|
|
The Glenview Watch
|
|
WEST NILE BACK IN GLENVIEW
After finding the West Nile virus in mosquitoes from two Glenview traps, the North Shore Mosquito Abatement District is vowing to spray from Willow Road to Golf and from Pfingsten Road to Harms on Monday, July 23 between 8 p.m.–2 a.m.
Perhaps hoping to minimize public alarm, the district has taken to calling the airborne spray “adulticiding,” and Village Hall used the term in a brief e-mail sent to residents on Friday.
The spraying process involves a chemical called Anvil, described by the state of New York on its website: “Anvil. . .contains sumithrin and piperonyl butoxide. Sumithrin is a man-made insecticide that can also be found in other pesticide products used indoors and on pets to control ticks, fleas and ants. Piperonyl butoxide acts to increase the ability of sumithrin to kill insects. These active ingredients are dissolved in a petroleum solvent similar to paint thinner or kerosene.
“Because pesticide products are inherently toxic, no exposure is risk free,” the site continues. “The likelihood of experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to any pesticide, including Anvil, depends primarily on the amount of pesticide and the amount of time the person is in contact, a person's age, sex, genetic makeup, life style and/or general health. Short-term exposures to very high levels of pyrethroid pesticides similar to sumithrin can affect the nervous system, causing such effects as loss of coordination, tremors or tingling and numbness in areas of skin contact. Short-term exposure to high levels of petroleum solvents can cause irritation of the eye, skin, nose, throat or lung. Vomiting or central nervous system depression may occur if very high levels of petroleum solvents are ingested. There are no studies examining whether the use of Anvil to control mosquitoes has caused any long-term health effects in humans.”
“When added to cells growing in plastic dishes in a laboratory, high concentrations of sumithrin acted like an estrogen (a class of naturally occurring hormones). This suggests that sumithrin may interfere with endocrine system function in animals.”
Nevertheless, New York State officials conclude, “Anvil is applied at very low concentrations to control mosquitoes. It is unlikely that adverse health effects will occur as a result of this use for most people, but some individuals may experience health effects [and] should consider taking steps to minimize their exposure.”
Specifically, the site says children, pregnant women and pets should avoid the area being sprayed for at least half an hour, closing windows and vents when spraying takes place. Pick homegrown fruits and vegetables you expect to eat soon. Rinse all produce before eating. Cover outdoor tables and play equipment or wash them with detergent after spraying. Bring laundry and toys in from your yard before spraying takes place, and cover fish ponds.
If you’d like the Mosquito Abatement District to bypass your house, call 847-446-9434, hit zero and let the receptionist know of your wishes.
RIVER CONTAMINATION DELAYS DOWNTOWN PLANS
The village had hoped to begin work this summer on a $194,000 project to stabilize the banks of the Chicago River between Waukegan and River roads in downtown Glenview. Planners hope to make the area appealing – to entice visitors and inspire developers. Officials say, however, that nothing can be done this year, since a consultant hired to assess the environmental impact of the project found contaminants in the river.
During a routine briefing at Village Hall, Capital Projects Director Don Owen said some environmental tests had been done, as required by the state. “I haven’t read the reports yet, but we believe there is contamination,” he told reporters.
Owen could not elaborate on the nature of the pollution, and Village Manager Todd Hileman said it would be 3-6 months before a final report is issued. “Tracing contamination is not an easy thing. We don’t know how long contaminants have been sitting there or where they came from.”
Asked about a dry cleaning business on the river bank, Development Director Mary Bak urged reporters not to draw conclusions. She noted that many different kinds of businesses, including a gas station, had operated in the area.
MANAGER SAYS GLENVIEW’S BOOM TIMES ARE OVER
With more people relying on cell phones and e-mail rather than home phones and fax lines, Village Manager Todd Hileman says Glenview’s telecommunications tax revenues are down about $900,000. What’s more, municipal expenses are up, making for tight fiscal times at Village Hall. “Resources are clearly slowing down. The growth years in Glenview are over, and we’re now planning for sustainability,” he told reporters. “We have seen an increase of 1-3 percent in revenues, but expenses are up over 4 percent.”
