So the village of Big Animal Grove is among the 100 best places to live -- And Pioneer sticks it on page 2 at the bottom. The week before a delay in fireworks was the big news. Must have been a slow news date.
The fact the BG cracked the top 100 should not come at any surprise. Despite the warts that may plague some of the entities that make up the village (like a certain school district that does not recognize the First Amendment), the village is fortunate enough to have quality parks, recreation, municipal services -- and several Starbuck's.
The news should be welcomed by area Realtors as it does bode well for the reputation of the village and should make it attractive to perspective home buyers.
I mean, where else you going to look -- Batavia?
The emergence of BAG to hit the top 100 is no fluke. The village, even with some bumps and bruises along the way, is well zoned, well maintained and well groomed.
It is served by two (yes,two) library districts that provide quality collections and services.
Educationally, all districts are quality districts and continually rank high in regional, state and national rankings. This goes for schools on both sides of Lake Cook Road. BGHS to the south and ASHS to north offer an array of course offerings for their students. The BG Administration seems more student friendly as of late and appears to be void of any outside influences, unlike the Mecca on 22. The bottom line, however, is student performance, and both are stellar.
The BG Park district provides a dearth of offerings and may even expand its highly popular casino night to include OTB. Well, maybe not, but there's money in those hills.
The village has been fortunate to have quality municipal services that include but not limited to -- police, fire, public work, and the village hall. I can't help but wonder with OTB and video poker, if there will be Village Position of Pit Boss.
Speaking of village poker, I see where Ms. Quixote is gearing up for a battle. While I think there are bigger fish to fry, the concern I have with video poker is breeds compulsiveness among users to keep popping more and more money into it. A friend who spends more time researching and regurgitating facts than I care to has told me that video poker is the biggest money maker among video gambling because of the many different ways it encourages users to raise their bets -- which, of course, entails more money.
The bottom line is that it ends up being a case of buyer (or user) beware.
Village Pit Boss -- I like that. Wonder what the odds are of me getting the job?
General notes and other great thoughts...
Red Light Cameras -- Ah, Big Brother is a step closer. I wonder if the village will get a return on its investment? That's a lot or red light runners. Odds are (and this is not OTB) most of the folks who run red lights are yapping on the cell phones making pedicure appointments.
Countryside Comments -- Could you please make it look like a newspaper?? To paraphrase "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" it looks like white bread....the Lake County Fair opens July 28. I wonder how many BG Village Board members will attend and be directed to the swine exhibit..."Gabbin in the Grove" -- just two words: who cares???
Next Board Meeting: Monday, Aug. 3.
Congratulations to: Stevenson High School teacher Barb Thill who will receive a First Amendment Award on July 25. Thill came under fire because The Statesman, the outstanding school paper at the Mecca on 22, practiced outstanding journalism. Unfortunately, there are some folks in the community who think school newspapers are only for good news -- stories about Muffy and Chip who are homecoming queen. Issues like "hooking up" and the Gay Straight Alliance aren't for high school students because that does not happen at Stevenson. Yeah, right. Wanna bet most of the people opposed to it were doing the same stuff when they were younger?
And finally: Had the opportunity to hear Merle Dieleman, a Dow Jones Newspaper Fund Teacher of the Year and expert on the First Amendment speak. Think about this -- he finds irony that the U.S. has spent billions of dollars and thousands of lives of have been lost in Iraq and Afghanistan so they can have the same freedoms we do here -- but wait, our students can't practice the First Amendment. Guess the folks at Stevenson don't support one of the two.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
End of Week Notes
So the Buffalo Grove Countryside arrives in the mail box. A couple of thoughts:
1. Are late fireworks that big of a deal? It was a Saturday night, what was the rush?
2. "Tensions Still High Over Gambling" -- Well, maybe with one Board member. The rest of the tensions are in response to the daggers being tossed about by Mrs. Quixote. What's going to happen when the state approves video poker games? I can't help but wonder how many of the people opposed to the gambling hang out playing the ponies at Arlington or swamp the casino when they cruise.
3. Since when does a Brazilian Steak House serve sushi? (OK, it's not in BG, but it's close).
4. Mathias Still Opposes Tax Hike -- Nice to see Sid has a position on something.
5. Local DJ mourns Jackson in L.A. -- I never liked Phil Jackson. Oh, wait the other Jackson. I know he was a talent, but he was drug-using freak who shot his life away.
6. Buffalo Grove Cub Fan on Hunger Strike -- Quite simply, it's a slow news day. This guy will be more hungry than the Cubs.
7. Kirk Building War Chest -- Amazing. An article about Mr. Mark without it being a photo op. He does run a slick operation, however.
