In debt for redevelopment of The Glen, planning a new police station and committed to paying more of the cost for storm sewers in neighborhoods that don’t have them, the village of Glenview is considering an increase in taxes and fees. During a weekend discussion of the 2003 budget, the trustees voted to hold a public hearing on increasing real estate taxes by three cents per thousand dollars of assessed valuation. That would mean an additional $98 for the owners of a $400,000 house, $121 per year for houses worth $600,000 and $143 for an $800,000 house.

The property tax hike would raise less than $500,000 per year, and Village Manager Paul McCarthy says the police station alone will cost $9 million - $15 million. He has identified $5 million in development and telecommunication fees to pay for the project, but did not say where the balance of the money would come from. McCarthy did offer a list of potential sources of revenue for future capital improvements: a real estate transfer tax imposed on buyers and/or sellers of homes in Glenview, a separate storm water utility tax, a local sales tax, an income tax surcharge, a $40 vehicle sticker fee, the sale of village land, a food and beverage tax and ambulance fees for non-residents. The budget already contains a 5 cent per 1,000 gallon hike in water charges, which will cost the average customer $6 per year, but the trustees could ask for a bigger increase in sewer and water rates.

The need for new revenue comes after remarkable growth in Glenview’s tax base – the result of new construction and a reassessment by Cook County. In 2002, the village realized a 23 percent increase in the equalized assessed valuation of its property, but the new tax dollars are no match for rising expenses. McCarthy said Glenview had spent $28 million on infrastructure at The Glen and $37 million on capital improvements for the entire village over the past 20 years. He could not say how much would be needed for new storm sewers since some areas may not opt to build them.

Whatever new revenue sources are tapped for a proposed police station and storm sewers, informed sources say they are unlikely to cover the full cost of construction, but would pay interest on bonds to be sold for the police station and sewers. The trustees will hear public comment on the initial increase in property taxes on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. in the board room of Village Hall.

Editor’s note: Village officials are very careful to say that demand for new revenue has nothing to do with The Glen, but The Glen has clearly meant additional debt for the community and has been slow to produce expected revenue. In the early stages of planning for redevelopment of the naval base, twenty percent of land sale money was supposed to be set aside for capital improvements in other parts of the village. It could have covered the cost of a new police station and an extensive network of storm sewers but has instead been lent to The Glen developers.

Glenview’s $34 million spending plan for 2003 is spare, with 4 percent base salary and longevity raises for village employees, a $500,000 increase in the cost of liability insurance and a $260,000 hike in pension payments. The budget calls for no new programs but adds six people, including two employees who will handle expanding road maintenance responsibilities at The Glen and a temporary person to help coordinate Lake Avenue reconstruction. There will also be two new water plant workers and a policeman at the new Attea Middle School – a cost to be shared with School District 34.

Editor’s note: Trustee Mary Beth Denefe missed both official briefings on the budget – two critical sessions for our elected officials. Trustee John Crawford was also absent on Saturday but left a list of questions for village staff after reviewing the proposed budget.

In the cold weeks of February, Trustee Crawford asked Village Manager Paul McCarthy to schedule a discussion of employees who are provided with cars, free gasoline and maintenance. Crawford questioned the need for an expensive SUV ordered for McCarthy and wondered how other workers track and compensate the village when they use their cars for personal trips. The manager promised a full report on the subject, but no report arrived and no discussion took place. In the dog days of August, Crawford wrote again, asking that the matter be discussed in an executive session of the village board.

Today, Crawford says the village manager has failed to rationalize "the compensation benefits packages of department heads as requested." A seasoned trustee, Crawford thinks a consultant like Hewitt and Associates should be retained to study the perks provided to more than a dozen employees: The village manager and his assistant, the director of public works and his assistant, the superintendent of water, the police chief and two deputies, the fire chief and his deputy, the finance director, the development director and Glen redevelopment director.

In a memo to the village president, his fellow trustees and Finance Director Dan Wiersma, Crawford proposes a freeze of salaries to those individuals who have village-owned cars until the trustees can decide what to do about the benefit, and he suggests that benefits for future hires be reviewed by the village board.

President Carlson offered a pointed response to Crawford in a letter addressed to the trustees. First, he asserts that Crawford is the only board member interested in village cars but pledges to put the subject on next week’s agenda if other trustees want to discuss it. Donna Pappo, Rachel Cook and Mike Guinane are reportedly concerned.

