THE REAL DEAL DOWNTOWN?

Glenview’s leaders have long contended they’re promoting development downtown because residents want it, but another possible motive emerged during a recent meeting of the downtown redevelopment committee. 

Members were discussing how much the village could get from the sale of a village-owned parking lot for residential and commercial development when Chairman Kim Woodrow spoke up.  Woodrow is a village trustee who has been at closed-door meetings where village finances were discussed.

“While there may be a net benefit of some sort as the result of a land sale, that doesn’t necessarily mean those monies get channeled into the downtown.  You can’t make that presumption.  How those monies are used, how they’re factored into the overall village budget is an issue that will be dealt with [by the village board]. So to the extent that you’re sitting there feeling that you need to factor that in,” Woodrow continued, “just bear in mind that you shouldn’t be saying, ‘Is it $1.1 million to the downtown or is it $3 million?’ because it may not be either.  It may be that those dollars have to go somewhere else to fund things that aren’t even being discussed here.”

Glenview owns the site now occupied by the downtown fire station along with several Metra parking lots. 

Committee member Michael McPeek was startled by Woodrow’s pronouncement.  “What I thought I heard you just say is that we sell this land, and the money could go into the coffers for something else in Glenview.  I’m looking at this as a trade-off to assist some other part of the downtown area.  If that’s not the case, I don’t want to see anything get sold.”

Weighing two different options for one site, committee members voiced a clear preference for a consultant’s plan to build a four-story condo, but Chairman Woodrow proposed the panel recommend a five-story building “to the extent the board is looking for additional funding sources.”

Committee member Kathy Johnson didn’t like that idea.  “We could put 8-story buildings throughout and get a lot of money, but that’s not really what we want for the character of our downtown, so I’m going with alternative one,” she said.  The other board members agreed to Woodrow’s idea, that it would be okay to approve a taller building if the trustees need more cash. 

Editor’s note:  Could public officials be promoting downtown redevelopment, the sale of publicly-owned land and construction of big new buildings that will generate more tax revenue, to help pay bills for two new fire stations, a new police station, a new post office, two elaborate parks and a shopping center at The Glen?  Will four and five-story buildings be allowed on Glenview Road to bring maximum dollars for construction of a new library and Village Hall?  Just how tight are village finances?  Will somebody please tell the taxpayers what’s going on?

COMMUNITY GROUP WANTS SMALLER LIBRARY

As village and library board members continue to ponder the possibilities, a citizens’ group called Save Our Library Dollars (SOLD) is asking the village not to build a new, 96,800-square-foot building.  The group says consultants have overestimated the community’s need for space, and “growing Internet access and downloading of books and movies onto handhelds, laptops and desktop computers will mean fewer trips to the library for future residents.

SOLD asks the village and library boards to renovate the existing 53,000-square-foot library and to build a 27,000-square-foot, two-story addition with a reinforced foundation that would make a third story possible should the need arise.  The group also proposes increasing the number of parking spaces at the library from 121 to 221 by building an underground garage. 

SOLD puts the cost of renovation and expansion at $20-$25 million. 

COWS STILL KICKIN’

Citizens Organized for Wagner’s, founded to work for the preservation of Wagner Farm, has achieved that goal, but the group isn’t done yet.  Each year, COWS will offer an annual scholarship to one Glenbrook South High School student who’s heading for college with the dream of becoming a veterinarian or even a farmer. The $2,000 grant  will be based in part on financial need and academic achievement.  COWS says it will be able to offer the award for the next four years with existing funds but will gladly accept donations that might make it possible to keep giving in 2010 and beyond.

PARK BOARD IN TALKS WITH RICHARDON’S REPLACEMENT

Thirty-one people applied for the job of executive director at Glenview’s park district, and the board is now negotiating with its top choice.  The leading home town candidate, Director of Leisure Services Bob Quill, declined to say whether he would replace Tom Richardson, who will retire in March after 15 years in the job.  Park Board President Doug Kaiser says he hopes to have an announcement this week.

