Last month, Village President Larry Carlson was intent on changing Glenview’s ethics ordinance, warning that it was too tough and could keep talented people from serving on local government boards and commissions. He resisted a request to delay any decision until Trustee Rachel Cook returned from maternity leave and planned to bring the subject up for a final vote at this month’s first meeting.

At issue, a provision that prevented individuals from serving on village boards or commissions if their companies appeared before any village board or commission. Trustee Jeff Lerner, for example, is a partner in the law firm Kolpak & Lerner. He has, in the past, represented the developer of a controversial town home complex before Glenview’s Plan Commission, but once elected to the village board, Lerner’s firm could no longer represent clients at Glenview meetings unless Lerner resigned.

Trustee John Crawford proposed to modify the rule. He thought an individual should be barred from serving if he or she had 25 percent ownership of the company in question, was a partner or received more than 7.5 percent of the profits.

At the start of Tuesday’s meeting, it seemed Carlson might delay any vote. His fellow party member Mike Guinane had called in sick. Then, the wife of Zoning Board President Ty Laurie rushed into the board room with a note for Carlson, and a short time later Guinane arrived to take part in the ethics debate.

Ty Laurie was central to the election of Carlson, Guinane, Lerner and Trustee Mary Beth Denefe. He contributed $1,000 and lent $3,000 to the campaign. Laurie may hope to run for village board himself in 2003, but he is a partner in the law firm Schiff Hardin Waite, heading its real estate and construction section. Should the firm ever want to represent a developer in Glenview, the ethics ordinance would have prevented Laurie from serving in local government.

Trustee Lerner was the first to object to the current ordinance and to Trustee Crawford’s proposed changes. He contended the ordinance "solves a problem that doesn’t exist. . .I have faith in the people who are serving to do the right thing and be honest. I don’t see that there’s this big ethical problem that we need to solve, because I haven’t seen any instances where it’s occurred. . .Somebody in a 500-person architecture firm sits on one commission in this town, and somebody from the other side of the 10th floor of the same building happens to be a partner, so that partner appears, but I don’t think you can automatically presume that creates a conflict."

Trustee Mary Beth Denefe echoed Lerner’s view. "We’re talking about volunteers," she reasoned. "We’re not talking about compensation or income exchanging hands here."

Editor’s note: The money, of course, changes hands in the work place, and partners in large firms share in the profits. If you were a developer doing business in Glenview, might you see some advantage to working with Ty Laurie’s law firm? After all, Laurie chairs the Zoning Board. True, he would have to recuse himself when you appeared before his board, but he knows and works with all of the other people on the panel. He’s friendly with the village president, some of its trustees and members of other key commissions.   Conversations can take place behind the scenes, and maybe there’s a little extra help to be had.

Now let’s look at it from the resident’s perspective. If a big client for Laurie’s law firm wants a piece of the action in Glenview, it might be difficult for Ty to do what’s best for the town. That’s what the ethics ordinance was really about – assuring that the people of Glenview could trust appointed officials to represent them and nobody else.

Trustee Rachel Cook pointed out that companies serving as consultants to the village may not represent other clients before our boards and commissions. Village Manager Paul McCarthy said that was done to assure that these consultants work only for the best interests of Glenview.

"Then I don’t think it is such a leap to say that we would want that same requirement and that level of public trust in the people who serve as our courts." Cook noted that decision-making bodies like the plan commission and zoning board involve appointed officials. "The residents of this village do not have a say who gets to sit on those boards, so I think [the board should set] a higher standard [for these appointees]. . .We need to be above reproach, and there is a real threat to public trust when the perception is that you have the same people on both sides of the table – regulators who have clients with business before this government."

When the same people interact over time, advocating for different causes and clients, Cook said "it breeds a familiarity that begins, over time, to erode confidence in local government."

President Carlson said he could live with an ordinance that eliminated board or commission members if their employers appeared before a Glenview panel on more than three matters per year, and Lerner moved to approve the "compromise."