Hileman said spending cuts or tax hikes would be needed in 2009-2012. He will urge the trustees to consider a small increase in sales tax (.25%) and a 3-4 percent hike in the property tax. Management is also weighing a possible real estate transfer tax – a charge generally levied on buyers of new homes and condos based on purchase price.
The manager said he was reluctant to depend too heavily on sales tax, since state lawmakers are looking at a change in the way that tax is collected. To snag some money from Internet sales, State Senator John Cullerton has proposed that Illinois tax purchases in the place where consumers take delivery. That would mean appliances bought from Abt Electronics would yield higher revenues for communities where customers take delivery and lower revenues here.
Because 70 percent of village dollars go for salaries and benefits, the village is offering early retirement to some of about 345 people who work for Glenview. Long-time employees can buy up to five years to attain the necessary 20 years needed to retire. Employees have about a year to decide whether they’re ready to go.
Hileman stresses there will be no cuts in the ranks of police officers or firefighters, although consolidation of dispatch services and reorganization of some departments may lead to layoffs and cost savings.
Glenview’s five-year budget plan will be the focus of a public workshop at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26 in the police station’s community room, 2500 Lake Avenue.
DEVELOPERS GET DOWNTOWN PREVIEW
To speed redevelopment of the area around Glenview and Waukegan roads, the village has agreed to ditch traditional zoning rules and go with something called “form based code.” The new guidelines for development have been drafted by a consultant, with quiet advice from a committee appointed by Village President Kerry Cummings.
Cummings asked former Trustee Kim Woodrow and the chairmen of Glenview’s zoning board, plan and appearance commissions to weigh-in before the new code is officially shown to the public. Development Director Mary Bak said committee meetings were not subject to the Open Meetings Act. No minutes had been kept, and no agendas were issued to the public, nor were taxpayers invited to meetings of the group, “because it’s not a formal committee.”
She also said the proposal had been shared in private meetings with developers, including Glenview State Bank, the owner of Bess Hardware and the Regency Group, which has acquired several lots on Waukegan Road.
Editor’s note: We don’t buy village management’s claim that meetings of the form based code advisory group are not subject to the Open Meetings Act. Illinois’ attorney general says the law “applies to virtually all types of publicly created groups . . .any gathering of a public body held for the purpose of discussing public business. . .an exchange of views or ideas among public body members.” Given their past conduct, however, we are not surprised that administrators locked the public out while holding private meetings with developers. Despite the window dressing for downtown planning – a series of public workshops – it was clear that consultants, developers and village planners were determined to do this project their way from the very start.
We remain concerned by the central role that Woodrow is playing in downtown redevelopment. He is no longer an elected official, having stepped down from the board of trustees. He is, however, chief operating officer for Lasalle Investment Management, a company that describes itself as, “a major force in the world's real estate capital markets.”
And one more question must be asked of Village President Kerry Cummings: Are there any other committees of this kind, operating quietly, behind the scenes, without public oversight?
DESIGN STANDARDS FOR DOWNTOWN
In June, the village released proposed design guidelines for the new downtown. Page one shows Glenview House, an historic building that makes some residents cringe. They complain that the extensive use of neon is not appropriate in an upscale community, and the architecture is not typical of Glenview. Instead, some feel a photo of the park district headquarters – an English Tudor building that has been designated a landmark by the village – would be a better model for future construction.
The guidelines call for buildings that incorporate several materials, such as wood, brick, stone and wrought iron, while rejecting fake stone, vinyl and solid brick walls. They promote large plate glass windows and awnings for shops and eschew small windows. Photos of residential and commercial buildings in other North Shore communities and at The Glen illustrate the design guidelines, and planners laud the current streetscape along Glenview Road, suggesting future developments continue to enhance the Main Street look.
