Glenview’s library board has appointed a replacement for Donna Berndt who resigned in July. Jerome McQuie (pronounced Mc-WAY) ran unsuccessfully for the board in 2001. He was selected from a field of four candidates and will serve until April 2003 when he may seek election to a full term.

In accepting the job, McQuie said his most immediate concerns are the lack of parking outside Glenview’s library and the lack of shelf space inside. "If I try to find a book that was published 10 years ago that was on the shelf five years ago, I have often discovered that the book was discarded to make room for more recent purchases," he says. "The village population has grown about 50 percent since the last addition in 1986. We need more space for collections and for cars."

McQuie says the big questions are how much space Glenview needs, where to put it and how much the community is willing to pay. He hopes decisions on all three questions will reflect the wishes of most residents but says he likes the library’s current location because so many residents can get there on foot or bicycle.

A manager of technology projects at Jones Lang LaSalle in Chicago, McQuie's brings computer savvy to the board and wonders how Internet access will impact Glenview’s long-term library needs. "There is a change occurring," he says. "When I was my son’s age, I was constantly walking to the public library to start school projects. My son starts by typing in ‘www.google. com.’"

McQuie holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Cornell University and an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago. He and his wife, Beth, have lived in Glenview for 10 years and have two school_age children.

NEW FIRE CHIEF LEAVES ‘EM CHEERING

Glenview’s new fire chief was sworn in last week at a meeting of the village board and took the occasion to give a rousing speech. Dan Bonkowski said his new job would require him to play many roles: "department head, leader, mentor, cheerleader, coach, shepherd, steward, motivator, teacher."

"I give to you 31 years of dedicated fire service," he told the board. "I pledge to this fine community my energy, my enthusiasm, my absolute and total dedication." Saying he would be "open to change," Bonkowski added, "Our fire department will become a premiere department recognized as number one on the North Shore."

He asked the board and the audience at Village Hall to stand and "join me in the strongest and warmest round of applause as a sign of our respect and appreciation for the work of the Glenview Fire Department."

As the applause faded away, Bonkowski concluded: "Good night, and God bless America."

WAUKEGAN ROAD DAY CARE APPROVED

After weeks of debate, the village board gave nearly unanimous approval to Children’s Land Daycare Center. Trustee Rachel Cook continued to object, feeling the Waukegan Road location near a Burger King drive through and the Glenview Car Wash was too congested and polluted for kids. During the course of debate, several board members asked about a traffic plan designed to minimize problems. The center’s operator, Alla Litovchenko, had hired a respected traffic engineer to develop the circulation plan, but the owner of the small shopping strip, the neighboring liquor store and the car wash sent a lawyer to object. "We just got wind of this whole proposal about a half hour ago," he said. "I’m not sure the owners are going along with any of this!"

He raised concerns about one-way access from Waukegan Road and wondered how the proposed traffic plan would impact neighboring businesses.

An attorney for the day care center said the landlord’s attitude was not an issue for the village board – that any dispute between the property owner and his tenant could be worked out separately. Village attorney Jeff Randall agreed.

President Carlson sent the two parties into the hall to discuss their differences. They returned later in the evening to announce an agreement, and the trustees promptly approved the site plan for Children’s Land.

Editor’s note: Trustee Jeff Lerner, who repeatedly called the lawyer for Children’s Land by the wrong name two weeks earlier, referred this week to Play Land instead of Children's Land, an error repeated by Board President Carlson.

SHOVELS, RIBBONS AND OTHER SIGNS OF COMMERCIAL LIFE

– Abt won easy approval for 200 new parking spaces at its Milwaukee Road location. Not a single trustee asked the electronics giant to consider permeable parking at the site, despite the fact that it is adjacent to a sensitive wetland owned by the park district.

– The owners of the Plaza del Prado shopping center asked for permission to redesign a portion of their parking lot in an effort to prove there is adequate room there for construction of an additional building. Trustee Jeff Lerner objected at first, saying he opposed any new retail at the site, but Trustee Mike Guinane pointed out that allowing improvements to the parking lot did not obligate Glenview to allow future construction at the Plaza. The trustees voted to continue the discussion in two weeks when the center will return with detailed drawings of the proposed lot.