Recognizing that complex developments like Abt or entire subdivisions at The Glen count as a single matter and that few firms appear before the village on more than a couple of matters a year, Crawford scoffed. "A compromise with what? Fifty-two matters a year?"

"Well I don’t believe there should be any limit," Lerner said.

Mary Beth Denefe offered to second Lerner’s motion. Fellow Unite Glenview party members Guinane and Carlson joined them in clearing the way for employees of companies with business before village boards to also serve on them.

Editor’s note: In making the case for a drastic watering of the ethics ordinance, President Carlson said, "I think we here are good enough watchdogs, . . .and I don’t think things are gonna’ get by that shouldn’t." That statement came from a man whose campaign accepted more than $6,000 in campaign contributions from Cummins-American Corporation, a firm owned by the same family that owns Glenview State Bank. Jennings Chevrolet gave $2,000, the wife of a Guarantee Trust executive gave $1,000, and Groot Waste Services kicked in $400. All of these companies have had business before the village board, but Glenview’s self-proclaimed watchdog didn’t growl when they threw him those big political bones.

The "watchdog" also accepted a $5,000 donation from the mysterious Kenzie Financial Services in Cary, Illinois, and got more than $23,000 in cash from people not identified in official campaign reports because the money was given in increments of under $150 – evading state reporting requirements.

Apparently undeterred by the defeat of his ethics initiative, Trustee Crawford launched into a fiery speech about the use of official cars in Glenview. "I’ve received more calls and comments on the street about the personal use of village automobiles by village employees than any other topic since I became a village trustee," he told the board and Manager Paul McCarthy. Crawford acknowledged that other communities also provide cars to key village staffers, but asked for a "full report on what Glenview has been doing and what it’s costing us."

Crawford demanded answers to his questions before the next board meeting and said it shouldn’t be necessary to ask. Sadly, he said, information on the subject is not a matter of public record. Instead, Crawford suggested the costs were hidden in this year’s budget. "It contains a list of vehicles to be replaced in 2002, but it does not identify the department or individual to whom the vehicle is assigned."

"I’d like to know who pays for the fuel, who pays for the insurance, who pays for repair and maintenance, do we keep any records on the costs attributable to personal use, and what are the dollar amounts the village has been reporting as fringe benefits in [employees’] W2 forms?"

He also asked whether the village had issued any written instructions or policies concerning personal use of village owned vehicles. Manager McCarthy, who was expecting to get a new $45,000 Chevy Suburban this year, sat stone-faced through the presentation. Crawford has been asking for information about the personal use of village owned cars since early December.

President Carlson, who was in a huge hurry to appoint Steve Bucklin and Allan Ruter to the Plan and Appearance Commissions last month, didn’t bother to bring their names up on Tuesday. He had apparently told them to stay home, fearing that Guinane’s absence would spell defeat for the two politically connected nominees.

Bucklin gave $1,250 to get Carlson and his allies elected, attended a golf fundraiser and contributed another $500 to the Booster’s Club before the campaign got underway. Ruter, a high school English teacher, contributed $200 and a good deal of time, serving on the Unite Glenview party’s candidate selection committee. Carlson apparently plans to withdraw the name of Ellen Dickson, an architect he had hoped to place on the Appearance Commission. Dickson’s firm has been hired to work on a village building at Gallery Park.

More than 20 citizens appeared at Glenview’s monthly park board meeting to ask that the life of Bart the bull be spared. "Bart is more than a bull on a farm," argued Joe Warga, a board member of the farm support group C.O.W.S.. "He is the bull at Wagner Farm, and he’s done a good job of being the bull." Warga said he had no objection to retirement for the aging stud but did not want him sent to a slaughterhouse. "Bart deserves much better than that," he said.

Animal rights advocate Bill Dose agreed, adding that if Bart were sent to hamburger heaven, it would mean "terrible, negative public relations" for the park district and the community. He claimed the public’s vote to keep Wagner Farm was a reflection of our wish to preserve a charming, bucolic piece of property. It was not, Dose said, "an endorsement of modern factory farm practices."

