We hope those who read Glenview Watch do so because they enjoy the details of political life, but some may prefer some quick highlights. For those who are too busy for detail, we offer the following: We recommend John Crawford for re-election to the village board. As the Glenview Journal said when it enthusiastically endorsed him, "Crawford is an independent thinker who brings diverse opinions and a fresh look to the village board. He’s not afraid to speak up on issues and stand up for local citizens."

Note: To assure his re-election, voters simply punch line No. 10 on the ballot. Voting for Crawford alone will improve his chances for victory. It is not necessary to cast ballots for three candidates.

We reject candidates offered by the party variously known as Unite Glenview, Citizens United for Glenview and Glenview United. This organization has been good for developers and big business, but it has mortgaged the future of our schools to build The Glen, left us with a wholly inadequate post office and library, neglected the potential of our downtown area while at times treating residents, the park and library boards with disrespect.

The three candidates running contend they are not "backroom deal makers," but they were chosen and are bankrolled by Glenview’s usual backroom deal makers. The candidates also claim not to represent special interest groups. Could they be referring to the hundreds of taxpayers who advocate more open space or historic preservation, to residents who demand better planning, less traffic congestion and reasonable limits on teardowns and folks who want affordable housing for seniors?

Of course, Kerry Cummings, Kimball Woodrow and Jim Patterson can be evaluated on their own merits, and we offer a basis for that in our coverage below of two public sessions with all the candidates.

We have not written about the library debates. They were fairly superficial, shedding little light on the real question – what to do about the demonstrated need for more parking and the apparent need for some additional building space. Instead, we chose to evaluate the candidates on their credentials and general understanding of issues. Voters may cast ballots for as many as three candidates in the library race, but we endorse only two – Jerome McQuie and Mildred Delahunty

Incumbent McQuie has professional background in information technology and an MBA from the University of Chicago. He has already provided valuable financial guidance to the board, and we think he would give Glenview the leadership it needs to build a 21^st century library. Costs being equal, he favors a new building downtown but believes the decision belongs to the taxpayers.

Delahunty agrees. She seems knowledgeable about the issues, and we believe her experience as a volunteer with the New York City library system could lend valuable perspective to the Glenview Library Board.

We were disturbed by remarks made by candidate M. David Johnson regarding libraries and privacy. Johnson railed about the fact that in Illinois minors may reserve and check out books without their parents being notified. In practical terms, that means today’s teenagers could study up on birth control and sexually-transmitted disease without parents getting a call from the local librarian. Johnson said the law should be changed so libraries could tell parents what materials their kids had requested. "The library should help parents protect their children, not hamstring them when they try to do so," he said.

The public had two chances to hear from candidates for trustee last week – question and answer sessions sponsored by the Glenview Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters.

Incumbent John Crawford touted his record as a watchdog, keeping an eye on village spending and insisting that developers pay higher impact fees in Glenview. He pointed to his role in the acquisition of open space – the 31-acre Air Station Prairie and 10 additional acres now known as the West Fork Preserve. Crawford called for a speedy end to tax increment financing at The Glen, pledged to keep tight controls on government spending and promised to continue the fight for reform of village commissions and boards. He called for establishment of a natural resources commission, a traffic and safety board and a housing board to help assure affordable homes in Glenview. Crawford made the case for at least one independent voice on the village board, then asked the voters to cast just one ballot – for him.

Kerry Cummings said she enjoyed her work on the District 34 School Board, loves Glenview and wants to make the place better. She mentioned her husband and kids, church, sports and scouts. Trained as an attorney, Cummings described herself as a good listener, problem-solver and team player. She pledged to focus on revitalizing downtown, improving communication with residents and with other governmental bodies, such as the park and library boards.

Editor’s note: The questions not answered: If Cummings is such a good problem solver, why is School District 34 in such a financial pickle, and if she enjoyed serving on that board so much, how come she’s bailing?

