who care about the animals will not contribute to their suffering and early deaths. We will be glad to provide assistance if it is desired. At our website www.farmanimalshelters.org, you can obtain much useful information on lifelong care of cattle and other farm animals."

Cantor adds that, "some people have expressed a desire to use the animals as teaching gimmicks by trucking them to area schools. That would be unfortunate as injuries and stress are much more likely any time such large animals are transported. Children can learn much more by quietly and unobtrusively visiting cows at their homes. Learning compassion and respect for animals will serve children well and will help ensure that they treat human and non-human beings compassionately."

The Park District meets at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 17 in Park Center, and while Bart is not on the agenda, board members may address his future if citizens raise the subject during the public comment period.

On March 19, Wilmette’s Park District is expected to ask voters whether they want to raise taxes to acquire the 17-acre Mallinckrodt property – a mansion and wooded grounds used most recently by Loyola University. The Edward James Company of Glenview had a contract to purchase the land near the corner of Ridge and Wilmette roads and was planning to build single- family homes there, but community organizers gathered more than 5,300 signatures in a bid to prevent development. The James Company had offered to sell five acres to the park district, but critics said that land along Ridge Road would benefit residents of the new houses more than the community at large. The park board is still trying to determine how much the referendum would hike taxes. Members say they’ll need to raise $25 million to buy the property from Loyola.

Staffers at the James Company’s sales office on Patriot Boulevard are bracing for a big crowd next Saturday when the firm begins selling Phase III – 40 more houses to be built west of Kemper’s golf course. The nation may be in a recession, but nobody told the developer of the priciest homes at The Glen. James’ promotional postcard advises prospective buyers that, "Home & Homesite selection will be honored in the order in which you arrive. Please be prepared to sign a Purchase Agreement and remit full earnest money."

About 65 members of a group dedicated to saving the main hangar at the former Glenview Naval Air Station met Sunday and elected a new president. A.C. "Ace" Realie is a former Marine pilot who served in Korea. He replaces John Witten who stepped down after serving for two years.

In addition to fighting for the hangar’s survival, Witten led an unsuccessful effort to bring a Challenger Learning Center to Glenview. It would have enabled school kids to take simulated flights into space, but the group ultimately concluded it was not financially feasible.

Now, Hangar One is hoping to prevent substantial changes to the facade of their beloved building and demolition of much of the structure to make way for a Von Maur department store. Landmarks Preservation Council Director David Bahlman told the group that he has sent an alternative plan to Von Maur – one that preserves more of the original building. Bahlman hopes to have an answer from the Iowa-based retailer by the end of this month.

Northbrook trustees say they won’t okay a plan for more than 300 town homes, apartments and condos on a 5.4-acre site near the train station, but they may allow Red Seal Homes to build fewer units along with first-floor retail space. Stores and restaurants below apartments could help to defray the anticipated strain placed by new residents on local services and schools by generating additional tax dollars. The trustees raised no initial objection to plans for one building in the development that would be five stories tall. The mixed use project would replace industrial buildings on Shermer Road now owned by General Fire Extinguisher and Serfilco. The development might also include some form of publicly-subsidized housing for seniors.

The Secretary of State’s office at Deerbrook Mall in Deerfield has closed and will reopen

at the nearby Lake-Cook Plaza in mid-March. Until then, you can secure or renew a drivers license at 9038 Golf Rd. in Niles or 342 Peterson Rd. in Libertyville.

In Skokie, Dominick’s Finer Foods hopes to build a supermarket on the site of the former Old Orchard Theater at 9400 Skokie Boulevard – across the street from a Jewel.

Morton Grove hopes to expand its 50-year-old library on Lincoln Avenue. A study done in 1998 concluded more room was needed for collections, programs and staff. Backers of the idea hope to add 22,000-square feet to the 31,000-square foot facility – an increase of about 60 percent. The library serves a population of about 22,500. Glenview, population 40,000, plans a library of 110,000 square feet.

Northbrook is offering a $1,000 reward for an $18,000 thermal-imaging camera accidentally left on the back step of a fire engine. Officials say it may have fallen off the rig as it went on a run. The device can be used to locate unconscious people in smoke-filled rooms and to assure that no embers remain inside walls. The village placed a notice in the local paper and on cable tv, but the camera has not yet surfaced. It runs on a battery which requires a particular charger, and Northbrook has asked vendors not to sell the special batteries or chargers to anyone who can’t prove ownership.

As foreign currency becomes obsolete – replaced by the Euro, the French Institute in Winnetka has an idea. Bring your old francs, Spanish pesos, Italian lira, German marks or other money leftover from that trip to 562 Green Bay Road for donation. All cash collected until February 10 will be sent to the Twin Towers Fund in New York where it will be exchanged for dollars to help the victims of September 11.