Nearly a dozen people spoke, including a man from Deerfield and a woman from Chicago. All hoped to save Bart, although some were willing to part with four aging cows also slated for slaughter.

Commissioner John Winand asked if C.O.W.S. would help to raise money for Bart’s on-going care, and Warga replied in the affirmative.

Winand said he had heard from some corporations willing to give money for Bart, and Park District Executive Bob Quill said he had received calls from people willing to take Bart. Quill said he was still waiting for written confirmation of those offers.

Noting that a single animal needs at least one acre of land for grazing, that there are 14 cows and one bull in the herd, and that the farm has just over 11 acres of pasture, Commissioner Chris Warren cautioned that keeping Bart and the cows would mean "we’d have to stop breeding them and just have an old cows’ farm."

"What’s wrong with that?" muttered a few people in the audience.

When Commissioner Steve Schulte echoed the concern about limited space, C.O.W.S. membership director Biff Thiele asked, "Do you have to produce five cows a year?"

"Biff, I don’t produce any cows," replied the startled Schulte.

Commissioner Judy Beck said it might be time to create a "bull and cow retirement policy." She and the other board members agreed to study the issues, assess the costs of keeping livestock past their reproductive prime and decide the matter in March.

Editor’s note: The park board meets on the third Thursday of each month, so readers who are concerned about this subject may want to mark their calendars for 7 p.m., March 21 at Park Center.

Anyone wishing to be more involved with the farm’s future can contact Biff Thiele at gtouspl@aol.com or write to 2031 Wagner Road, Glenview, IL 60025. C.O.W.S has launched its membership drive and has vacancies on its committees. Individual memberships cost $10. Families pay $15, businesses and organizations can join for $100, and those willing to give more can become $250 "contributing members," $500 "sustaining members," or – for a one time gift of $1000 -- "life (moo) members." C.O.W.S. annual meeting will be held at 7 p.m. April 25 in the board room at Village Hall.

Three members of Glenview’s library board appeared before the park district to ask for permission to consider building at the site of the old Rugen Center on Shermer Road, just south of Glenview Road. The district owns that site and plans to build a park there, but library board member Arlene Anthony said it was a logical second choice for a new library site, given the difficulties of building downtown.

"There’s no need to knock down anything," said library board member Dick Clark. He added that the nine-acre parcel would mean plenty of space for surface parking. Other possible locations would require a costly parking garage or underground parking. Finally, he cited the central location and neighborhood feel of the old Rugen site, adding that many residents could walk to the new library from their homes.

Parks Commissioner Tom Pontarelli countered that the same could be said for the library’s possible Glen location, but Clark recalled a public survey showing only 40 percent of residents would pay for a library at The Glen.

Commissioner Judy Beck appeared annoyed. "The piece of property you’re looking at represents years of work by this board," she told the library’s delegation. Beck described lengthy negotiations to get the property from School District 34 and the subsequent cost of tearing down the building. She said the park board had already begun planning Swenson Park and noted that the district had applied for money from the state. If that grant were approved but not accepted, she speculated future grants from Springfield might be jeopardized.

President Doug Kaiser said the district would continue with the grant application and construction, but Commissioner John Winand gave the library board members a scrap of hope. "As a practical matter," he said, "I don’t think there’s going to be any development on the site this winter."

The library board plans to hire a consultant and settle on the best possible site for a new library within 90 days.

The park district is quietly considering the purchase of more land along Milwaukee Avenue near Aon. The current owner, Town and Country, may be frustrated in dealings with the village. Their latest proposal for an industrial park was rejected by the plan commission.

The acquisition of up to 57 acres of open space could prove controversial. It would deny School Districts 34 and 225 possible tax revenue from industrial development that might otherwise occur there, and the park district will have to employ creative financing to make this purchase possible. After buying Wagner Farm and the 38-acre West Park site on Milwaukee, there isn’t much money left for land acquisition.

