Is all the news that's fit to print worth it?

What a difference a month can make.  Literally.

            It was a month ago when the buzz making the round in the town of big bison focused on a phone call in the wee hours to Village Board President Jeff Braiman from deposed trustee Lisa Stone about the status of the village’s web site.

            Seriously.

            Shortly after that incident, an item appeared in the Pioneer Countryside that Stone had some issues at a local eatery.

            I was asked numerous times if I was going to blog about it.

            And each time the answer was simple.  No.

            Granted, it would have been yet and other opportunity to jab at Buffalo Grove’s easiest target.  But at this point, the question is why?  Stone is (brace yourself) just another pothole down the highway of suburban life – or just about any place for that matter.

            What set her apart originally was her stint on the Village Board the put her in “public figure” and “public official” status.  Since being jettisoned out of the world of public service, she maintained a status as a “public figure” thanks to her diatribes at Village Board meetings.

            But comments on media sites, Facebook postings, tweets and other electronic forums doesn’t make someone a public figure.  When, however, a public official is victimized, odds are it will become “news” -- especially when a report is filed with the police.  So the Braiman-Stone cocktail can become an intoxicating news story, which it did when Stone, police reports say, called Braiman at 2:45 a.m. because the village website was down.  Tom foolery at its best, and given it that it involved the Village Board president, it became news.

So what’s the driving force that makes something “news”?

            Drivers.

Not Donald Driver, not drunken drivers, and not rush-hour drivers.

            News drivers, 10 of them -- importance, timeliness, proximity, magnitude, prominence, conflict, human interest, change relevance, and unusualness.

            You can probably go through the list and say that, well, golly gee, some people (guess who?) fit a lot of those categories so it is news. It may be, but it has become old news.  Yes, there has been conflict and just a tad (do you think) of unusualness has been involved.  Beyond that, it has become pointless.

            Comedians will tell you that when a joke does not work, don’t keep retelling it or force it because, as it has been said, you can put lipstick on something---but it’s still what it is.  Yes, I’ve altered the phrase to avoid anyone thinking I was calling them a pig.  That wouldn’t be kosher.

            Animals aside, the reality is this -- after a while some news, and some news makers, become old news.  And old news, like old garbage, just isn’t worth much.

Beyond that dimension known to man....

The usually calm and unflappable Chicken Little was in a tizzy.

“Darn Internet.  I had insomnia and was hoping to get to my favorite site.  But I couldn’t”.

He’s generally pretty calm about things and doesn’t chicken out, so when I found him technology challenged, I was surprised.  I asked him if he called Comcast.

Are you kidding? This is serious.  Not only can I not get to my favorite channel, but I can’t go to the village web site – You know what I should have done?”

No, what?

“Called the village.  Yep, that’s it.  The web site, when it’s working, says everyone is family – and this is a family crisis.”

I became concerned where this is going.  I asked him who he thinks he should have called.

“Hey, if you’re talking family, you go to the patriarch?”  So you wanted to call the village fathers?

“Nah,” he said, “only one – Village Board President Jeff Braiman.”

Super Chicken

Ah, let’s see – you said it was the middle of the night and you couldn’t watch Super Chicken, so you called an elected official.

“Sure, doesn’t that make sense?  I mean I missed my favorite part.”  (His Favorite Part)

No it doesn’t make sense

I told him that the reason it does not make sense is because the above scenario actually occurred.

But, as widely reported, it was not Chicken Little who made the call.

The call was made by deposed former trustee Lisa Stone who, according police reports obtained by the Freedom of Information Act, called Braiman in the middle of the night to let him know the village’s web site was out.

That’s right.  The web site was not functioning, so she called Braiman.

Why?  Because of his expertise in the Internet?  Because he has access to the village’s servers at home and can magically reset the web site?

Of course not.  Because the ongoing feud Stone has with village hall and anyone who does not agrees with her has reached a new level of surrealism.

The action of contacting a public official in the middle of night for a frivolous reason makes one thing clear.   Lisa Stone’s antics are not funny.  To paraphrase the late Rod Serling, they have gone beyond the fifth dimension known to man" leaving in their wake any semblance of respect, logic and now, decency.

The story, to no surprise, made the local media with a wide range of comments and reaction.

But why?  My guess is this is not the first time someone has received an annoying phone call about a seemingly ridiculous topic.

Because it’s Stone.  Her stint as a village trustee put her in the public spotlight, a role she seems to cherish, and also made her a public figure.  Once ousted by the recall, you would figure she would accept her fate and move on.

Not quite.  Stone continued, make that continues, to dwell away at her pet causes – water safety, pedophiles and whatever else may come her way on any given day.  And while they may seem like good causes, Stone’s approach is to rip, shred, antagonize and harass people to no end.