BIKE PATH AND SIDEWALK PLAN ONLINE FOR REVIEW
A consulting team has issued its 20-year plan to enhance Glenview's biking and walking environment. T.Y. Lin recommends more on-street bike routes and lanes along with off-street paths that would be shared by bicyclists and joggers. The plan also calls on Glenview to build nearly 15 miles of sidewalk, install new crosswalks, push button signals and pedestrian countdown clocks. The plan commission will review the report in mid-August. Until then, residents are invited to view the proposal and offer their views. The report is at http://www.glenview.il.us/departments/capital/bikeandsidewalk.shtml
CELL POLES RISING
The village board has agreed to let U.S. Cellular put up two 150-foot monopoles at 831 E. Lake Avenue and 3200 W. Lake Avenue. Neighbors objected, but village administrators argued they could use the poles to improve wireless communication for firefighters en route to a blaze or paramedics headed for a medical emergency. Right now, dispatchers have coverage in just 70 percent of the village. Deputy Manager Chris Clark said adding equipment on the two towers would increase that number to 90 percent.
U.S. Cellular will pay Glenview nearly $28,000 a year to lease the land, but the village will have to spend $52,750 to install its antennae and upgrade the wireless system. Trustee Phil White questioned the expense, given public opposition and the fact that only 12 of 16 fire department vehicles would benefit from the change.
A spokesman for U.S. Cellular said Glenview had an obligation to improve cellular service in general. He cited a case in McHenry County where the estate of a man who died six hours after a motorcycle crash is suing because the biker was unable to get a cell call through to emergency services after the accident.
The new poles will not benefit the police department, which is gearing up to use a different form of wireless communication.
Critics say the company that installed the original fire communications system, at a cost of more than $500,000, pledged it would cover the entire village, and they warn that Glenview’s installations on U.S. Cellular’s poles could interfere with that company’s transmissions, forcing the village to pay for adjustments.
SAVE THE DATE
-- Get a preview of village revenues and spending for the next five years at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 26 when the village board holds a workshop to review and comment on assumptions made by management. Village Manager Todd Hileman has warned that Glenview’s salad days are over, and he will propose increases in sales and property taxes. The meeting will be held in the police station community room, 2500 E. Lake Avenue.
-- A planning committee will again try to figure out what should be done with 45 acres of Navy land recently purchased by the village at 7 p.m. Monday, July 30 in the police station’s community room. A consulting firm will offer alternatives to three plans it put forward last month – plans that called for hundreds of new town homes and condominiums at The Glen. Dog owners are still hoping the village will consider reserving a fenced space where healthy, well-behaved canines could romp, and District 34 is hoping to snag some free land for another school.
TENTH DEMS UNIVERSITY
Democrats in the 10th Congressional District have organized a series of free classes designed to help the group win elections. At 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 24, former Congressman and Judge Abner Mikva will speak at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 28, Beth Gill will present :Dirt Digging and Legislative Lookup: Internet Research in Politics,” in the Garden Room of McDonald’s, 50 Waukegan Road in Deerfield. To register, go to www.TenthDemsU.org
GROOT BILL GOOF
This month's bills from Glenview’s main garbage collector, Groot, claimed there would be no pick up of yard waste this summer, due to the Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Zone. In fact, the company will send out corrections to customers next week, explaining that Groot will make pick-ups, now that a county collection site in Glenview has agreed to accept wood waste.
SHOP TIL YOU DROP
New stores are set to open at Willow Festival, a shopping center at the corner of Willow and Waukegan roads. A CVS drug store and shoe discounter DSW plan grand openings on August 20, while Whole Foods and dozens of small stores will welcome customers on August 29. The center is 90 percent leased, but two restaurant sites are still available. Once at capacity, Willow Festival is expected to generate $2 million a year in sales tax for Northbrook.
Meanwhile, Old Orchard continues to evolve with American Eagle Outfitters, Lucky Brand Jeans, Lucy, Martin + Osa, Payless Shoe Source, Select Comfort, Teavana, McCormick & Schmick seafood, White House/Black Market and XXI Forever opening this month, and Hollister opening this fall.
MORE NEWS FROM THE NEIGHBORS
-- Des Plaines may soon hire S.B. Friedman & Company, the same firm that advised Glenview on downtown redevelopment here, to come up with a master plan for the "Five Corners" area -- approximately 70 acres around Rand and River roads.