Second, Carlson questions the need for a consultant to make decisions "we can very well make ourselves," adding that he’s heard Hewitt is "quite expensive."

He wants nothing to do with crafting a benefit package for new hires, arguing that is the village manager’s job. "I happen to trust his judgment in these matters," Carlson says.

The village president scolds Crawford for "punishing village employees," by challenging a benefit they’ve had "for years and years," and takes the trustee to task for communicating with Glenview’s finance director. "I think it inappropriate to disseminate matters of this sensitive nature to anyone other than board members, the village manager and the village attorney and would appreciate it if we could confine our communications to that group," he says.

In a short memo, Crawford shot back saying Carlson ignores the public’s right to know "what we are doing with their tax dollars." Comparing Manager McCarthy to the discredited CEO of General Electric, Crawford writes, "If the village board wants to continue the practice of letting our own Jack Welch recklessly squander the tax money by bestowing favors which this board does not want the public to know about, the shame of this situation should be aired publicly."

Editor’s note: Glenview officials who drive publicly-owned cars are permitted to use those vehicles for personal travel without compensating the village.

In a mark of political sophistication – or desperation – judicial candidate Sandra Tristano is sending chummy letters to any district resident who attended her alma mater. "Fall is in the air, reminding me of crisp autumn days at Cornell, walking across the campus quads (and up and down those long slopes!) in Ithaca," she writes. The next paragraph catches us up on Tristano’s college and law school studies, happy memories of Big Red football games and lunch at the Hotel School’s weekly buffet. Then Sandra gets down to business. "Now I am a candidate for Judge of the 12^th Subcircuit in Cook County. As a fellow Cornell alum, I would be honored to have your support in the upcoming election. . .The Illinois State Bar Association and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois have recommended me to serve as judge."

What Tristano doesn’t say is that her opponent, the incumbent Jim Wascher, got an even better rating from the Illinois State Bar Association and that the Women’s Bar Association also recommended him. What’s more, of 10 legal associations that evaluate judicial candidates, seven said Tristano was not qualified while all ten said Wascher was qualified, highly qualified, recommended or highly recommended.

Editor’s note: We assume the number of Cornell grads in this area is relatively small and trust they are smart enough to do a little homework before casting their vote. Tristano obviously has no time for such research. Had she been paying attention, she wouldn’t have written to Cornell alum Sandy Hausman who has twice criticized her candidacy in the pages of Glenview Watch and now has a Wascher sign planted in her lawn.

As neon beckons from more windows in Glenview, the village board may call for a moratorium on new signs, so the plan commission can work on regulations to control their appearance. A public hearing on the subject is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 29 at Village Hall. Some trustees say local businesses are not doing a good job of policing themselves – limiting the size and look of signs. "Self-regulation works for nuns and saints," Trustee Donna Pappo told the Pioneer Press. "We loved being Tree City. Now we’re neon city." Village President Carlson agreed some signs "border on being pretty obnoxious," and Village Hall has scheduled a seminar for local shop owners concerned about good graphics and architecture. Development Director Mary Bak says the November 19 program should help to educate business owners about various options.

Traffic back-ups are taking a toll on village residents and visitors according to Police Chief William Fitzpatrick. "People’s tempers are flaring. It’s a sign of the times to come. Everybody’s going to have to be patient," he says. Last week, the driver of a Mercedes attempted to go around a flag person at the corner of Lake and Sunset Ridge. She motioned him back and hit the car with her stop sign. The driver then got out of the car and threatened the flag woman who responded by slapping him in the face, prompting him to throw a styrofoam cup at her.

Chief Fitzpatrick had his own encounter with road rage while sitting in his unmarked police car on Lake Avenue, waiting for traffic to move. A woman ran the red light behind him, then signaled to change lanes. As the line of cars began to move, Fitzpatrick motioned to let her in, but instead of offering a courtesy wave, she gave him the finger. "I always let people in," says Glenview’s affable top cop. "That really frosted me." He activated his lights and pulled her over. "Take your finger and go back to Park Ridge," he thought while writing the woman a ticket.