Her latest harassment of Braiman is what has escalated this to a new level.  Beside the untimely phone call about the village web site being down at 2:30 a.m. (by the way, sources tell me it was due to routine maintenance) Stone had, according to the police report, “showed up at his office in Arlington Heights.  Braiman said Stone wanted to give him her business card for her sex toy business.”  Seriously.

The fact that Stone may have a business dealing with adult novelties (not frozen novelties, although some adults are frozen) is up to her.  She is probably not the only person in the village who has ::ahem:: a unique business.  But she’s in the spotlight and given her outlandish comments and accusation, she inherently put a target on her.

In an age where, as pundits like to say, “sex sells”,  anytime a public official or public figure is somehow remotely connected to sex in any way shape or form – it become news.  Stone's erotic entrepreneurship has done just that.  She’s not the only municipal official who has raised a few eyebrows because of their off-hours endeavors .  Back in the early 1970s, the mere speculation that a Lincolnshire trustee had posed for a Chip and Dale-like calendar, leaving his chip and dales uncovered, led to his leaving the board and slowly fading away.

So in addition to being known for her caustic, sarcastic, rude and otherwise questionable behavior, she now carries the tag of dealing in the adult pleasure business, which is generally not very mainstream.

Don’t be surprised if Stone vehemently defends her business and continues her verbal and media-comment assault on Braiman.  She will have a hard time repudiating the information about the 2:30 a.m. request for tech support because, as noted in the police report, the investigating officer called her “explaining the nature of this report.”  Stone, according to the report understood.

That given, she apparently also understands the curt, blunt and straight forward response she received from Braiman’s wife, who, according to police reports, said “How dare you call, go to hell”, and hung up the phone.  Face it, at  2:30 a.m., anyone in a sound sleep being awakened by an adversary because a web site is down.

Stone apparently doesn’t get it.  She told the Daily Herald that she was so upset with Ms. Braiman’s response that – ready – she “..is considering filing a complaint about Braiman's wife. "I'm going to come in and file a complaint about her," Stone said. "She shouldn't tell me to go to hell."

Let’s see, Stone provokes the response, which is the result of one her nasty comments, and then gets upset when people respond accordingly and wants to file charges.

I can’t imagine that happening.

Oh wait, yes I can.

Chicken fried election?

I’m still mulling over the village’s Electoral Board hearing, which determined that Jeff Battinus was not eligible to be on the ballot for the April election.

The outcome seemed inevitable.  Not because of who is on the Electoral Board – cynics will say the old guard was out to nail Battinus – but that’s not the case.  The Electoral Board consists of the Village President, Village Clerk and most tenured trustee, which means it was Board President Jeff Braiman, Village Clerk Jan Sirabian and Trustee Jeff Berman.  Period.

The challenge to Battinus’ filing was not by any of the old guard, but by relative new comer Andrew Stein who was elected in 2011 to fill the remainder of ousted trustee Lisa Stone.

To help breakthrough the confusion, I met with local political observer Chicken Little.  “I’m not sure what to make of the whole thing,” Little said.  “I’m actually kind of fried, which is not a good state to be in.”

I asked him what exactly bothered him.

“ Several things. For starters, do you need to be named Jeff to be involved in the village process?  I mean, really, look at who was there --  Jeff Braiman, Jeff Berman, Jeff Battinus, and just for good measure, the attorney consulting Jeff Stein – so we had for Jeffs and two steins.”

A frazzled Chicken Little

OK, so your point is?

“Nothing really,” Little said, “but it would be nice if we had some name diversity.”  So, I asked him, what about other candidates?  Do you think they ::ahem:: chickened out?

“Not sure,” he said, “I’m still trying to figure things out.”

Good luck, I told him.

Breaking through the abundance of Jeffs, "JBs" and multiple Steins, the result of the hearing means that the Village Board election will be uncontested.  There are three candidates – incumbents Beverly Sussman, Lester A. Ottenheimer III and Stein (remember, that’s Andrew Stein) -- for three spots.

So out of a community of 43,000 plus, only four people sought to serve – and because of the ruling by the Electoral Board, we’re trimmed to three.  Quite honestly, it’s pretty amazing, especially given how we’ve been led to believe that the village is corrupt, the trustees are dishonest, the village is going to hell and everyone should flee the coup.

“Hey, don’t get personal,” Little said.

The ruling which took the contest out of contested election was pretty cut-and-dry.  Stein (oops, make that Jeff Stein) told the hearing that there were three cases that addressed election filing challenges and in all three cases, the Appellate Court upheld the ruling.