Three other factors work in favor of the deal. Town and Country is reportedly offering the land at a very good price, interest rates are at near record lows, and a recent survey by the village showed 83 percent of respondents want more money spent for passive open space. Nearly 70 percent said they wanted more recreational facilities, and 79 percent wanted funds used to enhance and protect our natural resources, such as wetlands, woodlands and views.

Milwaukee-based PDI mailed surveys to almost every household in Glenview and got back 10-15 percent – a large enough number to be statistically viable. Most of the 2,873 respondents were older – 73 percent over the age of 45, and 70 percent did not have children at home.

Of these, 90 percent gave high marks to the park district, 73 percent said good things about the library, but there was deep dissatisfaction with the cultural offerings in Glenview.

There was scant support for a Chamber of Commerce proposal to start a trolley service downtown. While 64 percent said they wanted a family restaurant in the area, fast food did not appeal to a majority of respondents. Dry cleaners were equally unpopular, although the survey showed 54 percent would like a bookstore and 51 percent think downtown Glenview needs a bakery.

The survey offered at least one other statistic of potential interest to developers. Fifty percent of respondents do not want more multi-family housing.

The former home of the Missionary Sisters, near the corner of Waukegan and Willow roads, would be turned into condos and town houses under a new plan from Active Living of Illinois. The group had originally proposed 344 units, then scaled back to 274 and 253 as each proposal was rejected by the plan commission or village board. Officials and neighbors said the developer was asking for too many units on the 19-acre site.

The latest proposal will be unveiled on Tuesday when the plan commission meets at Village Hall. The developers will explain how they hope to create 129 condominiums in the convent, academy and chapel buildings. They would also offer 56 luxury condos in a new, four-story building on the south side of the property and construct 47 town houses to the west.

Active Living says units would sell for $281,000 - $494,000, generating $1.6 million in tax dollars each year – most of it going to School Districts 34 and 225.

Members of the Northfield Township Board had trouble finding a place to meet this month. Their board room is jammed with food donated to the Northfield Township Food Pantry by area families and schools. Community Coordinator Terri Graham says they were "totally unprepared for this level of generosity" and have upped the amount of food being given to needy individuals and families. "This is tangible evidence that the community does care, so no one’s complaining."

Graham said the need has grown since September 11 as more people lose jobs or find they’re working fewer hours. Many don’t yet qualify for assistance, but Graham says they will soon, and she hopes residents will continue to donate. The pantry is especially glad to get high protein foods – peanut butter, tuna, boxed meals, spaghetti sauce or macaroni and cheese. Families also appreciate juice and personal care products like shampoo, toilet paper and paper towels. For details on how to donate, call 724-8300.

Zcloser returns with some thoughts about Glen Oak Acres, the need for new roads and better flood control: "It's been a while since I've chimed in on an issue, but Connie Avildsen's comments compel me to add something. I know many people that live in Glen Oak Acres. It seems to me that these residents have been paying real estate taxes for some time now with little, if any, return towards road repairs and/or sewers. So, to be fair, it should be relatively easy to calculate the amount of money the village would have spent on road/sewer maintenance had there been sewers in the first place. Pro_rate that amount since the neighborhood was incorporated into the village, put it into 2002 dollars, then deduct that amount from the total cost to do the entire sewer/road repair project. Then start negotiating with the residents from that more accurate net amount. Seems only fair to me that residents of Glen Oak Acres should get some return on the taxes they've invested for infrastructure these past many years."

Never one to mince words, Fritz returns with a comment on our complaint that Village President Larry Carlson is appointing his political pals to seats on the plan and appearance commissions: "Quit whining! What would you do? Give the job to someone you don't like and don't respect because of his political stance on issues of importance to you, or to a want_to_be active community member who was nice enough to put his money where his mouth was, help you out at election time and is also dumb enough to stick his neck out and try to make a contribution?

"All this planning stuff is really very simple. Do we want to keep the village the way it was intended to be in most ways, the way it was in the past, or do we want some new type of town? I would go back to the 1950's and restore angle parking downtown.

