HIGH SCHOOL BOARD WEIGHS EXPULSION OF LACROSSE TEAM MEMBERS

Twenty-four members of Glenbrook South's lacrosse team have already served 10-day suspensions for taking part in an annual tradition – the paddling of new team members by veteran players.  The season has also been cancelled, costing students their chance to play. Now, the School District 225 board is set to decide whether the students should be expelled.

Officials accuse the students of hazing, substance abuse, assault and battery and gross disobedience during a party that took place at a student's house while his parents were away.  No one was seriously injured, but police say some were drinking.  Glenbrook's response has provoked an outcry from some parents who feel the district has overstepped its bounds. 

"The school should not govern what takes place in our homes," said one angry mother.  "In an effort to protect our students, it appears [the board is attempting] to ruin their lives.  The punishment of expulsion from GBS would be extreme.  They're kids, and they're not perfect."

Police say no charges will be filed.  The school board invites public comment on this question at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 12 in the District 225 administration building,1835 Landwehr Road.

You can also leave voicemail at 847-486-4400 for board members Carol Rogal (ext. 4782), Elias Matsakis (ext. 4784), Tom Shaer (ext. 4781), Donna Torf (ext. 4783) or Karen Long (ext. 4788). 

Meanwhile, 13 students from Glenbrook North have been barred from sports and other extra-curricular activities after police confirmed they were drinking alcohol at a party.  The event had no connection to a school organization, and those students are not expected to face any further punishment.

Editor's note: We were surprised to discover that District 225 does not provide e-mail addresses for board members.  Either the board does not want to hear from constituents on matters like these, or its members are hopelessly behind the times.  Either way, this failing is almost as embarrassing as the board's ridiculous quest to control all student behavior regardless of where it occurs. It was a mistake for District 225 to get involved with last year's powder puff fiasco, but having stepped in it last year, the district is doubly humiliated now. We fear the lacrosse players will pay an especially high price because the board was publicly embarrassed again. If anyone should be expelled, it's Superintendent Dave Hales – the architect of a policy that has the district policing teenagers everywhere.  It's time for residents to stand up and tell their elected officials that what happens off school grounds is simply not their business. Parents and police are fully capable of handling infractions that do not take place on campus, and our administrators and teachers have plenty to do on their own turf.

LIBRARY UNVEILS SKETCHES FOR NEW BUILDING

The Glenview Library Board has unveiled drawings for a new building at The Glen while posting a notice on its website rejecting a Glenview Road site proposed in the comprehensive plan.  The board says the land now occupied by Colonial Courts would provide too little parking, would not allow for future expansion and would be the most expensive site of 15 evaluated by the library board.

Instead, the panel wants to build a two-story, 98,000-square foot library on Patriot Road at The Glen.  Architectural sketches show 225 parking spaces, a meeting room that could accommodate 200 people, a 1,000-square-foot café, an informal reading room with double-sided fire place plus areas for children's books, adult fiction and periodicals on the first floor.  On the second floor, the new library would have administrative offices, a staff lounge, six small study rooms, a computer lab, reference room and space for non-fiction books.

The stone or brick building would have a metal roof, large windows and a rounded northeast corner.  Costs will be discussed at a public meeting in the library at 7 p.m. Monday, April 12.

BOGUS NUMBERS BOOST GLEN'S REPUTATION

Last week Crain's Chicago Business published a list of the area's top 25 shopping centers ranked by 2003 sales per square foot.  The numbers ranged from $654 at the chic downtown North Bridge mall to $301 at older malls in West Dundee and Bloomingdale. 

To the surprise of some retail experts, the new Glen Town Center ranked a respectable sixth with $450 per square foot – behind Old Orchard, which had sales of $490 per square foot but ahead of Northbrook Court at $425 per square foot.  In its e-mail to residents, the village was pleased to share these glad tidings, but Crain's reporter Marie Pospichal was preparing a correction.

The numbers were suspect for a variety of reasons.  First, they represented a full year's sales for every mall but The Glen, which was only open for eight weeks in 2003 – a  period that included the center's grand opening and holiday sales.  A trade expert says most malls record 30-50 percent of their annual sales in the fourth quarter. So while other malls had to factor in slower sales at other times of year, The Glen got a pass.

