On December 6, Glenview will have a new manager. Todd Hileman, the 36-year-old manager of Avondale, Arizona, was chosen to replace long-time Village Manager Paul McCarthy.  Hileman, who has worked for local governments for 11 years, served as assistant manager of the desert boom-town 20 miles west of Phoenix from December 2000 to June 2002 when he became the manager.

When he arrived, the population of Avondale was 35,883.  Less than two years later, it had risen to 48,738 – up more than 35 percent, and today it’s home to 60,000 people.  Over the last decade, housing starts grew by 700 percent with more than 10,000 homes built or permitted this year alone.  The population is projected to rise to 100,800 by 2020.

Hileman oversaw the development and expansion of a 120-acre auto mall that brought 12 new dealerships to town, a 73-acre shopping center anchored by a movie theater, Border’s Books and Bed, Bath and Beyond and a 45-acre city hall, police station and courts.  He also hired a new police chief, assistant village manager and economic development director for Avondale.

Hileman told the Pioneer Press that his current job involved, “building a community on the fly -- constructing a sales tax base, an employment base, a housing base. In Glenview, it's a much more measured approach. The housing is largely there. There is some additional development that can take place, but it's more how that development fits the community rather than starting from ground zero."

Avondale is best-known for the Phoenix International Raceway, host to several major auto racing events each year.  Like Glenview, it developed as a farming town adjacent to a rail line and became a bedroom community for the big city nearby.  A visit to the city’s website suggests many other similarities: http://www.ci.avondale.az.us/ .

Hileman graduated from Arizona State University, then got a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University in Dekalb.  Before moving to Avondale, he served as city administrator for Vandalia, Missouri, near St. Louis, and Delavan, Wisconsin where he hired William Fitzpatrick, the man who subsequently became Glenview’s police chief. 

The manager’s job in Glenview will pay $160,000 plus $12,800 a year in deferred compensation and $400,000 worth of life insurance. He’ll also get a $600 monthly allowance for a car and a $150,000 housing grant which must be repaid if he stays with the village less than 15 years. His home in Avondale cost $134,000.  He has been married to Tina Marie Hileman, an airline employee, for 15 years.

Contrary to an earlier report in the Watch, Acting Manager Joe Wade says he has no immediate plans to leave Village Hall. “I’m looking forward to working with Todd Hileman and will do everything I can to help him,” Wade said. “I've known Todd since he was an intern in Niles. He's a person of great character, decency and great professionalism.”

Next year’s $39 million spending plan for the village will hold the line on taxes, although officials propose an overall increase of 4.67 percent. That spending hike should be covered by higher revenues – in particular money from a new village sales tax of one-half of one percent on each dollar spent.  Overall sales tax revenues are expected to total $14.5 million. 

Among other things, Glenview plans to give its employees a 4 percent pay hike, hire another inspector to keep an eye on the growing number of restaurants in town (265 and growing), hire an information technician to help the village maintain its website and assist with government’s growing computer needs, promote a part-time social worker for the police department to full-time status and cover rising costs for pensions and insurance.

The 227-page spending plan also includes about $9,000 for three special issues of the village newsletter – a publication that tends to appear more often during an election year.  Seats now held by Village President Larry Carlson, Trustees Jeff Lerner, Mary Beth Denefe and Mike Guinane will be up for grabs in April, 2005.

Village officials have not yet reviewed the projected budget for capital improvements – a hefty document that includes a new police station and post office, improvements to Shermer Road and other streets around town, new flood control efforts and land acquisition.  A public hearing on that part of the 2005 budget is set for 8 a.m. Saturday, October 23.

Development at The Glen has passed its peak, according to Director Don Owen, but his budget is up slightly from 2004, with expenditures in 2005 expected to total more than $28 million. 

The village will pay 20 percent less to consultants for legal and professional services, but the tab still exceeds half a million dollars. The principle marketing and finance consultant, Mesirow-Stein, will get at least $125,000 and legal fees are projected at $150,000.  Management of Lake Glenview remains a major expense, traffic-related work and parking garages at The Glen Town Center are also big ticket items.

