The makers of a family film called Uncle Nino’s hail from the northern suburbs of Chicago, but they can talk as fast as any Hollywood producers. Location scout Susan Carlson selected a location in the James Company development at The Glen for Director Robert Shallcross and Producer David James. "My assignment was to find the most beautiful, picturesque, dream neighborhood – someone’s American dream residence, and that’s why we’re coming here," Carlson told the village board.

Shallcross, who lives in Woodstock, admitted there were some other considerations in choosing Glenview. For one thing, we’re closer to the city than Woodstock. "We’re a small, independent film company, and it’s important for us to try to stay within a zone for crews," said the director. "Most of them start from the city, and when we go out to Woodstock, it becomes much more expensive for us."

Carlson, no relation to Glenview’s Village President Larry Carlson, said Uncle Nino – starring Chicago native Joe Mantegna (The Rat Pack, The Last Don) and Anne Archer (Art of War, Body of Evidence, Clear and Present Danger) -- would be a "feel good, family movie perfect for the village." She had already gone door-to-door on Bennington Court describing the film and assuring people that they would be able to get out of their driveways during filming.

"We use only one side of the street. We always make sure the driveways are not blocked," she said. "There are three pregnant ladies on the street, and I’ve personally given them my guarantee that we will get them off the block when their due date comes."

Two homes will be featured, but Susan Carlson said all of the residents were excited. "They look at it as an educational experience where the kids can watch. They can talk to the stars, get their autographs, learn how films are made. How does it come about that the films they see on the weekends with their allowance get up there on the screen? We’re going to show them."

Susan Carlson said 60 people would be involved with the production, spending money over a 6-7 week period. "Everyday when we leave we’re going to go somewhere in your town and have dinner, maybe a movie or golf."

"I think this could be a very exciting thing to have here," said President Larry Carlson. "If you focus on informing the neighbors, informing the neighbors, informing the neighbors, I think this could work very well."

Trustee Donna Pappo wasn’t so sure. "For hours of production you’ve got 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.?" she asked. "That’s in an ideal world," said Susan Carlson, suggesting the days could be even longer. She noted that the neighbors were not concerned. They want to "bring their lawn chairs out and watch. I have not had one negative comment."

"Mr. President, I just want to make one further comment," said Trustee Mary Beth Denefe who lives several miles away in Indian Ridge. "I don’t have a problem with 7-10. The lawn mowers start at 7. I don’t see why a filming company can’t start at 7."

"Lawnmowers are not really a great thing for me when I’m trying to shoot sound," said Shallcross, "so there will be a lot of dialogue with neighbors trying to coordinate when we’re shooting and mowing lawns and that kind of thing. It may even be a quieter period."

"Good," said Larry Carlson with a chuckle. "We will get a credit, right? Shot in the village of Glenview?"

"Thanks to the friendly residents and the board of trustees," said Susan Carlson in a sultry voice. And with that, the board voted unanimously to allow filming on Bennington Court.

Editor’s note: The prospect of a brush with celebrity may cause some otherwise intelligent people to abandon common sense, and perhaps folks are intrigued by Susan Carlson’s promise of an educational experience. What the neighbors are about to learn, however, is that no matter how nice and well-meaning the producers, film crews can be a real pain – especially if you need to mow your lawn, and the director says you can’t. We mean no disrespect to the movie makers, but the fact is that when the camera rolls, the neighbors will have to be quiet. Bennington is a small, peaceful street, but with dozens of technical people and – we presume – spectators, it could get pretty tight. There is also some question about how long filming will last. Susan Carlson told residents it would take 3-4 weeks, but when she appeared before the trustees, there was talk of a 6-7 week process. Apparently, no one from Village Hall called the residents of Bennington Court before voting to let the film go forward. When they learn the truth about film-making, however, we hope the residents will feel free to call their trustees – especially Denefe who can be reached between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. at 272-0381.

For more than a year, Trustee Rachel Cook has been asking for a review of Glenview’s boards and committees. Besides the Plan Commission, Appearance Commission and Zoning Board, the village has an Emergency Telephone System Board, a Forestry Commission, a Building Commission, Fire and Police Commission, an Electrical Commission, Fire Pension Board, Police Pension Board, Senior Citizen Commission, Comprehensive Plan Commission, Historic Preservation Commission and Environmental Review Commission. Most date back decades and some never meet. While their members receive no compensation, they attend a fancy holiday dinner each year at taxpayer expense.

Cook has argued that some of the panels should be abolished, others should be changed and new ones might be created "to meet the needs of the community and to bring fresh blood, people who are interested in local government and have many ways to contribute." Among the new advisory groups that might be considered: a natural resource commission and a technology board.

She has also suggested the imposition of term limits and standardization of terms. "Some people serve for five years, while others are appointed for two, three or four years. "It’s difficult for anyone to keep track," Cook says.