Weather could also have been a factor, with a mild December improving sales at outdoor malls like Old Orchard and The Glen.  Colder weather may favor indoor malls like Northbrook Court. 

Pospichal could not say whether restaurant and theater revenue were factored into her estimate at The Glen, and she wasn't sure whether the square footage used to calculate Northbrook numbers included public corridors and lobbies along with retail space. 

The Glen estimate did not include vacant space at the new mall, nor did it take Von Maur's sales into account.  The privately held department store chain refused to supply statistics and did not return a call from Glenview Watch.

SKUNKED BY VILLAGE HALL

When a certain Glenview resident – we'll call him George  –  discovered a family of skunks living under his front porch, he was dismayed and placed a call to Village Hall. Glenview has an animal control officer, but George was told the officer could only help if an animal bites, is sick or injured or has entered a home or office.

So George called an exterminator and was surprised to learn that the private animal control professional was spending much of his time trapping skunks in Glenview.  Recognizing a possible problem for the entire community, George – who is a thoughtful guy with a history of public service –  sent an e-mail to Village President Larry Carlson, suggesting that the trustees review local policy and consider skunk control a priority.  Carlson passed the note to Assistant Village Manager Al Stonitsch who replied with a two-page letter.

"You asked the village to review its animal control policy as it relates to the alleged skunk problem," Stonitsch wrote.  "I cannot respond to your pest control representative's claim that Glenview has a serious skunk problem, but I can certainly sympathize."

Stonitsch did not mention the fact that Glenview had opted to develop what may have been prime skunk habitat at The Glen.  Instead, he supposed, "One of the reasons Glenview might experience more skunks than some other municipalities is our adjacency to the Cook County Forest Preserves." (George lives near the intersection of Waukegan and Glenview roads, a long walk from any forest preserve.)

Stonitsch said George's situation did not qualify for active village assistance, but he promised a call from Animal Control Officer Judy Roseman who could provide advice and a list of licensed wildlife control services.

By now, George's own exterminator had trapped one skunk that weighed about 12 pounds.  George wondered why Stonitsch was calling this an "alleged" skunk problem.  Was Stonitsch calling him a liar? 

George fired off an e-mail to Stonitsch informing him that one skunk had been captured.  "Your letter was one of the most inane and childish responses you could have sent," he said.  "You spent no time investigating the ‘alleged' problem.  The tone of that statement is demeaning and condescending. . .I believe you have forgotten exactly who pays your salary. If one of my employees responded as you did, they would have been fired on the spot.  Next time you speak, check your facts.  I am owed an apology, and the village should look into the [skunk] situation."

George's wife had a chat with Officer Roseman, and afterward Stonitsch dashed off another e-mail.  "Based upon my discussions with the Chief of Police and Officer Roseman, this issue has been resolved to your wife's satisfaction.  I am glad that the Police Department was able to assist you," he wrote.

George replied that he was satisfied with Officer Roseman's performance but was still waiting for an apology from Stonitsch.  "Your job should be of great concern to you.  You should be easy to replace," he wrote.

Finally, an e-mail arrived from paulm@glenview.il.us.  George supposes it came from Village Manager Paul McCarthy who knew him from the years when George served on Glenview's plan commission.  As Glenview's top administrator, you might have expected McCarthy to play the diplomat – to diffuse what may have been a simple misunderstanding.  Surely Al Stonitsch did not intend to cast doubt on George's integrity when he used the words "alleged skunk problem."

Instead, McCarthy – who will retire at the end of June – let loose with a skunky verbal blast.

"All right, Georgie," said the e-mail.  "Enough is enough!  I have watched this abusive chain of e-mails without comment in the hope that you would have learned a little grace and charity over the years.  Unfortunately, it appears that you haven't.  Your style of insulting, scathing attacks on public servants whom you see as powerless needs to come to an end.  You've been doing this for years, and all it does is hurt your reputation. Al Stonitch [SIC] is a fine, dedicated, well educated, [SIC] man committed to public service both personally and professionally.  Lets [SIC] leave him alone. OK?  If you have further questions regarding skunks, take it up with Chief Fitzpatrick."

NORTH CIRCLES RESIDENTS SMELL A SEWER RAT

Residents of a small but prosperous neighborhood along the north branch of the Chicago River rejoiced when the village announced plans to install a new storm sewer system.  In October, they met with village officials to look over plans and were expecting construction crews this spring.  Instead, a three-page letter arrived from village engineer Ramesh Kanapareddy.  It described plans for "the proposed storm sewer and the necessary appurtenances," but informed  the North Circle neighbors that a revised cost estimate for the job was higher than the original projection. 

