So besides recall, OTB, dance clubs etc., just what is the Village Board doing. As the late Paul Harvey would say... "Stand by...for NEWS"
At its Nov. 16 board meeting..the Board was presented with a budget -- the village budget -- if you have questions about how the village is being run, all you have to do is watch presentations by the staff. I have always been impressed by the village staff, even the cop who gave me a speeding ticket on Arlington Heights Road.
Village Manager Bill Brimm spelled out the details of the budget to the Board and the smattering of residents who attended. I won't go into details because they're beyond my statistically challenged head -- but the bottom line is the village needs to find ways to balance the books. I'm sure the budget is available for review at Village Hall. If it's not, we have problems.
Aside from the exhaustive details, the highlight of the budget is that the number of rounds played at the golf course is down, but the Arboretum Course had its second best year in 10 years. Not sure why, not sure I care. But it's stuff like that has played havoc on the budget.
But seriously, folks -- we can all expect a tax on gas usage and electric usage. Brimm note the village needs to find new sources of income lost because of the poor economy. A dwindling sales tax is the result and the outlook for the village isn't encouraging -- especially if you take into consideration revenues from car dealers. With the demise of the Chrysler dealership, the village lost between $250,000 - $300,000 in sales tax revenue. With Arlington Toyota moving to Palatine, the projected loss to village coffers is $400,000 - $500,000. And that does not include new accelerator pedals.
If sales tax revenues recover to their previous levels, Brimm has indicated the tax would be re-evaluated. From the looks of the economic forecast, don't get your hopes up too soon.
+ + +
Say what? November is Native American Month in Buffalo Grove. Not sure where it came from, but if the village is going to recognize one heritage, it needs to recognize every month for every culture.
+ + +
On a roll... Village President Elliott Hartstein made a passionate plea for the extension of Rt. 53. He said 75 percent of the votes cast in the referendum on the topic favored it.
Nice being in the minority. I'd like to see the transportation benefits of extending a north/south road when it's the east/west routes that stink. So we have a nice new north/south road -- but we clog the east/west arteries to get to it. Seems to me there's more traffic heading east and west during rush-hour periods than north and south.
+ + +
And finally...
Among the tidbits that were revealed during Bill Brimm's budget presentation was the fact that the average age of municipal employees is 43 years with 15 years of service. But not in Buffalo Grove. The age is 50 years old with 24 years of service.
AARP discounts ahead?
Friday, November 27, 2009
Another week, another Countryside....
Well now that the turkey (we're talking Thanksgiving here, folks, not Board Members..) has been cooked, served, devoured and the leftovers put away, it's time to get caught up on some stuff in Big Animal Grove...
Ah,the paper landed in my mailbox today. Oh, look -- an article about the village board meeting -- from 10 days ago. What's the root of news? New. Kathy Routliffe does a nice job covering a hot bed -- so why does Pioneer hold her stuff forever? Pioneer is trying to save money and conserve paper, which is why they put Mega Bites on page 11 -- yep, another weekly gluttony report about 42 scoops of ice ream for suburbanites. Bet the homeless and the hungry really enjoyed it.
+ + +
Routliffe included Lisa Stone's comments from blogs (most probably those in the Daily Herald). I checked them out -- typical blogging. What's annoying are those people who have the courage to rip someone without attending board meetings or contacting the source -- and then not having the courage to sign their name. Welcome to the age of online bashing.
+ + +
Oh look, Pioneer "covered" Stevenson's dictators and their decision to run the Statesman -- as in run it into the ground. But talk about balanced reporting.. my, oh, my.. Mr. Wachter must have spent at least an hour doing the story. After all -- it must be tough digging up sources on line and, oh the agony of waiting for emails from the Flack at the Mecca on 22.
Geez, Ronnie, wouldn't it have been a nice touch to talk to an expert on scholastic press rights? Or how about the chair of the scholastic press right commission for the Journalism Education Association? What's that Ronnie? You didn't have that information? Sure you did Ronnie.
