|
|
The Glenview Watch
|
|
UNITE GLENVIEW KICKS WOULD-BE COMPETITOR OFF BALLOT
Glenview’s Electoral Board – a group composed of Village President Kerry Cummings, Trustee Kimball Woodrow, and Village Manager Todd Hileman voted last week to keep independent challenger Andy Sarkany off the April ballot. Sarkany was seeking a seat on the village board, but the panel ruled he had too few signatures on his nominating petitions. Cummings’ party, variously known as Unite Glenview, Village United and Glenview United, is fielding a slate of three candidates.
Sarkany had collected 165 signatures – 22 more than required by law, but the UG party challenged 74 of them. Some, UG said, were illegible. Others belonged to people who were not registered to vote or who were registered under maiden names but signed their new, married names. Fourteen had printed their names rather than writing them in script, and a few listed their business address rather than a home address. In a preliminary hearing, county officials agreed that 36 signatures did not meet the letter of the law.
Sarkany initially objected with regard to 15 cases – 14 of them printed and one identified as an “inactive” voter. He was represented by attorney and former trustee John Crawford, who told the panel that the election code allows writing or printing of signatures. Crawford read from the statute and cited a 1990 circuit court ruling in support of that claim. He also presented letters from 13 of the signers who had printed their names, affirming that they had, in fact, written their names on his petitions. “In this day and age, with so much information being digital, it is becoming more natural to print instead of using handwriting,” Crawford said. An octogenarian, Crawford noted that many younger people have forsaken cursive writing and rely solely on print.
“I don’t want us to get lost or bogged down in personal experiences,” said Erik Peck, the lawyer representing the UGs. “We’re here this evening to make sure that the integrity of the electoral process is upheld. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we have ordinances.”
Under the rules of procedure, he added, Crawford should have notified him in writing of the evidence he planned to present, specifying the sheet, line and name of the signer in question. “The rules of procedure have not been followed by the candidate and his attorney,” he concluded.
Crawford said the rules in question applied not to nominating petitions but to referenda.
“It’s very clear that written notice is to be provided within 24 hours,” said electoral board member Woodrow.
Crawford sounded discouraged but continued to argue for Sarkany’s signers. One had been disqualified because he or she was “an inactive voter.” Crawford said there was no provision in the law for dismissing someone who had not voted lately from signing a candidate’s petition.
Peck suggested Sarkany take his case to circuit court.
No one had asked for his opinion, but Village Attorney Jeff Randall decided to jump in. He said letters from 45 people whose signatures had been challenged should not be considered. “They are not in affidavit form,” Randall explained. “They have not been sworn to as provided by procedural rules.”
Randall then read from the state’s election code: “The electoral board will consider such other evidence as may be submitted – including, but not limited to other documentary evidence, affidavits, and oral testimony. The statements submitted are not affidavits. . .Those 13 statements should not be considered as evidence in making a decision, because they were nothing more than unsworn statements signed by the people who – I guess they purport to be, but that’s not sufficient evidence in court.”
“If this village will not accept any statement from a resident unless it is sworn, I think we’re in too litigious a world,” said Crawford, his voice rising with indignation. “These are statements signed by the individuals. In addition, the people circulating the petitions swore that these people did appear before them and sign them. I’m really shocked at the council’s statement that you can’t accept a statement from a citizen of this village unless it’s sworn to.”
“The fact is, because they’re not sworn, we don’t know who really signed them,” said Randall. “It’s just a signature. I don’t know whether it’s accurate or valid or not. They would not be admissible in any legal proceeding.”
Editor’s note: The whole system of candidate nominating petitions operates on trust.Randall could not prove that signatures on the UG petitions were valid either. Then again, Crawford and Sarkany were naive to expect that this election would be about trust, fairness or the spirit of the law. And they definitely missed an opportunity. Randall himself said, “The electoral board will consider such other evidence as may be submitted including, but not limited to other documentary evidence, affidavits, and oral testimony." The board rejected Crawford's evidence because it was not in sworn affidavit form, but the code makes it clear that evidence need not be in the form of sworn affidavits, and the unsworn statements should have been considered.