"As long as I have your ear, Rugen is a stupid place for a library, and you can't prove to me we even need any changes to the library. If anything, build a parking garage onto the current lot and build up if you want a little more space. Let's not make the expensive mistake Northbrook made."

JS laments the appearance of payoffs at Village Hall: "The new symbol of Glenview should be Larry Carlson handing out goodies to friends and contributors. He appears to be more blatant than Nancy Firfer in his cronyism. What a shame that Glenview chose bad government with 58 percent of the vote, becoming the Cicero of the North Shore. Maybe Bart should become the symbol of the other 42 percent."

EM says Glenview residents don’t know beans about agriculture: "Having grown up in a farming area in Wisconsin, I have to smile at the concern about Bart. If we want the farm in this town, shouldn't it be farmed like a farm? Worrying about whether Bart should be slaughtered sure sounds like city slickers, not like farmers! Are the cows going to have to wear bras too?"

Terry Wodder sees more reasons to challenge plans for a big new library: "There are a couple of other issues related to the Glenview Public Library. If they build new, what happens to the present building which has a replacement cost value of at least $10 million, and how about operating costs for a new building more than twice as big? Wilmette got into a pinch a couple of years ago after expanding twice in a five year period.. I think they had to go to a referendum to make up a budget shortfall due to higher than expected operating costs. It's kind of sad that Bart the Bull seems to be of greater concern than a land grab by the library."

The Watch replies: Glenview’s consultant on a comprehensive plan (PDI) thinks there will be no problem finding developers for the current library site.

FP is fed up with drivers who ignore pedestrians. He sent this note to us and his favorite trustee: "After many calls to police headquarters and letters to the editor, I am at my wits end. I live by the library and take the 7:20 train to Chicago every day. There are various stop signs, but few cars obey them. Lives are in jeopardy – especially when it’s dark. Why are the signs there if no one will obey them? The answer I have gotten is that it's too hard to police. I say ‘bull!’ to that. We pay a lot of taxes to protect us, but the only criminal enforcement I've heard about was that bad massage on Waukegan Road."

BWS writes about sign pollution in Glenview: "Am I the only one offended by the billboard of 7- Up at the corner of Greenwood and Central? I’m surprised that Glenview would have that!"

Editor’s note: The billboard features a man lying on his side, dressed in his undershorts, smiling at the camera under the words "7 Up Yours."

ZK is worried about Glenview’s much loved Christmas lights: "Did you notice the Christmas lights were off today in downtown Glenview? I wonder if it was scheduled or did they do it because someone complained last week. Just one complaint and they jumped! Wish it had been that easy when we were complaining about the Glen."

The Watch replies: We assure you that complaints about the cost of Christmas lights had nothing to do with their demise. The sad fact is that the holidays are over and the decorations must go.

HD plans to file a Freedom of Information Act and thinks we should tell readers how that’s done: "Some people might be intimidated, but as you know it is really very easy. We have found it tremendously useful in our neighborhood to keep an eye on new neighbors who don't follow their submitted plans when building. We feel that we must monitor projects, as the village cannot always be relied upon."

The Watch replies: Yes, filing a freedom of information act is one of life’s little pleasures. It’s amazing what you can learn from local government if you ask. Just stop by the office of Village Manager Paul McCarthy on the ground level of Village Hall and ask for a FOIA (pronounced FOY-uh) form. It takes about a minute to fill in your name and address, the information you seek and to pledge you won’t use it to make money. Seven business days later, you should receive a response from the village. If your question involves a pending real estate deal, legal matters or personnel, the request might be denied. Likewise, the village doesn’t keep information about everything and may not have the data you seek. If you do get information, however, be prepared to pay a small duplication charge for whatever documents you get.

YOUR TURN: We await your comments, questions and suggestions. Our e-mail address is glenviewwatch@aol.com and our snail mail is 3537 Maple Leaf Dr. We also welcome small contributions to help with our costs of production. Checks can be made payable to Glenview Watch and are not tax deductible. Thanks for reading. Keep in touch. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors of The Watch.

To read past issues of Glenview Watch, Click Here