As the village assumes more responsibility for maintenance at The Glen, caretaker costs which were supposed to decline are actually up more than 3 percent. Here’s a laundry list of projected costs: 

Overhead -- $318,488

Street Maintenance -- $98, 270

Traffic -- $90,500

Stormwater -- $195,018

Snow and Ice -- $34,000

Forestry -- $94,785

Grounds -- $314,150

Great Park -- $402,695

Lake Management -- $124,427

Sanitary Sewer --$74,918

Prairie Management -- $99,473

Parking Deck --  $454,782

And don’t forget the bulbs for Glen street lights.  They’ll cost $10,000. 

By this time next year, four of the ten people who work for Owen are supposed to leave the Glen office, although at least one has already been promised a new job at Village Hall.

The village expects to spend nearly $160,000 on prairie and wetland management in 2005, a number that should decline as restoration efforts continue.  On the other hand, an interpretive center planned for visitors to the prairie was originally supposed to cost $1 million but is now set to cost twice as much. 

Editor’s note:  Many of those who fought to preserve natural open space at The Glen find this number disturbing.  An elaborate visitors’ center is not necessary or even central to the value of this land as an educational and recreational site.  A simple shelter with restrooms and a water fountain should suffice, and we grow impatient for a public opening of the prairie.  It’s been off-limits to families, schools and scout troops, except by special arrangement, for nearly a decade.  Taxpayers can hardly be expected to support $2,040,000 in new costs when the gate remains locked.

One thing The Watch has always tried to do is to explain Glenview’s complex development plans in language readers will understand. Unfortunately, the village’s new communications director has failed to do that – either because her bosses don’t want clarity in public communications or because she’s learned to speak the lingo of  bankers, and developers.  In her recent e-news, Janet Spector Bishop wrote:

“Fortunately, the new Post Office can be funded at no cost to Village taxpayers.  First, the proposed site was land-banked and carried at zero value in The Glen pro forma.  Therefore, there will be no loss in projected land sale revenue to the Glen Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district. And two additional land-banked Glen sites can now be sold to provide funds for the facility. 

“Parcel 10, 3.5 acres near West Lake and Shermer, was also carried at zero projected revenue.  Selling it for its original use of multi-family housing can bring in part of the revenue.  Parcel 4, 9.5 acres southwest of Chestnut Square can also be released for its planned residential use.  Sales will generate several million dollars more than its original estimated value to make up the difference of funds.  

”In this way the Village Board will be meeting the original intent of the community's 1995 Consensus Reuse Plan without adding costs to the overall Glen project.  Most importantly, it won't extend the TIF "sunset" date currently projected between 2013 and 2015.”

The use of lingo like “pro forma,” “land-banked,” “zero projected revenue,” and “TIF sunset” obscures the reality of what Glenview is doing to avoid a tax increase to pay for the new post office, suggesting through yet another verbal sleight-of-hand that there is a free lunch, and the people of Glenview will enjoy it.

In fact, what Spector Bishop is saying is that Glenview never planned to sell this site to the postal service, so it didn’t expect any revenue from the property when it predicted the income it would get at The Glen.  The same is true for two other lots which might, at one time, have been eyed for a new village hall or some other public use.

Now, it turns out we need the cash, so we’ll sell those sites for apartments or condos.  The proceeds will allow the village to stay on track so it can end the practice of tax increment financing or TIF -- diverting tax dollars that would have gone to our schools and park district -- by 2015.

Of course, had we sold the land and not opted to spend $3.75 million on a new post office, the TIF might have ended even sooner, but village officials don’t want you thinking that way, so the communications director is spinning the story, speaking developer so you won’t know what’s really going on.

Capitol Fax, a Springfield newsletter that details politics in Illinois, says Glenview’s Republican State Representative Beth Coulson is “a top target for Democrats” this year.  After district boundaries were changed in 2000, Republican Coulson went door to door, introducing herself to new constituents and making her case in an area believed to favor Democrats.  Her efforts paid off with a close victory in 2002.  She won by fewer than 700 votes.  “Part of the reason is that Coulson is a hard-working, solid legislator who prides herself on independence in a district packed with people who also pride themselves on independence,” says newsletter publisher Rich Miller.  Noting that Coulson did not endorse George Bush in 2000, he adds, “Liberal on social issues, fairly conservative on economic issues, independent to the core, Coulson perfectly fits the bill.”

