ANY COLOR AS LONG AS IT'S RED

After nearly 3 hours of discussion last Thursday night, the Glenview Park District Board voted to paint the Wagner Farm barn red. This despite overwhelming testimony in support of using a clear stain. The vote was 5 - 0 to paint. Absent from the meeting were Commissioners Doug Kaiser and Judy Beck.

Citizens Organized for Wagners (C.O.W.S), a community group that campaigned to preserve the farm, expressed disappointment. “We thought you shared our vision” C.O.W.S board member Biff Thiele told the board. The group had proposed retaining the barn's natural, weathered look, treating the wood with a clear protective stain.

C.O.W.S VP Norma Morrison said she had spoken to a technical expert at Cabot - a premium wood care company. She was told that their deep penetrating stains provide superior protection from sun and water damage and are specifically created to weather slowly over time without cracking, peeling or blistering. Cabot said this is not true of paint.

A recognized expert on historic barns, Nancy Burgess, had also written to Morrison, making the case for stain instead of paint. Among Burgess’ comments “The only time that real paint (for aesthetic purposes) was used on barns was during the days of the gentlemen farmers. These were the wealthy industrialists who played farmer on the weekends... The Wagner farm does not fall under this category. The use of new paint on old barns is very taboo among true preservationists, unless the barn has already been maintained continuously. Wood that has been allowed to age naturally, should not be altered. In fact, really the best recommendation, if you must do anything, is to paint the wood with linseed oil. This adds moisture and preservative to the wood.”

Finally, Glenview resident Richard Feit presented the Park Board with a study conducted at the US Forest Products Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin, showing that that stains preserve wood, while paints only cover the surface. Feit is the CEO of a company which specializes in scientific paint and stain analysis.

Farm Director Todd Price claimed paint would be far cheaper than stain, but C.O.W.S has said it would pay the full cost of staining the barn.

More than 50 members of the public attended. Several residents spoke and C.O.W.S presented petitions bearing more than 800 signatures in support of using stain to preserve the historic barn. While members of the Park Board said the issue should not have been an emotional one, many residents left the room in tears.

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

While we had hoped to take a few weeks off in July, the press of park district and village news prompts us to write once more.  Our next edition will appear August 10.  In the mean time, you'll find the Glenview Announcements, Northbrook Star, Wilmette Life and other suburban newspapers online at www.pioneerlocal.com. 

Without formal notice to the public, the Glenview Village Board considered a rush request from the manager’s office to pass an ordinance that would allow Galyan’s, a sporting good store set to open at The Glen this fall, to sell firearms.

"One of the specialities of Galyan’s is their Field and Stream Department," said Village Attorney Jeff Randall. "This ordinance would license Galyan’s in the sale of shotguns and rifles, euphemistically called ‘long guns.’ They would not be allowed to sell handguns."

The proposition provoked protest from Trustee Mike Guinane, who noted that Cook County’s law would prevail if Glenview chose not to enact the ordinance Randall had written. The county bars sale of guns and ammunition within one mile of a school or park.

"Galyan’s is two blocks from the new Attea Middle School and across from a park," said Guinane. "I have a real problem with selling rifles and shotguns and ammunition that close." He recalled the tragedy at Columbine High School in Colorado and wondered, "Do we need weapons and ammunition to be sold this close to a school and a park?"

Guinane thought the issue should have been raised more than a year ago when Galyan’s announced plans to locate at The Glen. Instead, he said, the trustees learned about this controversial question on the Friday before Tuesday’s board meeting and received a memo about it from Randall on Monday.

"That certainly may be the way you feel," said Village President Larry Carlson. Taking the gun seller’s view, he speculated that since there are very few places in Cook County that are not within a mile of a school or a park, the county’s prohibition is "a way to effectively disenfranchise those sporting goods stores."

Randall added that home rule municipalities like Glenview have the right to pass their own ordinances licensing firearm dealers. "We did run this by the Glenview police department, and they are in agreement with the provisions of the ordinance that you have before you," he said.

