Perceptions being what they are...

I know a person who has a tattoo. It's of a tiger and, word has it, is strategically located.

So what does this tell you about the person? He's a redneck? A pervert? Can't be trusted?

Perceptions being what they are, many people seem to think that it impressions are everything. For example, if you go to a meeting and there’s not much discussion – it’s a rubber stamp. Period. Conversely, if someone has a lot to say, they’re a reformer and we should be glad to hear an opposing point of view.

Take, for example, a municipal board – say Buffalo Grove. Face it, life among the bison is pretty routine, mundane and otherwise moves along from day-to-day.

There must be a problem. Has to be. Ah, it’s because the Board is old and its members probably all agree because things are done under the table. Has to be – Just ask folks at Monday’s village board meeting. Kudos to both for at least coming out because, despite the rancor that village residents are up in arms about everything and the village is going to Hell in a hand basket – life among the bison is, as stated, pretty routine.

Resident Frank Ladonne expressed concern that the board has “no idea what it looks like from down here (in the audience)” when the board fails to have debates, arguments and does not “fulfill the needs of the community.” He cited the meeting where 135 people voice opposition to the approval of OTB but yet, the Board approved it.

It’s possible that maybe, just maybe, the board might have discussed the issue a bit more. However, 135 residents out of a population of 45,043 is not a mandate. So using the argument that numbers dictate, that could mean that the other 44,908 residents don’t really mind OTB.

Silly argument? Yep. But it’s not as silly as saying that a quiet board “gives the perception of impropriety.” Not quite. Village boards, city councils and county board rely on commissions to review issues -- zoning, signs, youth programs, etc. Their recommendations are then presented to the village board for its review and discussion.

Ah, the dreaded D word. Why no discussion? Municipal officials prepare materials for the elected officials prior to meetings so they can review. If they have questions, they can ask. Some do, some don’t.

Ladonne, who in his 11 years as a residents, says he has attended plan commission meetings, should know the process. He claimed Monday that there may be some “truth” to the perceptions and then equated the board to infants saying “the only one who likes change is a wet baby.”

So President Obama is a baby because he got elected claiming his platform was change we can believe in.

The village board is not perfect. No municipal board is – this is not news – it’s reality, but Ladonne, who became a friend of Lisa Stone (surprise!), or anyone else for that matter, should not assume guilt by reason of a quiet meeting.

I understand Ladonne’s concern, but to try and Stone wall the board with unfounded accusations does not prove anything.

And then there’s Barnet Fagel who has lived in the village for nine nurturing years. Sorry folks. His typed three-page statement covered everything from eggs and bacon to the gunfight at OK corral with a little TV ratings thrown in -- seem to be another charge that the board was like watching old, boring TV and thank goodness for a new show (guess who, kids…).

Not all new TV shows are hits. Some just downright stink. True, a few catch on – but that’s because of experienced writing, producers and acting.

As the late Al McGuire would say, it’s not all seashells and balloons. A perception is exactly that – a perception. Without, as the late Fidel Ghini would say, “doing your homework” they’re useless.

Oh, speaking of perceptions, the guy who had the tattoo?

That was former Secretary of State George Shultz who had one from his Princeton days. So what’s your perception – a guy with a tattoo – long before they became trendy – so he must have been some kind of twisted freak.

Let’s see, he taught at MIT, U of C (where he was later dean), and served two presidents.

Perceptions were probably right – he never amounted to anything.