Good reporting comes as the result of good efforts. Pioneer displayed neither.
+ + +
Oh look, Gabbin' in the Grove. Does anyone care that Susan Dubin is paranoid about her neighbors watching her eat? Hey Susan, it could be worse. No further comment.
+ + +
Kudos to Dino Marco -- this guy needs a raise, a vacation or a life -- This guy cranks out more copy than anyone else at Pioneer.
+ + +
Speaking of media...check out the Chicago Tribune's Thanksgiving Day Editorial "Muzzlin Students" about the czars at Stevenson. A tip of the hat to the Editorial Board at the Tower.
Ah,the paper landed in my mailbox today. Oh, look -- an article about the village board meeting -- from 10 days ago. What's the root of news? New. Kathy Routliffe does a nice job covering a hot bed -- so why does Pioneer hold her stuff forever? Pioneer is trying to save money and conserve paper, which is why they put Mega Bites on page 11 -- yep, another weekly gluttony report about 42 scoops of ice ream for suburbanites. Bet the homeless and the hungry really enjoyed it.
+ + +
Routliffe included Lisa Stone's comments from blogs (most probably those in the Daily Herald). I checked them out -- typical blogging. What's annoying are those people who have the courage to rip someone without attending board meetings or contacting the source -- and then not having the courage to sign their name. Welcome to the age of online bashing.
+ + +
Oh look, Pioneer "covered" Stevenson's dictators and their decision to run the Statesman -- as in run it into the ground. But talk about balanced reporting.. my, oh, my.. Mr. Wachter must have spent at least an hour doing the story. After all -- it must be tough digging up sources on line and, oh the agony of waiting for emails from the Flack at the Mecca on 22.
Geez, Ronnie, wouldn't it have been a nice touch to talk to an expert on scholastic press rights? Or how about the chair of the scholastic press right commission for the Journalism Education Association? What's that Ronnie? You didn't have that information? Sure you did Ronnie.
Good reporting comes as the result of good efforts. Pioneer displayed neither.
+ + +
Oh look, Gabbin' in the Grove. Does anyone care that Susan Dubin is paranoid about her neighbors watching her eat? Hey Susan, it could be worse. No further comment.
+ + +
Kudos to Dino Marco -- this guy needs a raise, a vacation or a life -- This guy cranks out more copy than anyone else at Pioneer.
+ + +
Speaking of media...check out the Chicago Tribune's Thanksgiving Day Editorial "Muzzlin Students" about the czars at Stevenson. A tip of the hat to the Editorial Board at the Tower.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Where's Paul Finamore When We Need Him?
The more I attend village board meetings, the more I scratch my head.
That may result in one of two things -- splinters or a visit to Hairline Creations.
The Nov. 16 board meeting offered, fortunately or unfortunately, more of the rhetoric -- or attempted rhetoric.
The topic was the recall ordinance. The focus ( a novel idea for some folks) was the question as if an advisory referendum should be placed on the February primary ballot. Period. But as this case, it becomes a major source of debate.
Many trustees made passionate statements about the need for a recall ordinance, probably as a the result of the election of you-know-who.
In reality, it's a simple yes-or-no question -- should the voters decide if a recall ordinance is needed or not.
Period.
While on one hand, it could be nice to have the voters decide, but on the other hand, so few voters come out, why bother?
Face it folks, life in the Grove is pretty passive. Muni government, park district etc. -- if it doesn't effect me, why should I care?
Miz Stone challenged her colleagues to go door-to-door to, I believe, inform the residents of the issue. Why, I'm not sure..but we're talking Liza here.
Stone told the board that she felt there was a plot -- that before the election the opposition was already planning to oust her. Hey look folks, don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player.
There seemed to be a favorable consent for recall, but not placing it on the ballot (the motion ultimately died) leaving the decision of the development of a recall ordinance solely up to the board, like most other issues.