“There are a few differences this year, however,” he continues. “Michelle Bromberg [Coulson’s opponent]  is a Jewish female, the specific profile the Democrats have long said could give Coulson a real run for her money.”

What the newsletter does not say is that party heavyweight Mike Madigan has thrown half a million dollars into beating Coulson, using slick and deceptive mass mailings that don’t even mention Bromberg.  The latest includes fuzzy photos of Coulson and right-wing Republican gubernatorial candidate Alan Keyes side by side.  You might assume the two were together, but the photos were actually taken separately.  The headline reads:

“The Republican Team is counting on your vote on November 2,” and quotes Keyes’ opposition to abortion and support for the sale of machine guns – suggesting that Coulson is in the same camp.  In fact, Coulson supports gun control so strongly that the National Rifle Association gave her an “F” in its last rating of lawmakers, and this week she introduced a bill to ban assault weapons in Illinois. So strongly does Coulson support a woman’s right to choose that Planned Parenthood has endorsed her for re-election.

Unlike Coulson, who has served in the legislature since 1997, Bromberg is new to state government.  That didn’t stop her from telling the Tribune, “My message is increasing health care to my citizens, making sure my seniors get prescription drugs.” Her website delves into great detail regarding her training as a nurse and makes mention of her service as a trustee in Skokie.

“Skokie is one of the few suburban communities with no utility tax. The village also has no sewer tax, and the village portion of the property tax rates has remained flat since 1990,” says the campaign website.  It doesn’t mention that Skokie is also home to Old Orchard Shopping Center, an incredible cash cow.  

“Michele Bromberg wants to bring an end to the government waste that is draining money away from our classrooms,” says the site.  It does not say that Mike Madigan, Bromberg’s biggest behind-the-scenes backer, is responsible for more patronage and pork barrel spending in Illinois than Oscar Meyer.

Further proof of Coulson’s independence comes at the federal level.  She did not endorse George Bush in 2000 and has not endorsed him this year.  That independence cost her points with right-wing Republicans who went on the attack two years ago.  They did a four-color, four-page piece a week before the election and mailed it to Republicans in her district, urging them not to vote for her. They also leafleted cars in Catholic church parking lots, telling parishioners not to vote for her because of her pro-choice position.

The Chicago Tribune gave Coulson a glowing endorsement.  The editors wrote:  “Republican Rep. Elizabeth Coulson is a genuine star in the General Assembly.  A physical therapist, she is admirably independent, capable of handling complex issues, and respected by all.  Her opponent, Democrat Michele Bromberg, is a nurse and Skokie village trustee whose supporters have put out reprehensible campaign literature grossly misrepresenting Coulson’s support for abortion rights and gun control.  Coulson is a leader on health care and children’s issues and is heartily endorsed. 

Editor’s note:  We have long believed that Coulson belongs in the Democratic party, but she has refused to switch, perhaps preferring to keep her distance from hacks, like Madigan. He should be ashamed for adopting these deceptive tactics, but it’s quite apparent that Madigan has no shame, and sadly – in the new district believed to be 65 percent Democrats – he and his puppet Bromberg may prevail.

Incumbent Congressman Mark Kirk is confident of re-election, this despite the latest ratings from the Drum Major Institute for Public Policy – a group concerned about issues facing middle class Americans.  Based on his votes, the group gives Kirk an “F,” while awarding Senator Dick Durbin an “A.”

This year, more than 70 judges are asking for your support at the polls.  To help you sort through the candidates, we refer you to the Chicago Bar Association’s endorsements:

http://www.chicagobar.org/public/judicial/2004generaljudicial_findings.htm . CBA rejects two people running for a seat on the bench: Joseph Coyne and Ellen Flannigan and finds only four sitting judges unqualified for retention – all of them on the circuit court. They are Dorothy F. Jones, William D. O’Neal, Susan Jeanine McDunn, Dennis James Morrissey.    

We know it’s a pain to do all that punching on election day, but we urge you to at least take time to vote against the six candidates above.  On the Northfield Township ballot they appear at lines 130, 140, 226, 254, 276 and 310.

