Village planners are trying to figure out what kind of regulations might be needed to prevent problems at a new Internet gaming facility. Two Glenview residents propose to lease space at the Olympic Shopping Center across from Glenview’s public library and make 25 desktop computers available for kids who want to compete against other Internet users around the world in a variety of games.

Asked why young people would spend money to play such games in public when they could save money by playing at home, one of the applicants explained that competing in the presence of a group made the competition much more exciting. "Humans want to share their victories and losses," he said. "If the child is in front of his own personal computer at home, there’s no way of sharing those feelings with anyone." He added that a central place for gaming would make tournaments possible.

The businessmen, both immigrants from the former Soviet Union, said they would not allow kids to play unless they had a parent’s permission, and they pledged to use filtering software to keep young people from visiting adult websites. "We didn’t come to this country with criminal intent towards anyone," said one of the petitioners. "We want to succeed with our business, but we wouldn’t think of doing something that’s not appropriate from a legal standpoint."

Commissioner Linda Witt said her son has patronized many such places. "I have a lot of concerns about safety and monitoring," she added. "Are you willing to have a security guard there at night? You’re going to have groups of people standing around outside."

The businessmen said they saw no need for a security guard, since they would limit access to their facility to people with parental permission. They felt loitering outside was a problem that could be addressed by police.

Commissioner DiMattina worried about crowd control. One of the businessmen did some quick calculations – then said no more than 63 people would be permitted inside. DiMattina again raised the question of people waiting outside and wanted to know about time limits for those who were playing, but Chairman Silver smelled trouble.

He did not want to include such details in a public ordinance. Rather than gear the rules to this particular business, he proposed passing a broader regulation. "We need to determine if an Internet café is appropriate for the village. We need to define it and establish conditions or restrictions, decide whether it would be allowed automatically under village ordinance or require a special permit (conditional use), and finally he charged the commission with deciding where in Glenview such businesses could operate.

Commissioner Gary Wendt thought the proposed business should be viewed in the same light as bowling alleys, pool halls and arcades – establishments already regulated under local code.

Commissioner Peter Brinckerhoff said he, too, would like to avoid "more legislation. . .We’re creating far too many regulations in the village." He thought a business like the one being proposed should be allowed and speculated that ordinances already on the books might suffice to control many of the problems that could arise.

Commissioner Steve Bucklin concurred. "This is a place for kids to gather. When I was young we gathered at the arcade and played pinball machines. It really comes down to whether we’re going to allow another place for kids. Kids are already gathering at pizza parlors, batting cages, malls. There are laws that protect the public, and I don’t want to create more regulations for this particular thing, because next year we’re going to have something else. I don’t want to regulate Internet use and filters and all that stuff."

Chairman Silver acknowledged a staff report on gang activity at a similar business in Los Angeles but said Glenview was not LA. "We don’t live in Camelot, but the reality of it is that the kids who are hanging around Viccino’s or the dairy bar, there’s not really any problems. If this is another place for them to go – these are places we need so you don’t have kids going out and doing other things."

"We try not to micro manage businesses," Silver continued. "We don’t tell Bredemann where it can do test drives." That remark prompted some whispering and a few laughs as the commission recalled that Village Hall had, in fact, told Bredemann not to drive through certain neighborhoods. "Okay, I take that one back," Silver said. "We don’t go inside the business and tell them how to sell, and I would hate to over regulate this one."

The commission then asked village staff to prepare a simple definition of an Internet arcade and language allowing operation of such a facility in the business districts of Glenview. Commissioners will consider that amendment to the zoning ordinance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 23 in the board room of Village Hall. Public comment will be invited.

COWS TO ASK VILLAGE PROTECTION FOR WAGNER FARM

Citizens Organized for WagnerS (COWS) has resigned itself to a red barn at Wagner Farm, having failed to persuade the park district board that the building should be covered with a clear, penetrating stain. The group hopes, however, to prevent future changes that ignore the history of the property. "It’s an important village asset that needs proper attention. We don’t feel the park district is giving it that attention," says COWS President Mark Steger in explaining that the group will apply for historic status under village ordinance.

Steger says his group will make the case before Glenview’s historic preservation commission at its next scheduled meeting -- 7:30 p.m. Monday, October 13. The public is welcome to attend and testify in support or opposition. If the commission feels the farm should be protected, it must recommend it to the village board by mid-November. If the village board agrees, any park district plans for the property would have to be reviewed by the historic preservation board.