The chief adds that squad cars are being stationed in neighborhoods along Lake Avenue to keep cut through traffic from speeding, and an officer has been temporarily assigned to Lyons School to help parents and teachers get in and out. The chief says his department was aware of potential problems there and had been monitoring the situation even before a parent complained to The Watch.

Farther west on Lake, we were surprised to see drag racing has become a problem. An off-duty Glenview police officer stopped a man just before 7:00 AM on a Thursday after seeing him racing another vehicle along Euclid Avenue at an estimated speed of 90 miles per hour. The option to speed on any part of Lake/Euclid is about to end. The Illinois Department of Transportation will hold a public hearing on planned work at the intersection of Lake and Milwaukee from 3-8 p.m. October 29 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 3020 Milwaukee Avenue.

It’s been a disconcerting month for members of the Glen Redevelopment Commission – a group of citizens appointed to oversee development at the former Naval Air Station. This week, the first of two tales from Monterey Drive in the James Company development along the golf course: a man named Maioigan wanted to add a second-story balcony to plans for a new house. A covenant with the James Company barred him from building less than 50 feet from the golf course, but the village had approved plans for a deck that intruded into the buffer zone, the house next door had a balcony, and someone at Village Hall had told the petitioner that he could apply for a variance to build his balcony. "I’m not sure what harm the balcony would do," said Chairman Silver, after joking that Maioigan might be hit by golf balls while admiring the view.

Commissioner Linda Witt disagreed. She had written the original design guidelines for The Glen, reviewed them and found no provision for requesting a balcony. Commissioner Bruce Burch cast doubt on what Maioigan had permission to build in the first place, saying the plans submitted were not properly stamped and lacked a site plan.

"I don’t have the stamped set, because it has to be at the work site," said Maioigan. He swore the plans handed to Burch were identical to those approved by the village. "What I’m trying to say to you is we’ve done exactly what you guys have asked us to do. I’m getting a little upset. I hope you can realize, after you make a hundred changes that you’re told to make and spent a million dollars ..."

"Your architect had better check his errors and omissions insurance," said Silver. "He really is the one who should read the book."

Maioigan replied that his architect had researched all applicable codes and guidelines, that they had made numerous design changes to please the village and that the final plans were approved.

Burch continued to challenge the validity of the plans prompting Maioigan to throw up his hands. "I’m sorry I came here. I truly am. I will withdraw my petition," he said. Seeing Commissioner Mary Novotny shaking her head, he added, "Ma’am, don’t look at it that way. If you are in charge of whatever the heck you’re in charge of – I work in the insurance business, and if one of my people makes a mistake and a house burns down, I’m still responsible for paying."

"Hey, wait a minute," said Novotny. "I’m a volunteer! I am not responsible for staff!"

"But someone has to be responsible for staff somewhere," said Maioigan.

Novotny told him to take it up with the village manager or the village president. "You’re yelling at the wrong person," she said.

Silver added that the commission was obliged to consider what the law allows.

"But the plans were legally submitted," said Maioigan. "The plans were approved, and now you’re telling me that they’re wrong!"

"Well, we’re going by the guidelines and the person that wrote the guidelines," said Silver.

Mrs. Maioigan was also upset. "I feel like I’ve gone to the doctor to have a wart removed, and they cut off my head. We have worked so hard and made all the changes the village asked for. They gave us a permit. Now you’re saying you’re going to re-evaluate the whole thing because I want a balcony." Sounding close to tears, she launched into a list of grievances – detailing change after change the couple had made to home plans because of Glen regulations. "I wanted a nice big deck like I see some of the other people have here. I’ve been to some of the other houses. I see what they’ve built. Don’t tell me they don’t extend over that fifty foot line!"

"The fifty foot setback is in the ordinance, and the law must be complied with," said Burch.

"We’re just making sure the information is correct so we can rule on it."

"To be honest with you, I don’t even want to live in this village with the kind of folks that I’m working with tonight," said Maioigan.

"You’re misinterpreting," said Burch.

"You’d make a heck of a politician," said Maioigan. "Everything I’ve said here tonight was questioned. I personally choose not to continue working with you guys. I really can’t. I wouldn’t feel right."

"I’m a scout leader," said Burch. "I’m not trying to create any problem for you at all. We’re just getting the information so we can help you, and you need to let us go through the process and not be critical of the people who are trying to work with you."