Reader Kim Lucatorto says one of her neighbors has organized a "Freedom Festival" on October 23, to support our troops. “Folks from all over the Chicago area are invited,” she writes.  At the end of the festival, attendees can grab a card and stand in a human formation that spells out "We Support You," to be photographed by a helicopter and sent to our troops overseas. It's scheduled rain or shine, October 23rd, 12-3 p.m. at Langendorf Park in Barrington.  There will be activities for the entire family.  Details are available at: http://www.we-do-care.org/. 

And Dave Martin is helping plan a peace march beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, October 30 at the Second Baptist Church on Avery Street in Wheaton. Volunteers are needed to assemble cardboard coffins the evening of the 29^th.  The March will proceed along sidewalks for the most part, stopping at train stations so participants can ride the rest of the route if they can’t walk the 13 miles to Geneva. Churches along the march route will be contacted and invited to ring bells as marchers pass.  There will be a closing  rally at the Kane County Courthouse from 4 – 5 p.m.  For more information, call 630-768-9305.

OCTOBER 25, 2004 -- A SPECIAL REPORT

SIERRA CLUB ENDORSES COULSON

The Sierra Club has endorsed Beth Coulson for re-election to the Illinois House.  “There are not enough legislators like Coulson who are willing to stand up to polluters and other special interests who oppose clean air and water legislation,” said Jack Darin, director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter. “We need more courageous, independent legislators like her who protect the public’s interest in a healthy environment.”

ONE WEEK AND COUNTING

The Watch pays scant attention to astrology, but we were tickled by this month’s horoscope: “When you Leos have something on your mind,” said United Airlines magazine, “you have little compunction about letting your thoughts be heard.  And now is no exception, though you’re apt to be even more vociferous than usual.  Pick up your mighty pen and start writing.”

So on the advice of United’s astrologer, our pen is now poised to write what amounts to one long editor’s note -- a message directed to those readers who support John Kerry for president.  If you’re a Bush backer, take a break.  The Watch will be back after November 2 with our usual focus on local news.

In the mean time, friends of Kerry are invited to join a phone bank in Buffalo Grove. Volunteers are working to turn out the vote.  Here’s when you’re needed:

Monday through Thursday: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday: 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

1275 Barclay Blvd.

Buffalo Grove, IL   60089

For more information, call 312-832-0220.  No need to call ahead.  Just show up!

You can also spend some time volunteering in one of those exciting swing states -- Wisconsin.  Call 414-344-1586 or take 94/294 north to 43 north, continue through downtown Milwaukee to Locust Street.  Go left (west) to Teutonia, then turn right and head for 3967 N. Teutonia (on the left).

You can also spend some time volunteering in one of those exciting swing states -- Wisconsin.  Call 414-344-1586 or take 94/294 north to 43 north, continue through downtown Milwaukee to Locust Street.  Go left (west) to Teutonia, then turn right and head for 3967 N. Teutonia (on the left).

You can also spend some time volunteering in one of those exciting swing states -- Wisconsin.  Call 414-344-1586 or take 94/294 north to 43 north, continue through downtown Milwaukee to Locust Street.  Go left (west) to Teutonia, then turn right and head for 3967 N. Teutonia (on the left).

You can also spend some time volunteering in one of those exciting swing states -- Wisconsin.  Call 414-344-1586 or take 94/294 north to 43 north, continue through downtown Milwaukee to Locust Street.  Go left (west) to Teutonia, then turn right and head for 3967 N. Teutonia (on the left).

And remember that your Congressman, Mark Kirk, has stood with the Bush administration on almost every major issue.  If you disagree with Bush, you’ll want to cast a ballot for Congressional candidate Lee Goodman.  His campaign is asking supporters to help bring out the anti-Kirk vote by joining a phone bank from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, October 28 at New Trier Democratic Organization Headquarters, 800 Oak Street, Winnetka. Bring a cell phone in case there’s a shortage of land lines, and bring your phone book to supplement numbers that the campaign will provide. Pizza and soft drinks will be served.