Kanapareddy detailed reasons for the higher price: "Your neighborhood drainage is unique," he began. "North Circles encompasses a large area, thereby increasing the length of the pipes. . .and the number of structures to join [them].  The previous approximate cost estimated was based on conceptual engineering drawing (not an in-depth drawing) for your area."

What's more, he said, village policies had changed, and residents would now have to pay for their own inlet or storm sewer stub.  Those issues aside, Kanapareddy said the village had a list of nine storm water projects.  The first two were included in this year's budget.  The rest – including the North Circles – would have to wait.

Editor's note: Maybe Glenview's new communications director should review all correspondence before they're sent to citizens.  Terms like "appurtenance" are a real puzzle.  And doesn't it seem odd that the folks who provided an original estimate for this job did not realize that long pipes would be needed to serve this large area?  In truth, the real problem may be one made famous by the Bush administration – promoting programs that sound terrific, then refusing to fully fund them.

DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS SHUT OUT OF DOWNTOWN PLANNING PROCESS

Angry that they were not included on a new commission appointed to plan the future of downtown Glenview, members of a new coalition are meeting and making plans of their own.  The Strategic Plan Coalition represents about 50 business and property owners. It has placed informational flyers in downtown stores calling on residents to support the "BEST" solution.  That acronym, short for Both Expand to Serve our Town, includes construction of a new post office at The Glen and expansion of the library at its current location.  By rehabbing the current library rather than building new, the group claims taxpayers will save $12-$15 million – even after fronting the money for a post office.

Given that lower cost to provide Glenview with a bigger library, advocates say the village would be free to provide adequate compensation to owners of the Epco paint store who are now fighting a village effort to take their property through eminent domain.

The downtown planning committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 15 at Village Hall to nail down its objectives.  The public is invited to attend.

COFFEE KLATCHES COMING UP?

Northbrook trustees have launched a new community outreach program – sitting down with  residents at area coffee shops to chat.  One of those who turned up for a meeting at Starbuck's was  Northbrook resident Janet Spector Bishop, who also happens to be communications director for the village of Glenview. Spector told the Northbrook Star that she was impressed.  "I think it worked," she said. "It's good to give people a new way to interact. I may add it to my bag of tricks."

The coffee klatches attracted supporters and opponents of downtown condemnation, according to Northbrook Star reporter Irv Leavitt.  While some residents favor using eminent domain to take private businesses and clear the way for new development, others oppose it, and everyone seemed to agree that what Deerfield, Arlington Heights and Highland Park had done was not right for Northbrook.  Resident Jim Arvites told Northbrook's village president that he feared three-story buildings lining the main street, causing congestion and parking problems.

While debate was heated, Leavitt observed that neither blood nor coffee was spilled.

SUMMER VACATION WITH BART

Bart the Bull and other Wagner Farm alumni now make their home at a sanctuary in Trego, Wisconsin at a farm founded to save unwanted creatures from slaughter.   Its founder, Susan Slater, has announced a new program for animal lovers – the chance to spend a week or more living at the Animal Rescue and Farm Sanctuary, getting to know residents and helping with chores.  For details, call Biff Thiele, co-founder of the Wagner Farm Rescue Fund at 312-998-0312 or e-mail gtouspl@aol.com.

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS 

– Winnetka is bracing for another brush with celebrity.  The North Shore community which featured prominently in the Hollywood hit Home Alone will be the backdrop for scenes in Oceans Twelve – a sequel to the hit movie Oceans Eleven.  Stars Julia Roberts and George Clooney are expected to be in Winnetka for filming on April 20 and 21.  Green Bay Road will be closed between Tower Road and Gage Street on April 20 to accommodate the movie makers.
For details, visit www.pioneerlocal.com and click on the Winnetka Talk and News.