Which didn’t surprise Battinus.  “I made a mistake,” he said.  “My problem was a clerical error.”  Battinus noted, several times, that the ruling takes away the opportunity for Buffalo Grove residents to have a choice.

Depending on your point of view, Stein – make that Andrew Stein – emerges as a goat or a hero.  Jeff Stein, however, made it clear that there is no way to over ride the statute.

Unlike some previous gatherings in the Council Chambers (ponder this for a minute – why are they called the Council Chambers, when it’s one room and the Village does not have a council?  Just asking.) the atmosphere was actually pleasant and respectful.

“You did the tough part,” Braiman said.  “You went door-to-door and got hundreds of signatures from people on the street.”  Braiman noted that the Electoral Board had “no authority to do otherwise.”

Berman concurred, noting that “whatever sympathies or thoughts we may have, the courts have ruled.”

Battinus, who moved to the village in 2010, was gracious in accepting his fate.  “ I have to be accountable.  I screwed up.”  Battinus says his goal is to serve “my community – that’s it.”  He is mulling a run as a write-in candidate, but still needs to file paperwork with both Lake and Cook counties.  Among other things.

Battinus says it depends on fund-raising, estimating it will take nearly $6,000 to run a campaign, which factors in signs, mailers and even attorney fees.  “A grass roots effort won’t be enough…If nothing else, I have name recognition.”

‘Whatever he does, he’s going to be very careful about crossing his Ts and dotting his Is.  “I won’t make the same mistake again,” he said.

He won’t be able to as long as Andrew Stein is around. 

The process for reviewing candidate filing challenges is cut and dry.  The question is why would someone, in this case Andrew Stein, challenge a candidate’s petition and why.

Stein contends he has done elections in 2009 and again in 2011 when he ran for the Village Board.  He said the reviews were a learning experience and in one case he contacted a candidate’s staff member to tell him that there was an error.  Good neighbor Stein?

Maybe.

Concerned public official?

Maybe.

Battinus, however isn’t so sure, and here’s where it gets interesting.

Battinus told the hearing that Andrew Stein told him on three occasions that he should consider not running.  “The third time,” Battinus said later, “he said someone would contest it (his filing).”

Stein told me that he did in fact talk with Battinus and discussed his (Stein’s) consideration to run in 2009.  “I talked with him about my background in 2009 and that people told me I didn’t have the experience,” Stein said.  He added that he suggested to Battinus to gain more experience and build name recognition.

Stein says he told Battinus that if he followed the directions in the candidate’s guide their probably would not be a problem.

Stein says he did “all the research I could” after the filing deadline and was more than a little surprised when he found that Battinus did not file an economic disclosure form.  Stein said he spoke with Battinus on Jan. 1 to discuss his filing, but did not tell him that it was he who was going to file the objection.  Stein said he discussed the options with Battinus which, Stein said “were to withdraw and save yourself and the village money for legal fees, or right it.”

“I hate to say it,” said Little, “but it seems kind of scrambled to me.”

C.L. might be on to something here.

Battinus did little to defend himself and, barely 14 minutes into the hearing, asked the Electoral Board if they could go to closing remarks.

Had Braiman and Berman, along with attorney Jeff Stein not made it clear that there was no way to go against the statutes, there could have been some interesting debate.  Instead, it resorted to an exchange of polite understandings and Battinus admitting that he made the error and he was not “angry with him (Andrew Stein).” 

All that was missing was a group hug.

“So what happens now?” Little asked.  “Can I run as a write-in candidate?”

“And that is?”

As noted, potential write-in candidates must file their intent to run as a write-in candidate in both Lake and Cook counties in order for their votes to count.

“And if I don’t?” he asked. 

Simple – your votes won’t count.

“Hmmm,” he said.  “What if there’s a crowd of write-in candidates?”

Seems to me there won’t be, especially since there was only one nonincumbent who had planned to run.

“Why do you think that is?” he asked.

Not sure – lack of time, lack of money or lack of interest.

“Or maybe the sky isn’t falling,” Little said.

2012 goes out with a usual array of police activity...

Well, 2012 went out with the usual assortment of police activity reported by the Buffalo Grove Police Department.  Here’s a look at some of the calls that may make you wonder what some people are thinking.

Sensitive, isn’t he?

Complainant reported that he told a driver that he was parked in a fire lane, and the driver told the complainant that it was none of his business. The driver also stated that if he is confronted by the complainant again, he will do bodily harm. Officers located the driver in the parking lot, and because the complainant did not want to sign a complaint, the driver was sent on his way.

Better late than never…

Resident reported that he lost his debit card a year ago, and did not report the matter to the bank.  The bank contacted the resident to tell him of on-going activity with the account.  The bank has cancelled the account.