It should have been a done deal -- yes or no. However, ensuing comments by Stoney prolonged the debate because she wanted to amend the question that would have added stipulations as to how many voters or what percentage would be needed.
Helllooo - the question was simple enough -- yes or no putting it on the February ballot.
Stone's motion died because of a lack of a second. Oh, an for the record, Off Track Betting was mentioned. Beats me why, but I just sit there and take things in. Besides, the Monday night football game was Cleveland-Baltimore, so the Board meeting was a good alternative.
What lies ahead for recall is unsure. Odds are it will be brought up again prompting more (surprise) discussion.
Yes, we'll hear about Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect -- all of which have recall ordinances.
I don't want to hear about them. They may have some good points, but not to be brought to the Board meeting over and over again.
Because, as Rhett would say, frankly my dear I don't give a damn.
What I do give a damn about is the Board being about to police itself and if need be, remove someone who is in gross violation of their role as a village official.
Does it open the flood gates for abuse? Probably not. I have not heard of a run on recalls in the aforementioned communities.
Still, it's a nice tool to have.
In the meantime, officials who are worried about recall should look no farther than the Council Chambers. If they are doing their job appropriately, then there's no need to worry.
If not, it's time to start sweating. A recall ordinance that details a procedure for recall gives the public a venue by which an official can be removed before the end of his or her term. If there is no ordinance, the public has the option behind door No. 2 -- tell them what it is Monty...
An election.
That may result in one of two things -- splinters or a visit to Hairline Creations.
The Nov. 16 board meeting offered, fortunately or unfortunately, more of the rhetoric -- or attempted rhetoric.
The topic was the recall ordinance. The focus ( a novel idea for some folks) was the question as if an advisory referendum should be placed on the February primary ballot. Period. But as this case, it becomes a major source of debate.
Many trustees made passionate statements about the need for a recall ordinance, probably as a the result of the election of you-know-who.
In reality, it's a simple yes-or-no question -- should the voters decide if a recall ordinance is needed or not.
Period.
While on one hand, it could be nice to have the voters decide, but on the other hand, so few voters come out, why bother?
Face it folks, life in the Grove is pretty passive. Muni government, park district etc. -- if it doesn't effect me, why should I care?
Miz Stone challenged her colleagues to go door-to-door to, I believe, inform the residents of the issue. Why, I'm not sure..but we're talking Liza here.
Stone told the board that she felt there was a plot -- that before the election the opposition was already planning to oust her. Hey look folks, don't shoot me, I'm only the piano player.
There seemed to be a favorable consent for recall, but not placing it on the ballot (the motion ultimately died) leaving the decision of the development of a recall ordinance solely up to the board, like most other issues.
It should have been a done deal -- yes or no. However, ensuing comments by Stoney prolonged the debate because she wanted to amend the question that would have added stipulations as to how many voters or what percentage would be needed.
Helllooo - the question was simple enough -- yes or no putting it on the February ballot.
Stone's motion died because of a lack of a second. Oh, an for the record, Off Track Betting was mentioned. Beats me why, but I just sit there and take things in. Besides, the Monday night football game was Cleveland-Baltimore, so the Board meeting was a good alternative.
What lies ahead for recall is unsure. Odds are it will be brought up again prompting more (surprise) discussion.
Yes, we'll hear about Wheeling, Arlington Heights and Mount Prospect -- all of which have recall ordinances.
I don't want to hear about them. They may have some good points, but not to be brought to the Board meeting over and over again.
Because, as Rhett would say, frankly my dear I don't give a damn.
What I do give a damn about is the Board being about to police itself and if need be, remove someone who is in gross violation of their role as a village official.
Does it open the flood gates for abuse? Probably not. I have not heard of a run on recalls in the aforementioned communities.
Still, it's a nice tool to have.
In the meantime, officials who are worried about recall should look no farther than the Council Chambers. If they are doing their job appropriately, then there's no need to worry.