"This body is elected to decide whether or not we should allow the sale of rifles and shotguns two blocks from a school or park," Guinane replied. "I can’t support that."

Trustee Kerry Cummings wanted proof that firearm sales were important to Galyan’s before taking a final vote on the issue. She pointed out that the sporting goods store "is an important anchor" at The Glen Town Center.

That’s when the village attorney began a more aggressive defense of Galyan’s plans. Without a request from the village president or any member of the board, Jeff Randall invited Galyan’s Regional Vice President Jim Lane to come forward and answer a few questions.

"Can you respond to Trustee Cummings’ question?" asked Randall.

"We have five stores total – in Schaumburg, Lombard, Geneva, Orland Park and Niles," said Lane. "In all of those with the exception of Orland Park we sell firearms. We do not sell handguns in Niles and Schaumburg."

Randall then noted that the store had won praise from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. "They stated that Galyan’s had exemplary firearm sales practices. Can you elaborate on that please?" he asked Lane.

The manager explained that his store had done a good job of handling the paperwork designed to prevent illegal sales of firearms. "There have been no issues – zero violations and zero incidents in the city of Chicago since we opened our first store in October of 1998," he said.

Randall asked Lane to describe Galyan’s practices in selling firearms.

"That’s a great question," said Lane. "We do pride ourselves in the safety and security of our stores. We’re very upscale – sometimes referred to as the Nordstrom’s of sporting goods. We sell a very high-end product. We have a very high-end safety and security process that goes beyond anything that local or federal governments require. You have to be 21 to work in the department. We supply trigger locks free of charge with every firearm that leaves our store. Most of the firearms are disassembled when delivered to a customer, and statistically there is nothing that would show that a firearm is purchased, and then someone walks across the parking lot in a violent manner."

Randall asked where the Field and Stream Department was located. "Great question!" replied Lane. Hunting, fishing, skiing and marine are on the second floor of the chain’s two-story buildings.

"Are guns generally sold in the back of the Field and Stream Department?" Randall inquired.

"The firearms are in the back corner of the store," Lane replied, adding that they take up less than 500 square feet. "It’s relatively small, but it does support the brand integrity of our business. We’re a sports and outdoor adventure store offering everything from soup to nuts – whether you’re a runner, whether you’re a climber, whether you’re a pheasant hunter or an upland game hunter."

Guinane wondered how strong firearm sales were. Lane said they amounted to less than five percent of a store’s sales on average.

Guinane then asked why Galyan’s in Orland Park does not sell guns. The executive said his company had agreed not to offer firearms because the store in that community sits right next door to an elementary school. "We are probably not more than 150 feet away from the playground," Lane explained.

"So it’s 150 feet in Orland Park versus two blocks in Glenview," said Guinane.

"Correct," said Lane. "So where do you draw the line?"

"Exactly," said Guinane. "We have to think of the safety and the health of our children."

Randall then prompted the Galyan’s executive to provide a long list of parks, schools and hospitals near its Chicago area stores. He added that nationally, many Galyan’s are in shopping centers filled with families.

"I look at guns, and I think every person who has a child has an obligation to teach their kids how to swim," said Trustee Jim Patterson. "If you have a kid, you have to go out and teach them how to swim. In a pool, in a lake, whatever. They have to learn how to swim. Believe it or not, I also believe that you have an obligation to teach them about firearms. I took my kids to a firing range a couple of years ago when they were little kids, and the reason I took them there is I want them to know and understand guns, the risk, and what that is. I want them to understand it in a controlled environment where they have head phones, where they can get close to [guns], understand them, pull the trigger – where they understand the power and they’re not learning about a gun in someone else’s environment, and I think that’s an obligation we all have," he concluded – his voice rising with emotion. "I mean guns are a fact of life. It’s part of the American way. Now whether the kid at Columbine came from a block away or five miles away, I don’t think that has any bearing on it. Someone’s gonna’ do that. They’re nuts. You can’t predict that."