Must have been during a full moon…

Resident reported that he had used drugs with a person he believed to be an FBI agent, and now there are more than forty officers outside of his house.  Officers noted that there were no officers or other persons of any kind outside of the resident’s house, when they arrived.  The resident refused to go to the hospital for an evaluation.

Yet, another scam…

Resident received an offer of employment after he posted his resume on Careerbuilder.com.  The offer required the resident to sign a contract and send his financial information so they could do a direct deposit into his account.  The resident correctly suspected this to be a scam. (This is not necessarily funny…but a good example of why people need to watch for scams…)

And for this they called the police?

Customer was making a disturbance because a store official would not allow him to purchase a large quantity of TWINKIES.  The official stated that only 10 TWINKIES per person is allowed.  The customer was advised the store can set limits and for him to buy his 10 TWINKIES and leave, which he did.

Let’s see, lights, camera, action?

Resident reported that he has a wildlife camera in his back yard, and when he reviewed the photos, he found one of a male subject standing in the yard looking at the resident’s house.  It is unknown who the subject is.

Talk about making the order “to go”….

Owner reported that one of his employees is going through a divorce and the estranged wife came to the business and caused a scene.  Officer spoke with the wife who could not understand why the police are involved, but did understand that she is no longer welcome at the business.

Talk about trash talking…

Officer observed a male subject take a bag of trash out of his car and place it into the Park District dumpster.  When the officer spoke with the subject he stated that he thought the dumpster was for public use. When the officer advised the subject of his misunderstanding the bag of garbage was placed back into the car.  A citation was issued.

Must be the excitement of Christmas morning…

Resident reported that her neighbors are arguing and that a child could be heard yelling and crying.  Officer spoke with the neighbor who stated that he and his daughter had just finished opening presents and the girl was excited.  No one else was in the apartment and the girl was fine.

Well, at least there is neighborhood watch…

Resident reported a male subject entering a neighboring home through a rear window.  Officers found the rear window closed but unlocked.  The home was checked and no one was inside.  Officer contacted the homeowner who stated that she asked her son to go to the house and retrieve some items, and since the son did not have a key, she told him to use the window.  The homeowner was advised to call 911 to let them know in the future if her son will be using the window again.

Did he have to pay waiting time?

Maintenance worker stated that while working inside the building, and unknown male subject began knocking on the doors and windows and requested to be let inside.  When the worker would not allow the subject inside, the subject left in a taxi.

And finally…

Downtown redevelopment, elections, crime?  The following article was covered by some media as  a major news story….

This is my final Buffalo Grove Police Blotter.  Due to financial reasons, my position has been cut from the budget effective January 1, 2013.

Though I have never met many of you, it seems as though we have become friends.  I appreciate your feedback and contributions to this Blotter.  I have enjoyed writing it for the past five and a half years and will miss doing so.  I do sincerely hope that you were well informed and that you have gained some knowledge on crime prevention and safety.  Remember to be a nosy neighbor and call 911 if you see anyone or anything that seems suspicious.  Thank you!

Have a Happy New Year and I wish you health, happiness and prosperity.

See ya!!!!!!!

Pete Lippert

Deputy Chief Ret.

But rest assured…the department responded…

We received a couple questions asking if the Blotter would continue. The answer is....Yes, The Crime Prevention Unit will continue to send out the Police Blotter. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 847-459-2560.

Thanks for your effort and hard work Pete.  Good luck ---  and keep the left arm straight.

When it comes to budgets, deficits and downtowns -- he's one nervous chicken...

It happens about this time every year.

            Proverbial candidate and concerned citizen Chicken Little takes an introspective look back and just sighs.

            “I thought for sure the sky was falling this year,” he told me.  “With the news coming out of village hall – I thought for sure the Mayans may have had it right.”

Chicken Little

            Really?  I tried to ease his fears that things over on Raupp, despite a few bumps in the road have actually quieted down.

            “Whew”, he clucked.  “I thought there would be more coalitions, uprisings, storming of the Bastille, etc.”

            Not really.

            “Well,” he clucked, “I bet with calmer seas, there are a lot of people on the ballot for the upcoming village election.

            Not really.

            “Seriously?”

            Seriously.

            As of Friday, only four people submitted petitions to run for the Village Board.

            “Wow,” Little clucked, “new faces on the Board, I knew people would get involved.”

            Guess again my fine feathered fowl.  Three current trustees, Andrew Stein, Beverly Sussman and Lester A. Ottenheimer III are running along with newcomer Jeffrey Battinus are in the race.  Period.

            “Seriously”?

            Seriously.

            “Wow,’ said Little, I thought with all I’ve been reading there would have been lines of being ringing Village Hall just waiting to file their petitions.”