– While work has already begun at the mixed use retail center of The Glen, ground will officially be broken on October 16 at 10 a.m.

– On October 17, Costco will hold its grand opening at the new store on Willow Road.

– On October 19, Glenbrook Hospital will hold a special open house to mark its 25^th anniversary.

– The Cars.com billboard posted on the Metra overpass near McDonald’s on Waukegan Road has been taken down after village residents complained. Some speculated that the neighboring Jennings Chevrolet and Volkswagen – a major contributor to the campaign of Village President Larry Carlson – was none too pleased with their competitor’s ad. Village attorney Jeff Randall announced Tuesday that after a few months of negotiations Metra had agreed to remove the sign.

VILLAGE BOARD CLASHES ON SEWER COSTS

Glenview’s trustees continue to argue about how much the village should pay if neighborhoods without sewers want to put them in. A program that called for Village Hall to pay 25 percent of the bill failed to attract much interest from residents, so the board agreed to pay a bigger share. On Tuesday, some trustees were expecting to vote on a proposal that the village would pay for large collector and trunk sewers while residents would be billed for 75% of the cost for local sewers and connections.

Earlier, Trustee Donna Pappo had called the Department of Public Works to point out a problem. People living near trunk sewers would end-up paying nothing, while neighbors who needed a connector and local sewer could spend thousands of dollars. Pappo felt that was unfair and asked public works for alternatives. At Tuesday’s meeting, she and the other trustees had eight options to review.

Four of the trustees preferred a plan that billed residents for only 50 percent of the cost for local sewers and connections plus 25 percent of the bill for trunk sewers. Trustee Jeff Lerner didn’t like that split, arguing that it would cost the village more overall and pointing out that many community residents paid the full price for sewers when they purchased homes in areas that had them. He demanded an immediate vote on the original proposal, and Trustee Mary Beth Denefe agreed, but they were voted down.

Denefe then said she had been away and did not get the village board packet in time to review the numbers. "I was just handed a document that consists of about 20 pages," she said. "I’m not really prepared to discuss this."

"Those 20 pages are a combination of memos that have been sent out to the village board members since last week," said Guinane.

"My point is," said Denefe testily, "I would like to compare and contrast the information that I haven’t seen!"

Crawford, Lerner and Carlson agreed to continue the discussion in two weeks.

NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

– The village board refused to proceed with regrading and clearing a natural drainage ditch that is now flooded during heavy rains as water flows from east of Pleasant Lane in Glen Oak Acres to the Chicago River in the forest preserve. After lengthy debate in April, the trustees had agreed to pay for the project which was expected to cost $5,000. Village staff later thought the job would actually cost $25,000, but the low bid was $48,000 – a surprise that staffers could not explain. The trustees asked to have the job re-bid.

– Residents of Amber Woods, a small subdivision near I-294, two blocks north of Lake Avenue, asked the trustees for village snow plowing services. The developer of that community had designated the streets as "private," a move which often allows builders to increase density. In exchange, buyers may pay slightly lower prices but are then saddled with the cost of plowing and repaving. A spokesman for the neighborhood said bills have run as high as $37,000 a year for snow removal, and 80 percent of residents are senior citizens on fixed incomes. Noting that they pay village taxes, the spokesman said, "We don’t think it’s fair." The trustees agreed to study the matter, but Village President Carlson thought a favorable decision unlikely. Manager Paul McCarthy said there were about 20 subdivisions in the same situation, and he said the taxes being paid by residents would not cover the costs of plowing.

– Two residents of E. River Road in unincorporated Maine Township appeared to ask for incorporation. The semi-rural area has recently caught the eye of developers who are building high density housing on some of the large lots. Neighbors don’t like that and want a village government to protect them with tougher zoning. President Carlson said the area seemed a logical addition to Des Plaines, but the neighbors said that community was doing too little to control development. "Some cities have a vision for the future," said one of the petitioners. "Others just look for cash." Trustee Rachel Cook thought E. River might serve as a buffer for Glenview, keeping high-density housing at arm’s length. She proposed, and the board agreed, that the Comprehensive Plan Commission should consider this wisdom of annexing the area.

The commission is also planning to discuss the future of West Lake and Milwaukee avenues at a public workshop set for 6 p.m. Thursday, October 10 in the board room of Village Hall.