Jim Patterson began with a mention of his college degree from the University of Tulsa, described his marriage and move to Glenview. He named the kids and their schools, told of his public service experience, beginning as a soccer coach and working his way into the American Youth Soccer Organization. That led to a leadership role in the Farm and Fields campaign and to his post on the plan commission, which he described as "kinda’ like night school. The plan commission has really been a lot of fun! You get to learn all about the community. You get to see and understand various things going on, and you get to measure things, whether it’s the MBS (maximum building size) ordinance, and as that comes along you have to say, `What’s really happening here? Is this an extreme situation or is this a balanced situation? How do we take everyone’s issues into account, listen to all of them and then try to ask for a fair and balanced solution that maintains property values?’"

Editor’s note: This man needs more than night school to become a serious trustee.

Kimball Woodrow said he and the wife had moved to Glenview four years ago in search of a "diverse community that we could truly call home, and we’ve never looked back." It was the same speech he sent to Village Hall when the party first announced his candidacy last year. At the time, Kim was vacationing in Arizona, and his schedule apparently left no time to write new material.

"We’ve come to appreciate Glenview’s many strengths, including its great neighborhoods and businesses and its genuinely good people," he continued. "Since the community has given us so much, we now want to give something in return."

Editor’s note: Now that’s original. Woodrow went on to describe his academic background – a master’s degree in urban planning – and his early years as a consultant on comprehensive plans and downtown revitalization. He then joined a real estate company, LaSalle Partners, where he now serves as chief operating officer. Ignoring the fact that Glenview enjoys a AAA bond rating largely because it is a wealthy community that can tax its citizens at will, Woodrow asserted that his management experience could help Glenview to protect that rating. He described himself as "thoughtful, caring and a man of integrity." He’s modest too.

Q: If you’re elected, you’ll be just one vote. The other six board members will belong to a single party. How much difference can you make?

A: Don’t ever underestimate the power of a good idea. For the last four years, there were only three of us against four from the majority party, but we accomplished quite a bit, because when you bring up a good idea with public pressure supporting that, it’s hard for the majority to fail to act. As a matter of fact, I hope at least one of the candidates running from Citizens United for Glenview will have at least some independent views, like Mike Guinane has. He has occasionally voted with me, Donna (Pappo) and Rachel (Cook). I hope some of the people running now will surprise the people who run that party – the Boosters Club – by actually being independent!

(Jim Patterson argued passionately that all members of his party are independent thinkers. Kimball Woodrow agreed, saying he did not think there was anyone at the debate who was more independent than he. "I beg to differ," said Cummings with a laugh. "I’m new to the community," Woodrow continued. "I have known the members of this party that I’m involved with for all of two months." He did not mention that an UG sign appeared on his front lawn two years ago, supporting candidates Larry Carlson, Mary Beth Denefe, Mike Guinane and Jeff Lerner. On March 15, 2001, he and his wife wrote a letter published in the Glenview Announcements embracing the Unite Glenview candidates.)

Q: Is The Glen being favored over downtown?

A: The village board may have spent more time discussing The Glen, but it isn’t because we favor The Glen. It’s because there are on-going developments at The Glen. There isn’t that much change to consider downtown. I’m heartened by the fact that in the last few years there have been considerable improvements downtown – new businesses moving in. I think it’s important to keep two main assets there: the library and a grocery store.

Q: What should village policy be regarding eminent domain and downtown growth?

A: I think eminent domain should be exercised only with regard to property that is really of vital interest to the community as a whole, such as Wagner Farm or the location of a new library. The question seems to be aimed at the village president’s suggestion that we develop one block downtown. I’m not in favor of that – especially since there are businesses which are doing well there.

Q: Are you in favor of commission review?

A: Yes. I really think we need a natural resource and environment commission to advise the village on its open spaces, and we definitely need a traffic and safety commission. We get requests for four-way stop signs, speed restrictions, parking restrictions, and I think they should be handled in an orderly manner by a commission of citizens who would also consider, I hope, mass transit to relieve some of the traffic problem.

Q: What can the village do to alleviate traffic problems?

A: Traffic is mostly a regional problem. We have to work with regional planners to develop more mass transit. I do think the village should get together with the schools to see if the buses they use to transport children in the morning and late afternoon could be used at other times to transport senior citizens and other residents to our business areas.