Patterson said affluent people "have a tendency to buy long guns, because they have the ability to pay for a trip to Montana to go hunting. I believe that in this location long guns would probably be a significant portion of their business."

He speculated the odds of someone buying a gun at Galyan’s and using it in Glenview were one in a million. "You know there was a marksman’s shop on Waukegan Road for years. We never had any issues with that," he concluded.

Editor’s note: How quickly we forget. On May 20, 1988, Laurie Dann legally purchased three handguns at that very store, then shot five children in Winnetka, killing one. Later, she wounded a neighbor and killed herself. Galyan’s does not plan to sell handguns in Glenview, but it should be noted that one of the perpetrators of the Columbine massacre used a semi-automatic rifle like the ones sold at Galyan’s. Ten years later an Oregon man used another long gun available at Galyan’s to kill his parents, then shoot up his high school, killing two more people and wounding 25. Also in May, 1998 a Tennessee teen opened fire with a rifle at Lincoln County High School, killing a classmate.

Trustee Jeff Lerner argued that statistically the issuing of liquor licenses at The Glen posed a greater public danger than the issuing of a license to sell firearms. "These children at the school are more likely to be hit by a drunk driver than by somebody buying a gun and walking across the parking lot."

Trustee Cummings thought the public should have an opportunity to speak on the issue and asked that two votes be required for approval of the license. Five of the six board members then gave Galyan’s preliminary approval to sell long guns at its Glen store. Only Trustee Guinane opposed the idea. A second vote is set for August 5 during the board’s regular meeting. It begins at 7:30 p.m. on the ground floor of Village Hall and can be seen on cable channel 17.

Editor’s note: We are stunned that the village of Glenview did not notify the public about this controversial matter. We are also disturbed to see the village attorney acting as an advocate for Galyan's at Tuesday's meeting.

While it can clearly be argued that proximity of a firearms dealer to a school or park does not increase the odds of a shooting there, the symbolism is powerful. Some in Glenview may feel that, as a matter of principle, we should not permit the sale of deadly weapons at all. Most particularly, we do not want to put our children or any other community’s kids at risk even if the odds are one in a million.

We are troubled that some trustees view this as a matter of economics -- that it’s okay to sell guns to people as long as they’re wealthy enough to afford them. Look no further than the Laurie Dann case or to Columbine for proof that wealthy people are afflicted by mental disorders that can lead to violence and tragedy.

Once again, we fear Glenview is being held hostage by fears of retail failure at The Glen Town Center. If we don’t allow Galyan’s to sell deadly weapons will "the Nordstrom’s of sporting goods" locate somewhere else, putting other tenant leases in jeopardy? Will our schools face terrible financial troubles because this community has not given carte blanche to merchants? We hope the village manager will not be singing that tired song on August 5.

We also object to the way this matter was brought to the board – quietly, at the end of the meeting when fewer people might be watching on cable. It was clear that Attorney Randall and Galyan’s were prepared for a possible fight, but the public got no advance warning, and the trustees had little time to consult their constituents.

This is not the first time our village manager has failed to inform the public, moving quickly to ram through controversial initiatives or dispose of bad news. In October, 2000 Glen Redevelopment Director Don Owen appeared after midnight, when most cable viewers had surely gone to bed, to tell a tired village board that contractors were ready to build the next leg of Patriot Boulevard, but the soil was "unsuitable" – too soft and wet for quality road construction. Had he known sooner, Owen said, it might have been possible to dry and compact the dirt, but now, with rain falling and the clock ticking on construction season, the village would have to spend $260,000 to remove unsuitable soil and truck in clay.