YOUTH SERVICES AND TOWNSHIP SEEK SANTAS

Glenview Youth Services Director Nancy Bloom is asking village residents to open their hearts and wallets for Christmas. She writes: "We are already starting our holiday gift program for needy children in our township. We can always use donors -_ people who want to buy gifts for children, and checks are also appreciated. At the last minute, after the gifts have come in, we purchase coats, boots, hats, gloves, pajamas, underwear for any child that has requested those items and not received them. We also need gift wrapping supplies: paper, tissue paper, gift boxes, gift bags, bows, gift tags, etc. Each year we spend hundreds of dollars on those items, and that includes my shopping the day after Christmas for half-price items that I store all year! Last year we served 965 kids. Anyone interested in helping can call me at 847-724_2620."

Northfield Township is also searching for holiday help – asking for donations so needy families can be given grocery store gift certificates for Thanksgiving, Chanukah and Christmas. About 120 families use the township food pantry each month, and no tax dollars are used to purchase food. If you’d like to contribute, call Michelle Wilson at 847-724-8300.

THE GREEN SCENE

– The Glenview Prairie Preservation Project is circulating a petition urging the trustees to open the Air Station Prairie for school use and public enjoyment this fall. The group is also asking that Glenview routinely remove trash along the river banks at Techny Basin while installing garbage cans and signs urging people not to litter. If you’d like to sign, send your name by e-mail to glenviewwatch@aol.com.

– Wilmette has voted to stop using lawn fertilizers and weed killers that could be dangerous. For six years, resident Charlotte Adelman has been crusading against the chemicals which have been linked to cancer, skin rashes and other health problems. Adelman says the lawn treatments also kill birds and fish. Village contractors now say they’ll experiment with organic products at two fire stations, the police station, village yard, water plant, history museum and parkways. Because it’s so visible, they will continue to treat the lawn of Wilmette Village Hall.

– Watch editor Sandy Hausman’s report on dangerous conditions at Glacier National Park and the need for more federal funds in all of the parks can be heard on National Public Radio’s program Living on Earth. Visit the show’s website at www.loe.org and click to listen.

HELLOOOO GBS

Glenbrook High School may soon change its policy on cell phones and pagers. Right now, they’re illegal, and several are confiscated each week, but a new rule may permit kids to carry those hi-tech devices as long as they are turned off at school.

NEWS FROM THE NORTH

– Barry Muraff was disappointed in his first attempt to win a prize in the annual Didier

Farms Pumpkin Weigh-off. The Northbrook man had spent a couple of hours every day since June tending a vine that produced several enormous cream-colored pumpkins. He thought one was big enough to win the top prize – $400, and Friday after work, three friends came by to help him load it into a pick-up truck. Alas, Saturday’s competition in Prairie View, Illinois proved tough. The winning pumpkin was 567 pounds, exceeding Muraff’s entry by more than 150 pounds. Still, the 37-year-old software salesman says he’ll try again next year using seeds from a man he met on the Internet – a Quebec resident who routinely grows pumpkins that exceed 1,000 pounds.

– Northbrook has approved Red Seal’s plan to build 196 town homes and condos at 1600-1700 Shermer Road.

– Tonelli’s Restaurant at 1038 Waukegan Road has won permission to expand its parking lot and add an outdoor seating area for 10 tables.

– Northbrook’s trustees have voted not to study whether Sanders Road should be widened because they feel a wider road would be more dangerous. The decision came after officials from School District 27, which oversees Wood Oaks Junior High on Sanders, weighed-in against widening, and after the projected cost of a study grew from $30,000 to $40,000.

READERS WRITE

CC asks – what stinks? "I was just wondering if anyone else who approaches the corner of Central Rd. and Waukegan Rd, across from McDonald's, notices the smell of what seems like rotting flesh. I have noticed it for quite some time and was just wondering if anyone else when pausing to make a turn, has noticed it or knows where it comes from."

The Watch replies: According to Glenview’s finest, Police Commander Scott Stewart, the odor has been traced to a Metropolitan Sanitary District Sewer line. The boys at MSD have been notified.