-- Construction crews are about to start work on the 164-unit Meadow Ridge town house development northwest of Willow and Waukegan roads. The developer, KZF, was also responsible for Royal Ridge, the first gated community built on Techny land. Meadow Ridge was approved by the village of Northbrook after years of trying to develop the 42- acre site as an office park. Builders hope to complete the project in May or June of 2008.
-- Wilmette has committed to building a 7,500-square-foot skate park on the community’s west side in Hibbard Park.
-- The latest in aviation technology, the Eclipse 500, landed at Chicago Executive Airport in Wheeling earlier this month. The smallest jet-powered aircraft on the market seats a pilot, co-pilot and three passengers. The plane will be part of North American Jet Charter Service’s fleet, and the owner hopes to have half a dozen by year’s end.
KIRK GETS POLICE ESCORT AT LOCAL PET EVENT
Congressman Mark Kirk was the featured speaker at a Humane Society event at Gallery Park last week. About 50 area residents were on hand to celebrate “Pet Protection Day,” and to hear how Congress is working to protect animals. Seven anti-war activists also showed up but were unable to get Kirk’s attention, in part because the congressman was guarded by eight Glenview police officers.
“Why is Congressman Kirk willing to talk about protecting pet food but not our soldiers?” asked Sharon Sanders of Northbrook.
While Kirk voted against President’s Bush’s proposed troop surge, he has refused to support benchmarks for bringing U.S. troops home.
CANINE NEWS
-- Heartland Animal Shelter on Milwaukee Avenue has announced plans for two big fundraising events for homeless dogs and cats: a walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 28 in Blue Star Memorial Woods Forest Preserve off East Lake Avenue and the second annual Golden Paw Gala on November 17. To sign-up, make a contribution or learn more, go to www.heartlandanimalshelter.net/Events01.html .
-- You can also sign up for pet foster care by writing to Jenny at jlnogle@yahoo.com or calling 847-296-6400.
-- Wiggly Tails doggie daycare is looking for part-time, full-time and weekend dog lovers. You’ll find a job application online at www.wigglytails.com, or you can call 847-272-4141.
-- From 9-11 a.m. Saturday, August 18 Orphans of the Storm will host a two-mile charity walk from Jaycee Park, 1026 Wilmot Road in Deerfield. Registration is $20, and participants should B.Y.O.D. (Bring your own dog). For more information, or to get a pledge card, e-mail Jackie at jborchew@orphansofthestorm.org
GLENVIEW PHOTOGRAPHER SNAPS RARE PINK CREATURE
Nature photographer Carol Freeman won attention for her work last week when she shared a picture she had snapped in Lake Forest – a rare pink katydid. You can see the bug and learn more about it at http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/ chicago_gardener/2007/07/katy-you-didnt-.html#more
PRAIRIE UPDATE: TICKS DOWN, VISITORS UP
The park district is on the verge of hiring a director for the nature center at the Air Station Prairie after wading through a field of 36 applicants. Meanwhile, Grove administrators are pitching-in, hosting visitors on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. An average of 24 people a day are coming by to stroll, take part in activities on the deck and collect complimentary packets of prairies seeds. The park district hopes to purchase telescopes for evening use and an audio visual system to enhance education at the site.
Glenview has also invited the Green Building Council, Brookfield Zoo Administrators, the Illinois Solar Energy Council, Heller Nature Center, five garden clubs, members of the Senior Center and Wight and Co. Architects to visit. The Tyner Nature Center will also be part of the National Tour of Solar Buildings in October.
Ticks, which were a problem earlier in the season, are less prevalent, although visitors are still advised to wear long pants and socks and to use insect repellant.
READERS WRITE
CSC writes about personnel changes at Village Hall: “I was once a loyal and dedicated member of that organization until I was terminated for ‘poor performance.’ I came to Glenview five years ago at the request of former Fire Chief Joe Robberson. He needed a person with my level of expertise for the building of the Glen Town Center. I stand by my legacy of ensuring the highest level of protection for that and hundreds of other projects that I oversaw. My employee personnel file has dozens of letters of appreciation and commendation.
