Ah, spring....

...When hope springs eternal

That seems to be especially if you are a Cubs fans.

It's also a time when neighbors lumber outside and begin doing yard work, getting bikes in gear and even catching up with neighbors.

I chatted with a neighbor this past weekend and to no surprise our conversation focused on schools, the fact that my lawn was turning green, the NCAA tournament and other idle bits of conversation.

Big deal.

However, out of no where he said "Can you believe what's going on in the village?"

I assured him I was aware of some of the issues.

"No really, you look at the newspapers and you would think Buffalo Grove is a terrible place to live. She has to go."

Unsolicited comments.

That's what the village has come too.

Some people have asked me why I haven't had many blogs in the past 10 days. It's not for lack of material. It's that I only blog on what I have witnessed by attending a Village or School Board meeting, or by reviewing the video.

It took me more than a few hours to review the March 8 meeting.

To say I was dumbfounded would be an understatement. (For the record, this will be the first in several blogs about the March 8 meeting, which could go down as one of Buffalo Grove's darkest hours.)

Don't blame Elliott Hartstein -- disagree if you want, but don't blame him.

Don't blame Steve Trilling -- watch the video and then be ready to applaud his remarks.

Don't blame Beverly Sussman -- watch the video and the be ready applaud her remarks.

And be sure not to blame Village Manager Bill Brimm and his staff. Their expertise and professionalism is second to none. Perfect? Probably not. But what and who are?

No one. Especially Lisa Stone.

In fact, if you want to blame someone, take a look at the left side of the dais and you may, or you will probably find someone to blame.

It's on the side where you'll hear someone say that she will break the rules again and that she's representing the people of Buffalo Grove.

No she's not. She's representing her own self interest, her own campaign, her own ego.

The odor that she refers to may not be limited to a compost facility on Milwaukee Avenue, it may be from a mulching facility, as Beverly Sussman pointed out, or perhaps the Pekara Avenue Sewage Treatment facility.

Stone claims people are getting sick and cannot work. She's talked with Wildfire. Interestingly, other merchants, and yes, I have communicated with them, say yes, the odor is there once in a while, but not to the extreme Stone claims.

Why? Because someone claims they did not get an email response from village hall quick enough. So Stone wants to bully her way into the headlines by humiliating a public official widely respected. That's OK. But if someone ruffles her feathers, they're liars, they're unethical, they're part of an "old boys" network.

Sure, the resolution approved by the board reprimanding her was harsh -- but long overdue. Censuring is an acceptable practice, not a pleasant one for either side. But there's a message there, whether it was heard or not remains to be seen.

She said she will continue to break the rules. I haven't heard a public official put himself / herself above the law since Richard Nixon.

And look what happened to him. Maybe the great philosopher Yogi Berra was right -- it could be deja vue all over again.

(c) 2010

Candidate announces choice for Village Manager

( C ) 2010

In an unprecedented move, Village Board candidate Chicken Little has announced his choice for Village Board.

"There's no doubt replacing Bill Brimm will be tough. We need someone with political experience, savvy, a media presence, and someone who can handle difficult situations.

"It is therefore, with a great deal of pride, that I announce today that I am endorsing such a person for the position of Village Manager."

After clearing his voice and polishing is beak, Little said that his choice is "none other than the former mayor of Cincinnati -- Jerry Springer." Little said the choice,

especially in light of recent Village Board meetings is a natural. "He is used to controversy and a natural self-promoter," Little said. "If nothing else, I'm sure he could handle the meetings."

Little said it was not clear if Springer would bring his security staff

with him if he is selected Village Manager. "the village has tough security equirements...maybe they could work at eSkape.."

The hiring if Spring would provide the village a manager who is accustomed to controversy. As mayor of Cincinnati, he was often the runt of controversies, especially when it came to finances and the use of

credit cards for after hours entertainment.

Little's announcement could have far-reaching impacts. For example, the raucous that now prevails would likely increase village costs, especially

when it comes to replacing gavels.

It's likely to make meetings more entertaining if they mirror Springer's show. Can you imagine some of the fisticuffs between trustees? And what if the audience gets involved?

Local media would have a plethora of stories, especially if their headlines take on a Springer flavor. "Board to Address Taxpayers and the Trustees Who Love Them,"or "PETA Decries Buffalo Abuse," or "Aliens Abduct -- And Then Return -- Trustee Stone."

The village could probably make some extra cash by selling CDs of the meetings. They could also market a book based on Village Board meetings.

How about Ripley's Believe It or Not? My guess is we don't need Springer for that one.