If not, it's time to start sweating. A recall ordinance that details a procedure for recall gives the public a venue by which an official can be removed before the end of his or her term. If there is no ordinance, the public has the option behind door No. 2 -- tell them what it is Monty...
An election.
Friday, November 20, 2009
An Academic Kristillnacht
Earlier this month, many people, mostly Jews, observed a remembrance of Kristillnacht, the black evening when Nazis in Hitler's German broke windows, destroyed synagogues and burned books belonging to Jews.
The intent of the fascist regime was to destroy the faith, morale and access to intellectual stimulation by German Jews.
Jews around the world remember and pray that such atrocities never occur again.
They have, however. Only this time in an academic sense. Not in Germany, not in Bosnia, not in Iraq, not in Iran.
In Lincolnshire.
Once again that alleged administration at Stevenson High School has flexed its mighty muscle and has sought to impart its fascist tactics on those who simply crave the opportunity to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of education. The students.
The administration withheld not just an article, but an entire issue of the once-proud Statesman, the once award-winning newspaper.
Why? Because of articles about teen pregnancy, shoplifting, and drinking. The kids found out the truth and the administration cannot -- and will not - deal with reality.
So rather that praise students for their efforts, they break glass, figuratively burn their books and practice fascist tactics.
An Academic Kristillnacht.
Shame on the administration. Shame on the teachers who idly sit by and watch. Shame on the right-wing organizations that have penetrated the administration and school by preaching Christian values.
There's nothing wrong with Christian values -- or Muslim values -- or Jewish values -- or Hindu values.
There is something wrong when you expect the world, or in this case, a school's administration to bow down and accept them.
While the school board sits in their warm, cozy homes -- the administration has adapted the role of the Nazis and taken its venom out on incident victims -- in this case the students -- and seeks to destroy their sense of freedoms by squelching their right to an education.
Do it our way they say -- our way or no way.
It's sad, to think that the administration and the outsiders who are naive enough to think the adolescents don't drink, use drugs or :::gasp::: have sex, lie, deny and refuse to comment on their position.
Instead they look for scapegoats -- last year it was nationally recognized and acclaimed journalism teacher and publications adviser Barb Thill.
This year it's children. Welcome to Auschwitz or is it Theresienstadt? No, it's Stevenson High School.
Oh yes, the school's PR flak whose views parallel those of the conservative right, is quick to blame the kids, and hide behind the school's role of principle of in loco parentis -- which it says means acting in the place of the parent.
Crap. That's all it is. This is the same administration that turned a deaf ear to a member of the community who wanted a drug awareness program. At Stevenson? Nah, our kids don't do that.
In loco parentis? A good parent would embrace drug education. A good parent would embrace freedom of speech. A good parent would embrace the First Amendment.
A bad parent is arrogant enough to think only of itself and its "perfect image."
Stevenson High School's administration has shown the community -- if not the nation -- that it's a bad parent.
The PR flak flexed his mighty muscles saying the " school does not encourage the use of anonymous sources in its student newspaper."
Really? And why is that? Well, because our destroyers of the First Amendment say "What occurred with the Statesman was no different than what occurs in professional newsrooms around the country every day. Stories are withheld from public view until editors are satisfied that proper levels of reporting have been done. The journalism teachers are simply following long-standing practices of the journalism profession."
Oh, I see -- let's praise the journalism teachers. Were they doing their job? Probably not. Because had they worked with the kids -- a practice seemingly disappearing from the Meccaa on 22 -- they would have directed them and advised them on proper journalism techniques. But the czars on 22 would not think of saying anything bad about the advisers -- because they hand-picked them.
So what do they want at Stevenson? Who knows. I can't give them a word of advice. I can give them 45.
They go like this: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
It's the cornerstone of a free society for all people -- of all ages -- including student journalists.
But they would not know about that at Stevenson High School.
They are too busy polishing the gate.
The intent of the fascist regime was to destroy the faith, morale and access to intellectual stimulation by German Jews.