“This past year has been an absolute living hell for me and my family. After Fire Chief Dan Bonkowski was forced out, I was told that I was ‘first on the list to be fired.’ I have never been treated so inhumanely in 35 years of public service. The daily intimidation and uncertainties that many wonderful village employees face has turned the best place to work into a constant nightmare of losing your job.
“Despite being fired from a job I truly loved, I feel a great sense of relief for not having to face that difficult daily struggle to find the motivation to serve the residents of Glenview. The consolidation of fire prevention into the building department will compromise the autonomy that is necessary to maintain the highest level of safety for the community. I can only hope and pray that the tragedy that befell nine firefighters in Charlotte, South Carolina is not repeated here.”
BH is worried about village finances and staffing: “So Manager Hileman wants to raise taxes to make ends meet, outsource more services and eliminate more employees? There are several things wrong with that scenario. Outsourcing usually means sending revenue to other communities. Meanwhile, many good employees have left the village, and many more are struggling to keep up with the increasing workload. Municipal services have come to resemble a game of Chinese checkers, with so many positions being moved around, and the trustees continue to hand out money like candy at every board meeting, planning more grandiose projects to create a legacy. Perhaps if they and their predecessors had not been so generous with no-interest loans to developers at The Glen and sales tax give-backs to Abt Electronics we could keep our hard-working village employees around and not raise taxes. Maybe we should outsource the village manager.”
On reading that District 34 plans to cover unexpected increases in the cost of new school additions, even before construction has begun, with contingency funds, Miss M writes: “That’s just sloppy. What are they going to do when the bills come due for the real mix ups once construction is underway? Perhaps they should send their construction manager back to third grade for a little 'rithmatic.”
John Ranz and Terry Wodder remain concerned about plans for a new library: “It’s no surprise the library board is three months behind schedule and several million dollars over budget. For the past nine years the board has ignored nationally-recognized standards for patron seating. They have spent tax dollars like drunken sailors, and with the assistance of their architect, PSA Dewberry, have intentionally inflated the estimated cost to renovate the existing building so they could make a stronger case for building new.
“The current plan calls for 366 patron seats. In contrast, the state of Illinois recommends slightly over 150 seats for communities with 50,000 residents or more. If you’re wondering what the average occupancy rate is now, don’t ask the board. Despite repeated requests over the past three years, the board has failed to tally that number.
“Based on dozens of random counts by a community group called Save Our Library Downtown (SOLD), the average is about 30. That’s right, a grand total of 30 seats. The high is about 50. So, why does the board want 366 seats? Hell if we know. It adds 6,000 square feet at a cost of almost $2 million. Add bond interest and future operating and maintenance costs, and you’re talking $4-5 million over 20 years.
“But, who’s counting. Over the past nine years the library has spent nearly half a million dollars on consultants. Meanwhile, the Northbrook library board commissioned one feasibility and space needs study for $15,000, quickly decided that the most economical approach was to renovate the existing building and add-on for a grand total of $10 million, and within a year or so broke ground on a spectacular, 35,000-square-foot addition and a 50,000-square-foot renovation.
“Glenview’s library board claims they would only save 5 percent by adding on instead of building new. That’s hogwash.
“Something may or may not be rotten in Denmark, but there sure is a foul odor emanating from the boardroom at 1930 Glenview Rd. With the exception of the new guy on the board, the rest should hang their heads in shame and resign. The boards – past and present – are guilty of gross malfeasance. The only course of action that they can follow is to hunker down and hope no one is paying attention. But we are, and we have no intention of walking away.”