Lead Foot writes about speed traps and dirty cars: " On two consecutive days this week I noticed a police car laying in wait for any drivers exceeding the 20-mile-an- hour speed limit on Johns Drive, just north of the new Metra station (hidden behind the fence surrounding the cell tower). I'm sure the police are apprehending many drivers.  Given the industrial uses and limited retail in the area, is it really fair or necessary to have set the speed at a snail's crawl?  There isn't a kid or pedestrian in sight. Further down Johns Drive, I saw some men power washing the new cars parked at the remote lot owned by Jennings's Volkswagen and Chevrolet.  The cars were covered in a fine rust-colored dust which looks strikingly similar to the piles of dirt atop Loyola's play fields under construction just across the road.

LJ asks about fire and police stations: "Is there any truth to the rumor the village is planning to build two fire stations, one on The Glen, one on the east side, in the near future? I've heard the village approved the construction of the two stations at the same time because it will be cheaper for the village to do it this way. Also wondering if the rumor is true the village approved the construction of the fire stations, but failed to realize the money they set aside is just for construction and does not include equipping the stations with furniture, desks, fire trucks, or employees. Somehow it wouldn't surprise me if the approval was given without all the information at hand. Also wondering how this will effect the new police station the village was planning on building. Is that project now on hold or are they going to try and do all three at once?"

The Watch replies: New fire stations are planned for the southeast corner of Lake and Wagner and at The Glen adjacent to the Northern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy. The village claims to be building two at once to save on planning and construction costs. Glenview is also proceeding with construction of a new police station on the northwest corner of Lake Avenue and Shermer, at the site of a house now occupied by Glenview Youth Services. Plans for that project have not yet been approved.

The North Suburban YMCA has a great idea for that vacant office building at Patriot and Willow. Its director writes: "Would the owners be interested in discussing a tax_deductible donation of the space for the value? We are in desperate need! Both sides would benefit and so would the children, not to mention that more activity in the area would add to the marketability of the location.

JGM says excess is excess, no matter what the bottom line: "I was confused by Sandy Van Epps rebuttal of the CEO regarding the apparent opulence of the new middle school at the Glen. She asked, ‘Does [the CEO] know how much the building is costing the taxpayers and how much money the state is providing?’ My question is: What's the difference?"

Roman P. read our story about Costco costing Jewel and Dominick’s money: "They already have a couple of problems. Shop N' Save in Golf Mill which offers the same national brands and a wide variety of imported food and choice cut meats at 30_40 percent below Jewel and Dominick's and a delicious, priced-right deli. Now, a new store in the former K-Mart on Golf Rd. is offering the same. Maybe they'll lower their inflated prices."

Fritz says District 225 had better address some problems with its attendance policy before ignoring parent notes asking that an absence be excused: "If a kid gets a flat tire on the way to school and is late, that is an unexcused absence. Several other parts of their policy force students and their parents to lie in order to get an excused absence. This needs to be corrected."

EBM responds to the reader who said Glenview sewers stink: "I agree that our local sewer system needs a new look. During the big rain of a few weeks ago, the local sewer system was filled to the top on Chatham Road and caused substantial water to flood some of our basements. Did other streets face the same problem?"

BS applauds companies doing good things for the environment: "I agree with AB that we need more good corporate citizens to lead the way on environmentally_sound development practices for Glenview, such as permeable pavement at Abt. From what I've been reading, it seems that our planet is facing some serious environmental problems that we need to address ASAP. We can start by working locally."

Mrs. S responds to a reader who urged the Watch to be more positive: "In response to KS's complaints that the Watch is too negative, I suggest she cancel her subscription and limit her reading to Hallmark cards. The messages are positive and the topics won't tax her intelligence."

David Cantor, a national animal rights activist, writes about Wagner Farm: "Hats off to the considerate people of Glenview who understand it is fine to become attached to animals! What is unconscionable is the current system that treats cattle as mere commodities -- and that the Glenview Park District would support that system by raising such beautiful and sensitive animals only to betray their trust and take advantage of their gentleness. Until people everywhere recognize that we are natural herbivores, not meat-eaters, the least our local governments can do is to use every opportunity to teach compassion over violence. That is consistent with the principles of democracy we claim to live by and teach the rest of the world. A few people declaring that the rest must go along with a violent, inhumane system that millions of people have long seen for what it is runs contrary to our best principles. Good luck to the animals and those who appreciate them for who they are."