Jews around the world remember and pray that such atrocities never occur again.
They have, however. Only this time in an academic sense. Not in Germany, not in Bosnia, not in Iraq, not in Iran.
In Lincolnshire.
Once again that alleged administration at Stevenson High School has flexed its mighty muscle and has sought to impart its fascist tactics on those who simply crave the opportunity to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and freedom of education. The students.
The administration withheld not just an article, but an entire issue of the once-proud Statesman, the once award-winning newspaper.
Why? Because of articles about teen pregnancy, shoplifting, and drinking. The kids found out the truth and the administration cannot -- and will not - deal with reality.
So rather that praise students for their efforts, they break glass, figuratively burn their books and practice fascist tactics.
An Academic Kristillnacht.
Shame on the administration. Shame on the teachers who idly sit by and watch. Shame on the right-wing organizations that have penetrated the administration and school by preaching Christian values.
There's nothing wrong with Christian values -- or Muslim values -- or Jewish values -- or Hindu values.
There is something wrong when you expect the world, or in this case, a school's administration to bow down and accept them.
While the school board sits in their warm, cozy homes -- the administration has adapted the role of the Nazis and taken its venom out on incident victims -- in this case the students -- and seeks to destroy their sense of freedoms by squelching their right to an education.
Do it our way they say -- our way or no way.
It's sad, to think that the administration and the outsiders who are naive enough to think the adolescents don't drink, use drugs or :::gasp::: have sex, lie, deny and refuse to comment on their position.
Instead they look for scapegoats -- last year it was nationally recognized and acclaimed journalism teacher and publications adviser Barb Thill.
This year it's children. Welcome to Auschwitz or is it Theresienstadt? No, it's Stevenson High School.
Oh yes, the school's PR flak whose views parallel those of the conservative right, is quick to blame the kids, and hide behind the school's role of principle of in loco parentis -- which it says means acting in the place of the parent.
Crap. That's all it is. This is the same administration that turned a deaf ear to a member of the community who wanted a drug awareness program. At Stevenson? Nah, our kids don't do that.
In loco parentis? A good parent would embrace drug education. A good parent would embrace freedom of speech. A good parent would embrace the First Amendment.
A bad parent is arrogant enough to think only of itself and its "perfect image."
Stevenson High School's administration has shown the community -- if not the nation -- that it's a bad parent.
The PR flak flexed his mighty muscles saying the " school does not encourage the use of anonymous sources in its student newspaper."
Really? And why is that? Well, because our destroyers of the First Amendment say "What occurred with the Statesman was no different than what occurs in professional newsrooms around the country every day. Stories are withheld from public view until editors are satisfied that proper levels of reporting have been done. The journalism teachers are simply following long-standing practices of the journalism profession."
Oh, I see -- let's praise the journalism teachers. Were they doing their job? Probably not. Because had they worked with the kids -- a practice seemingly disappearing from the Meccaa on 22 -- they would have directed them and advised them on proper journalism techniques. But the czars on 22 would not think of saying anything bad about the advisers -- because they hand-picked them.
So what do they want at Stevenson? Who knows. I can't give them a word of advice. I can give them 45.
They go like this: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
It's the cornerstone of a free society for all people -- of all ages -- including student journalists.
But they would not know about that at Stevenson High School.
They are too busy polishing the gate.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Here's a challenge...
The late Harry Chapin and Walter Payton, although worlds apart, had something in common.
Not only did they both die way to young, the dedicated a good part of their l
ives to helping feed the hungry.Chapin did it through his Foundation, which still exists, and donated nearly half of his earnings from concerts to the organizations that help feed the hungry. Payton used his own foundation to do likewise.
You can't help but admire people like Chapin and Payton for putting their money where their mouths are.
Some companies do as well, Kraft Foods is a supporter of the Chicago Food Depository and no doubt other companies do as well.