Glenview’s library board will spend nearly $20,000 on a statistically reliable and geographically diverse telephone poll of 400 village residents, hoping to determine where they’d like to have a new library. Meanwhile, the village plans to spend another $3,000 printing and mailing survey forms to all 13,000 households in Glenview.

Village President Larry Carlson said he did not know what would happen if the two efforts produced different findings, and library board President Mark Grant told the Pioneer Press, "We’ll have to put our heads together and do what’s best."

The library board wants to build a 100,000-square-foot building, about twice the size of its current facility. Its poll will ask if residents prefer a site at The Glen or a site downtown – then inform respondents that the downtown location would be far more expensive. The library board has said a building at The Glen would cost $23 million while total costs to acquire land, demolish buildings and construct downtown could push the total to $36 million.

Critics say the best and cheapest option is to build a new post office elsewhere in Glenview, then expand the library at its current location, using the current post office site for parking. Only one library trustee – David Johnson – sees that as a viable option. The rest say a brand new building would better serve community needs.

THE STORY YOU WON’T READ IN THE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Morale appears to be slipping even lower at the Pioneer Press – parent company of the weekly Glenview Announcements and 49 other suburban papers – after the sudden resignation of Virginia Gerst, the well-respected restaurant critic who had been with the company for 27 years.

In a detailed story on the subject, the Chicago Reader explained that other newspaper reporters sometimes reviewed restaurants in Lake County because Gerst lived in downtown Chicago. That’s how it happened that Lake Forest reporter Lena Rayes-Ichkhan paid a visit to one establishment in Lincolnshire. Afterward, she gave the place a mixed review, describing one dish as "a busy mix that lacked eye appeal." She thought the ribs "tasted more fatty than meaty," and lamented that many other dishes were "run-of-the-mill." On the other hand, she praised the buffalo carpaccio as a "stand-out," said the oysters were "well presented," and the portions "sizable."

The review reportedly upset the restaurant’s president, who had stopped advertising in the Pioneer Press last spring – saving $30,000 a year. He said the ads weren’t working. After the review ran, a salesman from the Pioneer Press called to see if he might like to start advertising again. The unhappy restaurateur said no and added his complaint about the review.

Then came a call from Pioneer Press Publisher Larry Green. He apologized for the review and said another one would be done. Executive Editor Paul Sassone also got involved, sending a memo to Gerst in which he announced that reporters would no longer be allowed to do restaurant reviews. Gerst says Sassone reminded her that the newspaper was not in the business of bashing businesses.

In late August, the Reader says Gerst was told to run a new review of the restaurant in Lincolnshire – one written by the Pioneer Press’s manager of marketing services. Gerst said it was filled with exclamation points, and she had ethical problems with running a review written by someone in marketing. When the company insisted, Gerst resigned.

"For many years, the Pioneer Press was a wonderful place to work," she told the Reader, "but now it’s run like a little dictatorship. . .Quite often things were put on our desk that we were told to put in the paper."

Michael Minor, who wrote the Reader’s story, says that in 2002 publisher Larry Green told the editors of all 50 suburban papers, including the Glenview Announcements, that political endorsements could no longer be made on their own – that they would endorse the candidates recommended by top management downtown.

Last week, members of the newspaper guild, which has been trying to negotiate a contract since April 2002, set up a picket line outside Green’s house in Glencoe. Union members say the paper has cut its editorial staff by 24 percent over the last five years, providing less than one reporter for each community served by the Pioneer Press. For more on this story, visit http://www.chireader.com/hottype/2003/030905_1.html .

During a public hearing that drew about 50 people to Park Center, Director of Leisure Services Bob Quill announced plans for a new aquatic center at Flick Park would be scaled back. The five-pool complex would be nearly twice the size of the current swimming center and was expected to cost up to $15 million.

Many of those who testified urged the district to replace 40-year-old Flick Pool and 63-year-old Roosevelt Pool with modest new facilities, reducing the projected tax hike of about $50 a year on average. Others wanted pools elaborate enough to hold the attention of children, and Quill said he felt some obligation to build facilities that would please Glenview for years to come.

That view won backing from a Glen resident who said the community might not "need" such elaborate pools, "but we don’t need the senior center either. It’s wonderful, though, and I’m very happy to pay for that. We probably didn’t need a new school either. We could have relied on portable classrooms, but there’s a cost associated with living in a nice community," he said, adding that a decision about Flick should not be based on the views of pool neighbors alone.

