Lights, cameras and common sense may help curtail burglaries

 

Well, it’s been a while. Time to dust off the keyboard.

            A couple of weeks ago a resident called me asking for more information about a burglary in his neighborhood after reading it in my news blog, B.G.N.I. Items from police reports are a regular part of the blog.

            That week seemed to be particularly difficult for homeowners as there were reports of three residential burglaries.

            In weeks since then, there have been several other residential burglaries. Investigators are often at a loss as to what leads to a rash of burglaries, but the crime prevention folks say that homeowners can take some steps in an effort to help decrease the possibility of a home break-in.

            The PD has a list of 16 tips to help prevent residential burglaries.

            Some are obvious. For example, make sure your doors and windows are locked. While it seems amazingly basic, it’s not unusual to see reports for home burglaries where the homeowner was only gone for a couple of hours. While reports don’t go into intricate detail as burglaries are generally tagged as being under investigation, there’s a good chance a homeowner may have thought that since they were making a “quick trip,” there was no need to lock all of the doors.

            It’s also a good idea to keep your garage door closed and locked. And while we’re talking about the garage, make sure, if you have an attached garage, that the door leading into the house from the garage is also locked.

            Yes, you want to lock your windows and close the curtain, shades, blinds or whatever you have in your windows. It’s sort of an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach.

            You may also want to take a cue from Genesis: Let there be lights. A lot of them. The installation of lamp timers in various rooms help give your home a “lived-in” look. I have a friend who scoffs at this and never leaves lights on when he and his family travel. Think burglars don’t case out neighborhoods? Think again. Don’t forget to install outside lights that can be activated by timers or motion detectors. It’s a simple step that may help deter a crime.

            You may want to consider installing security cameras inside and outside your house. Crime prevention officers say video cameras can play a key role in not only investigating home burglaries, but preventing them.

            In addition to offering “at-home” prevention tips, the BGPD also has tips to protect your home while you are traveling.

            Some are obvious – for example, stop delivery of your newspapers (if you still get them), stop the mail and make sure the grass is cut while you’re gone, or if you are traveling during the winter, make sure you have a snow removal service.

            There are some others that may make you laugh.

            For example, don’t (and as columnist Dave Barry would write -- “and I am not making this up”) leave a note that you are out of town and that deliveries can be left with a neighbor. Seriously. Do people really think the only people who will notice the note are wonderful, law-abiding souls?

            But the best tip is one that makes a lot of sense, or at least it should. Don’t post photos on social media while you’re on vacation. Nothing screams “hey look, we’re not home” as a photo of you having a great time drinking foo-foo drinks in Fiji.

            Breaking news – burglars scour social media.

            Not all burglars break in – some are let into a home.  In last week’s police reports a home was burgled when a man posing as a ComEd employee convinced the homeowner to check things outside. You know what happened, right?  When the resident went outside, at least one other person went in and ransacked the house. Employees for reputable companies like ComEd, NICOR, Comcast, have official and verifiable identification cards. A good rule of thumb may be “When in doubt, keep them out.”

            Want more prevention tips? Contact the Crime Prevention Unit at the Police Department by calling (847) 459-2560.

            In the meantime, as Sgt. Esterhaus would say, “Let’s be careful out there.”

Elections should focus on experience, qualifications -- not polenta

Back in the early – very early – days of my career as a journalist, I covered the city of Highwood.

Highwood at the time had two bits of notoriety.

One was that due to the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) and archaic liquor laws, the first place north of Chicago along the North Shore where you could get a drink was Highwood. The result was a plethora of bars and restaurants that served drinks.

If nothing else, it led to Highwood being listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for most liquor licenses per square acre.

The other was its mayor, Fidel Ghini, whose diction and command of English put him in the same company as Richard J. and Richard M Daley.

For reasons unbeknown to me, the Highwood City Council met at 7 p.m. on Friday nights.  Yes, Friday nights. Meetings under Fidel’s guidance lasted an hour.

The meetings were a series of aye votes and ended with Fidel’s pronouncement of what a great job he was doing and what a great city Highwood was.

And then it was off to the bars.

There is a book, “Quotations from Chairman Daley” that features some of ‘hiz honor’s’ classic statements. Ghini could have one too.

Fidel never scripted his meetings and you never knew what was coming next. However, one thing was certain – if someone disagreed with him, Fidel brought out the polenta. Not literally, but figuratively.