8. Mega Bites in the 'Burbs. -- Great, let's support obesity. Tell the Board that OTB stands for Over The Belly -- and we'll all live happily ever after.
9. Bed Switch turns into Nightmare. I'm not even touching that one.
10. Beach Advisories online. Must be important, it ran twice. But how many people take a computer to the beach?
Say, Pioneer, what happened to Diversions? Lemme see, they dropped it to save money and have more space for soccer moms to write gossip. In the process, they phased out a talented staff, including one of the most wonderful people to ever grace a keyboard. Details coming.
More later,
Good Day.
1. Are late fireworks that big of a deal? It was a Saturday night, what was the rush?
2. "Tensions Still High Over Gambling" -- Well, maybe with one Board member. The rest of the tensions are in response to the daggers being tossed about by Mrs. Quixote. What's going to happen when the state approves video poker games? I can't help but wonder how many of the people opposed to the gambling hang out playing the ponies at Arlington or swamp the casino when they cruise.
3. Since when does a Brazilian Steak House serve sushi? (OK, it's not in BG, but it's close).
4. Mathias Still Opposes Tax Hike -- Nice to see Sid has a position on something.
5. Local DJ mourns Jackson in L.A. -- I never liked Phil Jackson. Oh, wait the other Jackson. I know he was a talent, but he was drug-using freak who shot his life away.
6. Buffalo Grove Cub Fan on Hunger Strike -- Quite simply, it's a slow news day. This guy will be more hungry than the Cubs.
7. Kirk Building War Chest -- Amazing. An article about Mr. Mark without it being a photo op. He does run a slick operation, however.
8. Mega Bites in the 'Burbs. -- Great, let's support obesity. Tell the Board that OTB stands for Over The Belly -- and we'll all live happily ever after.
9. Bed Switch turns into Nightmare. I'm not even touching that one.
10. Beach Advisories online. Must be important, it ran twice. But how many people take a computer to the beach?
Say, Pioneer, what happened to Diversions? Lemme see, they dropped it to save money and have more space for soccer moms to write gossip. In the process, they phased out a talented staff, including one of the most wonderful people to ever grace a keyboard. Details coming.
More later,
Good Day.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Malanta for the Board!
The late Will Rogers once said that "all I know is what I read in the newspapers." That said and done (thanks, Will) I attended the July 6 Village Board meeting to find out what is going on, especially given the recent discussions regarding OTB and the arrival on the scene of new Board member Lisa Stone.
I left the Board meeting feeling sorry for Village Staff and for several members of the Board.
I also left feeling embarrassed to be a resident of Buffalo Grove.
Over the course of 30-plus years as a journalist and educator, I have had the opportunity to practice and teach the craft of journalism -- yes, it really is a craft. I have covered high school sports, national health care issues and local governments. Local as in Buffalo Grove.
I covered the village of Buffalo Grove in the early 1980s when, quite honestly, there was not much in the village. Nonetheless, the issues confronting the board were undaunting -- annexation of large plats (the Fiore property for you old times), development of a lake water transmission system and a constant barrage of developers wanting to build in the new growth area of Chicago.
The one thing that struck me was the professionalism of the young village's staff -- from the Village Manager's office to the police department. They were not perfect, however. Nothing is. But they held fast in their demands on developers and the village remains an icon of impeccable zoning, appearance and professionalism.
The management of the village is one of the reasons we moved here.
Recently, however, a new knight has appeared on the scene carrying with it, not shining armour, but a tarnished saber sharpened with innuendos and accusations about village board members and the village staff.
The issues that motivated our Lady Gwenevere seem to be Off Track Betting and the quality of Comcast and/or ATT's service. As noted, my curiosity spurred me to attend Monday's Board meeting.
It's sad.
Trustee reports are meant to be just that -- reports. Not an opportunity to polish the soap box and launch acrimonious verbal assault on your colleagues and staff. Our fair maiden may have had a point or two, but it was lost in her delivery.
For anyone seeking, and subsequently obtaining, public office, it is imperative to follow the Boy Scout crede and "Be Prepared." It's clear our Lady Blue has not done this. Most of what she ranted about is covered in the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Illinois Municipal Code and the Freedom of Information Act. Access to all three is readily available, as my students are taught.
I found it interesting that after she left her stand she said nothing -- absolutely nothing -- for the rest of the meeting. There were resolutions and ordinances --- but nothing from Lady Gwenevere.
Her interest in serving the village is admirable. However, the constant barrage of criticism at everyone, including the media, is unwarranted. I found it interesting that one of backer wrote to the Countryside saying the village board was an "old boy" network.