THE LAST GASP
“It’s a terrible indictment of this board to say that they will not accept a statement from a citizen of this village without it being sworn,” said Crawford.
“Well that would be for a court of law to decide,” Cummings replied.
“No,” said Crawford. “It’s for you to decide. We shouldn’t have to go to court for a fair hearing.”
By now, Cummings had heard enough. She told Crawford she would not expect any more answers from the UG attorney. “I believe his last statement was that he would take any of those objections at the next level – in a court of law.”
“Thank you very much!” said an incredulous Crawford. “We know that we can appeal, but we’re looking for justice and a fair ruling from this tribunal.”
Crawford wanted to discuss 21 other signatures that had been ruled invalid for other reasons, but Cummings refused to hear his claims, saying he failed to make a formal objection within 24 hours of the county clerk’s ruling.
“I do not lose my right to a fair hearing,” said Crawford. “The rulings of the county clerk are in effect advisory, and you are failing your duty to give us a fair hearing if you don’t take a look at those 21 sustained challenges. If you tell me that you don’t have to, all I can say is that this is not a fair hearing.”
“You rightfully brought forward an objection based on procedure,” said Cummings. “The objector has now brought forward an objection based on procedure, and in this case the evidence is clear that the rule was not followed.”
“It’s a sad day that we can’t consider 140-some voters. It was their signatures, and you don’t bother to check. You don’t bother to call them. You’re putting the onus on us, rather than the objector, to show that it’s wrong.”
Editor’s note: The electoral board’s decision should come as no surprise to anyone. Randall and Hileman report to a board of Unite Glenview party members. Cummings and Woodrow owe their political success to that party, and the law that created this whole sorry situation was crafted by incumbents who had no interest in letting anyone challenge them on Election Day. Now, the UGs can sleep through the election. There is no one to run against them – no need to debate the issues, and Glenview is a big, fat loser. Too bad there are not more independents willing to run, but given the conduct of Unite Glenview, who can blame people for refusing to seek village office.
Sarkany could sue, but that would be costly for a retired civil servant – a former inspector for Village Hall. On the other hand, village lawyer Jeff Randall would pocket even more of the taxpayers’ dollars. The moral of the story – single-party government is not good for democracy, and if you intend to run against bullies, get lots of signatures, cross all T’s, dot all I’s and expect to play hardball.
STATE'S ATTORNEY CONSIDERS CONDUCT OF DISTRICT 225
The Cook County state’s attorney’s office is reviewing charges that Glenbrook High School District 225 officials acted improperly in connection with last year’s $94 million bond issue referendum. On February 12, the school board hired Henry Brothers of Hickory Hills and Nicholas & Associates of Mt. Prospect to oversee $48 million in construction. They were among 40 firms that bid on the work. Each had given $5,000 to a citizens’ group backing the bond issue. Each will now get $850,000 plus 1.9 percent of construction costs to manage expansions and remodeling at Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North.
An architectural firm, Arcon Associates, gave $5,000. That company won a contract to provide design services, but it has done work for the district for 28 years. “It’s a good thing for people to invest in our communities that care a lot about kids and education,” said Pat Teplan, the chief financial officer for Arcon.
Out-of-town companies are also providing engineering, legal, graphics and food services after making contributions to Voices of Tomorrow’s Education (VOTE). Assistant Superintendent for Business Affairs Craig Schilling told the Chicago Tribune: “By no means was anybody guaranteed work in the future simply because they contributed. That’s not how our board or anyone works.”
But the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform said that was not the point. “When you see a lot of money come in from big businesses, it may be entirely innocent but raises a lot of questions,” said the group’s deputy director. “I can’t say for certain someone is shaking down contractors, but it looks like it.”