There were multiple levels of polenta making, depending on the level of anger.

** Mildly upset – “You’re trying to make a polenta” – Polenta is a cornmeal mixture that some people consider a mush.  It is made with hot water.

** Upset – “You’re trying to make polenta with cold water”

** Very upset – “You’re trying to make polenta with no water.”

With the April 6 consolidated elections looming, there is one sure thing. There’s a lot of polenta in Buffalo Grove.

This became evident during the Candidates Forum/Debate sponsored by the Journal & Topics Publications on Thursday. Candidates for District 125 School Board as well as candidates for the Buffalo Grove Village Board had the opportunity to present their positions on various topics based on questions developed by the editorial staff of the Journal & Topics.

It has been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. Thursday’s forum proved that.

With capacity capped at 50 due to COVID-19 restrictions, the opportunity for residents to attend was limited. There was plenty of space, however, as only 24 people attended. This, by the way, included the moderator and candidates. Thanks to village trustee  Joanne Johnson, the village candidates’ forum was available on Facebook live.  It wasn’t must-see TV. Neither was the school board forum.

The school board forum focused more on accusations by Nicole Grimes and Barb Tolbert that the D125 Board is unresponsive and shrouded in secrecy. Lalit Japtap did not participate. To no surprise, incumbents Steven Frost and Fei Shang reputed the charges. Fellow incumbent Gary Corson was not in attendance.

Two things came into my mind during the School Board forum. The first was that Grimes and Tolbert lack familiarity with both the Illinois Open Meetings Act (OMA) and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Much of the information they claimed was “hidden” is available either by the FOIA or cannot be discussed in public or made available to the public under OMA guidelines. Can things be improved?  Absolutely. However, what was missing from the debate, partly due to the nature of the questions and incessant focus of access to documents, was an exchange of ideas about, brace yourself, education. A novel idea. Stevenson High School did not achieve its nationally known reputation without, whether you agree with them or not, School Board guidance.

Accusations that Frost has been on the Board too long were of no bearing to the debate or the operation of the School Board. Like him or not, at least he has served for 20 years.

Length of service is not, nor should it be, a precursor to running for an elected position. However, it’s important to realize that a School Board and Village Board are not student councils. They are multi-million-dollar operations.

Persons with no experience or background who think they can wake up one morning and decide to run for an elected position just because someone told them there is an opening are doing a disservice not only to the Board they seek a spot on, but also to the community as well. Transparency is essential.

There are five candidates for the Buffalo Grove Village Board: incumbents Joanne Johnson, Les Ottenheimer and Andrew Stein. They are being challenged by former trustee Mike Terson and Gowri Magati.

Thursday’s debate did little to shed new light on the positions of the candidates.  The incumbents did what incumbents do – tout the work they’ve done and pledge to keep the village going in a strong direction.

Terson was in a tricky situation, having served as a trustee and having run against Village President Beverly Sussman two years ago. His positions, especially those related to economic development, are well known. Interestingly enough, Terson said several times that he agrees with some of the positions of the incumbents, especially Ottenheimer.  He also appears to remain wedded to the concept of the failed “Malk” downtown development proposal, something he raised several times during the discussion.

The odd person out was Magati. If the forum did anything, it revealed that she lacks any form of experience in civic matters or comprehensive knowledge related to Buffalo Grove. This, however, is reflected in her campaign.

Magati entered the race two weeks before the filing deadline saying someone informed her that there were positions available on the Village Board. Her original reasons for running focused on representing “her community.” While the goal of reflecting the diversity of Buffalo Grove on elected bodies is admirable, no candidate should run solely to represent a single community.

Magati’s candidacy has been shrouded in controversy as well. Magati’s filing petitions were challenged by former trustee Jeffrey Berman for alleged irregularities. The Electoral Board found that Magati had engaged in “false swearing” and that other irregularities existed in her petition. The Electoral Board tossed out several pages of the petition on that basis. However, the Electoral Board also found the evidence did not support a finding of a sufficient “pattern of fraud” to warrant “striking the entirety of the petition.” As such, despite proven false swearing by Magati, and other irregularities in her petition, the Electoral Board overruled the objection and allowed Magati to stay on the ballot.  By the way, one member voted to remove Magati from the ballot.

Magati, who denies any party affiliation, was represented by Matthew Flamm, an attorney who happens to be active in the Cook County Democratic party. That is interesting, given that Magati apparently had no interest in running, let alone involvement in party politics until, as mentioned, someone told her there was an opening on the Village Board.