– Northfield will give voters a choice on how to plug a $219,000 gap in next year's budget.  The community could add a $1 charge to residents' phone bills, hike the local sales tax by one-half of one percent or raise property taxes.  Northfield is also looking at ways to cut expenses and may join with other New Trier Township communities to create a joint dispatch service for fire and paramedics

– Fire has closed one of Winnetka's best known clothing stores. Trooping the Colour in Hubbard Woods has been in business for more than 50 years.  The blaze broke out after the store had closed on April 1.  No one was injured, but condos above the store had to be evacuated.  Officials estimate damage to the building and merchandise at about $300,000.  The store's owner plans to rebuild.

– A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to three years in prison for setting fires at Randhurst Shopping Center six months ago. 

– Evanston officials have set up a task force to clean up the downtown area after the public complained about overflowing trash cans and a possible rodent problem.

– Evanston may sell its current city hall on Ridge Avenue to a residential home developer and  build or buy a new civic center.  Experts have said it would cost at least $20 million to rehab the former Marywood Academy.  It's provided office space for Evanston since 1979.

– Riverwoods is drafting a new ordinance to limit the size of new homes built to replace teardowns.  Officials hope to protect the oak and hickory forests that gave the community its name.

– Wheeling will give a local developer $3 million to help with construction of five buildings in a complex of 240 condos.  Mark Smith had hoped for $10 million, but Glenview-based consultant Steve Friedman said that was too much money.  Smith says he'll take what he can get.
Wheeling may be saving its money for future development of a Westin Hotel complex that may demand significant public support.

LIBRARY LORE

The Glenview Public Library presents Kitchen & Bath Remodeling at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 13.  Learn about the planning process for kitchens and baths including costs, products, design options, timelines and the value added to your home from Glenview resident David McNulty.  He is a certified kitchen planner, interior designer and owner of Kitchen & Bath Creations.  Please sign up at the Information Desk, call 847-729-7500 ext.112 or online at http://www.glenview.lib.il.us/ programform.html.

The library also invites entries to its Third Annual Teen Poetry Contest, open to students 13-19 years of age.  Bring your poem to the information desk by April 25 or deliver it to any high school librarian. Six winners will be chosen by a panel of teen judges.

The Youth Services Desk has tickets for the Australian Great White Shark program, at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 15. Marine biologists Wayne and Karen Brown will speak about South Australia's Great Barrier Reef where they came face-to-face with this feared and misunderstood animal. A library card is required to secure tickets for the program.

Tickets will be available on Saturday at the Youth Desk for Joel C. Sings His Head Off! At 10 a.m. Saturday, April 17. Musician Joel Caithamer of Cincinnati will be back for some high-energy, interactive fun for families with young children.

If you'd like to form your own book discussion group, mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Friday, April 30. The Book Discussion Leaders Workshop will feature librarians' tips and tricks for running a successful book club. Topics will include: format of your club, selecting great books, preparing discussion questions, role of the facilitator and additional resources. Register at the Information Desk.

The Reading Forest is back for the month of April. Families who read three books aloud together can add a bird or birdhouse to the Great Reading Tree in the Children's Room. Families who complete three books will have a book added to the library's collection in the family's name. Stop by the Youth Desk to enroll.

The library invites students entering grades 8 and up to volunteer this summer.  Listen to book reports and assist children in playing the summer reading game. One training session is required, and the library asks that volunteers provide at least six hours of service during the eight-week  program. Register at the Youth Services Desk. Adult volunteers are welcome, too.

READERS WRITE

MAT complains of a dead skunk in the middle of the road: "I live off Wagner Road where road kill sits and practically ferments. A dead skunk sat there for two weeks -- pretty gross. Who do we call to remove these dead animals? It seems no one wants to take charge of this? Plus, it looks bad in such an affluent community!"

The Watch replies:  Glenview's department of public works is charged with keeping the roads free of kill.  Give them a call at 657-3030.

ALF is Glen Watching: "I am always amazed at the time spent discussing the specifications and aesthetics of local business signs at trustee and plan commission meetings.  All the discussion about the sign color and size for the KaBloom store in The Glen seemed ridiculous.  Which leads me to my point.  I don't know if anyone has noticed the sign for the new dry cleaners at the Gateway Shoppes in The Glen.  You could probably see it from Interstate 94.  The letters on the sign are at least four feet high and look like they should appear on Western Ave. in the city.  Who on The Glen planning commission thought this type of sign would work in this retail establishment.  They must be very near sighted. Compare this sign to the Curves sign around the corner.  Truly ridiculous."