Giving money to campaigns is legal in Illinois, as long as contributions over $150 are reported. On the other hand, school administrators and employees are not supposed to solicit donations or use tax money to promote a referendum.
Northbrook resident Carolyn Weiner, who helped organize VOTE, admits she came up with a list of companies that did business with District 225 and wrote them letters. “We are asking all the businesses which provide the district with professional services, supplies or commodities to help fund the referendum campaign,” she wrote.
The bonds themselves were sold by William Blair & Company, a Chicago firm that gave $4,000 to the pro-referendum campaign. The Watch contacted District 225 when William Blair was hired. Schilling told us Blair, “would earn at least $130,000 in fees” from the sale. Critics are now calling that an understatement. The district's official statement for the bonds lists the underwriter’s discount at 6.13 percent, which computes to $406,277.
Editor’s note: Maybe Schilling is relying on the phrase “at least.” Pretty sneaky, huh? And remember, the just-completed bond sale did not involve the full amount authorized by the voters. Assuming District 225 maintains its ties to William Blair, the firm will be making even more when future bonds are sold.
OLPH PASSES THE PLATE
More then ten years ago, the village told Our Lady of Perpetual Help that it would have to do something about storm water runoff from its downtown site if it wanted to build a large addition. The village gave Glenview’s largest Catholic parish a decade to comply, but as the deadline neared, a church spokesman said it could cost half a million dollars to install detention tanks under its largely paved site. He warned that OLPH would have to close its school and “dump” children into Glenview classrooms if the wealthy congregation was forced to comply.
Then OLPH met with a local engineering firm that has done work for Village Hall and came up with a new idea. By planting prairie grasses and wildflowers on the slopes of the Loyola sports fields, Gewalt Hamilton told OLPH it could promote percolation of storm water into the ground, reducing flooding and erosion along the banks of the Chicago River upstream. By building rain gardens and a bio-swale at its own site, the parish could also reduce runoff. These new, green approaches to storm water control would cost OLPH less than $50,000, and village officials agreed to the idea.
You might have expected the parish to count its blessings and open its checkbook. Instead, Our Lady of Perpetual Help went looking for help from the taxpayers. They asked engineer Bob Hamilton to see whether the Illinois Department of Natural Resources would pay half the cost of this project through its Conservation 2000 grants program.
Officials who heard the pitch gave Hamilton a speedy response, noting the state never pays for projects that are required by law.
PHONEY BALONEY?
The village of Glenview spends nearly $150,000 a year on cell phone service – not that much when you consider that there are 191 people walking around with village-owned cell phones in their pockets. Glenview employs about 300 people, and it seems nearly 70 percent of them have a phone courtesy of the taxpayers. What’s even more puzzling is the fact that the number of cell phones allotted to the public works department (89 at a cost of $54,000 per year) exceeds the number of public works employees in the field (73). The extra phones are passed around to folks who may only be on call for weekends and evenings, but you have to wonder if we aren’t overdoing it – especially since every public works truck also has a radio, and some supervisors carry portable radios. Then there’s this telecommunications tidbit: Trustee Debby Karton, who gets $900 a year for her service on the village board, also has a home phone line that’s been paid for by the taxpayers since March 2005. Karton didn’t have a fax line, so the village agreed to install one. The Watch wonders why the public is also picking up the tab for Karton’s caller ID and voicemail. Shhhhh. Don’t tell the other trustees. It appears they pay for their own phone service.
PLAN COMMISSION APPROVES PANERA FOR PLAZA
Despite an impassioned plea from Chairman Howard Silver, Glenview's plan commission has voted to allow construction of a Panera Bread restaurant at the busy Plaza del Prado shopping center on the southeast corner of Willow and Pfingsten roads.
Silver, a customer of the Chase Bank west of the proposed construction site, said he thought there was too little parking and too much traffic in the area already, but a traffic consultant hired by the center’s owner said he had surveyed the parking lot nine times and found enough spaces.