Q: Where should a new library be located?

A: Apparently there is still some thought of expanding the library on site, but it really doesn’t look as if it can be done. This is something the new library board will study, and I’ll support their decision. With regard to its location, the village extends from the Edens to I-294. I don’t see any justice in moving the library to The Glen. I think it should be centrally located to serve the public.

Q: Of more than 400 village employees, there is only one female department head, no female firefighters and less than 10 percent of the police force is female. Is this something you would address?

A: There are many capable women in the village of Glenview. My service on the village board has convinced me of that, and the accomplishments of women in the military convinces me that we can have women who are firefighters as well as police officers and department heads, so I do hope we will start taking some affirmative action.

Q: Is two-party government a good thing?

A: I think single-party government is bad! We can see what happened in the state of Illinois over the past 20 years. Now frankly, we will never have scandals in Glenview like that, but with regard to freshness of ideas and having open government, this group called the United Party is not a party of unity. It’s a party of exclusion. It’s a little clique that is more concerned with keeping its friends in positions on village boards and commissions than in really developing better government for Glenview.

Q: What should village policy be regarding eminent domain and downtown growth?

A: When we look at downtown, it will be extremely important to look at a variety of options, and I’m certain one of those options will include condemnation. You have to balance the rights of the business owners versus the needs of the community. How vital is this to the vitality of the downtown area? Eminent domain would only be one option in regard to the downtown.

Q: Are you in favor of commission review?

A: I lean more toward a task force and a very specific, targeted goal rather than an on-going commission. In regards to traffic, I see that more as a task force-type operation. Traffic is an issue here in Glenview, and we do need to start addressing it. If we’re talking merely in terms of stop signs and a need to add additional citizens to that group rather than relying on the professionals that we have involved in that task force, I would be willing to look at that. As far as senior citizens, I would not like to see a duplication of services – the fine services that we have through the park district and the township. I do not feel that the village as a whole should duplicate services that are already outstanding in our community. As far as the other commissions, the Glenview redevelopment commission will be winding down in the next few years, and the other ones look like stable commissions that have on-going work.

Editor’s note: Cummings was massively confused about the nature of existing commissions and the need for reform. Perhaps we can establish a task force to help her out.

CUMMINGS CONTINUES

Q: Does Glenview need neon regulation?

A: I am not against neon signs. I think businesses need to advertise in their windows. We’re picking on an issue. We need to look at the broader issue of what’s allowed in windows.

Q: What can the village do to alleviate traffic problems?

A: As a mom in Glenview who does a lot of car pooling, we’ve hit my favorite topic. I think it’s time we made some noise about Waukegan Road. We don’t own it, but we need to start creating a vision of how we can improve the traffic flow through there, working with the businesses there to keep that traffic moving.

Q: Of more than 400 village employees, there is only one female department head, no female firefighters and less than 10 percent of the police force is female. Is this something you would address?

A: I would need to know more about our hiring practices before I would jump to the conclusion that we are unfair to women in this town. If I found that we were lacking in minority candidates who are applying, I would probably ask for creative ways in seeking those candidates, but I would have a lot more questions before I would presume that our village is not fair to women.

Q: Is two-party government a good thing?

A: Mr. Crawford describes Citizens United for Glenview as an exclusive clique, but I am not exclusionary. I seek out all types of opinions. I find myself to be a good listener. I was asked by my neighbors to run. I came before 30 people who represented a great cross section. I was interviewed by them and found to be qualified, and I do have new ideas.

Q: Is the plan commission too hard on developers?

A: It depends on who you listen to. If you listen to some of the citizens, they think that we’re not hard enough, and if you listen to some of the developers, they think that we’re too stringent. I think there’s a balance in there, and when you hear both sides, I think the balance is such that it must be right.

Q: What should government policy be regarding eminent domain and downtown growth?

A: Eminent domain, otherwise known as condemnation, is a very volatile issue that needs to be respected. It’s always a consideration, but it’s not something taken lightly. The price of highest and best use versus the price of who is being put out needs to be balanced and considered. I’m not opposed to giving it consideration, but I’m not a fan of running over the people.