Nothing screams civic engagement more than not knowing what positions are open on the Board you are running for.

While I can’t fault her for running, the reality is this – given her lack of experience and knowledge about the Village Board and village issues, her a lack of transparency about her background and backing, and her single “community” interest, a successful Magati campaign would do a disservice not only to “her community” but the community at large.

Again, her lack of substance was reflected in her comments during the forum.

Magati claims the “same roads” are being repaired every year. They’re not. Work done by the village on village streets is prioritized and scheduled every year. There is no repetition. Her responses also made clear that she has no knowledge or appreciation for the scope of the Village’s responsibilities. What she apparently does not realize is that Lake County, Cook County and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) have jurisdiction over many roadways in the village.

Her stand on retail growth was at best convoluted and reflected a lack of understanding as to what the village has done and is trying to do. One of her “fresh ideas” is to “Build an entertainment center downtown to bring in more revenue” and to “Assure the downtown will attract professionals and young families.” There was No mention of who would do these things, how they would come to pass, or who would pay for them. Oh, and psst, Gowri, Buffalo Grove doesn’t have a downtown.

The debate also revealed that she lacks comprehension of basic facts, including critical statistics she claimed to reference regarding vacancy rates in the village. Vacancy rates, as detailed by village staff and the Economic Development Strategic Plan, reflect that the village has a 3.4 percent vacancy rate for industrial and flex uses, 16.6 percent vacancy for office space and a 13.2 percent retail vacancy rate. The composite vacancy rate in the village is 7.7 percent.

By comparison, the industrial/flex vacancy rate for the North Central Region is 8.6 percent and 7.8 percent for the Chicago metropolitan area.  The office vacancy rate is 18.5 percent for the North Central Region and 13.9 percent for the Chicago metropolitan area.

When it comes to retail, the North Central region rate is 9.7 percent with the Chicago metropolitan rate at 8.5 percent.

Room for improvement in Buffalo Grove?  Absolutely. Does Magati understand how or why? Apparently not.

Magati needs to get her facts straight. When Johnson cited the vacancy numbers during Thursday’s forum, Magati was quick to accuse Johnson of being wrong and asserted the composite rate is 19 percent. She claimed to have gotten her numbers from “the website.”

It was Magati who was wrong. The rate she touted was for the Lake Cook Corridor Tax Increment Financing District. The rate of retail vacancies in the TIF district exceeds 19 percent, with much of it due to the albatrosses known as Town Center and Chase Plaza, site of the vacant Dominick’s. Understanding the problem is the first step to curing it. A misunderstanding of the facts, however, can only lead to flawed conclusions. As the saying goes, “garbage in and garbage out.”

So what’s my take? Magati’s fresh ideas lack two things. Freshness. And ideas. Had she taken an interest in the Village Board before haphazardly seeking signatures and developing a campaign that lacks substance and vacillates more than the Bears’ quarterback situation, she could be a viable candidate.

Right now, however, what she needs to do is learn how to make polenta.

 

Keeping the thanks in Thanksgiving

 Golan Mor knew this year would need to be different.

Golan Mor, executive manager of Garden Fresh Market
loads one of five pallets of food that he donated to the
Rotary Club food drive.

And the executive manager of Garden Fresh Market decided to make a difference. For the past two years, Mor has donated items to be included in boxes of food and other items that are donated by the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club to area needy families.

            He started helping the Rotary Club out with the annual event “a couple of years ago,” after he was approached by Pete Panayiotou, whose Continental Restaurant is a few doors down from Garden Fresh Market on Buffalo Grove. “At first he asked for wholesale prices, but I decided to donate $1,000,” Mor says. Last year, the donation was $2,000.

Buffalo Grove Fire Department Battalion Chief
Shawn Collins packs boxes of food.

            But then the pandemic hit. “This year, given the circumstances I decided to cover the whole thing,” he says. That ‘whole thing’ is nearly $10,000 of food fundamentals to help the needy. The items are all shelf-stable and include, but are not limited to things like sugar, flour, mayonnaise and canned soups.

            “The country has to mobilize like we did two generations ago. Everyone needs to do their part at every level,” Mor says.

 

Shannon O'Connor of Rickin' Jump in
Buffalo Grove loads items for the needy.