            Nope.

            “Battinus surprises me,” Little said, “when I heard he was running, I thought he was working out and checking things out around the village.”  That’s what he told some local media types.

            “The other three don’t surprise me,” Little said, “although I am concerned about the cost of the election.”

            Why?

            “Does the village need special ballots to put ‘Lester A. Ottenheimer III’ on the ballot?  That’s 25 characters (spaces included).  That’s almost as long as Jesse Jackson, Jr.”

            Sensing Little had been hitting the egg nog too much (a little fowl humor there), I told Little, who is forever watching the coffers, not to equate Ottenheimer to Jackson.  Secondly, I’m sure the village has taken it into consideration, especially since it’s Ottenheimer’s first time on the ballot.  Oh, and by the way, I told Little, Jesse Jackson, Jr. is much shorter – only 18 characters – including spaces.

            “So I imagine it will be a pretty mundane election,” Little said.

            I told him it probably will be a routine election, unless the issues make it interesting.

            “Do you think?” Little asked.

            Absolutely.  There are a lot of issues out there that either cause a little sabre-rattling or are seem so complex that people just plain shrug and ignore them.

            Little asked “which ones, as we say around the coup, ruffle feathers.”

            That, I mentioned to him, depends how many feathers are being ruffled.  Some folks take a solo stance and want people to think the sky is falling.

            Some issues, however, draw a larger crowd.  Like the proposed downtown for Buffalo Grove.

            “Yeah,” Little said, “I thought those folks would be out in force.”

            Well, they are, but they aren’t.  AOL’s venture into community journalism, best known as The Patch, took a survey in October.  The survey, which simply said “Would You Like Buffalo Grove To Have A Downtown”, drew 154 responses and, to no surprise, the vote was overwhelming against having a downtown.

            Too bad.  Not because people were against it, but because it did not clearly address the issue.  The issue is the instant downtown proposed by CRM Properties.  The proposal reminds me of those old ads in comic books of getting a real live sea horse – all you add is water.

            As I have blogged before, I told Little, I am not in favor of the proposal in its current form because there are way too many questions that need answers.  For the record, I am among the 25 percent who still oppose Rt. 53 extension until some questions are answered.  That, however, is another issue.

            The on-line discussions about the initial proposal for downtown district in Buffalo Grove seemingly focus on personalities and not the issue. 

            Two comments piqued my curiosity – one was signed “Congregation Beth Judea” – which I find comical because first of all, the congregation is not in the village and secondly, I think it’s marginally inappropriate for a house of worship to take a stand on a village issue.  Rest assured, I am sure the Beth Judea Board did not get together one night, sign into Patch and voice an opinion.  It’s just another attempt for someone to hide from their opinion.

            The other comment that raised an eyebrow was “The few do not rule the many - let the voters decide how our taxes are to be spent.”

            Right.  The reason there are “the few” is because “the many” are silent.  Just attend a village board meeting.  If there’s not an honoree or some seemingly useless sideshow, folks don’t show up, which is too bad.

            It’s also too bad that the poll simply asks if “Buffalo Grove needs a downtown.”

            News flash -- it does.  Maybe the village does not need one that features high-priced brick pavers and multi-story residential buildings in seemingly remote areas (most downtown redevelopments or redevelopments are centered around transportation, not open space that looks nice), but it needs a stronger commercial and retail presence.

            “Why is that?” Little asked.

            I told him because the village needs to be proactive in generating revenues.  “Since when?” Little asked.

            Since November when the village unveiled its 2013 budget.

            “But it’s fine,” Little said.

            Really, did you read it? 

            “Well no, because it’s so boring.  And besides, who wants to attend a budget meeting?”

            Budgets are typically boring, and budget meetings are about as stimulating as the Idaho Potato Bowl.  But if you look at the budget, you would find the 2013 budget is balanced, but the big D lies ahead.

            “Big D?  You mean Lovie Smith is coming to work for the village?”

            Not the Big D as in defense, and I’m not sure Smith would fit in – if he did, the village would probably fade in the last quarter every year.

            “So what’s the D?” Little asked.

            Deficit.

            “DEFICIT!  OMG, the end is near!  I knew the Mayans were right!” Little said.  “We’re going broke!  Who wrote the budget, Gov. Quinn?”  I told the silly mother clucker to calm down.

            First of all, it’s a projected budget.  That means you start planning ways to balance revenues against expenses.

            “Ha! I bet this was hidden, I’m calling the CIA,” Little said.

Why?  “Well, the FBI has allegedly been contacted so I need to move ahead to a higher authority?”  Right -- you and Hebrew National.