Glenview’s Park District has launched a massive arts and crafts project called Hands for America. Art instructor Brenda Ewing will supervise creation of an 8.5 by 12-foot ceramic tile American flag. Participants who pay $30 will put their names and hand prints on a red or blue tile that will become part of the mural to be displayed at Splash Landings. Spaces are limited, so reservations are required, and the last sessions are set for 10:45, 11:45 and 12:45 Saturday, January 19. For details, call Park Center at 847-724-5670.

With this issue, the Watch is pleased to mark its second birthday. We hope you continue to enjoy our newsletter and will keep in touch. We also invite voluntary contributions to help with the expenses of our website, duplication and mailing of copies that are also available at Glenview’s public library. If you have not already done so, please consider sending a check, payable to Glenview Watch, to 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. We are not a charity, so donations are not deductible, but they are appreciated. Many thanks!

Jack Mabley favors a new library at the site of the old Rugen Center: "For the past month I've asked everyone I've met in Glenview whether they favor putting the library on the Rugen School site. Every one, without exception, favored that site, most enthusiastically. This is anecdotal evidence, but it certainly has firmed my opinion. I honestly believe if an independent, village-wide survey were taken, a substantial majority would favor the Rugen site. It is encouraging that the park board will meet with the library board representatives. The park board is sensitive to some residents who don't want a large building in the neighborhood. Can this number of objectors be weighed against the greater good of all of Glenview? Fortunately this issue is apart from the political wrangling that so often prevails in the village. I'd like to hear the village board's opinion, particularly Larry Carlson's. And the input of the school board would be significant. There is plenty of precedent for such an arrangement. For many years, Village Hall was in Jackman Park. The parks and schools have worked together since they were created. The arguments for and against have been aired. Now Glenview residents who pay taxes to the village and schools and parks and library are asking if these individual units can get together and reach a decision for the greater good of the greater number of residents. And voters."

The Watch replies: This issue is not on the park district’s agenda for Thursday’s 7 p.m. meeting at Park Center, but commissioners may discuss it if members of the public raise questions during the public comment period.

EB was alarmed to read that the Northern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy will feature a driving pad where police, firemen and paramedics can practice: "So, now we are going to have a driver training track for law enforcement. I volunteered with a sheriff's department in another state. One of the requirements for graduation was to qualify on their track, prudently located in the desert many miles from occupied homes. The reason for the far out location was because of squealing tires, roaring engines and the loud thuds produced when a student missed a quick turn and crashed into the barricades. Then, there is the odor of rubber and oil. I could go on and on, but you should get the picture if you have a small amount of common sense. Please tell me that the track will be some type of simulator and not the kind that produces noise and air pollution. If it does, this would be another example of poor planning that has become prevalent since the village wrongly decided to become developers."

The Watch replies: Plans are for a driving pad about 400 feet square – a parking lot designed to withstand the weight of heavy fire trucks as they practice maneuvers between orange cones. Experts tell us that vehicles will not be traveling at very high rates of speed, and squealing tires should not be a problem.

CT comments on compensation to village firemen: "The term contract is not really applicable to us here in Glenview. We are one of the very few towns without a union contract. Instead of collective bargaining, we have what is called "collective begging." They just tell us what we are going to get. There is no bargaining process. They told us we will get a 4 percent raise this year, (2002), and 4 percent next year. That raise is in the ball park with area towns. Actually, in pay and benefits, we are in the same range as area towns. Where we are in need of a union contract is in the area of the way we are treated at work. No one here really has a beef with the village and our compensation, the beef is with the way we are treated at work."

Dixie asks about how it must feel around the fire house for Lt. Steve Hartnett and his boss, Deputy Chief Mike Sawicki: "Now that the charges of assault have been dropped against Deputy Chief Mike Sawicki, how will he relate to Lt. Hartnett in the workplace? One would think if this is the way the village has handled it – by doing nothing – Lt. Hartnett must be looking over his shoulder on every move. I salute him for carrying his convictions out no matter what the costs may be."

The Watch replies: Sources tell us Deputy Chief Sawicki has changed, and his boss, Chief Joe Robberson is also dealing differently with the rank and file. "The guys are calling it `the kinder, gentler fire department,’ said one source. As for Lt. Hartnett, he’s been reassigned from the main fire station, so it wouldn’t surprise us if he and Sawicki have limited contact. Assistant Village Manager Joe Wade said no policy changes are planned as a result of this case but stresses that "management training is an ongoing process" at Village Hall, conducted by Lake Forest College and other vendors. He adds, "The village is attentive to the workplace concerns of personnel in all departments and attempts to balance them with service delivery and fiduciary concerns."