Buffalo Grove residents need to take a lesson from history

(c) 2010

Scout Finch tells us that Atticus was feeble -- he was 50.

Ouch.

Sorry Ms. Lee, but being past 50 does not mean you're feeble.

If nothing else, it's a time to reflect. Teaching high school provides some interesting opportunities to reflect -- like the student who once wore a Jimi Hendrix t-shirt to my class and above flipped when I told him I saw Jimi Hendrix live.

Or the freshman I have this year who is fascinated by the Yippies of the 1968 Democratic convention.

We've learned from the past. Hopefully.

We have become a passive society, focusing on our own personal comforts and if something doesn't affect us, it's not important.

Like village government. If you've lived in Buffalo Grove, or even in the surrounding area for the past 20-plus years, you've seen it grow and flourish.

As I've said in this space before, I had that opportunity. I watched the village carefully grow through careful planning, zoning and annexation. It started at Raupp and Lake-Cook. The village has a long history of excellence. It's not perfect, mind you, but you can look at nearby communities where village officials have been indicted and forced from office to get an idea of the contrast.

Cynics say that's because of an "old boy network." Right. Like Verna Clayton and others who served on the Board.

Buffalo Grove is on par with many other suburbs that run well, thanks largely to excellent village or city staff -- there have been some excellent ones -- Stan Kennedy and Larry Rice in Highland Park, the late Bob Van Duesen in Glenview, Bob Franz of Deerfield -- and Bill Balling of Buffalo Grove.

Yes, there are others -- many others -- but these are among the handful I covered.

In the case of Bill Balling, he re-enforced the tone of excellence for Buffalo Grove and when he retired, handed the responsibilities off the Bill Brimm who has achieved the same notoriety as the aforementioned managers.

Really.

As mentioned, not everything is perfect, but when it wasn't things were worked out.

What's happened in the village since the May election is repugnant.

The actions of one individual have turned a once proud village into the laughing stock of the suburbs.

One official of a nearby community shook his head recently after learning of Bill Brimm's retirement. He had an inkling as to why. "You have her for three more years, don't you?"

I could go on -- but the message would be the same.

The events of the past two weeks should do more than send a signal to Buffalo Grove residents -- they should send a flair, a bugle -- or whatever it takes -- to be a wake-up call.

It's time for Buffalo Grove residents to take action. While the charades of some village trustees make for good headlines, they do not make for effective village operations.

The Village Board meets twice a month, the next time tomorrow, March 8, and then again March 22.

Residents need to see first-hand the mockery one person can make through arrogance, ignorance and repeated acrimonious remarks to staff, volunteers and residents, which now dominate village news.

It's bad enough that elected officials are planting seeds of dirty laundry in the media and then flutter their eye lashes while saying "I will never stop standing up for the citizens of Buffalo Grove, regardless of the small group that would like to stop me. I have proven how hard I'll fight for the right cause and that alarms some people."

You haven't proven anything. You've tarnished more than you've shined and you persist in spreading acrid venom on to others for your own personal gain.

To paraphrase a song from the 1960s, the roller coaster ride you've started is nearly at an end.

And not a moment too soon.

Rosebud.....

(c) 2010

As America keeps its collective eyes glued to the Academy Awards, perhaps it's fitting to rewind movie history to 1941 and to what many film fanatics consider the finest film ever made -- Citizen Kane.

The film chronicles the days of yellow journalism and muckraking when journalistic ethics -- or ethics in general -- went by the wayside.

Thank goodness those days are gone.

Or are they?

The recent revelation that two newspapers have filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with the village of Buffalo Grove seeking the following:

• The most recent evaluation of Village Manager Bill Brimm
• Freedom of Information requests submitted to the village of Buffalo Grove between Feb. 1, 2010 and March 3, 2010.

OK, ask the question -- "why?"

One reporter had the nerve to tell me that the request was filed because "I thought it would be interesting to see any differences in trustees’ evaluations of Bill Brimm in the past year as opposed to the three years prior. I know a FOIA request might be a long shot, but I’ve never let that hold me back before. Any time a high ranking village official steps down, it raises an eyebrow. I didn’t think I’d be doing my job if I didn’t take a closer look."

Yeah, right. That excuse reminds me of a segment on the Boers and Bernstein show on WSCR (The Score) called "Who you crappin'?"

So let me get this right -- two reporters who don't even come to a Village Board meeting decide -- at the same time -- to file an FOIA request to check on the past performance of Village Manager Bill Brimm.

Who you crappin'?

You'd almost think someone would put them up to it, wouldn't you? Really now, wonder who it would be?