The issue attracted considerable public opposition at past meetings, but not a single person turned out to testify this week. Area residents may object when the matter goes to the village board later this month.
PARKS TO ADMINISTER PRAIRIE
After months of negotiation, the village is set to turn control of the Air Station Prairie and the Ev Tyner Nature Center over to the Glenview Park District. The terms of the deal suggest the park district drove a hard bargain. They will get money up front for future repairs to the building and for on-going maintenance, and they’ll have no responsibility for the wetlands the village was required to create as part of a deal with the Army Corps of Engineers. Those wetlands have been a constant and costly undertaking that could drag on for years.
Editor’s note: Once natural treasures are destroyed, you can never get them back, and creating something similar is often harder and more expensive than you might expect.
COUNTY CONSIDERS HOME PICK-UP OF TOXICS
Would you be willing to pay for pick-up old paint thinner and other chemicals now cluttering your basement or garage? That’s what the county wants to know. Give them your thoughts at http://www.swancc.org/forms/hcwSurvey.html
GLENVIEW POLICE PRAISED FOR HEROIC RESCUE
A police department spokesman says several officers were called to the 2500 block of Harrison Street just after midnight on February 28. Officers David Maize and Rob Francois arrived on the scene first and found a mini-van had driven off the roadway and struck a tree. The engine was on fire, and the 55-year-old driver was slumped over in the front seat, conscious but unable to move. Maize and Francois quickly removed and carried the 250-pound man from the van to safety. Seconds later, the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
PARK DISTRICT PLANS SPORTS COMPLEX AND DOG PARK
The park district has started planning how it will use 57 undeveloped acres of Community Park West. Earlier this year, the park board signaled its desire to add more sports fields and a dog park at the site. A new administration building and indoor sports complex could also be built.
Dog lovers had hoped to see a temporary park for pooches this summer, but officials are now waffling on that possibility. “You can’t just open a dog park in Cook County,” says Superintendent of Park Services Fred Gullen. “You have to apply for a permit and have your operating plan approved.”
Earlier, Gullen said the district would apply for a state grant to fund construction of sports fields and the dog park. He thought Springfield might be more inclined to provide money if the proposal served many different community needs, but Glenview would not get word about state funding until November, delaying the creation of a dog park until spring 2008.
The district will hold a series of public hearings to discuss the future of the park at 7 p.m. in Park Center. If you have ideas about sports fields or a dog park, mark your calendar:
March 13 - The initial meeting will include a general review of the site. Participants will break into separate groups to develop lists of needs and interests. Each group will present its list, and consultant 3D Design will develop concept plans to reflect the information.
April 4 - The second meeting will be used to present and discuss the concept plans developed by 3D Designs. Those in attendance will be invited to suggest refinements and new ideas.
April 26 - As many as three revised concept plans will be presented to the park board, and the public will be invited to comment. The information gathered will be used to develop a final proposed master plan.
May 24 - 3D Design will present a master plan to the board, representing priorities for the 57-acre parcel. It is likely that some of the components will be prioritized for earlier construction than others. The board will vote on approving the plan. If approved, the plan will become part of grant application to the state.
NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS – GLENVIEW TAKE NOTE!
-- Oak Park is working with the same consultant helping Glenview plan its new downtown, and The Lakota Group has some pricy ideas for improving the local streetscape there. Among other things, the design firm proposes a heated blue stone sidewalk.
-- The Wilmette Hockey Association has petitioned for approval of $7 million in Sports Facility Revenue Bonds to pay for construction of the North Shore Ice Arena – a 40,000-square-foot training facility to be built on the corner of Waukegan and Willow roads.
-- And Wheeling is hoping to break ground on a new village hall behind the municipal complex at 255 W. Dundee. The price tag: $16.5 million. Completion expected in early 2009.