STATE SENATOR MAY PUSH FOR WIDER WILLOW ROAD

State Senator Jeff Schoenberg insists he has an open mind when it comes to the future of Willow Road, but he appears to be setting the stage for a wider Willow through Northfield. 

The state had originally agreed to fund Northfield’s plan for making the road three lanes at key intersections, but Schoenberg says that change would not allow Willow to carry any more traffic, and he’s publicly complained that the “parochial interests” of one village have been allowed to impact surrounding communities.

The current plan was crafted in 1999 when State Senator Kathy Parker represented the area in Springfield.  The Illinois Department of Transportation doesn’t like to make changes in communities that don’t want them, and Northfield spent big bucks to lobby against a four-lane highway.

With new leaders in local and state office, Schoenberg thinks it’s time to revisit the decision, and state officials have said the $6.2 million project, scheduled to begin next year, can still be changed.  Schoenberg asked Illinois’ Secretary of Transportation to slow down signing of construction contracts, and he plans to hold several meetings this month with local and state leaders concerned about the situation.  Village presidents in Glenview and Northbrook have called for making Willow four lanes through Northfield.

Editor’s note:  Glenview and Northbrook should be careful what they wish for.  Widening Willow through Northfield could make the road more appealing to those now using Lake-Cook, Dundee, Golf or Lake.  If Willow becomes four lanes, it may appear to be a better choice, but if thousands of drivers make the switch, congestion on Willow could be even worse.

EDENS SPUR WILL HAVE NORTHBOUND WAUKEGAN EXIT

Construction will begin in March to allow eastbound traffic on the 294-Edens spur to exit northbound on Waukegan Road.  Today drivers can only go south.  After two years of negotiation with Northbrook, the tollway authority and county highway department have agreed to widen the ramp and put in a light so traffic can go left onto Waukegan. Besides reducing the number of u-turns now being made in the area, the new ramp could ease congestion expected in 2008 when the state begins work on the westbound side of Lake-Cook Road.

 SCHOOL NEWS AND BLUES

-- Glenbrook South High School Principal Brian Wegley is defending the way a student from his school was questioned after attending a homecoming dance at Glenbrook North with 13 GBN students.  The kids arrived together in a chauffeured van, and when one student was found to have alcohol, the rest were interrogated.  Mark Cooper says he doesn’t think his son, Alex, consumed alcohol, but Alex was questioned several times during the following week by staff at GBS.  The father claims statements by other students were used to implicate Alex and that faculty threatened to call police if he didn’t confess.  Principal Wegley denied that and said hearsay is never used to justify disciplinary action.  Six students, including Cooper, were suspended for five days.  Mark Cooper protested, saying the punishment could hurt his son’s grade point average and make it harder for him to get into college. The District 225 board has asked staff to appear in January to explain their methods.

-- A developer is poised to buy a 14-acre site at Dundee Road and Skokie Boulevard even though Northbrook trustees are cool to the company’s call for $20 million in tax increment financing.  School District 225, which oversees Glenbrook North and South high schools, objected strongly to the proposal, and the village board has indicated it would not approve anything more than a $5 million TIF.  An advisory panel also suggests using no more than half of the tax dollars generated by the new property to support the development – assuring that some additional dollars would go to the schools and park district.  Members of the village board reason they’re already giving the developer a break by rezoning the industrial site to allow residential and commercial uses.

-- New Trier High School is more than $3.1 million richer after selling a painting purchased in 1948 by the head of the school’s art department for $62.50.  The work, titled “Still Life with Flowers,” was produced by Stuart Davis, one of the first American painters to embrace Modernism in 1913.  It hung for years on various school walls and was eventually lent to the Chicago Art Institute before being shipped to Christie’s for auction on December 1.  School officials say the money will be used for unspecified construction projects, with special consideration to improving facilities for art students.   