"If I believed that was what you were trying to do, I’d go along with you, but I don’t think that’s what you’re trying to do," said the petitioner. "The facts just don’t bear that out, so I will withdraw my petition and apologize for taking your time." And with that, he and his wife walked out of Village Hall.

The following day Howard Silver phoned Maioigan to apologize, and two weeks later the would-be Glen resident was back before the commission. After conferring with village staff, Silver said the petitioner was entitled to ask for a variance, and the commission voted unanimously to allow the couple to build their balcony.

Next week, part two in our continuing saga of troubles, tears and tantrums at The Glen.

Dene Oliver, developer of a shopping center at The Glen, claims most of the 60-70 small spaces are leased. Inside sources wonder if these retailers have signed binding agreements to open in the fall of 2003 or letters of agreement which are easily disregarded.

A Chicago eatery, D’Agostino’s Restaurant and Pub, will join Egg Harbor in opening at a small shopping strip to be built opposite the new Metra station at The Glen. A local guide praises the Wrigleyville restaurant for "great pizza, low prices and a cozy atmosphere." Also recommended – the Italian beef and Black Forest cake.

TGI Friday’s won approval from the Plan Commission to enclose current outdoor seating space eliminating the outdoor dining option but creating more year-round capacity. Across the street, at the former Dapper’s, a new owner announced plans to open before Christmas with a restaurant to be called Glenview Delight.

A new toy store called Becky and Me is set to open soon at Carillon Square. It will replace the Toy Connection.

The Kitchens Unlimited Store at 1223 Waukegan Road is expanding into the Edward Jones storefront next door while Jones will move into the vacant space at 1238 Waukegan.

A new swim shop is set to open at the Plaza del Prado raising the prospect that for the first time in nearly a decade the shopping center will be fully occupied. Its owner hopes to prove that with retailers doing business in every space there is still enough parking for a new restaurant to be built east of Bank One.

On the heels of rumors that Finish Line Dodge will be moving to Northbrook, Glenview’s village manager has heard that another dealer may be taking two of its brands to a new location. While the area’s demographics are strong, Paul McCarthy says local car dealerships are on sites designed in the 50's and 60's with limited room for growth. New cars remain the community’s top source of sales tax dollars.

THE POLICE BEAT

A Skokie resident said he was the victim of an armed robbery at the automatic teller machine at 1825 Glenview Road.  Two men allegedly pointed a gun at his car and demanded money.  The pair, wearing black clothing and ski masks, left with $41.  Glenview detectives learned of similar robberies in Libertyville, Mundelein and Vernon Hills, leading to the arrest of two suspects.  

The village also experienced six home burglaries this week involving theft of jewelry, more than $30,000 in cash, a safe, handgun and hand bag.  

Mailbox thefts continue to be a problem, and a woman changing clothes in the locker room of Park Center reported a peeping Tom spying on her over a partition.  No arrest has been made.

Northbrook’s plan commission is warning a Jewish congregation not to pray at Sky Harbor Industrial Park on Dundee Road. Lubavitch Chabad rents space at the industrial park, but that area is not zoned for religious activity. Commission Chairman Sheldon Silverman says churches and synagogues do not belong where their activities might conflict with the rough practices of manufacturing, and the panel has said houses of worship ought to be allowed only in residential, commercial or office districts. An attorney representing the congregation says he will attempt to negotiate with village management, and the plan commission intends to talk more about the issue at its November 5 meeting.

On November 9, a local group plans to make the pilgrimage north to Trego, Wisconsin where Bart the Bull now resides. He was recently reunited with three other residents of Wagner Farm – Milkshake, Moodonna and Pumpkin. Those cows were scheduled for slaughter before citizens raised the money to buy them from Glenview’s park district. The sanctuary’s proprietor says Bart has grown his winter coat including stretches of sock-like white fur above the hooves. He looks healthy and has adjusted well to his new home. For pictures and details, visit the sanctuary’s website at www.arfs.org or e-mail gtouspl@aol.com for details of the bus trip north.