TALKING TO YOUR UNDECIDED FRIENDS AND FAMILY

If you have relatives or friends who have not yet made up their minds or are leaning toward Bush, you may wish to have a gentle, heart-to-heart chat or send an e-mail explaining why you support Kerry.  We've borrowed heavily from a new book by progressive humorist Jim Hightower called, "Let's Stop Beating Around the Bush" to summarize key issues that might concern your kin.  Feel free to borrow from us as you prepare your own remarks:

National security:  Many Bush supporters believe he will do a better job of keeping the nation safe, but it’s important to remind these folks that the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history occurred on Bush’s watch after the president dismissed a warning within his own administration that Osama Bin Laden planned to attack us.  Now, Bush has diverted the nation’s resources into a disastrous war in Iraq – taking attention and money away from the need to improve homeland security and creating new hostilities toward the U.S. in the Middle East.   

Education:  Bush hangs his hat on a program called No Child Left Behind – a catchy name that belies its true impact.  NCLB was supposed to set achievement standards for kids from the third grade up.  If students failed to meet those arbitrary goals, whole school districts would lose federal funding.  And to make matters worse, the administration has failed to give schools the money they need to pay for the program, underfunding No Child Left Behind by nearly $27 billion.  No wonder perfectly good school districts like 34 here in Glenview are struggling to comply with NCLB.  Some critics also attack the administration’s motives, believing Bush wants to discredit public schools and build support for sharing tax dollars with private and religious schools through vouchers.

Health care:  Health care premiums rose 11.2 percent this year, the fourth consecutive year of double-digit increases.  Forty-five million Americans have no health coverage.  The prestigious Institute of Medicine says this country has a growing health care crisis, and policy makers should respond with a universal program to provide affordable, high-quality health care to all.  Canada has managed to do that.  So have Great Britain and all of the countries of Western Europe, but Bush’s secretary of health says, “I don’t think that it’s feasible.”  Maybe it’s not feasible because the Bush campaign has been heavily financed by large drug companies, insurance firms and HMO’s, who benefit from the current system. 

The Environment:  Got a family member with asthma?  Think about this.  The Bush administration has relaxed the rules governing electric companies, chemical plants, oil refineries and other big polluters of our air – allowing them to increase profits while pumping an additional 42 tons of industrial poisons into our air each year.  The National Academy of Sciences figures that will cause an extra 30,000 deaths annually.  Nearly 25 percent of the big donors to Bush’s last campaign came from these industries – giving at least $100,000 apiece. The Southern Company, an Atlanta-based utility, contributed more than $500,000 to the president and other Republican candidates.  Executives with that firm were allowed to meet seven times in 2001 with Vice President Dick Cheney’s secret task force that wrote the administration’s new energy policies.

The National Mining Association was also a big contributor, so it came as no surprise that the administration dismantled or weakened many rules designed to control pollution from mining. One year after the election, the head of the West Virginia Coal Association told a gathering of 150 industry leaders, “You did everything you could to elect a Republican president.  You are already seeing in his actions the payback.”

Got a family member dealing with skin cancer?  Think about this. Scientists in the environmental protection agency have concluded that global warming is happening, that it’s mostly caused by the burning of oil, coal and gasoline, and that it will have disastrous global consequences if we don’t act promptly to stop it.  There is also clear evidence that the use of fossil fuels has created a substantial hole in the ozone layer of our atmosphere  -- a layer that protects us from dangerous solar rays. The Bush administration continues to ignore these problems while refusing to provide substantial funding for development of alternative sources of energy.

Social Security:  Know anyone who depends on Social Security?  The Bush administration regularly raids the social security trust fund to pay for pet programs and tax giveaways to the rich.  What’s more, the president wants to allow working people to start investing their own Social Security money on Wall Street.  Not only would that deny the social security program an important source of revenue, but it could leave unlucky investors with nothing when it comes time to retire.  So why privatize social security?  Big Wall Street investment firms, which have also contributed generously to Bush’s campaign, would reap billions in fees from new Social Security accounts.