LOCAL ARTISTS GO NATIONAL
-- Glenview journalist and playwright Rey de La Cruz is featured in this week’s edition of Newsweek – sharing the story of his pen pal from Finland. Check it out at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17439002/site/newsweek/
-- Glenview native Leslie McManus stars in and produced a short film called The Job, premiering at the Lake County Film Festival in Libertyville this week. It’ll be shown March 9, 10 and 11. For locations and times, go to http://lcff.bside.com/?mediaTab=filmDetails&_view=_filmdetails&filmId=12253441Frid
SAVE THE DATE
-- The Glenview Area Historical Society invites the public to its annual Wine, Cheese and Thee Party from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, March 11. Guests will sample various vintages from the Old Willow Wine Shop, chow down on gourmet cheeses and meet local author Beverly Dawson who will discuss and sign copies of her new book, Images of America, Glenview Naval Air Station. Several area merchants have donated gifts to be raffled off at the party: a dinner for four at Matty’s Wayside Inn; two $50 gift certificates to Alibi Books; a Wyndham overnight package including brunch; dinners at The Glen Club, Gusto Italiano, Hamilton's, Johnny’s Tap and Hackney’s, oil changes from Steve and a gift basket from L'Appetito.
The society is located at 1121 Waukegan Road. For more information, call 847-724-2235.-- Jamie O’Reilly sings Irish-American favorites – folksongs, ballads and vaudeville tunes – at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 11 in the public library’s Maynard Room. RSVP for this free concert by calling 847-729-7500, extension 112.
-- Ryerson Woods hosts a screening of An Inconvenient Truth followed by a lecture and discussion with Tim Brown, co-director of the Delta Institute. He'll discuss what the state of Illinois, the city of Chicago and others are doing to address climate change from 1:30-4 p.m. Sunday, March 11. Admission is $20. Call 847-968-3321 to register, and for driving directions to the Lake County preserve go to http://www.ryersonwoods.org/p/rymap.html .
-- The trustees continue their discussion of new smoking restrictions in public places at 7 p.m. Monday, March 12 in the board room of Village Hall.
-- Filmmaker Jen Marlowe presents Darfu Diaries: Stories of Survival at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 in the Maynard Room of Glenview’s public library. Call 729-7500, extension 112 to reserve seats.
-- The North Shore Professional Women’s Association meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 13 at the Mission Hills Country Club, 1677 Mission Hills Road in Northbrook for a networking dinner and discussion of stress. Dr. Michael Green, Medical Director of The Chicago Center for Healthy Living and LightCare Medical Spa will explain what stress does to our bodies and how we can slow down or reverse those effects. The cover charge is $25 payable in advance thru our website or $35 at the door. RSVP at www.NSPWA.net or call Rebecca Witek at 847-919-7962 by March 9.
-- The official opening of the Tyner Interpretive Center at the Air Station Prairie is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14 at 2400 Compass Road off Lehigh. The 3,000-square-foot center building features a living grass roof, solar panels and geothermal heating and cooling. Interpretive panels on the outer walls provide information on local plants and animals, wetlands, soil conservation and gardening.
-- Ryerson Woods invites area residents to make maple syrup on March 10, 11, 17 or 18. The nature preserve will offer hour-long hikes, during which participants tap maple trees, boil sap and taste the rewards of their efforts. The cost is $7. Hikes begin every half hour from 12:30-2:30, and they fill up fast, so call 847-968-3321 to reserve a spot. Scouts and school groups can also arrange for special visits by calling that number.
READERS WRITE
BH is sorry Andy Sarkany won’t be running for local office: “Of course Todd Hileman and Unite Glenview (or whatever they are calling themselves this year) didn’t want Sarkany running for trustee. He might have won on his platform of ‘telling it like it is at Village Hall.’ Anyone who claims there’s no political machine in Glenview should think again! It was the kiss of death as well that his attorney was John Crawford, the historic arch enemy of the ruling party due to his habit of telling the truth. Maybe we should mount a massive write-in campaign for Andy. I bet we would win, and that would be a refreshing change from business as usual.”