Editor’s note: Cantor is with a group called Farm Sanctuary. He can be reached at 215-572-1736.

And SC is dismayed that Glenview is again debating the fate of Wagner Farm’s residents: "Oh no. Once again people are crying about decisions made by the park district regarding animals at the Wagner Farm. This time because the park district decided not to give names to the animals. Is that the most important problem that these people can find to direct their attention to? With all the injustices to human beings that occur on a daily basis, their big concern is the ‘rights’ of the animals on the farm? A pretty sad commentary if you ask me. Maybe they could take a little time to consider and be a ‘staunch advocate’ for the really serious problems that exist. If the worst thing going on in their lives is the lack of names for the Wagner animals, they oughta be on their knees, saying prayers of thanks for how unbelievably fortunate they are."

The son of Glenview’s long-time park commissioner Catherine Crowley complains that we described her as an octogenarian: "I've looked at a number of your recent issues, and try as I might, I haven't seen a reference regarding age attached to anyone else. Why was this relevant to the story? While it's true that my mom will celebrate her 85th birthday in November, can you explain why it was necessary to use this particular adjective? Could it be that you were trying to imply that Glenview residents are lucky to have a public servant with an incredibly rich life experience. You may not know my mom very well. So let me tell you a little about her. In addition to her 30 years of community service on the park board, she is one of the smartest people I know. She speaks and reads French. She is very well read. She was a collegiate athlete and at one time was the fastest swimmer on the Mundelein College swim team. She taught at OLPH for over 20 years. People all over town know her and respect her because she taught them.

"She raised 10 wonderful, productive children (I'm bragging here). She got her pilot's license in the early 1940s at a time when few women did so. She took care of her invalid mother, uncle, and mother-in-law for years. She was a foster parent. She is the lector for mass every morning at OLPH. She finished her all her course work for a Master's degree in social work. She didn't get the degree because she didn't finish her thesis. I guess marriage, infant children, and World War II got in the way. I could go on, but you get the point. Catherine Crowley gets things doneand is one of the sharpest people in Glenview: past, present, and future. Your cheap shot about age showed a tremendous lack of respect for someone who has spent a lifetime of giving."

The Watch replies: We mentioned your mother’s age because it is rare and wonderful that a woman in her 80's is as sharp, lively and involved as she. If she were 18, we would also reference her age, as it’s unusual for young people to serve in public office. Either way, no offense is meant. We’re just letting readers know a little more about a public official – a tidbit they may find interesting and inspiring.

Lou dislikes the location of Glenview’s newest day care center – Children’s Land on Waukegan Road: "Chestnut and Waukegan, Glenview's most dangerous intersection, will be even more dangerous with the day care center planned for that corner. Just imagine, a congested, busy intersection, traffic lights, driveways on all sides, cars making all kinds of turns, and into this rush hour mix twice a day we inject 70 or 80 cars with one or more distracting kids and a Mom or Dad late for work turning in, backing out and stopping. Yup, it's sure to be our most dangerous for years to come. This kind of brilliant thinking is sure to propel at least one member of our village board to Congress. Any doubt, just ask the lawyer for Mr. A.F. who stood in disbelief as the board dictated the traffic flow across his client’s property. Make it one way, no entry, no right turn, no left turn, no backing up, no parking. There is no magic solution. The proposed use for this building is just a bad idea!"

A resident of the Prairie Lawn neighborhood begs the village board to fulfill its promise and give them access to The Glen. Right now, the only entrance and exit point from that neighborhood is a busy Lake Avenue: "You know what? Not one word about closing the south entrance to Lake Ave. from Prairie Lawn Road even though all agencies have approved this change! Traffic will be impossible with the lane reductions and weather conditions. Why do they not close the south entrance/exit for Prairie Lawn and open up the north end of Prairie Lawn into the Glen? This just might relieve some congestion and prevent accidents. I have been predicting someone will be killed or seriously injured at this entrance for a long time. Our elected representatives seem to wait possibly until the James Company gives the blessing and lets it happen. Now is the time for action!"

The Watch replies: Quit whining to the Watch and get moving toward Village Hall. Tell the trustees that their dangerous delay is unacceptable. Send e-mails, make phone calls, show up at a board meeting and insist on action. Remind them that the next election is six months away.

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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