But what about Pioneer Press? Yes, I know, newspapers are experiencing tough times and the once proud chain has become an a regionalized publication put out by understaffed and overworked journalists who are still dedicated to their craft (it's a close-knit fraternity).
They even use faux journalists to try and be neighborhood columnists, some of whom violate more journalistic ethics than can fit into a blog.
That said and done, Pioneer continues to be cute with it's "Mega Bite" feature. It does little more than preach gluttony and, in my humble opinion, puts residents in many of Chicago suburbs in a bad light. Especially during a time when so many families are struggling to make ends meet.
So here's a challenge -- let's see if we can convince Pioneer to have more than high cholesterol. In a perfect world, Pioneer should see both side of the coins. How about starting some sort of community service program where Pioneer could have a Mega Heart and support those area organizations that help feed needy?
Let's say for every inch of gluttony, Pioneer donates $100 to a food pantry? Let's see, there are approximately 162 inches on a page, so that would be $16,200 a week. That would feed a lot of people. Hell, I'd even go for $10 an inch -- that would be $1,620 a week.
What do you think? Let me know by email via this blog.
That would be a way for Pioneer not to be greedy, but as the Bears said in the Super Bowl Shuffle.. "We're not doing this because we're greedy, the Bears are doing this to feed the needy.."
Hey look, if a Packer fan can take a cue from the Bears, so can Pioneer Press.
Did someone say agenda?
I miss Fred Rogers.
I mean, can you imagine if Buffalo Grove was "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood"?
Can you see the opening of the show -- "I've always wanted to have a neighbor, just like you?"
Sure, he could hope the Neighborhood Trolley, and hop on over the the Village Board meetings.
And today's blog is brought to by the letter A (oops, wrong show...but we're working a theme here, folks). A, as in the word Agenda.
Can you say agenda, boys and girls?
I thought you could.
That's big word, boys and girls. At village board members it might mean two things -- a personal platform that we hear about incessantly over and over again. Sometimes it gets to be old hat and the message associated with an agenda interferes with the message of the agenda, which ultimately interferes with the meeting's agenda.
Now, isn't that special (OK, I know it's not Mr. Rogers, but who were you expecting -- Satan? Or maybe the Spanish Inquisition -- oh wait, nobody expects them)
A lot of agendas. It's no secret that Lisa Stone appears to have her agendas. Surprise. But let's leave Liza on the sidelines for a while.
Her agendas seem to bother some people. No big deal -- because not everyone is going to agree with everyone else.
But when everyone's agenda interfere's with the agenda -- the schedule for a meeting (isn't English fun???) and begins to whine about it, it can get annoying. Miz Stone sometimes ::ahem:: goes on a bit and elongates the agenda, but at least she follows, albeit sometimes lengthy, the agenda.
One of the joys of municipal government, is that to hear public opinion, village boards, city councils and I'm sure County Boards, can interject public hearings into their meeting. Joy of joy -- something to upset the apple cart.
Public hearings are designed to focus on a specific topic. Can you say Special Use boys and girls? I thought you could.
So at its Oct. 19 meeting, the village had ::gasp:: not one, but two public hearings. Public hearings are akin to visit to dentist -- a sometimes painful necessity.
The topic of the scheduled public was the proposed dance club of eSkape. The first was to address Amendment of Special Use; the second Consideration of of Amendments. No big deal.
President Elliott Hartstein presides over public hearings in the same manner as he does over Village Board meetings.
No problem.
A public hearing, let's focus on hearing, gives village czars the chance to hear discussions about the pros or cons of a specific issue. In the case of eSkape, the first public hearing last two hours. Come on folks, I missed Monday Night Football for that.
There were a lot of good points raised. Include some by Mike Terson. Terson's a nice guy who ran for a spot on the Village Board last spring. He didn't win.
Now I'm sure he's not happy because there are folks up there he disagrees with. No problem.
During the Oct. 19 Board Meeting he presented some comments during the Public Hearing. No problem. It's unfortunate, however, that he saw fit to use the opportunity to take exception to what he saw as a change in Stone's position.