Q: What can the village do to alleviate traffic problems?

A: When the base closure thing happened, Glenview became very aggressive in managing the redevelopment of that land. I think we need to be very aggressive in managing our traffic problems. Willow Road east of Waukegan – Northfield has been an impediment. They need to do their fair share.

Q: Of more than 400 village employees, there is only one female department head, no female firefighters and less than 10 percent of the police force is female. Is this something you would address?

A: I have always been of the impression that the village is an equal opportunity employer, and as a government agency, I don’t know how we couldn’t be. I would hope that we are looking for the best qualified candidates, and if we are doing anything other than that, then we need to give it consideration.

Q: Is two-party government a good thing?

A: I firmly believe that everybody running today, as well as those already on the board, are independent thinkers – that every one of them has the ability to step up and think for themselves and can openly argue a point. I can think for myself, and I think everyone else here has the exact same ability.

Q: As a commercial real estate expert, would you say Glenview has too much retail development, and would you encourage more downtown?

A: I don’t believe it is overdeveloped. I think the right kind of mix has been brought into The Glen Town Center – a variety of restaurants, some nice anchor stores, some good community shops. I think all of that fits nicely. I think that’s a nice base of commercial/retail activity. So I think those things have been planned out very nicely. As it relates to the downtown, we need to first find a plan for the downtown. We need to decide what it is we need to do, and then we should act on that. So, I’m not necessarily for or against more development. I think that the jury’s still out on what’s appropriate to do in that regard.

Q: What do you think of the new storm water management program in which the village pays a large percentage of the cost to install storm sewers?

A: The sharing arrangements I’ve seen in other communities were not nearly as generous as the one that’s been adopted in this community, and it places too large a financial burden on the village of Glenview.

Q: What should village policy be regarding eminent domain and downtown growth?

A: We should consider all other alternatives first. If you find that’s the only way you can achieve the broader objectives of the village, then you have to factor in the needs of those who will be directly affected by the eminent domain action.

Q: Are you in favor of commission review?

A: I’m willing to consider a commission review with the objective of weeding out those which might be either unnecessary or ineffective. I’m also willing to consider adding others where we find that there is a valid requirement, but I do not want to add commissions just for the sake of adding commissions. We need to make sure that we have a streamlined bureaucracy here so we can act prudently and effectively in governing the village.

Q: Do you favor increased density through multi-family housing?

A: I think issues of density have to be addressed within the context of a specific project that’s being proposed.

Q: What can the village do to alleviate traffic problems?

A: This is a tough one. There are many roads here that we don’t have jurisdiction over, but we can work with county and state agencies, letting them know what our needs are and that improvements are needed. It’s also important to work with neighboring communities to see that they do their share, for example, in widening Willow east of Waukegan.

Q: Where should a new library be located?

A: I simply need to understand what the objectives are, what the program proposal is, before I can assess whether it’s appropriate to support a new facility. With respect to where it’s located, I’m a strong advocate that major generators of traffic of that sort need to be maintained in the downtown if there’s any possible way that can be done.

Check your voter registration card as some of your will cast ballots in new places on April 1.

Maine Township Precinct 1 - Ladendorf Park - 2541 Harrison Rd.

Northfield Township Precinct 4 - Glen Grove School - 3900 Glenview Rd.

Northfield Township Precinct 11 - Holy Trinity Lutheran Church - 2328 Central

Northfield Township Precinct 66 - Cole Park - 1031 Kenilworth

Northfield Township Precinct 57 and 77 - St. Philip Lutheran Church - 1609 Pfingsten

Northfield Township Precinct 58 - Underwriters Laboratories - 333 Pfingsten - Building 6

For details, visit www.voterinfonet.com.

From across the Atlantic one of our British readers, Barry Gardner, thinks we should add cameras: "I have enjoyed reading of the antics of the trustees. It reminds me of my own council of which I am a member. Perhaps you could extend your coverage by using video. Then we could watch the show."

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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