BJ comments on our suggestion that a Cook County Circuit Court ruling in favor of Glenview’s Deputy Fire Chief was not a sign that powerful people had pulled strings: "You’re right, the Circus (Circuit) Court of Cook County is supposed to be impartial, but the judges are lawyers who solicit contributions from lawyers when it’s election time. That may lead some of them to favor attorneys in private practice over the states attorney. Deputy Chief Sawicki should be held accountable for his actions, not intentions. He has been removed from day to day interactions with the rank and file for some time. Finally, Bear Spy brings up an interesting point about village vehicles and the need to 'bear' (sorry) a village logo. Police sometimes respond to calls where vehicles without identification are suspicious. An identification logo may prevent unnecessary calls."

Connie Avildsen writes about the storm water situation in her part of town: "We have lived in Glen Oak Acres for 10 years and paid water and sewer fees, but the village has not had any storm sewers to maintain in this area. In fact, local officials refused for five years to consider the highly endorsed proposals for stormwater removal that would not require more concrete, wider roads, and fewer trees. That gave them an additional five years of collecting taxes for nothing, because they also have done nothing but an occasional useless patch job to the roads. Now they have accepted the plan  with an oh so gracious offer of giving us back our own money as 25% of the storm sewer cost. They have done no sanitary sewer renewal either and again all three of these things, so long in abeyance, ought to have been provided as the quid pro quo for our tax dollars.

"I note that the village is still sheltering behind the statement that new home builders are required to install a storm sewer. I have been told on good authority that the million-dollar homes built this past year in Glen Oak Acres have not been so required, and certainly the constant pond of water sitting on the street in front of four such homes on Queens Lane would argue that is correct.

"While I hope that our current water removal project on Queens and Pleasant will alleviate the problem, it cannot possibly do so if builders continue to be able to build on these tiny lots in such large numbers. We are just covering too much land too quickly. Anyway, all of that needs to be given more consideration, and again I maintain that none of the Glen Oak Acres residents have received sewer work or road work commensurate with that given other areas of the village while our taxes remain very high. Drive through and look at these roads! Where else in Glenview do you see such streets?"

Bill wonders, "Would you happen to have the e-mail addresses of the village officials – particularly Howard Silver, Plan Commission chair, and Mary Bak, director of development?

The ones given out by village staff for these two individuals do not go through."

The Watch replies: Plan Commission Chair Howard Silver does not have an e-mail address at Village Hall and prefers not to publicize his private address. He is, however, listed in the phone book. The address for Development Director Mary Bak is not published by the village, but the addresses of five trustees and the village president are available. Maybe you should write to them and ask that Silver and Bak be given public e-mail boxes: LarryVillage@aol.com (Carlson), rachel@ameritech.net (Cook), Mbdenefetrustee@aol.com (Denefe), Guinaneml@aol.com (Guinane), JLE5715104@aol.com (Lerner), and trusteeone@aol.com (Pappo). John Crawford does not have e-mail but he, too, can be found in the local phone book or reached by Village Hall voice mail at 724-1700, extension 53.

CM wonders about rumors that a mosque could be built at the former site of Nicor near Shermer and Golf: "Will there be a town meeting, and if enough people object to it, can the village say no?"

The Watch replies: In order for a church, mosque or synagogue to be built, the area must be zoned for residential use and then receive what is called a "conditional use" – official permission to go forward. The property is now zoned for industrial use, so the Plan Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals and Village Board will have to publicize and hold public hearings before construction of a mosque begins.

CLM wonders why the library didn’t buy available land near the corner of Shermer and Golf: "Why wasn't the Nicor property considered for a library? Surely if they are considering the property where Rugen Center was, Nicor’s property would do fine! As for reports that a mosque could be built at the site she adds, "I do wonder what it will look like and whether parking will be adequate. We already have flow over from the church on Golf and Shermer. Is the mosque a definite thing? I think it is so strange that the village is so quiet about a mosque. What is the big secret?"

The Watch replies: With regard to your concerns about parking, we note that Muslims worship on Fridays, so perhaps parking can be shared with the neighboring church. The mosque is by no means a sure thing. We have only heard, through unofficial channels, that a Muslim group has purchased the land and is raising money for the building. The village does not normally publicize any developer’s plan, and after the public fight over Belmont Village, officials may be especially anxious to keep plans for this site quiet. We will continue to search for information on this subject and will let you know if a public hearing is scheduled.

SH responds to a report that Glenview spends more than $60,000 on Christmas lights: " I love the lights. I drive through town every morning between 5:30 and 6 a.m. and have so enjoyed the beauty and peacefulness of those lights, including the Glenview House. If money is really the issue, I'd rather have the Christmas lights for five or six weeks instead of one hour of fireworks on July 4^th."

And, finally, NM writes: "Isn’t it time to remove those dreary looking Christmas greens from the light posts downtown?"

YOUR TURN: Send us an e-mail or a letter. Our snail mail address is 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, 60025. Thanks!  Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.

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