We still remember how the manager’s office tiptoed around EPA charges that Glenview failed to protect construction sites at The Glen from erosion, allowing significant amounts of soil to wash into the Chicago River. Faced with a the prospect of large fines, the administration finally fessed up, but several trustees said they were not shown the 10-page complaint, sent to them in June 2000, until November 2000.

We are relieved that the board decided to hold off on this decision so the public could have its say, and we urge readers who are concerned about gun sales in Glenview to e-mail their elected representatives. You can write individually, or include all of the following e-mail addresses, separated by commas, in the address box of your e-mail:

LarryVillage@aol.com

Cummingsclan@ameritech.net,

mbdenefetrustee@aol.com,

JLE5715104@aol.com,

Trustee Mike Guinane does not have a public e-mail address, but he can be reached at 847-724-1732.

COWS BELLOW OVER PLANS TO PAINT THE BARN

A citizens' group that fought to preserve Wagner Farm is now fighting to prevent the park district from painting the barn red. Earlier this year, the district's Historic Building and Grounds Committee recommended the barn be painted green with white stripes since some boards on the barn bear traces of green and white paint. On the other hand, the committee said red paint could be used if the district wants to create a generic representation of what many barns in this region looked like in the early part of the 20th century.

That idea appealed to the museum committee -- Commissioners John Winand, M.J. Coulson and staffer Bob Quill – who will recommend it to the full park board at its monthly meeting Thursday, July 17 in Park Center.

Citizens Organized for WagnerS (COWS) has argued that a clear, protective stain should be used to preserve the barn's weathered look, and in a survey of 600 people on its mailing list, the group found 87 percent in favor of that approach. COWS has also amassed more than 800 signatures on petitions calling for use of a clear stain. "Once a coat of red paint covers that structure, it will not be the same barn that Glenview taxpayers voted to preserve," says COWS board member Biff Thiele.

Earlier, COWS sent a letter to Commissioners Winand and Coulson. "The Wagner barn was painted only once in 1936," the group wrote. "This paint wore off, and from the mid-40's through today it has been weathered. It is this look that many Glenview residents voted to save."
COWS also points out that a committee of 70 citizens established in 2001 to guide changes at the farm issued a master plan. In that document, they reported a "strong desire to retain the barn as is."

Commissioner Doug Kaiser says the situation is not that simple, since as much as 40 percent of the barn's wood is rotting and may need to be replaced. Even using old wood from other barns, he fears the building will have an uneven look that might necessitate paint. Kaiser added that the board would choose a shade of red "that looks old. It wouldn't be fire engine red."

Commissioner Judy Beck said she was open to using paint or a clear stain but would make her decision based, in part, on what material will do the best job in protecting the wood.

Parks President Chris Warren said he's looking forward to an evening of presentations and debate when the board considers this issue, but he hopes the panel can reach a resolution on what to do. "We've put this off for almost two years," he explains.

Kaiser agrees. "The barn ain't getting any younger," he joked.

COWS feels so strongly about the issue that it has voted to pay for replacement of rotting boards and application of the protective stain. The group is urging residents to share their views by writing to a special e-mailbox – DontPaintOurBarn@aol.com.

Also on the agenda Thursday, discussion of plans to install a $2,000 windmill at the farm to demonstrate how farmers got water to their cattle before electric power made pumping easy. Critics say there was never a windmill at Wagner Farm, perhaps because it's so close to the Chicago River and has its own spring. What's more, they note the model in question is purely decorative. "Wagner Farm does not need to be gussied up that way," said Morrison. "The farm is real. The barn is real. The cows are real, and the chickens lay real eggs. I object to placing a phony windmill on our very real farm."

Editor's note: Wagner Farm is unique. It has its own history and its own look. There is no compelling reason to change its identity by covering it with a coat of paint. There is a good supply of weathered barn wood on the market in Illinois that is similar in appearance to what we see at Wagner. It could be used to replace any rotting boards. What's more, COWS has provided documents to the park board confirming that an oil-based stain would be just as effective as paint in protecting the wood from moisture, while allowing the barn to keep its historic look.