SAVE THE DATE

-- Glenview’s trustees will hold a public hearing and take a final vote on the 2006 budget at their next meeting, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 6 in the board room of Village Hall.  You can see the proposed spending plan at www.glenview.il.us and watch the meeting on cable.

-- The downtown plan commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, December 12 to consider possible zoning changes and specific projects proposed by a consultant.  The panel may also try to come up with a list of priorities and define key steps for each, develop a timeline for possible changes downtown and come up with possible funding sources.  That meeting will also be on GVTV. 

-- Jean Cleland of the North Shore Senior Center will speak on the new Medicare prescription drug program at 10 a.m. Tuesday, December 6 at the Glenview Public Library.  To register, call 847-729-7500, extension 112.

-- The library offers free half-hour consultations with a professional career counselor from 9 a.m. until noon Tuesday, December 13.  Call the information desk at 847-729-7500, extension 112 for details.

-- North Glen Business and Professional Women will hold their monthly dinner meeting on Tuesday, January 24 at the Five Seasons Country Club, 1300 Techny Road, Northbrook.  Tensley Garris, President of the Northbrook Chamber of Commerce, will speak about the “Leadership Northbrook” program -- a first-hand look at the inner workings of Northbrook.  It features presentations from leading civic, business and government officials, along with private tours of some of the village’s landmark business and civic resources.  Cocktails and networking begin at 6 p.m.  Dinner is at 6:30.  The cost: $25.  For more information, call Cindy Pfeiffer at 847-331-6631.

-- Charlie’s Coffee House in Wilmette is adding stand-up comedy to the menu with performances ever other Wednesday night.  Ray Hanania performs at 8 p.m. December 7 with an open mic session at 7:30 featuring Debbie Sue Goodman.  Thursdays from 7:30 – 9:30 local musicians are invited to perform two or three tunes.  Show up at 7 to sign up and play. On December 9 and 10, Corky Siegel will perform, with a possible matinee on the 11^th at 2 p.m.  Call or e-mail to reserve a spot: 847-256-5612 or www.javacharlie.com.

POLICE ISSUE A WARNING TO ATM CUSTOMERS

Glenview police are warning the public about an increase in crimes after ATM transactions and offering these security tips:

-- At a drive-up ATM, keep all windows closed, except the one you are using; keep
all doors locked; keep the vehicle running and be watchful of the vehicle's front, rear and sides.  If someone approaches your vehicle on foot, cancel the transaction and leave.

-- When approaching an ATM, be alert for anything suspicious, especially other people in a nearby vehicle, or if someone appears to be hanging around the area.

-- Never approach an ATM if the lights at the site are not working.

-- Take a companion along to the ATM, if at all possible, and park close to the ATM
in a well-lighted area.

-- Avoid using ATMs with bushes around them, particularly after dark.  

-- Before approaching the ATM, have your card ready, know your code and if anything such as a deposit slip needs to be filled out, have it ready.

-- When your ATM transaction is completed, take your money and leave immediately.

-- Always have your head up and be aware of your surroundings when you leave an ATM.  If you see or sense someone is following you, walk or drive to the nearest open
business or where there are a lot of people.

-- Should you see suspicious vehicles, people or circumstances call 911.

A FEW MORE WORDS TO THE WISE

Don’t carry cash.  The Glenview police report a Knollwood Lane resident left her un-locked car in the driveway overnight.  In the morning, she found her black leather purse containing her cell phone and $2,300 in cash missing.

And always ask for identification from visitors who claim to be working for utility companies:  An elderly resident of Robincrest Lane reported a man came to his front door requesting the resident come with the offender to the resident’s back yard to discuss an electrical problem.  The resident followed the offender to the rear yard and asked him to leave after observing no problem.  When the resident re-entered the house, he found someone had opened drawers and moved items on tables. Nothing was missing, and the offender left the area in a white pickup truck with a temporary Illinois registration.

NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS

-- A search of two computers used by 27-year-old Richard "Fritz" Kahle gave police no new evidence in the June murder of a Wilmette woman as she and her children had lunch in downtown Wilmette.  After gunning down 33-year-old Candice Sepheri, a casual acquaintance, Kahle went home and killed himself.  Detectives are still searching for a motive.  Friends said Kahle was having emotional problems.

-- A Wheeling man was saved by nature’s call last week.  He had gotten out of bed to use the bathroom early Monday morning when a drunk driver crashed into his house, then tried to run away.  The homeowner tackled 31-year-old Marcelino Barrientos who is now charged with driving under the influence, driving off the roadway, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and having no valid driver’s license. 

-- A Northbrook woman who accidentally put an envelope filled with $600 in cash into her mailbox along with payments for this month’s bills has something extra to be grateful for this holiday season.  Carrie Martin didn’t even bother to call the post office when she realized her mistake.  She figured she’d never see the money again.  But several days later the envelope was returned with a hand-written note advising her not to send currency or put unaddressed envelopes into the mail.  A spokesman for the post office says this error is not unusual.  Northbrook wasn’t sure who to credit, but Martin has sent a note of thanks to the postmaster general in Washington, hoping it will eventually reach the person honest enough to send her money back.

READERS WRITE

Jim Bowman is an Oak Park blogger interested in connecting with any Glenview seniors who have a web log.  You can reach him at jimbowman@ameritech.net.

DV wonders if  “there is any talk of putting in a traffic light at The Glen where Shermer Road intersects West Lake?  It is often very hazardous to turn left onto West Lake, and many people now drive that way.”

The Watch replies:  That possibility is not being considered at this time, but you can ask Deputy Village Manager Christopher Clark to raise the issue with Glenview’s traffic committee.  Write to CClark@Glenview.il.us.

RF writes about Wilmette police patrolling in east Glenview. “In the past three years I have seen them pull over motorists on the Glenview side of Lake Avenue in east Glenview near Meier's Tavern and the Wilmette Golf Course. Can Wilmette rightfully patrol both sides of the border? I think they should stick with their own town.” 

A spokesman for Glenview’s police department responds: “The jurisdictional line for Glenview runs down the middle of East Lake Avenue eastbound from the North Branch of the Chicago River to just east of the former Chicago and Northwestern Railroad line.  Wilmette has jurisdiction for the westbound lanes and Glenview has jurisdiction for the eastbound lanes.  Our department is not aware of Wilmette officers enforcing traffic violations in our jurisdiction.” 

BR responds to SK who is sick of hearing complaints about The Glen: “It is not The Glen itself that brings out our anger. Most of it is as beautiful as you have described.  It is the money that we have paid and paid and paid for The Glen that bothers me.  The roads, the street lights, the holiday lighting, subsidizing some of the most profitable businesses on the North Shore and $25 million for a new police station when our crime rate has dropped for years.  That’s why people take shots at The Glen.   We are being asked for a tax hike to fund new roads but not in The Glen, of course.  And when we need new sewers in older areas of Glenview, there is no money.  We are told that our schools will run out of money in two years, yet the Attea School is an architect’s dream.   Money is always available for a consultant’s report, even though the people of Glenview seem to have a good understanding of what we need.  Without a place to simply grab new money, businesses routinely contain costs because they have to.  One of our trustees suggested: ‘If you want to live in a first class community, you have to pay for it.’ To me, that statement is oversimplified and insulting.   No question that we want good schools, a police force and a library.   The Glen is nice, but it is time to close the spigot, stop the overspending and become financially responsible. No new taxes please!”

DK figures Glenview residents will be in for some bigger tax hikes in the years to come: “If the more astute citizens of Glenview are concerned about tax increases now, wait until they see what's in store for them when the costs for operating that Taj Mahal white elephant of a police station and a new $50 million library will mean in tax increases.  The band Bachman-Turner Overdrive said it best: ‘You ain't seen nuthin’ yet!’”