            Actually, the deficit was discussed at the Nov. 26 Village Board meeting and again, prior to adoption, at the Dec. 6 meeting.  It is also available on the village’s web site.

            “Yeah, but knowing those guys, they probably tried to, as we say around the coup, cluck us over by using big words and small print,” Little said.

            Budgets, as a rule, are not fun reading.  However, the budget includes a transmittal letter by Village Manager Dane Bragg.  A transmittal letter is basically an executive summary.  It’s called a transmittal letter because it sounds official and it “transmits” information about the budget.  It does not transmit the flu.

            In his statement, Bragg notes that the use of the “first planned capital reserve fund transfer since 2008 is no small feat.”  So does this mean?  That despite the economic downturn and slow recovery, the village has been able to handle its budgeting on available revenues, until this year.  This does not mean the village is going broke – not by a long shop.

            The process, Bragg noted, is always done on projections, generally five years out.  “We have made fund reserve contributions – last five years—as everyone has,” he said.  The difference, however, started in 2008 when, Bragg noted that the economy “tanked.”  When the economy slides, he says “sales tax, income tax, property tax does not fluctuate as much.”  Bottom line, revenues slip.

            So how much?  According to Bragg’s transmittal letter, the projected operating budget deficit for 2014 is $1.4 million.  Taking into consideration the full capital reserve funding (these funds cover capital expenses, not operating expenses) the projected deficit is $2 million.

            It’s not, however, an immediate crisis.  Bragg notes Buffalo Grove “has always had strong fiscal management, and it will continue to do that.  We know we have deficit coming – and have a year to plan for it – so we can look at options.”

            Among the options is commercial development and attracting new business to Buffalo Grove.  Bragg said the redevelopment of Cambridge Commons at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads could help as is the long-anticipated development of Plaza Berenesa at the Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway.  And while that project has been on the table almost as long as the Cubs’ World Series drought, Bragg said the village has been “engaged with developer” and that some new plans could be presented to the village during 2013.

            It’s clear that a main goal of the village is to increase revenue, and a good way to do that is to increase revenue from sales tax.  An increase in sales tax revenue will not happen overnight.  It is a process that is likely to take several years.  The village staff and board appear to be getting more aggressive in identifying ways to enhance retail and commercial development in the village.

            The proposal by CRM Properties, as grandiose and seemingly ostentatious as it appears, is just one idea. In other municipalities, some ideas have worked well – like the redevelopment of downtown Deerfield or Highland Park.  Others have gone down in flames – like Chicago’s ill-fated State Street Mall (dubbed State Street Maul by longtime columnist Chuck Wenk, who must be approaching 100 by now).

            But even the best plans can go array.  Arlington Heights, which, like the aforementioned municipalities, has redeveloped its central business district over the past two decades, has found that it is not all seashells and balloons.  The drop off of the economy and slow recovery has resulted in an increase in vacancies and shuttered businesses. 

            In Buffalo Grove, there’s little doubt the village czars will need to evaluate each proposal gingerly and gain as much input as possible.  However, a referendum on a “downtown” for Buffalo Grove is too general.  As noted, a referendum on the proposed CRM development may be in order.   Shooting down a downtown cart blanche would not be in the best interest of the village in the long term.  Redevelopment, Tax Increment Financing and incentives all need to be looked at as a way to generate retail and commercial revenue to strengthen the sales tax base.

In addition to potential revenue generation, the village staff and board need to take the pulse of the communities – yes, plural.  Residents, obviously, are part of the mix, but so too is the business community.  The establishment of a central business district could play havoc on established businesses along Dundee Road and other parts of the village.  A mentality of “if we built it, they will come” may have worked for a farmer in Dyersville, Iowa – but that mentality is unrealistic when it comes to generating revenue.

            Little pondered.  “The long-term strategy is needed, but there needs to be a way to help in the short term,” he said.

            “I know,” he said, we can save money on printing such things as ballots.”

            Really? How?

            “Well,” he said, “Look at the space Lester A. Ottenheimer III takes up on the ballot.  That may require bigger paper, and that costs more.”

            So what’s your solution?

            “Just list him as LAO3.”

            I reminded him that Kentucky Fried Chicken is hiring.

            “Not funny,” he said.

            Neither are panic-based rejections or decisions.

Where do we go from here?

It is ironic.

Ever since the sound of gun shots crashed through what is supposed to be a haven for young kids – their school – the weather has been overcast and dreary.

Just like the mood of the nation.

There’s not much to say that has not been already said.  The images of young – very young – students being surrounded by police officers as they were led out of schools will forever resonate in the minds of many, if not most, Americans.

But as Newtown buries its young and brave the question that remains is simple.