The Watch replies: Howard Silver, who chairs The Glen Redevelopment Commission and the plan commission offered this explanation: "All exterior business signs must be approved by the Appearance Commission, or, in the case of The Glen, The Glen Redevelopment Commission (GRC).  The dry cleaner that opened in The Glen Gateway Shops never came to the GRC for approval and has been ticketed by the village.  They will come before us to get approval within the next month or two.  As for the size of the letters, we have not and probably won't approve any that large.  Both the size and color will assuredly need to be adjusted once they appear. With regard to spending inordinate time on signs such as KaBloom, if we didn't, we would have many more signs like the dry cleaner.  We spend the time on the details to make sure that all businesses comply with the high standards that Glenview has set.  We don't want to be sloppy about it.  No matter how much tax revenue it means, none of us would want to have Glenview end up looking like Niles!"

MJR proposes another plan for replacing our current library and post office: "At 1869 Chestnut Street there is a beautiful industrial building that is available. It is very large, even has a dock for semi trucks. Next to it is a parking lot which could be expanded, and on the west side there is vacant land which might be available for more parking. If this would serve the post office's needs, the village could help the U.S. Postal Service negotiate a lease or purchase. The post office would have an immediate site to move to, and the library would have enough room to expand and stay at their present location."

Marcia makes an amusing observation about our town: "Do we not have an inordinate amount of banks and cleaners in Glenview?  Anyone looking at our village would think we are the richest, cleanest people in the world!  Now another bank is being built at Willow and Shermer.  Is there a limit to either business here?"

The Watch replies: We don't know of any limits on the numbers of dry cleaners or banks.  Apparently Glenview believes in the free market and does not believe you can be too rich, too thin or too clean.

Laura's watching stores and counting cars: "I have heard rumors that Von Maur is already set to close-- what have you heard? Also, I have always wanted to ask if anyone has thought about getting Amtrak's Superliner to make its stop at the North Glenview station where it would not block traffic for several minutes in the middle of the day!  It really makes me nuts!"                                            
The Watch replies: A spokesman for Amtrak says that's an idea worth talking about, but any move to The Glen of North Glenview would have to be worked out by five parties – Glenview, the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Metra and Amtrak.  Marc Magliari invites calls from residents interested in making a change.  He's at 312-880-5390. You could also contact your favorite trustee to see if he or she might be willing to carry the ball.  As for Von Maur, we're still waiting for a call back.

Debby Rubenstein responds to last week's letter about kids shooting birds with BB's: "There are many issues regarding the shooting of wildlife with BB guns. The organization Psychologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PSYETA) documents the link between cruelty to animals and violent offenses against humans.  Studies show a large percentage of the most violent offenders began a life of crime by abusing animals. Included among these offenders are teenagers who have committed high school shooting murders, such as at Columbine High School in Colorado. As noted by the Glenview Watch, there are substantial state fines for killing endangered birds. There are also fines for hunting certain animals out of season, such as squirrels, and fines for hunting without a license. As far as the issue of humaneness, there are numerous animal advocacy organizations that will intervene upon reports of such BB gun activity. The police department also advises that the village prohibits the use of BB guns against an animal, even on private property, and that 911 should be called to report any BB gun activity."

Lenore is puzzled by plans for the Epco Paint Store site: "I heard that the village had passed a condemnation of EPCO for a parking lot.  Someone else told me the land was going to be sold for construction of condos.  That's an awfully small piece of property for condos, or are they assuming the library will move and the old building will be torn down? If the library moves to The Glen, I hope common sense prevails and the current building is retained as a branch location."

The Watch replies: The library board has rejected the idea of a main building at The Glen and a branch downtown, arguing two facilities would make a larger staff necessary and boost annual overhead.  As for your question about condos,  Glenview's planning consultant assumed the library would move, making it possible to redevelop that entire block.  He proposed a mixed-use project with shops on the first floor -- including a CVS drug store -- and condos above.  That is, of course, only a suggestion.  Time, finances and the courts will determine whether it ever comes to pass.  Epco is fighting the condemnation and could win.

BD is delighted to find a Lincoln Park favorite opening nearby: "Filippo's Ristorante made its long-awaited North Shore debut behind Whole Foods at 833 Deerfield Road.  It features an extensive regional menu from Naples native Filippo Del Prete, an outdoor deck and very hip contemporary Italian vibes." 

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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