This week, she again pressed Board President Carlson to discuss her ideas, but Trustee Mary Beth Denefe raised a strong objection to any public discussion. "I believe that those subjects are more appropriate for an executive session," she said. President Carlson agreed, but Trustee John Crawford moved the matter be placed on the next agenda, June 18.

"I would rather have some discussion on that in executive session," said Carlson. "I think that’s a touchy thing to discuss out in public."

"I’m not talking about the discussion of individuals. I’m talking about the discussion of creation of new boards and commissions, consolidation of some and abolition of others which haven’t met in years," Crawford replied.

"Unfortunately, that leads to the discussion of specific individuals, and I think it’s highly inappropriate for that to be discussed in public. There’s no way that you can avoid that as far as I’m concerned," said Denefe.

"I respectfully disagree," said Crawford. "I’m perfectly capable of discussing boards and commissions without mentioning any names."

At that point, Trustee Cook put her foot down. "It has been a full year since I made a formal, written request to have the boards and commissions reviewed and evaluated, and I have been told time and time again that we would get to it – it’s going to come, and it hasn’t. I wouldn’t want to think I’m being stonewalled, but it’s beginning to feel like I’m being stonewalled. It’s not a personal issue. It’s about how we govern this community, how we serve our residents."

The usually reserved trustee continued with growing passion. "I don’t care how we do it. I would like to get it done!"

She then moved to have a discussion in the next 30 days, but Denefe pounced. "I would simply point out for the record with all due respect to Trustee Cook, that she herself was not present for at least four months of the past year. I understand she was on maternity leave, but I want the record to reflect this matter accurately."

Editor’s note: That was an extraordinarily low blow from Denefe who, during the campaign, made much of the fact that she retired from her law firm to stay home with children. In fact, during the executive session which followed Tuesday’s meeting, Denefe said she had to leave early because one of the kids was sick and her husband was away. In any event, a four-month maternity leave does not explain the board’s failure to discuss this important issue for more than a year.

Even more shocking is the contention from attorney Denefe and from the village president that a policy discussion of boards and commissions should take place in executive session. Illinois’ Open Meetings Act does not permit that.

Finally, we find it worrisome that this exchange occurred on a night when Trustee Jeff Lerner was away. It has often appeared that Denefe and Carlson follow Lerner’s lead on any issue that requires much thought. In the past, Lerner has endorsed the idea of committee reforms, but without his guidance and in the temporary absence of the village attorney, Carlson and Denefe strayed badly off course.

The board’s president thought maybe the subject could be discussed in an executive session later this month. Attorney and Trustee Donna Pappo warned that would be illegal.

Craning his neck, tugging on his collar, sighing deeply and scratching his head, Carlson replied: "We can have the village attorney check on that to be sure. I personally don’t see how we’re going to end up discussing this without discussing the performance of commissions and the performance of individuals. I don’t think that’s appropriate to do in open session, but we’ll find out from the village attorney."

Editor’s note: We trust the village attorney will set Carlson straight. The law prohibits the discussion of policies in executive session, and while it allows the board to discuss the selection of a person to fill a public office in an executive session, it goes on to say, "The term ‘public office’ excludes organizational positions existing to assist the body in the conduct of its business. Thus. . .the committee structure of the body cannot be discussed in a closed meeting."

Park District officials were stunned Monday when the Citizens Organized for Wagner’s board ended a routine meeting by voting unanimously not to change their by-laws. In so doing, the group signaled its intention to remain independent rather than serve as an officially sanctioned support group for Wagner Farm.

To play that role, park commissioners said C.O.W.S would have to promise never to disagree publicly with decisions made by the park board. Already, C.O.W.S had clashed on several key issues – in particular a master plan for development of the farm. That document was created at the request of the park board after eight months of meetings involving dozens of volunteers and a consultant who was paid $80,000. In the end, the park district refused to endorse the plan. Commissioners said they would consider it but would not be bound by it.

A case in point soon followed. The master plan called for construction of a secure bull pen on the property – a facility that would have allowed viewing of Bart the Bull while assuring public safety. The park board preferred to send Bart to slaughter – then allowed C.O.W.S to buy the animal and send him to a farm sanctuary in Wisconsin.

After the vote to secede from the park district, Executive Director Tom Richardson and Director of Leisure Services Bob Quill left the meeting room without comment. Richardson returned a few minutes later to say he was disappointed and hoped C.O.W.S would reconsider.

The group says it will continue to support the farm, and Richardson says the contributions of C.O.W.S members will still be welcomed.