AB is also worried about taxes: “My taxes just went up from $6,200 to $8,400 this past payment (about a 35% jump).  And now I am hearing about another tax increase.  I have a question to those that would like to save on the expense side. How much money did we WASTE installing that sidewalk from Chestnut going north to the North Glenview train station?  I drive Lehigh every day both to and from work and have NEVER seen anyone on that sidewalk.”

The Watch replies: “We think people should walk or ride bikes to the train station, but the village can't expect people to walk to places where there's no sidewalk.  Having built it, we hope pedestrians will come.”

George Nassos reacts to news the trustees may soon be installing speed bumps on some Glenview streets: “I would not want speed bumps in my neighborhood for two reasons: First, studies have shown that drivers speed up after crossing a speed bump in order to make up for the lost time.  In many cases, the driver goes fast enough to make up more than the lost time.  Second, how would Glenview plow the streets in my neighborhood after a heavy snow fall?”

The Watch replies:  Communities like Naperville and Wilmette say they’re glad they installed speed bumps at key locations.  Presumably those locations are marked so that crews plowing snow can make adjustments to avoid damage to the bumps and to their equipment.

And JAS thinks Glenview could become the speed bump capital of Illinois: “Can anyone with a little common sense see where the traffic humps are going.  Just about every street will need them. With all the McMansions going up on neighboring streets, people are using my street to avoid the mud, the trucks, the delays.  Oops, three property owners plan construction on my street soon, so other streets will need humps.  Not only do we have small children, we have no sidewalks, and our children have to walk on the street.  Speed humps on our streets?  No! Doesn’t anyone remember why there is so much cut through on Dewes and other streets?  Because the powers that be thought it was a marvelous idea to mess up Glenview Road to deter cut through traffic from other towns.  Hence, cut through everywhere else. Speed humps should be paid for by the residents requesting them. When they start having to bump over them themselves and consider that the bump is very annoying and could damage their cars, they can then pay to have them removed. Bottom line: I believe streets were made for driving on, and who’s to say someone who doesn’t live in the neighborhood can’t use them.

“As for the troublesome intersection of Lehigh and Chestnut, Trustee Patterson got it right.  What ever happened to driver responsibility?  No matter what you do, that intersection is an accident waiting to happen, and there is nothing you can do to stop it.  Like the big train crash that just occurred, cars were at fault -- not the crossing.  The only thing that could have prevented that accident was driver responsibility!”

RS is glad to see Glenview trying another approach to controlling cut through traffic:  “There is a Santa Claus! Police have been ticketing on Dewes.”

Edgar concurs with John Brennan, a Glenview resident who feels the trustees have not been fiscally responsible when it comes to spending – especially at The Glen: “Mr. Brennan should be told that he is not alone.  Plenty of fiscally responsible folks show up on election day but don't know what is best for them.  How could they?  ‘Fiscally responsible’ is the most overused campaign phrase of all time. What is the candidate going to say?  ‘If elected I will spend you into the poor house? I will insure that your children and great grand children will return to the standard of living of the cave man to pay for all the wonderful things I am going to use your tax funds for?’ 

“Glenview politics are just like the politics in Washington.   After 40 years of wandering in the wilderness of minority status, screaming for fiscal responsibility, the blue gang won power in Washington and started spending money like the red gang did when they were in power and got all the pork.  Now the red gang is hungry for more pork cooked the way they like it.

“Things are no different in Glenview.  After Glenview First caught the blue gang in an ambush several years ago, they were largely unable to reverse the plans and trends that the blue gang had put in motion over the years.  The threat of another attack woke the blue gang up, and they buried the red, fiscally-responsible Firsters in campaign money and kicked them out. These reds were, of course, only fiscally responsible regarding the programs the old blues had kept in place over many years, and all of this took place while the public slept soundly in their homes. The public continues to sleep.  Some will move away when they suddenly find they can no longer afford to live in the village.”  