Food:  If you have no other reason to reflect on the Bush administration’s reluctant regulatory policies, consider their impact on the food you eat.  When mad cow disease was making headlines, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman tried to calm the public by asking international experts to report on the U.S. cattle industry.  She insisted America had no problem and expected the appointed panel to say as much.  In fact, the panel returned to report that mad cow may be common in our herds, that the USDA’s voluntary tracking system is grossly inadequate, and that the meat industry’s method of feeding  animal parts to cattle is inherently unsafe.  These same experts concluded the USDA had found only one case of mad cow disease so far because it wasn’t looking very hard.  Of 30 million cattle slaughtered each year, only 40,000 are tested – barely one tenth of one percent.  But meat processing companies and cattlemen had given nearly a million dollars to the Bush campaign. The administration dismissed the report as “negative in tone,” and recommended letting the industry continue to police itself.  Meanwhile, scientists are beginning to wonder if the growing incidence of Alzeheimer’s disease, little known just a generation ago in this country, may actually be linked to mad cow.  Autopsy studies at Yale and elsewhere show 20 percent of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s were misdiagnosed.  They actually had another brain-wasting disease called CJD, which is sometimes caused by mad-cow infected meat.

There are, of course, many other areas we might discuss, including the economy, the loss of jobs and eroding civil liberties, but time grows short and there are plenty more places to go for such information. We should, however, address one other concern that is sometimes voiced by those who support four more years for Bush.  They think a Kerry presidency would be even worse.

In response, we turn to a conservative source for what is, perhaps, a worst-case assessment.  Scott McConnell of the American Conservative Magazine writes: “There is little in John Kerry’s persona or platform that appeals to conservatives. The flip-flopper charge - the centerpiece of the Republican campaign against Kerry - seems overdone, as Kerry’s contrasting votes are the sort of baggage any senator of long service is likely to pick up. (Bob Dole could tell you all about it.) But Kerry is plainly a conventional liberal and no candidate for a future edition of Profiles in Courage. In my view, he will always deserve censure for his vote in favor of the Iraq War in 2002.”

“But this election is not about John Kerry. If he were to win, his dearth of charisma would likely ensure him a single term. He would face challenges from within his own party and a thwarting of his most expensive initiatives by a Republican Congress. Much of his presidency would be absorbed by trying to clean up the mess left to him in Iraq. He would be constrained by the swollen deficits and a ripe target for the next Republican nominee.”

“It is, instead, an election about the presidency of George W. Bush. . .The launching of an invasion against a country that posed no threat to the U.S., the doling out of war profits and concessions to politically-favored corporations, the financing of the war by ballooning the deficit to be passed on to the nation’s children, the ceaseless drive to cut taxes for those outside the middle class and working poor.”

“During the campaign, few have paid attention to how much the Bush presidency has degraded the image of the United States in the world. . .He has made the United States despised by people who used to be its friends, by businessmen and the middle classes, by
moderate and sensible liberals. Never before have democratic foreign governments needed to demonstrate disdain for Washington to their own electorates in order to survive in office. The poll numbers are shocking. In countries like Norway, Germany, France, and Spain, Bush is liked by about seven percent of the populace. In Egypt, recipient of huge piles of American aid in the past two decades, some 98 percent have an unfavorable view of the United States. It’s the same throughout the Middle East.”

                                                                        . . .

“These sentiments mean that as long as Bush is president, we have no real allies in the world, no friends to help us dig out from the Iraq quagmire. More tragically, they mean that if terrorists succeed in striking at the United States in another 9/11-type attack, many in the world will not only think of the American victims but also of the thousands and thousands of Iraqi civilians killed and maimed by American armed forces. The hatred Bush has generated has helped immeasurably those trying to recruit anti-American
terrorists - indeed his policies are the gift to terrorism that keeps on giving, as the sons and brothers of slain Iraqis think how they may eventually take their own revenge. Only the seriously deluded could fail to see that a policy so central to America’s survival as a free country as getting hold of loose nuclear materials and controlling nuclear proliferation requires the willingness of foreign countries to provide full, 100 percent co-operation. Making yourself into the world’s most hated country is not an obvious way to secure that help.”

                                                            . . .