Maybe some of the officials in other cities I've spoken with who have nothing but praise for Brimm and the way Buffalo Grove has been managed for decades. Yeah, must of been them.

I mean, who else would be spineless enough to do something like that? Reputable public officials or elected officials, right?

Wrong.

Probably someone who wants to make a name for himself, wait, herself.

Maybe, just a maybe a recently elected public official who suddenly arrives on the scene brandishing a sword of reform. Like, say, Lisa Stone.

Yeah, the same Lisa Stone who never never served on a village commission becomes an expert in municipal affairs...yeah, the same Lisa Stone who waved the ethics ordinance and the code of ethical behavior and conduct for village elected and appointed officials.

I guess encouraging others to do her dirty work doesn't fall into that category. The idea of having news media drag village personnel records into the public eye is a new low for any village official.

It also boarders on unacceptable behavior by a journalist. Let's clarify that -- ethical journalist.

Not my viewpoint -- but that of the Society of Professional Journalists which, in its code of ethics, says reporters should "minimize harm" by encouraging journalists to:

• — Show compassion for those who may be affected adversely by news coverage.
• — Recognize that gathering and reporting information may cause harm or discomfort. Pursuit of the news is not a license for arrogance.
• — Show good taste. Avoid pandering to lurid curiosity.

The code also encourages journalists to "Act Independently" by:

• — Remain free of associations and activities that may compromise integrity or damage credibility.
• — Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.

But to go after a highly recognized village manager is OK, right. Especially if you're not regularly covering the village, right?

It's another smear campaign for Little Miss Sunshine.

It's getting old. What's also getting old is her vicious attacks on village staff and persons who dare to disagree with her.

Yes, this is the same Lisa Stone who wants the village to watch its budget, but thinks nothing of the cost involved in staff time, attorney fees, video recording fees so she can showcase herself.

See what's happening? The people of Buffalo Grove are funding Stoney's campaign.

Yes, the village is becoming a remake of Citizen Kane -- complete with our own little rosebud -- complete with thorns.

And when Stone goes on yet another tirade and waves her holier than though flag, hopefully more and more Buffalo Grove residents will have one question for her.

Lisa Stone, who you crappin'?

Consultant releases Board evaluation

( c) 2010

After months of study and evaluation, representatives from the L Frank Baum Institute for Municipal Government which evaluates municipal employees and government officials, is scheduled to present its report at an upcoming Village Board meeting.

I was able to contact Seymour (Sy) Copaff to discuss the upcoming report.

Copaff told me that he looks for cognitive, emotional, and tenacity levels demonstrated through public dealings. "Quite simply," Copaff says, "we're looking to see if officials have a brain, heart and courage. That is the premise behind Mr. Baum's philosophy."

It's a tall order, to be sure, but Copaff is pleased with the work of his staff.

Breaking down the degrees of functionality, Copaff found that everyone on the Board has a brain. "They seem to use them most of the time. We were especially pleased that, for the most part, neurological functions were logical and goal driven. We call this the Scarecrow Analysis." Our concern is that there was some brain wavelength that was not coherent and often limited to three-letter obstacles or repetition.

Looking at the Social-emotional model used by educators, Copaff found that most of the officials had hearts. "They had to be in the right place," Copaff said, "because why else would they run for a Village Board spot?" He did express concern that the hearts were not all beating at a regular pace. "Some it seemed lack the function to pump properly, which results in an anomaly that chills the blood to the point where it's like ice water. He pointed out that the end result affects the neurological function. "People with the problem are often heartless and lack effective demonstration of cognitive skills.

We call this the Tin man syndrome.
The third domain on the guidesheet is courage. "People think they have courage because they can wave a flag and storm the bastille," Copaff said. "In reality, however, they get courage mixed up with stupidity and arrogance." He pointed out that like the Tin Man Syndrome, this can have an effect on how a person not only presents themselves, but is seen in the public eye. The L Frank Baum Institute calls this aspect the Cowardly Lion Syndrome. "Some people think we use "lion" in place of lying, but our founder, Mr. Baum, maintained that there was no connection. Of course, that was years ago before there was a Buffalo Grove, let alone a Buffalo Grove Village Board. It is rare , but Copaff says there are cases where the Baum Institute has found all three traits in a municipal official. "Generally we find the cause is one that coincides with a need for power, attention and control."

Does this happen often? "I can't recall a time when it did, but research has shown that the is a serious problem that can dramatically impact the cohesiveness of a governing body."

Copaff says that because of the combination of all three symptoms, the Institute calls this the "Elphaba Syndrome." Copaff says people are upset and often offended by individuals who suffer from this and often wish they would simply melt away. "Yes, Mr. Baum was very found of that form of liquidation."