GR was dismayed to hear that the park district can’t build a simple dog park without a consultant and a government grant: “Glenview needs an ass park -- somewhere for all these idiots to congregate without risk to the public.”
And JAS writes: "Just when you think you have heard it all! Does this village pride itself on idiocy? Imagine a consultant for a dog park. Once again they have left me speechless. They could build the dog park for less than it would cost to pay the consultant."
Larry Smith is not surprised by the district's go-slow approach: “While I share your frustration on the progress of the park, starting one of these is anything but easy. When the Beck Lake Dog Park was established and then expanded, the forest preserve district was under continuous pressure from various environmental groups (bird lovers) and folks who just hate dogs to shut it down. Some of this got pretty nasty. There were certain commissioners who felt it unseemly to be giving such a large swath of property to suburban dog owners. If not for the tireless efforts of the association president and members, that park would have vanished, and members at Beck Lake are still warned that we are one bad incident away from loosing the facility. Fortunately, dogs and people manage to enjoy Beck Lake and police themselves without serious problems. Permit holders must present health certificates each year, wear visible permits and keep tags on their dogs. There are rules posted all over the place, but not everyone maintains control over their dog or picks up after them. That’s why I applaud the park district for taking its time to plan the park properly and look forward to the day when Glenview has a place for pooches. My checkbook is open.”
One of those birders Smith mentions recently posted the following note in an online chatroom. John Balaban was surprised that some dog lovers consider parks for pooches a necessity: “I don't know why I continue to be surprised by the things people will say, but still I cannot believe someone could actually seriously say this. Food is a necessity, and I'm guessing there are some people, even in Glenview, going to bed hungry tonight. Shelter is a necessity, and I know there are some people sleeping out under plastic tarps in the forest preserve in Glenview tonight. Medical care is a necessity, and once again I'm fairly certain there is a significant group of people in Glenview who did not receive and cannot afford proper medical care today. But dog parks are a necessity! As cute and friendly and warm and fuzzy and wonderful as they are, surely we must admit that even dogs themselves are not a necessity, let alone a dog park. For a community to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on a dog park while some residents go without food or shelter or medical care says more than I care to know about the state of our society today.”
The Watch replies: No one is proposing that hundreds of thousands be spent on a dog park. That honor goes to people who want golf courses, skating rinks, fitness centers, soccer and baseball fields – all things on which park districts routinely spend large amounts of tax money. We would probably find common ground with Mr. Balaban in one sense. It’d be great if our park district provided more space for those of us who enjoy so-called passive recreation: bird watching and playing with our dogs in natural open spaces.
Fritz takes aim at GNG -- a critic of SOLD (Save Our Library Downtown): “GNG is out of his/her mind. If ignorance is bliss, this person must be really happy. They admit that they have not read information produced by SOLD and then go on to rant about what they have not read.”
Phil Montross also defends SOLD: “First, SOLD has never suggested the library is ‘empty,’ as GNG implies. Second, SOLD has published several documents that use usage and attendance statistics generated by the library management, and clearly prove that assumptions of usage habitually err toward overstatement. Third, SOLD has never suggested that Glenview does not need an enlarged and updated library building. It has, however, suggested the library should remain in its downtown location (a position supported, finally, by the village board). SOLD believes the existing building should be updated/ refurbished as a part of the enlargement and updating process -- a position that is completely rational in light of the generally accepted analysis that the existing building has a construction value of approximately $10 million. The proposed library building of more than 90,000 square feet is excessive based on usage figures and sizes of libraries in other suburban communities, and the consultants used by the library board have, almost without exception, clear conflicts of interest.
“GNG suggests that SOLD members ‘should find something else to do with their spare time.’ Many of SOLD’s members have been involved in downtown planning, Wagner Farm planning, and a wide variety of civic activities, working without pay for the satisfaction of knowing they’re doing productive things rather than just writing letters and complaining. I suggest GNG start spending his/her spare time doing research about the community, including reading documents published by such groups as SOLD, so that s/he will at least be reasonably well informed before expressing outrage about what hard working, civic groups like SOLD do that s/he disagrees with. Oh, and one last suggestion: GNG should have the courage to use his/her name when taking cheap shots at people whose names are used at civic meetings and in letters.”