If Wagner Farm were an empty field, it might make sense to build something representative of farms in this region at the turn of the century, but that is not the case. This particular farm is what Glenview voted to preserve, and preservation does not mean covering the beauty of something old and natural with paint. In fairness to hundreds of people who feel passionately about this matter, the cash-strapped park district should give the weathered look a try, accepting COWS' offer to pay for this project.

We hope that park board members will recognize their obligation to act in response to community wishes, putting aside a desire to dominate in favor of a desire to serve. Some commissioners have argued that COWS does not represent all of Glenview and have gone so far as to say that many residents prefer a red barn. They present no survey to support that claim, and in any event it is a weak argument. If the park district were building soccer fields, it would be consulting the parents of kids who play soccer. If it were to change the senior center, it would be most concerned with the views of seniors. In the case of Wagner Farm, the park board must recognize that the leaders and members of COWS have tremendous love for that property and tremendous sweat equity in it. Their wishes should count for a lot in the debate that takes place on Thursday.

PLAN COMMISSION IS UNANIMOUS IN SUPPORT OF STEAK ‘N SHAKE

Last year, members of the village board sent Steak ‘N Shake packing when the trustees refused to permit the burger chain to have a drive-thru at its proposed location in front of Kohl's on Willow Road. In April, Glenview elected three new board members, and last week the Indianapolis-based company returned to ask for an okay from the plan commission before paying a visit to the trustees.

Steak ‘N Shake's new plan was much like the old one, using brown brick similar to Target and Kohl's along with its signature black and white awning and a drive thru window. More landscaping was added, and at the insistence of Commissioner Linda Witt, the company agreed to scale back on parking. Instead of building 58 spaces it will make do with 57 and provide a little more green space for the shopping center.

HOME DAYCARE CENTERS MAY GET MORE KIDS

The commission also reviewed an old ordinance that restricted daycare homes to just 8 children. State regulations permit up to 16 if the house is large enough, but limits are placed on the number of babies and young children at any one center and require at least two adult employees. Glenview has just 12 certified daycare centers – all regulated by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. One local operator had requested that the village accept state law rather than having its own rules governing home day care, but the plan commission felt traffic and noise could become issues for neighbors and voted to allow only 12 children at any particular home. The matter now goes to the village board for a final vote.

BUSINESS WATCHING

Two new restaurants headed for The Glen have applied for liquor licenses. Noodles & Company, a Boulder, Colorado-based chain with 53 locations in that state, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Washington, D.C., describes itself as a "quick, casual restaurant serving global noodle dishes, salads, soups, fountain drinks, beer and wine."

El Jardin, a Wrigleyville restaurant serving Chicago for 37 years, features Mexican fare.

VILLAGE BOARD PREVIEW

At their first meeting of the month, Glenview's trustees will consider final site plan approval for the next phase of James home construction at The Glen. The developer plans to add 40 more houses to the Southgate subdivision, northwest of the main street – Independence Boulevard.

The trustees will also consider:

– Regulation of signs in the windows of Glenview businesses.

– Creation of a Natural Resources Commission with five voting members and a high school or college student. The panel would advise the village board on protection and improvement of Gallery Park, the Techny Basin and Air Station Prairie while deciding any appeals of staff decisions involving Glenview's tree ordinance.

– Installation of portable classrooms at Pleasant Ridge School.

– An ordinance requiring demolition of buildings under construction but not completed in two years. Village Manager Paul McCarthy says such properties can be unsightly and unsafe.

– Final site plan approval for five new homes on a 3.7 acre site at 1212 and 1220 Greenwood.