Some Roosevelt area residents objected to a large concession stand proposed to serve both the pool and the park. Others urged the district not to expand parking at Roosevelt. They presented photos and testimony suggesting the lot is rarely full now.

Several residents complained about an informal survey the park board took over the summer. "There were groups of children filling out those surveys, checking, checking, checking, checking," recalled one woman. "What have you done to make sure your decisions are based on what taxpayers want and not children?" she asked.

Quill assured her the children’s surveys had been eliminated from a collection of more than 650 forms. Of those, the vast majority of residents liked what they saw, but Quill said the board’s decision would not be based solely on the survey.

A seventh grade student at Springman caught everyone’s attention when she noted another shortcoming of the poll. "The ballots asked, ‘Do you like this feature?’ It didn’t ask, ‘Would you like to pay for it.’"

Hannah Fidoten followed up with a series of interesting questions, demonstrating strong powers of observation and a keen mind. She asked, for example, why the district had failed to put the proposed pool designs on its website.

Watch Coeditor Dean Schott quipped that the young woman should be added to the ranks of park district consultants or be given a seat on the board. Schott also asked if Commissioner John Winand would insist on painting the new aquatic facilities red so they would look neat and tidy. The crowd laughed, but Winand scowled and shook his head. Quill assured Schott Glenview does not paint its pools red.

Many residents seemed confused about the process, fearing a simple vote by the park board would mean higher taxes. In fact, Quill explained, the matter would have to go to the voters – perhaps next spring. He predicted a decision on whether to sponsor a referendum before the end of the year and said construction of new pools could begin in the fall 2004 if voters approved a tax hike in March.

In the mean time, Quill said new designs would be created based on public input, and this time he promised those designs would be posted on the web, allowing more people to see and comment on them.

BANK MISDEED DISMISSED

Plan Commission Chairman Howard Silver asked Glenview Development Director Mary Bak to provide an update on Midwest Bank and Trust – a politically-connected institution that had won permission to remodel its building at the Glen Oak Shopping Center. Glenview construction magnate Angelo DiPaolo sits on the bank’s board and is a major stockholder. The shopping center is managed by former Village President Jim Smirles, a financial backer of the current village president and trustees, and the bank is managed by Steve Miles, who is married to the head of Glenview’s chamber of commerce.

Midwest had secured permission for remodeling from the plan commission, and because it did not intend to do new construction, the planners went easy on the bank – excusing it from making major changes that could have corrected traffic problems at the shopping center. Then, without consulting the commission, Midwest tore down the building, leaving only underground support structures in place.

Bak said she and the village attorney had researched the matter, reviewing plan commission minutes and a demolition permit issued by Village Hall. They concluded that the bank had not violated any ordinances, even though it did not do what it originally planned. Village Manager Paul McCarthy also sent a note explaining the circumstances that led to demolition. When the construction started, steel support beams were alleged to be in bad condition, unable to support the new building.

Several commissioners shook their heads in dismay. Peter Brinckerhoff suggested all future requests for remodeling would now have to be examined more carefully, and greater demands might be placed on developers planning rehabs. Joseph DiMattina pressed Bak about the original intent of the bank. She assured him Midwest did not plan to raze the building and would now build something consistent with the original rehab plans approved by the commission.

The Glenview Park District’s attorney went to the plan commission Tuesday, asking for a change in zoning for Wagner Farm. The property has long been zoned residential, but the district wanted it reclassified as public land used for recreational purposes.

Neighbor Rick Wendy worried that the way would now be clear for other uses of the property. He speculated, for example, that a soccer stadium could someday be built at Wagner Farm. Development Director Bak assured him that would not happen without public hearings. The park district’s lawyer, Sam Witwer, added that a stadium at Wagner Farm was unlikely. "I think it’s pretty clear that wouldn’t sell in Peoria," he said.

Another neighbor complained that while she lives close to Wagner Farm and the forest preserve – two public properties near the Chicago River -- there’s no easy way for her to reach the waterway. Because getting there from the Lake Avenue entrance to the forest preserve is tricky, she asked the park district or the village to arrange for public access through the new Wagner Estates subdivision across from the farm.

Chairman Silver told her that Wagner Estates had already been approved, so the commission could not ask the developers to do anything.

Margaret Tower then wondered if the public might get to the river from the farm’s parking lot, built and leased by the park district but owned by St. Peter and Paul’s Church. Development Director Mary Bak said that would not be legal without permission from the church.