Really?
Do your homework, please. As mentioned, the village had a plateful in the 1980s. There were no smoke-filled rooms, no cash being passed and no old boy networks.
A leading contributor to the foundation of the Village of Buffalo Grove was Verna Clayton a tireless, hard working village board president who directed the board and village staff in the development of Buffalo Grove.
So when people like to rally around the flag pole and laud Ms. Stone for breaking the old boys network, they need to lower the flag and go do their homework. Nothing is perfect, that is for sure, but when something needs adjusting, it is best to use a screw driver as opposed to just swinging a hammer.
This is what Verna Clayton did.
To paraphrase the late Lloyd Bentsen, Ms. Stone, I knew Verna Clayton...and you're no Verna Clayton.
Other notes:
Village Board President Elliot Hartstein tried a couple of jokes the other night. Don't look for him at Zanies anytime soon.
Since 1977? Kudos for Village Attorney Bill Raysa for his tenure. It started April 17, 1977.
Citizen Fire Department training -- cool, very cool -- especially for the kids involved. Some of them probably weigh less than the hoses. But it's great to see them involved in the village. Maybe they'll run for the Board sometime. But let's not go there. Not now any way.
More to come later....
Good Day.
I left the Board meeting feeling sorry for Village Staff and for several members of the Board.
I also left feeling embarrassed to be a resident of Buffalo Grove.
Over the course of 30-plus years as a journalist and educator, I have had the opportunity to practice and teach the craft of journalism -- yes, it really is a craft. I have covered high school sports, national health care issues and local governments. Local as in Buffalo Grove.
I covered the village of Buffalo Grove in the early 1980s when, quite honestly, there was not much in the village. Nonetheless, the issues confronting the board were undaunting -- annexation of large plats (the Fiore property for you old times), development of a lake water transmission system and a constant barrage of developers wanting to build in the new growth area of Chicago.
The one thing that struck me was the professionalism of the young village's staff -- from the Village Manager's office to the police department. They were not perfect, however. Nothing is. But they held fast in their demands on developers and the village remains an icon of impeccable zoning, appearance and professionalism.
The management of the village is one of the reasons we moved here.
Recently, however, a new knight has appeared on the scene carrying with it, not shining armour, but a tarnished saber sharpened with innuendos and accusations about village board members and the village staff.
The issues that motivated our Lady Gwenevere seem to be Off Track Betting and the quality of Comcast and/or ATT's service. As noted, my curiosity spurred me to attend Monday's Board meeting.
It's sad.
Trustee reports are meant to be just that -- reports. Not an opportunity to polish the soap box and launch acrimonious verbal assault on your colleagues and staff. Our fair maiden may have had a point or two, but it was lost in her delivery.
For anyone seeking, and subsequently obtaining, public office, it is imperative to follow the Boy Scout crede and "Be Prepared." It's clear our Lady Blue has not done this. Most of what she ranted about is covered in the Illinois Open Meetings Act, the Illinois Municipal Code and the Freedom of Information Act. Access to all three is readily available, as my students are taught.
I found it interesting that after she left her stand she said nothing -- absolutely nothing -- for the rest of the meeting. There were resolutions and ordinances --- but nothing from Lady Gwenevere.
Her interest in serving the village is admirable. However, the constant barrage of criticism at everyone, including the media, is unwarranted. I found it interesting that one of backer wrote to the Countryside saying the village board was an "old boy" network.
Really?
Do your homework, please. As mentioned, the village had a plateful in the 1980s. There were no smoke-filled rooms, no cash being passed and no old boy networks.
A leading contributor to the foundation of the Village of Buffalo Grove was Verna Clayton a tireless, hard working village board president who directed the board and village staff in the development of Buffalo Grove.
So when people like to rally around the flag pole and laud Ms. Stone for breaking the old boys network, they need to lower the flag and go do their homework. Nothing is perfect, that is for sure, but when something needs adjusting, it is best to use a screw driver as opposed to just swinging a hammer.
This is what Verna Clayton did.
To paraphrase the late Lloyd Bentsen, Ms. Stone, I knew Verna Clayton...and you're no Verna Clayton.
Other notes:
Village Board President Elliot Hartstein tried a couple of jokes the other night. Don't look for him at Zanies anytime soon.
Since 1977? Kudos for Village Attorney Bill Raysa for his tenure. It started April 17, 1977.
Citizen Fire Department training -- cool, very cool -- especially for the kids involved. Some of them probably weigh less than the hoses. But it's great to see them involved in the village. Maybe they'll run for the Board sometime. But let's not go there. Not now any way.
More to come later....
Good Day.
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