What’s next?

How many more mass shootings in schools, in malls or movie theaters will we watch on the news, shake our heads and say something must be done., yet only to have the scene repeat itself.

The recent shootings in Aurora and Portland, and now in Newtown have one thing in common.  They took place in suburban areas.  As did the carnage in Columbine, Chardon, DeKalb, Jonesboro.

We take per granted that our refuges in the suburbs shield us from such dastardly acts.  Gun crimes happen in “those neighborhoods” of our cities by “those people”.  It’s as though we believed Sinclair Lewis when he wrote “It Can’t Happen Here”.  Granted, Lewis wrote his book in 1935 and used a satirical look at what would happen in the United States if someone grabbed power as Hitler started to do in the early 1930s.

We have for decades, maybe centuries, been naïve to the fact that things can happen here.  We apparently believe that things like Aurora, Columbine and no Newtown happen someplace else.  As one parent said, “You don’t expect your daughter to be murdered…It happens on TV.  It happens elsewhere.”

Elsewhere.  The reality is we all live in “Elsewhere” and, as we watch the horror unfold last Friday, Elsewhere can be anywhere.  We think unthinkable gun violence is limited to urban areas, but the list of mass shootings, let alone school shootings, have taken place in rural or suburban areas.

Not Elsewhere.

So, once again, where do we go from here?  We mourn, we cry, we get angry and we watch the scenario unfold again and again.

Is this time different?  Perhaps it is because we are mesmerized by the images of the 20 children and six educators who died last Friday.  As I look around my neighborhood I think of the kids who live on my block.   Kids who are in elementary school.  Kids who regale in the wonderful innocence that is childhood.  I look at them and I wonder how someone could do that.

So now the call will be to tighten up security at schools.  Many municipalities have been doing that on a regular basis, long before the slaughter in Newtown.  Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steve Balinski says the village there is additional presence at the schools in the village.  Balinski notes that it is a cooperative effort through the village’s School Resource Coordinator.  He points out that the village’s police and fire departments and schools “have a very comprehensive plan in place in terms of lock down and evacuation procedures. This plan is fluid and is re-evaluated periodically.”

Balinski adds that “given the recent tragic event in Newtown, we will be working with our school authorities to determine if our current plans provide the security levels that protect our children, teachers and administrators.” He adds that there are two key elements to the plan: Having a comprehensive plan in place to address these high-risk/ low frequency events, and management of the plan (lock down drills, evacuation procedures, review of policies, etc).

Odds are most (hopefully) communities and schools mirror Buffalo Grove’s efforts.

As we know, mass shootings are not limited to schools.  Just look at what’s happened in Portland and, of course, Aurora.

So once again, where do we go from here?

Once again the calls for banning guns have resonated off the airwaves, dominated online and print reports.  But yet, no action.   There needs to be some control in not only gun ownership, but in the sale and delivery of firearms, especially assault weapons.

Statistics reveal that more than 10,500 people a year are fatal victims of gun violence.  Statistics reveal that drunken drivers kill more than 16,000 people a year.  Obviously, shooting innocent men, women and children in cold blood is far more heinous than some bastard who thinks driving a 2,500 pound weapon impaired is OK.

Many states, especially Illinois have been vigilant in enacting and enforcing laws in an effort to ebb the tide of deaths related to impaired motorists.  Some states (Ohio for example) have state controlled liquor stores.

Yet the average person can purchase a firearm at any number of retail stores.  Sure, they need a firearm owner’s identification card (FOID) and there’s a waiting period from the time of purchase to the time of delivery.  However, as one firearm owner told me, that’s just to keep someone who is angry on the spur of the moment from running out, purchasing a gun quickly returning to the workplace, home – or school – and using his or her newly purchased firearm to vent his or her anger.  The waiting period does, not however, curtail a psychopath from continuing his or her plan to massacre innocent people.

As for getting a FOID – just go online, fill out the form – and be honest – send in $10 and a picture and you’re all set. Oh, there’s a separate page for applicants under 21.  I’ll sleep better tonight knowing it’s an exhaustive procedure.

Even though I am long past 21, it’s not unusual for me to be asked to show an ID when I purchase alcohol.  As flattering as it may be, it’s unsettling that I face more scrutiny in a liquor store than I would if I wanted a FOID.

Where do we go from here?  When it comes to cracking down on abuse of firearms, maybe we need to look as close as the nearest liquor store.

It won’t solve the problem – but it seems to be a logical start.

November kept the police busy -- if not amused

November was busy month for Buffalo Grove’s men and women in blue.  Looks like residents need to watch those TV service repairmen and check the cords on their hair dryers.  To paraphrase Dragnet – the stories you are about to read are true.  The names have been changed to protect the innocent – and sane.