Editor’s note: Perhaps this divorce was inevitable, but it was clearly provoked by the park district’s need for excessive control. To insist that C.O.W.S keep quiet when the group disagreed with official decisions was unwise and  unpolitic. Commissioners should have tougher hides. As elected public officials, they should expect both criticism and praise in doing their jobs. If the district wants people to work hard for an enterprise like Wagner Farm – to raise money and devote time – they will have to permit those individuals to write their own by-laws and state their own views. As for the master plan, we think a good middle ground could have been found. Because it has the ultimate legal and fiscal responsibility for Wagner Farm, the board may not be able to comply on every point, but the commissioners should give the plan its due – expressing a willingness to follow it whenever possible. As one member of C.O.W.S told the Watch: "We didn’t expect the park district to follow every idea to the letter, but we expected them to endorse a document they asked the public to create for them, and that they paid for with $80,000 of our taxes."

C.O.W.S Board President Mark Steger laughed and blushed when confronted during last week’s meeting. Steger’s yard abuts Wagner Farm, and while strolling the grounds Farm Director Todd Price came across a golf ball. It read: "Return to Mark Steger." Price said he planned to keep the evidence and told Steger, "You’ve got one heck of a swing."

Later, Price announced plans to purchase three kinds of chickens for the new coop – breeds common at the turn of the century: Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns and Java/Dominiques. One board member wondered if these would be "free range chickens." "No," said Price, noting that a free range flock could be decimated by coyotes, foxes, cars and a neighboring restaurant.

Two board members also questioned the design of the chicken coop, objecting to its architecture. Richard Feit complained that it "looks like a shanty," and Alexis Reynolds said people keep asking her, "Why are they building an outhouse at Wagner Farm?"

From the owner of an animal sanctuary that accepted Bart comes this note: "Bart is doing wonderful! He is in the pasture with my other rescued cattle -- just one of the guys! He runs alongside the four-wheeler when we deliver hay morning and evening. He likes to play with my horses, Sonny and Wild Bill! He is building up his muscles and endurance by playing with Hershey the steer. Bart is a true joy, and we love him."

There has been a reprieve for Wagner Farm’s Bandit the Steer. He was set to leave with three cows deemed unnecessary for park district programs, but Director Price now says Bandit can stay.

Editor’s note: As the farm moves to restore its pasture, Price and others on the management team might want to visit www.loe.org – the website for National Public Radio’s environmental program Living on Earth. Click to hear Watch Editor Sandy Hausman report on how cows are helping to restore native grasslands and improve water quality in Northern California.

This week’s police blotter shows just what a diverse and quirky place Glenview really is. A Bianco Terrace resident reported landscapers had urinated in the street, a man living on Tinker Way said his 64-year-old ex-girlfriend paid a visit to his home, and when he opened the door, she punched him in the mouth. Then there was the employee of Stonecutters on Lehigh Road who allegedly tampered with the company’s computers making them inoperable. The suspect allegedly told his boss he would fix the computers if he got a raise. Instead, he was arrested and charged with felony computer tampering. Police also found a waxy substance on the steps of the Metra station. Youths using skateboards on the steps are suspected.

The Oberweis Dairy reported "two males driving a gray 2002 Nissan" made off with milkshake glasses. A resident of LaFontaine said unknown persons had squirted ketchup in her mailbox and threw yogurt on her window. On Springdale, another woman complained that someone had knocked down her lawn ornaments, and a resident of DeLogier reported a "dark older Jeep Cherokee parked in front of her house. An unknown individual exited the car and walked in an unknown direction. The vehicle was gone upon police arrival."

Someone stole three drivers valued at $1,110 from the pro shop of The Glen Club and left two cheap drivers in their place. A similar incident occurred there about a month ago, and the park district’s National 9's course was also hit. Thieves made off with six golf tee markers, a flag and pole. Those items were valued at $520.

Finally, State Financial Bank on Waukegan Road reported that a computer error provided four times the amount requested in each transaction over a one-month period. The loss – $14,620.

Most parts of Glenview have stormwater detention – areas set aside to hold water after it rains, to keep it from rushing into and overwhelming storm sewers, but for more than a year village officials have been debating what to do when people build new homes or additions in areas with no existing detention. The current ordinance requires those building on half an acre or more to provide detention but lets everyone else off the hook. Glenview’s plan commission said that was an arbitrary number and, in fact, everyone should build a detention area or pay into a village-wide fund for detention. The matter came before Glenview’s trustees Tuesday, but they agreed to hold off on a decision until village staffers determine how much a lot or homeowner would be charged.

The Canaan Presbyterian Church will have to wait several more months for permission to build a parking lot at the corner of Greenwood and Lake. Local law specifies that a use not normally allowed in a residential area can only be approved if it does no harm, and the neighbors made a compelling case – arguing that they would suffer more traffic, noise, light and air pollution if a lot were built.

Trustee Donna Pappo was concerned about the look of the lot, noting that the landscaping plan was not complete. She wondered if the matter could be sent to the appearance commission first. President Larry Carlson said it could not. Later, the village attorney advised that the appearance commission could be asked to review the matter first.