Terry Wodder chimes in: “So GNG figures Glenview is a wealthy community, and there’s no need for fiscal responsiblity when building the new library. Well, guess what? Glenview’s wealth is not evenly distributed, and not all Glenview residents are rich. The library’s own 1998 feasibility study found that 628 residents lived below the federal poverty line. Sure, those at the bottom probably don’t own their own homes, but they do pay rent to landlords who pass on property tax increases to their tenants. In other words, every dollar of public funds should be spent wisely and frugally. On this score the library board falls short. Over the last nine years it’s wasted over $400,000 on consultants. But, that’s chickenfeed compared to the millions of dollars the library will waste if it tears down the existing building. If GNG had bothered to read the various reports the board has accumulated over the years, he (or she) would know that the existing building is in very good condition. What’s more, a recent consultant described some of the interior spaces as being architectural ‘gems’ that make great use of natural light.”
Biff Thiele agrees: “If GNG had read the literature, s/he would have discovered what appears to be collusion and fraud behind the scenes between architects at PSA/Dewberrry who did the library’s space needs study and members of the library board. SOLD wanted the library board to exclude PSA/Dewberry from consideration when hiring an architect. After all, architects are paid based on the square footage of a building. It would clearly benefit a consultant to overestimate the amount of space needed if doing so would ensure bigger profits later. Instead, the library board gave the design contract to PSA/Dewberry with no competitive bidding!
“The problem is too many people out there are like GNG. They’re not paying attention to what is going on. They blindly followed the lead of a board that has no understanding of construction – a board that wants to build a Taj Mahal far bigger than anything this community could possibly need in the next 30 years. It is the GNGs out there (who don't bother to read the literature) who are costing this community millions.
“If they don’t trust SOLD, they need only look at the report issued 19 months ago by Sente-Rubel-Bosman-Lee (SRBL), another consultant hired to advise Glenview on its new library. SRBL said it would cost $81 per square foot to renovate and enlarge the library. That number was considerably lower than anyone else had projected.
PSA/Dewberry, on the other hand, told Glenview that the same renovations would cost $165 per square foot – more than double the SRBL number. Why do you suppose we were told that the cost would be $165 per square foot to rehab the old building? Perhaps the architects and the board wanted to make a stronger case for a big new building.
“The library board counted on there being enough ignorant people out there to support its plans and projected costs without question. They counted on you, GNG, and you did not disappoint. If you want to waste your money, knock yourself out, but be aware that your misguided support for waste is costing the rest of us, too.
“I challenge you to drop The Watch and drive over to the library. Walk through the facility and count the number of people (not employees), who are actually using the library. I have gone in on weekdays and weekends, mornings, afternoons and evenings , at rush hours, meal times, when trains are coming and when they are going, when the kids are in school and when they’re out, and I’ve never seen more than 60 people, except when there is a special event or meeting in the Maynard room.
“Have you looked at Northbrook's library -- a beautiful facility that cost $10 million? It’s about the size of a renovation plus addition that SOLD has proposed for years – a project that would cost Glenview $9 million less than it now expects to pay. Do you have any idea how badly we are being screwed over, GNG? Of course you don't. You don't bother to read.”
Mary Butler defends the decision to build new: “I have been an employee of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library for more than 20 years and have witnessesd several additions in that time. The space is great, but the heating and cooling systems are not. Every 20 feet is a temperature variation, and space heaters are not allowed due to fire ordinances. I don't think there is a person in this workplace who would not have preferred a new building. Likewise, new construction would be more flexible in anticipating future technology, whereas that is much more difficult (and expensive) in an old building. Remodeling and adding on would most assuredly run into costs that cannot be anticipated until construction is under way. A new library makes sense.”