Beth Preis, publicity coordinator for District 30 schools, responds to Randy Pickard’s idea for a camp to serve the kids of U.S. servicemen and women: “I wanted to let Mr. Pickard and others know that our schools -- Wescott, Maple and Willowbrook -- participated in a program called My Soldier this past year. This program allows people to ‘adopt a soldier’ in Iraq and become a pen pal. Our students communicated regularly to their soldiers all year and sent care packages during the holiday seasons. It was very successful. Gifted education teacher Sharon Latek spearheaded this activity. The My Soldier effort is going on nationwide. For additional information, go to Web site: www.mysoldier.com
KL thinks the village could do more to enhance Glenview Road: “Glenview has, in the past few years, upgraded its Christmas decorations, and the downtown area looks lovely during the holidays. However, I have never seen anything as pathetic as downtown during the summer. Flowers in the center islands are beautiful, but what is going on with the tacky sticks and rope surrounding them? I realize they are trying to dissuade people from walking through, but sticks and rope? Please!
“If they feel that residents are so careless as to trample the foliage, then at least put up something more pleasing to the eye, such as an eight-inch picket fence. Or maybe we could have some faith in local residents not to trample the flowers. Other villages have planted down the center of their streets, and they didn't put up sticks and rope. Still, their flowers are thriving. Amazing! What an embarrassment! Who came up with that brilliant idea? Make the village look nice but ruin it with something out of the ghetto!”
CA wonders why members of the Glenview Senior Center are required to sign a form releasing the park district from liability in the event of an accident or injury. Park District Executive Director Chuck Balling tells us, “The Park Board made it a policy to have all our patrons sign a waiver whenever they are participating in activities and/or events. This is to protect the district against the possibility of future litigation. This is also a policy recommended by the Park District Risk Management Agency. It’s a standard practice with most Illinois park districts, due to the inherent risks involved in recreational activities.”
JNA reports on a brand new rain garden: “A few issues ago I wrote about Glenview’s rain garden grant program which seemed a little too expensive and labor intensive to me. I used the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ guidelines for designing backyard rain gardens and wanted to report back on the installation of my 50-square-foot, kidney-shaped rain garden. I dug the area down to about a foot, added two bags of sand, four bags of mushroom compost, and mixed in most of the native soil from the excavation, leaving a bowl shaped depression about four inches deep. I then planted Alum Root (Heuchera richardsonii), Ohio Spiderwort, Cardinal Flower, Morningstar or Gray’s Sedge (Carex grayii), Sweet Blackeye Susan (Rudbeckia submentosa), Ironweed, Blue Wild indigo, Boneset, and Joe Pye Weed. The plants are all native and were purchased from the Citizens for Conservation in Barrington. Total cost: $78 for plants, $26 for sand and compost, and about eight hours of digging and planting over two days. I watered when the soil got dry for about a month, and now I have nothing to do but watch it grow. The Cardinal Flowers, Boneset, and Joe Pye are just starting to bloom.”
JJH defends canine participation in the Fourth of July parade: “The dogs that I saw were given numerous water breaks -- hydrated better than most of the people in the parade and spectators. The dogs and marchers in my group were on the parade route for 45 minutes. For most of the route we were shaded by the clouds, and the temperature was not excessively hot. The people who planned the parade did an exceptional job by putting the dog groups in the front. I have to wonder if JAS is using public safety to promote a dislike of dogs.”
And GF offers this critique of the annual procession: “2007 was one of the more boring parades I've seen. I did notice parents whose children marched in the parade driving far behind them with nothing in the car! Now why do we want to look at them? And they are not even throwing candy. Ninety-four floats is a bit much, and why did they leave the best entry (The Jesse White Tumblers) towards the end? I propose more neighborhood floats next year. There were only two this year – which is ridiculous.”
The Watch replies: The tumblers are popular wherever they go, and their holiday schedule is full. Chances are they came from another community’s parade and were not able to get here sooner.
LF agrees “with the people who have written regarding the need for a grocery store in downtown Glenview. It is our town. Why should we allow Dominick's to hold us hostage simply because they cannot handle the competition? After shopping at the Dominick’s at Glenview and Waukegan for 30 years, I am now boycotting Dominick’s altogether. I shop only at Trader Joe's and the Fresh Market on Skokie Blvd. I encourage others to do the same until we get a grocery store downtown.”
And with no new tenant at the old Dominick’s site, Richard of the Cat’s Meow laments: “Too bad Carrot Top couldn’t move to that location. We miss it.”
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.