           The five pallets of food will help the Rotary Club put together 150 boxes of supplies that will be given to families who are referred to the Rotary Club by officials in school districts 21, 95, 214 as well as the Buffalo Grove Police Department.

            In addition to the food donations, 75 participants will receive a hand-made winter hat, all made by Tammy Dreyer, records clerk for the Kildeer Police Department. Stuffed animals, donated by PetSmart in Kildeer, will be given to children.

Started in 1978 by Wheeling High School and the Wheeling Rotary Club, the Buffalo Grove Rotary Club joined the effort four years later. The initiative is coordinated by former Buffalo Grove chief and current Kildeer Police Chief Steve Balinski, Shawn Collins, Buffalo Grove Fire Department Battalion Fire Chief and Panayiotou.

 

For Pete, there's more at stake than just business during the pandemic

If you search the Continental Restaurant on Google, its listing calls it a “modest eatery serving American & Greek specialties, including breakfast all day & classic desserts.”

Menu items aside, what hits home in the description is “modest.”

Just like its owner, Pete Panayiotou.

Pete Panayiotou

His plight came to light last week in a social media post that said if the state goes into a lockdown in an effort to control the spiraling COVID-19 pandemic in Illinois, Panayiotou may be forced to close The Continental.

It’s a concern for Panayiotou to be sure, but it’s not his primary concern. If you know Pete (as he is affectionately known around town) then it won’t surprise you that his primary concern is for his employees.

That’s Pete.

“It’s not just a problem for me,” he says, “but for every restaurant.” But not every restaurant has a Pete. The Continental opened 25 years this past May and true to form, Pete was hoping to have a celebration. But pandemic be damned, he couldn’t.  Now he’s looking to have one in May of 2021.

That’s not his focus now. It’s obviously on the restaurant. Specifically, on his staff. Talk to Pete about the trials and tribulations of pandemic and without fail, his focus shifts to his staff.

He had 22 employees when things went south last spring. The staff now numbers 20, but only because two found other jobs. The remaining staff is still on board despite the obstacles. “Little by little I started bringing them back,” Panayiotou says. Which makes the 57-year-old immigrant form Cyprus happy. He is especially happy for one employee.

Pete didn’t know just how dire the employee’s situation was until he saw him riding his bike to and from work. “I was thinking the whole summer he rode his bike for fresh air.”

That wasn’t the case. “He had no choice,” Panayiotou says. “He had to sell his car.”

The fact that he’s only lost two employees can be seen as a tribute to Panayiotou and his passion for people and how they return they appreciate what he does.

Especially his customers. “They are so generous,” Panayiotou says. “They love me and I love them. Buffalo Grove is my bread and butter.” He says he’s especially grateful to the various village departments, staff and officials that patronize The Continental.

“The Buffalo Grove Police Department, the mayor (Beverly Sussman) – oh my god –they order from here almost every day.” Other village departments, including the Fire Department, also support The Continental.

He continues to be humbled by the support of his customers, many of whom toss in extra money for employees. “I know 90 percent of my customers by name,” Panayiotou says. After 25 years, the success he’s had goes beyond knowing names.

Take the menu for example. Panayiotou says when he first opened the menu featured items that he liked. Since then he’s added items that reflects the tastes and desires of customers – like chicken soup with matzo balls.

The generosity of his customers is not a one-way street. Panayiotou lets customers list a favorite nonprofit entity (churches, synagogues, charities) and once a month he donates to area organizations.

But when it comes to caring, Panayiotous main focus continues to be his staff – even during the struggles associated with the pandemic.

Panayiotou says every Sunday, his manager goes through the extra tips which are then split among all of the employees. He’ll do whatever he can to help his staff. For example, The Continental has started offering deliver for a $5 fee.  And where does the five bucks go? Not to Panayiotou – but to the driver.

He could use the money to make up the losses he has endured, which are in excess of $150,000, but that’s not his nature. Through it all, Panayiotou maintains an amazingly positive attitude celebrating whatever ‘victories’ come his way.

Take Mother’s Day for example. There were days when he was coming up $1,000 short of his goal. On Mother’s Day, the loss was ‘only’ $300.  To Panayiotou that was a success. The Fourth of July was even better -- Panayiotou says he broke even.

Panayiotou, like other restaurateurs, are all facing the same challenges.

For Peter, however, the continued support shows him that even in light of the pandemic and bans on indoor dining, his customers care.

And he, in return, returns the care.