WCC defends Congressman Kirk’s call for discrimination against young Muslim men: “It is not racial profiling to be cautious when a situation involves someone who also fits the profile of persons who are known terrorists. The Sun-Times recently ran an  article about an American Muslim convicted of conspiracy to assassinate President Bush, conspiracy to hijack aircraft and supporting al-Qaeda. He testified that he hoped to establish himself as a leader in al-Qaeda and to start his own cell in the United States. It is fortunate someone was cautious in regards to this person. Had he not been apprehended, he could have come here to Glenview and recruited members for an al-Qaeda cell from the Muslims we are allowing to join our community. Traffic problems should be one of the last of our concerns regarding the construction of their new mosque. Risking Muslims as part of our community should be our greatest concern. Congressman Kirk should be applauded for his concerns and his use of caution in regards to groups and individuals who harbor and encourage terror and terrorists. ‘Caution’ will probably become one of the most important words in our language in the months and years ahead.”

The Watch replies:   First, we believe that Muslims in this country are no more likely to commit acts of terrorism than Christians or Jews. None of the men who have shot-up American post offices were Muslims.  None of the kids who killed classmates in U.S. schools were Muslims.  And the guys who blew up the federal building in Oklahoma City were not Muslims.

Second, many upstanding Muslims already live in Glenview, and most of the Ismaili Muslims who hope to worship here are from India and Pakistan – two of this country’s closest allies.  Their spiritual leader is the Aga Khan, a billionaire philanthropist from Great Britain. Most of them are U.S. citizens who are committed to tolerance in a multi-cultural society, value education, culture and free enterprise.

As for discrimination against young Muslim men, we invite you to read the words of Chicago Tribune columnist Dawn Turner Trice. She wrote: 

“If you say it's OK to discriminate against some Muslims trying to enter the country, then how long before American Muslims would see their rights whittled away? And who would determine how far the discrimination would go? Would it be OK to hold a person in a prison camp without charges for a few years?

“Racial profiling goes beyond nonsensical. It's downright dangerous. And not just for Muslim men, but for us all. . .Remember John Allen Muhammad, who spearheaded the 2002 deadly sniper shootings that traumatized the Washington, D.C. area? He's an African-American. What about Timothy McVeigh, the Oklahoma City bomber who killed 168 people, including 19 children? He wasn't of Arab descent. He was white. There's Eric Rudolph, who recently was sentenced to life in prison for the 1996 bombing at the Atlanta Olympics. He too is white.

 “While we wait for the al-Qaeda hammer to fall, homegrown radical right-wing extremism continues to be dismissed. The fact is, extremists are already on our soil, hunkered down amid their mini-arsenals.

 “Since Sept. 11, 2001, the mantra has been that we need to stop ‘them’ over there so we don't have to fight ‘them’ over here. Well, guess what? ‘They’ are already here, and they are us.

 “All racial profiling does is gives us a false sense of security. It makes as much sense as taking a closer look at men who happen to be white and have some connection to Oklahoma City.  It makes us believe we can somehow look at someone and divine their intentions. Profiling simply doesn't make sense. Unless of course you are the profiler and the only American rights that you care about are your own.”

 In our last edition, UC wrote to support Kirk’s claim that it was okay to discriminate against young men from Arab countries but not against those from Mexico or China: “How many militant white men or terrorist groups from Mexico or China hijacked four U.S. commercial planes and used them as weapons? Zero.  Who is beheading Jewish journalists, blowing up crowded Israeli markets, killing Christians in Thailand, and waging Jihad against all Westerners? The answer to that question is Arab males, and now females.  I'm a Democrat, liberal, and voted for Kirk, and will definitely vote for him again.  He's a good friend to Israel.”

 This week, JA responds:  “I don't see why Kirk being a friend to Israel is relevant here, and the use of the word ‘Arab’ is a derogatory generalization. Arabs can come from several different countries – some quite friendly to the U.S.  By the way UC, how many Iraqis hijacked those planes on 9/11? Answer: None.”

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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