SCHOOLS CELEBRATE DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS

The pace of development in Glenview has quickened – even outside The Glen – and School District 34 is excited. Instead of the $835,000 debt the district expected to run, it ended the 2002-2003 year with an extra $700,000. Superintendent Dot Weber gives some credit to cost-saving measures for this year's success, but Bob Vicenti, the district's executive director of operational services, cites other factors. He told the Glenview Announcements that the village had been averaging $25 million in new construction over the past few years, but about $50 million worth of new properties came on line in 2002. What's more, developers paid one-time impact fees of about $350,000, and a change in the formula used to calculate make-whole payments from The Glen meant additional dollars. Finally, he explains that the district overestimated certain expenses. Looking ahead to 2003-2004, Vicenti believes Glenview will have to spend reserves to pay some bills.

Editor's note: The Announcements did not mention that because new homes mean more children in the schools, District 34 will have to provide more services, so all this new development could be a wash financially. What's more the extra dollars from impact fees can only be used for capital spending – building new facilities – and not for on-going operations. Still, that money is welcome, and it comes courtesy of the candidates who were not endorsed by the newspaper – Donna Pappo, John Crawford and Rachel Cook. Without Pappo's persistence on this issue and the backing of Crawford and Cook, Glenview would still be charging developers a small fraction of what neighboring communities collect in impact fees.

THE GREEN SCENE

– Watch Editor Sandy Hausman reports on the amazing revival of a rare Rocky Mountain toad the week of July 20 during NPR's Living on Earth.  Visit www.loe.org to listen.

– Get ready for controversy as the federal government prepares to lift the ban on killing Canada geese and destroying their eggs. State wildlife officials are desperate for ways to control the population of this protected species. Experts estimate there are more than 80,000 Canada geese in
Illinois and about 3 million nationwide. They have flourished in areas like ours where grassy subdivisions, parks, golf courses and detention ponds are prevalent. Several large land owners, including the Glenview Park District employ aggressive animals like dogs or swans to chase the geese away. (Thriving local businesses include Linda's Goose Patrol and Knox Swan and Dog.) It's illegal to kill the big birds or to destroy their eggs without a special permit.

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS

– Deerfield has approved new limits on the bulk and size of replacement homes built after tearing down smaller properties. The number of teardowns in Deerfield grew from five to 32 over a five year period. One woman told the village board that she's now surrounded by enormous new houses that make her home "look ridiculous." Opponents of the change said they found the newer homes attractive and better suited to the needs of today's families.

– Wilmette may join Skokie in banning smoking at all local restaurants. A public hearing on that issue is set for July 28. Officials say a change would probably not be made until autumn. Under an ordinance proposed by the Wilmette Health Department, violators could face fines of $50 - $500. Wilmette's chamber of commerce opposes a ban.

– Maine Township is collecting donations for its food pantry: canned goods, coffee, dry cereal, pasta, sauces and dry mixes can be dropped off at 1700 Ballard Road in Park Ridge. For more information, call 847-297-2510.

– Residents of Maine Township can also get a free water alarm to help prevent flood damage. Call 847-297-5911.

– The school board for Park Ridge Elementary District 64 says it may go along with a tax increment financing plan that would generate up to $75 million to relocate the central pumping station and reservoirs, build new roads and a parking structure, but education advocates want a bigger share of the tax dollars that will flow into the TIF fund.

SAVE THE DATE

– West Nile Virus is the topic of a free lecture at Glenview's public library Tuesday, July 15 at 7 p.m. The featured speaker is Andy Novinger of the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District. To register, call the information desk at 847-729-7500, extension 112.

– Public hearings on new swimming pools for residents of the Glenview Park District will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, August 12 and a 10 a.m. Saturday, August 16 in the Schram Memorial Museum (the old Navy chapel) at the corner of Patriot and Chestnut. In the mean time, you can see detailed drawings of what is planned and take part in a survey by visiting the lobby of Park Center.

ON THE BEAT

– A 13-year-old who allegedly called police from a pay phone at the White Hen Pantry on Glenview Road to say the Glenview State Bank was being robbed was sent to juvenile court for filing a false report.