After more than an hour of discussion Trustees Mary Beth Denefe and John Crawford were prepared to give permission, but Trustees Donna Pappo, Rachel Cook and Mike Guinane dodged the bullet – proposing, instead, that the board wait until after the comprehensive plan is complete before deciding whether to allow parking lot construction. Carlson, who chairs the planning effort, said his committee might be finished in four or five months.

Denefe then pronounced the post-mortem: "I understand the concerns expressed, but I would simply state that I believe that the commissions that looked at this matter below us took those issues into consideration, and although they did not specifically so state, I believe that they addressed those issues and concerns."

Editor’s note: In making that statement, Denefe clearly showed how little she understands the job of trustee. Board members are not elected to rubber stamp recommendations from the plan commission and zoning board. They are elected to represent the interests of the voters.

Neither advisory group considered the issue of comprehensive planning, and a close look at the minutes suggests the question of community harm was also given short shrift. Then Zoning Board Chairman and baseball dad Ty Laurie seemed to favor the parking lot because "there would be plenty of spots open for baseball parents at Westbrook School if the church’s parishioners were not parked in the lot."

Commissioner Mary Novotny concluded that since she had once lived in Timber Trails near a busy shopping center and had been forced to wait in traffic, Greenwood neighbors should take their lumps. "Novotny stated that there had to be a balance between the rights of the property owner and the neighborhood. She advised that unless the residents wanted to purchase the property from the church, the church had the right to build something on that property."

When the village board took a routine vote on whether to allow fireworks at the Valley Lo Country Club on July 3, Trustee John Crawford recused himself. As he left the room, Trustee Mary Beth Denefe uttered a protest. "Mr. President, as I’ve stated previously it seems to me that a specific reason for recusal needs to be stated on the record, and I would so request."

"He stated he was a member of the club," said Trustee Mike Guinane.

"I did not hear that," said Denefe.

"I move for approval," said Guinane.

"Wait, should we ask Trustee Crawford to ..." said Carlson

"If it’s on the record, I’m fine with it," said Denefe. "I simply didn’t hear him state that on the record."

"Okay," said Carlson. "I didn’t hear Trustee Crawford state that, but I know he does belong there."

At that point Crawford returned to the chamber. "I’m recusing myself because I’m a member of that club," he said.

Editor’s note: Denefe has apparently assumed the title of Designated Attack Dog for the Unite Glenview party. She’s quick to bark whenever she thinks Trustees Pappo, Cook and Crawford have betrayed the public trust. The problem is, she sometimes lunges before she looks.

PLS has discovered a major roadside snafu: "Duh! The Dewes Street fiasco goes on. For several months a legally-blind resident and her wheelchair-bound husband have been trying to alert the village engineers of a problem with the construction of the new street. As the repair project unfolded, it appeared that the level of the finished pavement would be seven to nine inches lower than the previous level of the street. They worried that upon completion of the project they would be unable to pull their car onto the street down such a steep drop. Each call the resident made to the village engineer's office resulted in assurances that all is well – that the people who laid out the plan and the contractor know their jobs.

"Today, with fingers pointed in every possible direction, village manager Paul McCarthy's office finally took the time to visit the site, meet with the contractor and discover that some major work will have to be done to bring the sidewalks, driveways and the street to the same level. One explanation put forth was that someone misread the plan. The question should be: why didn't someone investigate this woman's concern?"

A local film fan writes: "The director of the upcoming Uncle Nino is Bob Shallcross, the writer of Little Giants, and the writer/director of 1999's Bored Silly. Neither Shallcross nor producer David James were associated with the film Snow Day, the director of which was Chris Koch. On a side note, the sarcastic slam on family films was a cheap shot. Every film doesn't have to be a classic. Sometimes people just want to have fun at the theater. Sure it may have been predictable and got moderate reviews at best. But the fact is, earning a domestic theatrical gross five times it's budget, it was successful, and it entertained its audiences. As part of the re-emergence of family films that actually appeal to more than the kids, I am glad I helped make it."

The Watch replies: Apologies for the error about Snow Day. We got that information from a letter written to Village Hall by the production company's Susan Carlson.  As for family films, we don’t recall saying anything sarcastic or negative. Indeed, we recommend a great family film shot here in Chicago. My Big Fat Greek Wedding is a riot!

VC asks: "What's the latest on plans to widen Willow between Landwehr and Waukegan Roads? Has Secretary of State Kirk Brown kept his promise not to widen the road?"

The Watch replies: To our knowledge, the state of Illinois is too broke to widen anything.

YOUR TURN: Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60025. If you haven’t already done so, please consider making a contribution to support The Watch. Non-deductible checks should be payable to Glenview Watch. Thanks for your support and for reading. Dean Schott and Sandy Hausman, Co-Editors.

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