But LV was disturbed by GNG’s contention that, “Glenview is a wealthy community and can certainly afford a much better library than it has had for the last ten years. If Glenview can afford to build a new post office for the federal government and donate the land for it while also building probably the largest, most luxurious police station on the North Shore, it can certainly afford a new library.” Says LV: “Can we really afford that post office and police station? The pudding has yet to set. Only time will tell, years after the people who made those decisions have moved on.” She also worries that the village will overspend on emergency dispatch with the expectation that we’ll be able to sell our services to other communities down the pike: “Wouldn't the proper course of action be to secure a commitment from these so called partners before incurring the costs? They may just be pissing in the wind.”
Dr. K is sorry “that the Glenview Farmers’ Market is moving. “The location was great and had a small town feel, but having the park district pay to have people shuttled from downtown Glenview a few miles to Wagner Farm makes no fiscal sense. As a taxpayer, I think it’s a waste of money to spend it on this -- a classic case of money spent that will benefit very few people. Why not have shuttles from 10 or 20 sites all across Glenview? I'm sorry that those who used to be walking distance will now have to get in their car and drive. If they are particularly concerned about the environmental impact of driving, I would suggest getting a bike.”
MZ was also alarmed by Commissioner Mike Scholl’s call for a shuttle from downtown to Wagner Farm: “Really? I must have missed the shuttle service from my part of Glenview, which is extremely far west. I thought we all had to have cars in the suburbs.”
JR is thrilled about changes at one access point to The Glen: “So they finally altered the stop lights at the intersection of Chestnut and Lehigh. I haven't come through the intersection from all angles yet, but I can say that allowing left turns west onto Chestnut from south on Lehigh, instead of restricting them to a green arrow, is a huge improvement. Another improvement is the protected right turn arrow east onto Chestnut. I had begun to give up hope that the village was listening to what seemed like hundreds of complaints about this intersection, but the changes have been made, and I think it's for the better. I might even go north on Lehigh and turn west onto Chestnut, stopping at the Park Center or the Glen Town Center -- two places I've been avoiding due to that silly intersection.“
MM was amused over comments about a proposed smoking ban in public places. Trustee Phil White said he “would like the right to be able to go to any movie and not look at the sex and the violence and all the rest of the crap that’s there. I don’t have that right,” he continued, “because the freedom of the individual says that all that stuff is permissible. It’s okay. It’s okay to carry handguns – even assault weapons. That’s the right of the individual.” MM has “heard the Christian right is looking for a viable Presidential candidate for 2008” and thinks Trustee White should apply. S/he also shuddered when Trustee Pat Cuisinier worried that Glenview restaurants would lose business to Morton Grove if smoking were banned here. “Because there are so many top- rated restaurants in Morton Grove, right? Remind me, what restaurants are located in Morton Grove?”
Mrs. R. wants to know, “Why do my kids have to walk in a busy street on their way home from Hoffman School when all of the sidewalks at The Glen have been plowed? This weekend I saw two plows at work there. Couldn't they spare one plow to dig out the other side of town? We pay taxes too.”
Editor’s note: We’re not sure which part of The Glen you observed, but we do know that homeowners pay to have their sidewalks plowed in front of the Kimball Hill townhouse around Town Center.
Linda Nidetz writes to share her thoughts on the war in Iraq: “Supporting our troops means protecting them from being sent into the middle of a civil war inadequately equipped and under-prepared. We need legislation to ensure adequate training, support, and equipment for our troops! But President Bush and the majority of the elected Republicans continue to ignore this issue and our troops are currently being sent to Iraq not adequately equipped. Please contact your representatives today and urge legislation requiring the military to provide soldiers with proper equipment and training. The Republicans have repeatedly sent our armed forces into conflict inadequately equipped and under-prepared which is totally unacceptable! I want to end the occupation in Iraq and bring our brave men and women home -- not send more Troops inadequately equipped and under-prepared!”
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.