Growing tired of questions not relevant to re-zoning of the farm, Chairman Silver tried to dismiss the woman, suggesting she call her Cook County commissioner, but Tower persisted. "I think it is a problem!" she said. "You mean we can’t work this out? The church won’t allow people? Are you going to arrest people who park their car there and go back to launch a canoe?"

Silver advised she talk to the church. "What you’re asking is beyond the power of this commission," he explained, adding that the village would be unlikely to use its powers of eminent domain to secure public access to the river.

Commissioner Peter Brinckerhoff then moved to approve the park district’s request. "Only if they agree not to paint the Wagner barn red," joked Chairman Silver. "Right," Brinckerhoff replied as the panel voted unanimously to change the zoning.

Editor’s note: Poor Mrs. Tower. She must have felt like Alice in Wonderland, falling through a rabbit hole while searching for the Chicago River. Her request was so logical. Thousands of communities have preserved public access to rivers, lakes or oceans, allowing those who enjoy nature to stroll between homes to reach the water, but Glenview is not so enlightened. During public hearings on Wagner Estates, the developer could have been pressured to provide public access. Sadly, it appears no member of the plan commission or village board thought to ask. What’s worse, in a community where the park district and the village are often at odds, there is still no coordinated planning that might connect the community’s open spaces, providing maximum access for wildlife and people. The new natural resources commission could take the lead on that mission, but like so many other good ideas, it has stalled on Village President Carlson’s desk. Applications for appointment have been sitting there for months, and only two people have been chosen: Air Station Prairie Steward Kent Fuller and Parks Commissioner Judy Beck. Carlson can be sure neither person will rock the boat. Fuller is a long-time political ally, and Beck is the ultimate inside gal. Despite claims that she is an environmentalist, she played no role in preserving the Air Station Prairie or Techny Basin, refused to propose an open space referendum because she feared it would fail and supported construction of an asphalt parking lot next to the river instead of exploring construction of a green or permeable lot.

Glenview’s County Commissioner Gregg Goslin has been appointed to chair a new forest preserve committee that will oversee construction projects. Goslin proposed the committee to make capital improvements, which cost the county $31 million each year, more efficient and economical.

Like to do research on the Internet? Learn more about the databases available through Glenview’s public library during a seminar at 7 p.m. Monday, September 15 in the Maynard Room. To sign up for this free program, call 729-7500 ext. 112 or register online: http://www.glenview.lib.il.us/programs.html .

The Democrats of Northfield Township hold their petition drive kickoff at 10 a.m. Saturday, September 20. Stop by party headquarters at 1926 Waukegan Road in Glenview (across from Jasper’s Restaurant) to pick up petitions for the re-election of State Representatives Elaine Nekritz and Karen May, State Senators Susan Garrett and Jeff Schoenberg and others. For details, call 998-1002. (The party urges its faithful to check out James Carville at www.democracycorps.com for some encouraging signs in national public opinion.)

The Rotary Club of Glenview-Sunrise holds its sixth annual one mile, 5K and 10K runs on September 21 starting from Hoffman School. For details, visit www.rotaryrun.com or call Howard Silver at 374-0660.

TS would like to work at The Glen and asks: "Do you know where to apply for all those jobs at the new shopping center?"

The Watch replies: "To our knowledge, there is no central recruiting effort. Jobs are being filled directly by each retailer or restaurant locating at The Glen. For a list of businesses, visit http://www.olivermcmillan.com/gtc and click on "tenants," then use the Internet to get phone numbers for each. If, for example, you would like to work at the sports store Galyans, go to www.google.com and type in Galyans."

Village Hall sends a construction update from The Glen: "Phase II of construction on Chestnut Avenue is scheduled to be completed in October. At least one lane of traffic will remain open during construction except during a two-week period commencing September 18th when METRA will reconstruct the railroad crossing. Various easements and utility agreements were not available during Phase I construction of Chestnut, which necessitated a two-phase process to complete the right-of-way. The three intersections adjacent to The Glen Town Center along Patriot Boulevard at the corners of West Lake Avenue, Navy Boulevard, and Chestnut Avenue will be completed by early October."