– An unhappy commuter returned to The Glen of North Glenview station to find someone had stolen the seat off his bike, while an entire bicycle disappeared from the bike rack in Rugen Park. Also stolen from the Springman parking lot on July 4th, a Jaguar hood ornament valued at $500.

– Police say it was a tough week at local construction sites. Power tools and plumbing materials worth more than $3,600 disappeared from a home on Culver, and a $3,000 cement mixer vanished from a construction site on Linden Lane.

– Even donuts are not safe on the mean streets of Glenview. The driver of a Krispy Kreme truck said his vehicle was set on fire by a smoke bomb thrown while he made a delivery at the Jewel on Waukegan Road. Meanwhile, an employee of Dunkin' Donuts handed $600 to an armed robber who – according to the worker – weighed more than 200 pounds.

READERS WRITE

JLo wants us to know that, contrary to our coverage, at least one neighborhood did take part in the Fourth of July parade: "Sorry to correct you, but Henley Street had a great float--all about tradition. It even cited walking to the golf course to watch fireworks as one of the better ones. Unfortunately, signs put up to protest a possible move of the Twilight Show to The Glen next year were missing by the time most people arrived at the golf course. Still, protestors passed out information to the public, and many people agreed – there is more to Glenview than The Glen."

CB was pleased to have actors from Logan Square's Redmoon Theater in our parade: "I have to tell you, I'm one of those few people who is aware of Redmoon Theater and was truly delighted to see them in our parade! They are absolutely wonderful and so creative! I thought it was one of the highlights of the festivities!"

Stephen J. Schneider agrees with a reader who said right turns should not be permitted at Glenview and Harms roads because so many bikers and pedestrians use the area. He calls it a "disaster waiting to happen. The intersection of Golf and Harms, where the riding stable is located, is even worse. We runners, bikers, and joggers literally have to beg drivers not to hit us. Motorists constantly blow-off the ‘No Turn on Red' signs, and I've never once seen a squad car patrolling this very busy area."

Maggie Peterson shared the note she sent to Glenview's park board members on painting Wagner barn: "The 1998 referendum said ‘preserve' Wagner Farm. The Steering Committee consensus in 2001 said ‘strong desire to retain barn as is.' This year, a survey by COWS shows an 87 percent response in favor of clear-staining the barn. A petition being circulated has over 800 signatures in favor of clear-staining the barn, and COWS has offered to pay for the entire job. My question: Why has the Museum Committee overridden all of that and decided to paint the barn red? I would be very disillusioned to discover that Glenview residents have no say in matters such as how this historic structure that residents fought to preserve will be maintained by a group of board members who were elected to represent the desires of Glenview residents."

Kathy Schulte was thrilled to hear that Steak ‘N Shake still wants to build on Willow Road: "If Glenview repels Steak ‘N Shake for any reason, they are dumber than dumb. The drive- thru excuse was thin, and the exterior design/color/architecture excuse was weak. I am dumbfounded to see an IHOP where Steak ‘N Shake should have been. I would be interested to know how business is at IHOP. I would actually cook before I would go there. Register my vote for Steak ‘N Shake! And just for the record, it should have a drive-thru, but we'll take it without one."

James Hill is pleased with the performance of Glenview's library board "I applaud the trustees for the development and execution of a well-structured approach to building a new facility. While there is no lack of carping by a gadfly element as to some of the critical conclusions reached thus far by the board, the trustees have proceeded in a manner which has been both methodical and inclusive. Others have offered anecdotes and opinions as to either the optimum location for or the size of a new library. The board has based its findings on the research of experts. Critics who second guess every move of the board have become petty and exceedingly tiresome. It is high time library users and Glenview taxpayers throw their full support behind the trustees and help them move forward with this critically important project. We should be ashamed that enterprises completely tangential to the essential character of the village like a Target store, another Dominick's or a Home Depot, appear almost overnight while the promise of the most important of our community assets -- a new library -- remains unrealized."

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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