“George W. Bush has come to embody a politics that is antithetical to almost any kind of thoughtful conservatism. His international policies have been based on the hopelessly naïve belief that foreign peoples are eager to be liberated by American armies. . .His immigration policies - temporarily put on hold while he runs for re-election - are just as extreme. A re-elected President Bush would be committed to bringing in millions of low-wage immigrants to do jobs Americans ‘won’t do.’ This election is all about George W. Bush, and those issues are enough to render him unworthy of any conservative support.”

Several readers worried when they read about Glenview’s new village manager.  Todd Hileman was manager of Avondale, Arizona – a fast-growing dessert community expected to have more than 100,000 residents by 2020.  PLS wrote: “Gee whiz! Do you think he can get Glenview to 100,000 by 2020? Who will that benefit?”

And MV said: “Just what we needed -- someone who will overcrowd our sweet little town with over 100,000. Who knows what this masked man will bring.”

Fritz wrote: “Unless there is something we don't know, Acting Village Manager Joe Wade got a raw deal. Then again, is there any other type of deal in this town?”

Nancy C. wondered, “Why exactly was Joe Wade passed up for the village manager position?  Has anyone with the village given us the reasons? With Joe's 20 years experience in government and his assistance to Mr. McCarthy, I couldn't think of a better candidate than Joe who would no doubt bypass the learning curve and jump right in.  But I guess it's too late now.”

ML agrees: “If I were Joe Wade, I'd feel betrayed and unappreciated. The fact that he'll continue on only serves to show his dedication and professionalism. The trustees made a huge mistake. Avondale promoted Hileman when their manager departed. Why couldn't Glenview do the same?”

Glenview senior NM writes about the flu shot fiasco: “The first place I called was Glenbrook Hospital, because at one time we got shots there. I was told they would not be giving vaccine, and they were sending people to Sunset Foods!  Sunset is the location where people lined up at dawn. All Dominick’s and Walgreens are in the program with an allocation of 200-300 shots, while the lines have hundreds of seniors in walkers. I was told that both places have had thousands of calls. I am furious about the stupid management of something that was predictable.”

Jill Brickman, Northfield Township Supervisor, says thanks to Glenview and the Watch for supporting this community’s food pantry: “Late in the summer, our food pantry shelves began to look pretty bare, and we were seriously worried about being able to serve all of our clients.  With your help, we extended a special plea regarding specific pantry needs.  I am delighted to tell you that this community continues to astound us!  Almost immediately people began dropping off food in response to your article. Thank you for your commitment to the food pantry program and those it serves.  Your support makes a true difference in our ability to best serve those our neighbors in need.”

Jeff Jensen,a local businessman, sees good at The Glen and supports old Glenview too.  He writes to a downtown merchant upset about village subsidies for business at The Glen Town Center: “I live in The Glen and love it.  I was astonished that I could get in there at a low price point (back in ’01).  It is indeed very convenient, however, my kids go to OLPH not Attea, we eat pizza at Goode & Fresh and Viccino’s more than at D’Agostino’s, Jimmy John’s way more than Potbelly. We bank at Bank One, not World Savings.  I go to Best’s Hardware, not Home Depot to support the little guy.  All of my kid’s shoes are purchased at Country Cobbler. I like Caribou’s care in preparing a latte, and we absolutely go to the Dairy Bar more than any other ice cream spot.  Richard, my business is down more than 20 percent, and I blame nobody. Welcome to the new millennium!  Focus on your business.  Regarding Glen business incentives, vote for change or file a lawsuit.”

TJ agrees with an earlier letter from Pam Lewkovich: “The new library should be built at The Glen.  The Library Board has spoken out about the building issues, citing the pros and cons of building the new library at The Glen vs. remaining downtown.  All those who are interested should visit the library's website (http://www.glenviewpl.org/)  and familiarize themselves with all of the information provided.  The slide presentation from the open forum and the position presented by Trustee Dick Clark should be seen by all residents, regardless of their current position on this matter.  The village board certainly does seem to have its own agenda in keeping the library downtown, despite the desires of the community it is supposed to represent.  Why not let the community vote on this and let that result stand?  I understand that if a petition to put this to a community vote is presented, then the village board will be forced to allow Glenview residents to have a say in what they want. The cost difference alone should be enough to convince most taxpayers that a new library at The Glen is the only way to go.  So how about it fellow Glenview residents?  Let’s fight for our right to be heard and have our wishes followed instead of being bullied by the village board.  Anyone interested in starting that petition?  I don't have the information on how to do it myself, but if anyone out there does, I am willing to do the leg work.”