CL was upset by our story suggesting ceremonies at Village Hall mask the fact that important issues are not being discussed: "You explain how ceremonies honoring people who have served the village are a waste of village time. The police officers and firefighters put their lives on the line for the citizens of Glenview on a daily basis, asking nothing and in most cases getting nothing in return for the job they do. The village survives thanks to the efforts of the employees from the staff at Village Hall to the department of public works. These people are the reason the village of Glenview is so appealing to live in. These people in some cases will give 20 plus years to the village. To state that honoring them at a public meeting is an attempt by the village to minimize other matters is absurd! The private sector showers their employees with gifts and parties, whereas a municipal employee will be lucky if their co-workers put something together. I say lets ‘waste’ time at a board meeting each and every time. If nothing else, it lets citizens such as you know there are dedicated people working in the community you live in."

The Watch replies: We know that, CL, and have no problem with honoring public servants. We never referred to such ceremonies as a "waste," but we do think the board should also make time to discuss the pressing issues of a growing community. Take the police department for example. After five officers were promoted with great ceremony, we wondered if the department has adequate manpower given so many new residents moving to town? If not, then our officers and our citizens are endangered. After a new member was welcomed to the appearance commission, we wondered when Glenview might get a traffic and pedestrian safety panel? After a member of the natural resources commission took the oath, we thought of all that litter along the river – trash the village can’t seem to clean up. Wouldn't you think seven people who bothered to run for office would be doing more than swearing in commissioners and promoting police? Really --  where's the leadership? Our trustees don't initiate anything. They just pass whatever Village Manager Paul McCarthy puts in front of them and enjoy the ceremonies.

Debbie Botthof says it’s time to stop hunting goldfish at Roosevelt Pool: "I have read several comments from other Glenview residents concerning the annual goldfish hunt at Roosevelt Pool. I completely agree that this is an inhumane and cruel form of entertainment. Exactly what is it that this teaches our children? That as long as everyone's having a good time, it's okay to terrorize, harm and ultimately kill many of these creatures? As a volunteer at the Anti-Cruelty Society, it is wonderful to see groups of children taking tours, learning about how to treat animals with respect and compassion. All creatures, no matter how simple, deserve to be treated as more than toys for human amusement. Is anyone interested in really attempting to get the village to stop this event? Just because it's been going on for years doesn't make it right!"

And PP agrees with last week’s letter attacking the park district’s nine-hole golf course at The Glen: "It’s not a bad little glorified pitch and putt course, but for a cost of $4.1 million, I think it is a travesty. The park district had a perfectly fine 18-hole, fully watered tree-lined, established golf venue -- The Station Links -- that cost $2.1 million, stolen from the tax-paying citizens of Glenview and given to The Kemper Group so they could put up another over-priced show course for their profit. Thanks to the Jim Smirles gang – Nancy Firfer, Kent Fuller, et al.

But Karen defends the park district’s executive course: "The Glenview Golfers concerned about shared greens at the National 9's should be reminded that the old course at St. Andrews – the Mecca of golf – sports shared greens."

LN offers a simple assessment of Lake Avenue construction: "It is a mess!"

And Maureen Rowe has one last thought on the front yard garden of a family at Henley and Spruce: "Not only do I love this garden, I know and love the people who do the gardening. Please take a moment in your busy day while passing by to get to know them too. If you did, you would not only tolerate the garden, but appreciate the differences in the people around you. Keep an open mind and heart with your neighbors."

The Watch replies: We have met the Mossell family and could not agree more. They are active in their community and support preservation of open space. They are concerned about wildlife and the environment. In an age of so much pollution and destruction, we’re glad to have them in Glenview.

As summer draws to a close, Thomas R. Murphy – president of a local group called Unity Through Diversity – recalled our coverage of the annual Fourth of July parade and decided to set the record straight: "Though it has taken us some time to respond, we wanted you to know that we enjoyed your amusing comments in the July edition of the Watch regarding our participation in the village’s annual Independence Day parade. You rightly observed that our marchers and the banner they carried sparked smiles, though we’d venture to say that your interpretation of what prompted the smiles [that all the marchers were Caucasian] was your interpretation. In our experience, the approving smiles and applause we receive each year along the parade route are affirmations of our message that America’s diversity has been one of the chief ingredients in its success and, thus, is something especially appropriate to celebrate on America’s birthday. You focused your comments on our marching unit’s seeming lack of diversity. It’s true that their skin tones — which ranged from white to copper — represented only a small segment of the full spectrum of the human rainbow, but there are many more dimensions to human diversity than skin color! Are there not also ethnicity, religion, age, personality — to mention but a few? In all these important ways, our group was and is diverse."

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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