Does Mr. Copaff see any of that on the Buffalo Grove Village Board?

He only smiled.

A lesson from Atticus....

( c) 2010

I teach high school English and Journalism.

Big deal, I know.

But among the books in our curriculum is Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird."

It takes place in Maycomb, Alabama.

How I wish Atticus Finch could move to Buffalo Grove.

Perhaps the most famous quote in the book is when Atticus talks with young Scout about understanding people.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."


Great advice.

There are those who should heed this advice -- maybe some newcomers to the Village Board.

You know the kind -- the one's who arrive with their own agenda and no homework to back it up.

The one's who want to throw daggers because they think they are right and know everything.

If only they took time to step back and climb into someone's skin and walk around in it.

There's a lot to be said for respect. A lot.

My students come from all over the world -- literally -- China, Korea, Mexico, Viet Nam, Poland, Bosnia, Pakistan, Iraq -- the list goes on.

They are all different religions and sexual orientations.

While I try to impart a love of literature, the fundamentals of grammar and writing on my students, I also demand respect in the class room.

They know that if they have a comment about someone's race, religion, sexual orientation, native culture -- they keep it to themselves. Period.

And while freshmen will be freshmen, they have mastered it. In fact, taking time to understand someone often leads to wonderful insights via classroom discussions or papers.

They take time to consider things from another point of view and walk around in someone else's skin.

It's a good lesson for high school freshmen.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

It is an even better lesson for some freshmen Village Board members in Buffalo Grove.

The question is not how, but why?

( c) 2010

Perhaps the most telling statement that has appeared in media reports about the unexpected resignation of Village Manager Bill Brimm comes from the lead in Steve Zalusky's article in the Feb. 24 Daily Herald.

How do you replace 32 years of experience? The question is why do you replace 32 years of experience?

The answer is simple. The Village Board tried to maintain its professional mode of operation when dealing with Lisa Stone. Granted the exchanges may have been acrimonious, but the other trustees and village staff, handled things with a sense of decorum and professionalism. They seemed tolerant, more at some times than other, to deal with her "learning curve" and her arrogance, disrespect, and self-centered rhetoric.

While they board tried, Lisa Stone did not, has not and probably will not.

That's why you need to replace 32 years. Sure, Bill Brimm is not pointing the finger at Stone, he has too much class and dignity to do that.

Stone does not.

It's a sad day for the village when you walk into the municipal offices of another community -- not even adjacent to Buffalo Grove, and the village officials there are shaking their heads.

One told me flat out that Bill Brimm is an outstanding professional. He paused and shook his head and said -- and to think you have three more years.

That's the image of Buffalo Grove these days. Fortunately, unlike Ms. Stone, most people who deal with the village are aware of its excellent reputation as a well-run community.

Bill Brimm did not create it -- he preserved it as a community of integrity and lately, fiscal responsibility.

But Lisa Stone doesn't see that.

No, Lisa doesn't. She's too busy campaigning for the next election at taxpayer's expense. How?

While she rants about what the village needs, she trips over her own arrogance.

Let's see -- maybe we could save money here, or there, she says.

But wait, it's OK for her to tie up village staff with long-winded phone calls, voluminous e-mails and late-night rants -- that doesn't cost anything because, after all, it's for Lisa.

Greed and arrogance.

I'm sure Ms. Stone is really proud of herself because she thinks she forced Bill Brimm out.

What an accomplishment.

Yes, Ms. Stone is full of accomplishments -- let's see what are they? Bringing fame to the village? Like the captain of the Exxon Valdez.

Ms. Stone needs to explain herself. Why, Lisa, do you vote against the minutes every meeting?

Probably because Village Clerk Jan Sirabian doesn't bold face her name and make her look like the queen she thinks she is. What does Sirabian know -- she's only been doing the minutes since 1979. But wait, she does not do what little Lisa wants Lisa will have a tantrum.

What Stone needs to do is learn more about principles and operation of village government. She also needs to learn to think -- and think for herself. All you have to do is watch a vote -- Everyone seems well prepared. Stoney? She needs an explanation as to what she's voting on. Watch the video of the Feb. 22 meeting -- after weeks of hearings about eSkape, Stone wasn't clear.

It's interesting, however, to see that when a vote comes up about operational matters, Lisa Stone has nothing to say. Afterall, there's no glory there.

I hope Lisa was paying attention when Beverly Sussman announced the free health clinic this Saturday.

Maybe Stoney will attend.

Maybe she'll be surprised to learn that she may have some medical issues.

No heart and no spine, let alone some questionable neurological functions.