 But Biff Thiele writes: “The library conducted two surveys in recent years, and both showed a minimum of 60 percent of residents preferred that the library stay right where it is. The second survey included Glen residents. I’m less of a fan of Larry Carlson than I was four years ago, but he got this one right. The public has spoken, and it is the library board who has not listened to residents. As for the Glen cheerleader who chastised critics, I know that you have not had to sacrifice your streets, your sewers or your sidewalks for any of this. As you say, it does take money to make money, but in this case it was tax dollars that created your utopia. True, these expenses MIGHT pay off in due time, but no child currently in third grade or above in District 34, and no students in District 225 or their taxpaying parents will EVER benefit from that ‘handsome pay off.’ And those downtown improvements you mentioned have actually been on hold for years, while the Glen project took precedent. No one blames you, SK. This was never your fault. Arrogant village planners and developers created The Glen, and our blind school, library and park boards all jumped on board.”

Curious has been “perusing Retail Market Study: Downtown Glenview prepared by the Gibbs Planning Group.  It refers to the fact that even though the population of Glenview is around 42,500, retailers would have the potential to serve a much larger trade area of about 137,500 residents. Shouldn’t the future needs of the library also be based on this figure?”

 The Watch replies: Probably not.  Those numbers are based on the assumption that folks from Northbrook, Wilmette, Deerfield, Morton Grove and other surrounding communities could be lured to a special restaurant or store here.  The fact is that those towns all have excellent libraries of their own and are not likely to visit Glenview to check out a book or use the Internet.

 John Scott corrects our claim about outdoor fireplaces in Glenview.  We had said they were illegal.  He writes: “You may want to clarify the Watch reply in the September 30, 2004 issue when you say ‘Glenview ordinance does prohibit the use of those outdoor fireplaces.’ That is incorrect.  I used the ‘Have A Question’ feature on the Village of Glenview website and got the response below.  There are rules that need to be followed, but they are not prohibited:  ‘According to Director Bernie Arends of the Glenview Fire Prevention Bureau, these are the rules to abide by: 1. The outdoor fireplace should be placed at least 20 feet from the house. 2. The homeowner must have a portable fire extinguisher. 3. If the smoke irritates your neighbors, you must stop. 4. Please use common sense. Any other questions, please call the Manager's Office at 847-904-4370.’”

Linda Nidetz writes about the presidential race: “I watched all three debates.  In my opinion John Kerry has shown that he has the strength and character we need in a commander in chief. He continues to show the American people his command of the facts, steady demeanor and well reasoned arguments. He offered hope and optimism and showed that he will fight for middle class families.  The bottom line is, when it comes to the concerns of the middle class, senior citizens, women, minorities, young adults, and the future of education, George Bush just doesn't get it!  Bush failed to answer the important questions because he has no answers – no ways to fix the major problems Americans face.  Bush has shared the same tired rhetoric in all three debates.  John Kerry offers hope and optimism and presented real solutions to real problems.  Bush's denials continue to damage his credibility.  For example, he denied we have problems with immigration, No Child Left Behind, equal pay for women and the minimum wage.  President Bush needs to level with the American people and acknowledge that our problems exist. 

Bush objected when Kerry quoted him as saying he did not think much about Osama bin Laden and was not all that concerned about him.  ‘I just don't think I ever said I'm not worried about Osama bin Laden,’ Bush said. ‘It's kind of one of those exaggerations.’  In fact, Bush said almost exactly that in March 2002, speaking of bin Laden: ‘I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run.’ He described bin Laden at the time as ‘marginalized’ and said, "I just don't spend that much time on him." President Bush won't level with the American people. Bush needs to be honest with the American people -- he continues to fail us!  Have you seen the bumper sticker that reads:  ‘Replant the White House -- No Bushes?’”

 YOUR TURN:  Write to glenviewwatch@aol.com or 3537 Maple Leaf Drive, Glenview, IL 60026. 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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