The reality of it all...

The May 17 Village Board meeting was, in contrast to previous board meetings, fairly routine. Keyword being fairly.

Politics and personalities aside (well, for the most part), perhaps one of the more interesting dialogues came during Village Board President Elliott Hartstein's report. Hartstein, as Board President, serves as the village's No. 1 cheerleader. His passion for the village is steeped in more than 20 years of public service on school boards, village commissions and, of course, the Village Board.

So it was no surprise when he praised Stevenson High School for hosting the May 11th symposium, "Partying? My Kid?" that was a joint effort between school districts 125 (Stevenson) and 128 (Libertyville and Vernon Hills). Hartstein expressed dismay that it attendance was low. Reliable sources tell me that only about half of the registered 250 people attended.

Hartstein is right -- it is disappointing to see such a low turnout.

But why? Trustee Lisa Stone expressed concern that it was not promoted enough by Stevenson High School. That wasn't the case. According to Stevenson officials, the efforts to promote the symposium included contacting all major media outlets, posting on the school's websites, posting on Facebook and Twitter, on the school's electric marquee from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. for several weeks, and repeated mentions in school's weekly email newsletter to parents, the e-Minuteman, for at least four consecutive weeks. It was also promoted in the e-Minuteman is mailed each Friday to about 7,500 email addresses that include parents and students, plus others who other subscribers to the free newsletter.

In addition to the school's efforts, other organizations, including the villages of Lincolnshire and Buffalo Grove, had information available. So if you're expecting this to be another case of Stone speaking for the sake of speaking -- it won't be. Yes, it would be easy to chide her for complaining about Stevenson and yes, she did not indicate whether she attended the symposium (she didn't attend), but the reality is that, for once, this is not a Lisa Stone issue. Stone has long been concerned about teen substance abuse for reasons that are for her to discuss.

The reality is that out of 250 responses, which given the breadth of the potential audience, was weak and, as noted, the actual turnout even weaker.

Trustee Beverly Sussman, who attended the symposium, is a retired middle school teacher and suggested that information about programs of this nature be sent to middle school parents as well. Great suggestion. Substance abuse can affect anyone, anywhere. I grew up exposed to it and can tell you first-hand the damage it can do. As a teacher I see kids 14 or 15 years old who are dealing with drug and alcohol problems.

So ask yourself -- when schools like Stevenson, Libertyville and Vernon Hills pool resources to educate parents, why was the turnout so low?

The bottom line may best be summed up by Mork -- remember him? -- played by Robin Williams on the old Mork and Mindy show. He had a great line -- Reality, what a concept.

The reality may be, however, summed up in one word -- denial.

We have it good in the Grove. Nice houses, nice cars, nice schools. But ask yourself -- is it too good. Is it so good that we don't see, or want to see, the forest through the trees.

Are we so oblivious to the reality of things that we ignore them. It seems like we take success per granted. We want the best for our kids so we give them just about everything (or in some cases, not even about everything -- just plain everything) and feel content. In some ways we're doing what our parents (gasp) did -- "we want you to have it better than I did..."

But what is better? Material items or quality of life? Sure, folks have high definition TVs, all of the latest technology, nice cars, etc.

But what about traditional values? Are soccer and baseball game more important than religious school? You bet they are. Is a "hey son, I'll text you later" more important than "hey son, tell me what's new." Afraid so.

We've lost touch with reality. Drugs? Not here --only "bad" kids do drugs. You know, those who are not like us.

Reality -- what a concept. Our kids are doing some of the same things we (those of us who grew up in the 60s) may have. But we had a voice -- a genuine voice. Remember Project 18? That's why 18-year-olds can vote.

Remember taking a genuine stand against war? We had a voice and exercised it. Fortunately, or unfortunately, we didn't have Facebook, Twitter or texting. Our voices were backed up by actions.

We have become the generation we never trusted. The difference, however, may have been the values parents had. If the school called -- it was panic time. Now if a teacher or dean calls it's the dreaded D word -- My kids would not do that -- it must be a problem with the school.

So when school districts utilize their resources in an attempt to reach out to the community about a very real problem, we don't show up because, after all, that's not a problem in our community.

That's what they said around New Trier until some kid struck a fellow classmate. And then what happened? Sympathy. Not for the victim, but for the driver who allegedly used marijuana the night before. Denial. The poor little darling was bailed out by an anonymous donor to the tune of 50 grand. Maybe I missed it, but did the same person offer to pay some of the victim's medical bills?

It reminds me of Elie Wiesel's novel "Night" in which Moshe the Beadle warns the people of impending disaster. They ignore him. Their own comforts and unwillingness to listen lead to their own denial. You know the rest.

So rather than point the finger at an organization like local school districts, or colleagues on a school or village board, perhaps what we need to do is look in the mirror while pointing the finger.

And then we can see who is really responsible.