FOR THIS HE CALLED THE POLICE?

Resident stated that he has not lived in his condo, located in Prospect Heights, for the past ten years. When he moved out of the condo, he had the gas turned off. He is planning to move back in and when he requested the gas be turned back on, he was denied due to unpaid gas bills. A neighbor has been maintaining the property and the resident was advised to speak with him for an explanation. 

THE JOYS OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON..

Resident reported that someone unknown slashed the inflatable Christmas decorations that are on the front lawn. 

SO, JUST WHAT WAS SHE THINKING?

Resident stated that her ex boyfriend is in possession of compromising photographs of her and the ex’s new girlfriend has knowledge of them and is telling mutual friends about them. The resident is concerned that the pictures may be posted on social networks. The officer advised the resident that nothing of a criminal nature is involved and that her concerns may be better addressed by an attorney.

MAYBE A REMOTE IS NEEDED…

Resident reported that a repairman came to the house to fix various issues she is having with her television service. Following the repair of one issue, the resident gave the repairman a hug during which the repairman touched the resident’s buttocks. When the entire repair was completed the resident again gave the repairman a hug and the repairman again touched the resident’s buttocks. The resident felt this to be inappropriate behavior and will follow up with the company. 

OH, IT WASN’T AT A VILLAGE BOARD MEETING…

Official reported that a member became angry with the staff, and he departed the premises with a pair of dumbbells. The member then returned the equipment prior to officers arrival. The member wanted his membership canceled and given a full refund, which the staff would not do. The member told the officer that he will not return to that facility. 

AT LEAST IT WASN’T THE BUTLER…

Resident reported hearing noise coming from the second floor and believes someone is in the house. Officers checked the house and found no one inside. A ceiling fan had been left on and that may be the cause of the noise. The resident then went with officers and found everything to be in order.

OH, THIS MAKES SENSE…

Resident reported his neighbor’s dog was barking. Officer called the neighbor who stated that he was dog sitting and would be home shortly. (Question -- So who would be home soon?  The owner, the dog sitter or the dog?

OH AUNTIE EM, THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME…

Resident reported that her aunt was in an adjoining room and was making a lot of noise. The resident asked the aunt and other members of the family to be quiet but they would not. All was quiet when officers departed. 

THERE'S A SIMPLE SOLUTION HERE…

Resident stated that she always leaves her driver’s license in the cup holder. When she returned from the store, she found the license was gone. There were no signs of forced entry into the car. The officer advised the resident to keep her license on her person not in a cup holder.

BET THE NEXT MEETING IS A GOOD ONE..

Resident stated that she is the president of her condo association, and that a neighbor is the treasurer. The resident has been receiving email from the neighbor that the resident feels are harassing in nature, citing curse words and threats. Officer reviewed the email and found no curse words or threats; they pertained directly to business handled by the board. There was a rude tone to the emails, but no crime was committed. 

MAYBE SHE’S JUST JEALOUS…

Resident reported that while walking her dog, she was able to view into an apartment and see inappropriate sexual activity. Officers have responded to this type of complaint from the resident before, and have not found any evidence of illegal or inappropriate activity by the neighbor. The resident was advised to use discretion when making a report about observations and to avoid contact with the neighbor. 

SO MUCH FOR MAKING THE LIST OF BEST PLACES TO WORK..

Complainant flagged an officer down and stated that he was working in the area landscaping, when he got into an argument with his boss, who fired him. The argument then turned physical. Officer spoke with the boss who verified the account but stated that the complainant swung at him first and he defended himself. No complaints to be signed. The complainant requested his week’s wages which the boss’ wife brought to the police station. 

WELL, AT LEAST IT WASN’T ELMO...

Resident reported having two stray dogs in her back yard. Officer retrieved the two Beagles and brought them to the station. The owner called and asked if we had two Beagles named Bert and Ernie, and she was advised to come and pick them up. 

NEED TO REVISE THE EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK…

Employee stated that $100.00 was taken out of her wallet, which was in her purse, hanging on a coat rack in the employee room. The employee stated that a number of new hires were training in the store. The employee stated that management discouraged her to make a police report because they were conducting an internal investigation. Another employee had her iPhone stolen on the same day. 

DARN PLUGS, THEY INTERFERE WITH LOUD CELL PHONE CONVERSATIONS…

Complainant stated that while she was in the locker room another subject was speaking loudly on her cell phone. When the complainant pointed to the sign which prohibits cell phone use in the locker room, the other subject threw a hair dryer at the complainant. The hair dryer did not reach its intended mark because it was still plugged in. The complainant was upset because the center’s management only gave the subject a warning.