The Sierra Club’s Illinois Director Jack Darin writes to recommend the re-election of Beth Coulson as State Representative: "The Sierra Club has made re-electing State Representative Elizabeth Coulson a top priority. Coulson has not only been a reliable vote for clean water, natural areas protection, smart growth measures, and clean energy, but she also has made these issues a priority for her in Springfield. I know from working with her in Springfield that she shares Glenview residents' concerns about flooding, disappearing open spaces in the north suburbs, poorly planned development, and other issues. If they don't know already, voters who are concerned about these issues should be aware that Coulson has been a strong supporter of any

measures to address these issues that come before the Illinois House, and has proposed several herself. Springfield is a tough place for environmental advocates. Polluter and developer lobbyists hold sway over too many of our elected officials. Elizabeth Coulson is one who instead listens to her constituents and works with those of us who are trying to protect Illinois' environment for our families and our future. For voters looking for candidates who share their interest in a cleaner, greener environment, the Sierra Club is proud to recommend her."

Editor’s note: We asked Darin if he had any reason to believe Coulson’s opponent would not also be a reliable vote for environmental concerns. He said he did not.

Glenview resident Matt Labkon writes about the Democrat running for State House: "Pat Hughes is good for the environment. He has a proven track record of working hard to fight and protect the environmental concerns of the community: cleaner, safer air, water and land. As a Wilmette village trustee, Pat has been responsible for many of the pro_environment reforms instituted by the board. Most recently he led the effort to eliminate the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides on village landscaping and encouraged residents to follow suit. Pat has also worked tirelessly to secure local open land preservation. He worked closely with local community activists to preserve the 17-acre Mallinkodt property as open park space and sponsored a resolution in support of the open space referendum."

On the state level, Pat plans to pursue those responsible for polluting with stiff fines and penalties. Once elected, he will renew funding for state and local government acquisition of Illinois wetlands, prairies and forests. Pat will also make one of his top priorities making the open space grant process simpler and faster. Pat Hughes is good for the environment."

JW wonders about a rumor going around: "I recently was told by someone who passes along fairly accuate, reliable information, that there are currently 42 real estate foreclosures in the Glen, apparently because of our current national economic situation. Considering the high costs of the Glen residences, employment problems and apparent predominant youthfulness of the buyers, this information seems reasonably correct. Do you know is this foreclosures information is true or false?"

The Watch replies: We have also heard this rumor several times, but it is difficult to confirm or deny. The Glen Redevelopment office does not track such things, and "For Sale" signs around The Glen may simply reflect the widespread practice of speculators who buy into new developments, then "flip" the property at a profit. We find no evidence of Glen foreclosures in the Glenview Announcements legal notices, and experts say a family in financial trouble would probably refinance or sell their home before it could be taken by the bank.

A seasoned observer writes: "Attea Middle School seems to be catching some drive by criticism concerning its opulent appearance. One of the reasons is that the school district was only given a small "footprint" of land which required the design of a dramatic three story building in order to house 750 students. The interior is actually very compact, and creatively designed to accommodate middle school programs. A good comparison in a neighboring district would be Emerson Middle School in Park Ridge District 64, which really is more opulent. Overcrowding in the district and at Lincoln Middle School led to the building of a second middle school and moving 6th graders to join what had previously been a 7th and 8th grade model. Emerson is about five years old. It is a beautiful building, an excellent example of a modern middle school, and its architecture goes beyond the basic interior arrangement that District 34 was limited to with Attea due to financial concerns. Emerson is located at 8101 N. Cumberland Avenue, the corner of Cumberland and Oakton. Does anyone know how big a membership CARE really has? The only people I have ever heard say they belong are John Ranz, Larry Miller, and Gary Skoog. Could it be that it is just three people getting a lot of press coverage for their views? Does the public know that John has stated in print his enmity towards the Glen planners because he lost the golf course view from his backyard when new homes were built? Do they know that Larry spent one ineffective term on the District 34 school board and then opted to go back outside the system to cast his criticisms? I am surprised that the Announcements gives them first page coverage. It would seem that a little space on the Letters to the Editor page would be more appropriate."

Harry B. writes about Wagner Farm: "Whilst a lot of the physical changes going on at Wagner Farm are not in the best of taste, the Glenview Park District must be applauded for the fine job they are doing of restoring the Wagner family red brick house. While buying mums and pumpkins with my wife and children, we were most impressed with the attention to detail with wood shakes, copper flashings and gutters, masonry repairs and the overall sprucing up of a kind of classic Chicago bungalow, representative of earlier years. This is true historical restoration that equates to preservation and should be the template for all structures at Wagner Farm."

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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