This ain't news, folks. Where Terson dropped the ball is he wanted to use the public hearing to vent his displeasure with Stone's position.
Time out -- public hearing -- not the item on the Board Meeting agenda for questions / comments from the audience.
Kudos to Hartstein for putting a stop to it and telling Terson he was out of order. Hammerin' Hartstein even use the gavel to emphasize his displeasure.
And that should have been the end of it. Wait until to the Board Meeting and then comment on a trustee's performance.
But no. Terson submitted a 24 1/2 inch "guest essay" in which he claims that he's not being heard enough at the Board meetings. Terson wrote that he's heard things that have made him say "huh" more than a few times. He's one up on me, I've said more than huh.
Terson, whose essay is almost as long as a Mega Bite, claims he should have been heard and Hartstein was wrong for keeping him from speaking.
Item 1: Terson's comments were not germane to the subject of the public hearing, so Hartstein was right. Terson would have done better to address a trustee's performance during the meeting's general agenda.
Terson writes that Hartstein told him the best venue for his comments would be a letter to the editor.
Item 2: Split decision. Hartstein is trying to keep the meetings focused and the Board's policy is to limit resident's comments to 10 minutes -- which is more than liberal. Where, if Terson is accurate, Hartein may have slipped, is telling Terson to write a letter to the editor. I would be more surprised this because Hartstein has been in public service in the village since Buffalo did roam the village and he knows the value of public input. His suggestion is valid, but it should not be seen as a replacement for public input at a Village Board meeting.
As noted, the 10-minute limit is liberal and the Board is more than willing to let residents respond to residents during non-resident input time.
The advantage of a letter to the editor, or guest essay, is it gives contributors a chance to put there comments together in a thoughtful, skillful manner -- which Terson has done - -whether you agree with him or not.
Terson might have been more effective if he took advantage of the resident input time and submitted his thoughts to the village board.
Working outside the agenda to promote your agenda is not the best use of the agenda.
I Read The News today, oh boy....
Well, the fine folks at the USPS or Pioneer Press saw fit to deliver my copy of the Pioneer Press Countryside this week so I could find out what was going on in Big Animal Grove.
Am I glad they did.
Local schools stay open as swine flu threat grows. Huh? So we would close schools because of a threat? And it took three reporters to cover this? How about how the school are coping with the swine flu? How about preventive measures they are taking. Saying the schools are staying open because of a threat is like saying Dog Bites Man.
******
Stevenson celebrates scores -- that's what it's all about, right? How much better we are than someone else. How about telling us how they're working with at risk students, providing services for students who may be falling through the cracks because of problems such as domestic violence, drug abuse etc. Oh wait, that doesn't make us look good. Silly me.
******
Holy headline, batman -- Lisa Stone is at it again. OMG, what have I missed. Liza (for whatever reason I call women named Lisa, Liza -- it's a tribute I guess to Liza Minelli's album, "Liza with a Z.." Wait, did I say album...hello, Ted Mack) must be on the warpath again. Circle the wagons, call Rob Sherman (who, in his blog, takes credit for bringing peace and harmony to the board) -- there's trouble in River City.
But wait. This is not only old news, it's no news. Seriously. The "exchange" took place at the Oct. 19 Board meeting -- this ran in the Oct. 29 newspaper. Why not the Oct. 22 newspaper guys?
But wait. There was no heated exchange. The alleged argument was stemmed by Village President Elliott Hartstein who, during a public hearing, told Mike Terson that he could not challenge Stone on her position regarding eSkape wanting to have a dance club. Terson persisted by Hartstein reminded Terson that a public hearing was not the time to take on a trustee -- any trustee -- he was not singling Stone out.
To no surprise, Stone wanted to reply -- let's face it -- if looks could kill the Board would have adjourned for a Shiva Minyan. However, Stone took the cue and held her remarks to the end of the meeting. This alone is breaking news.
For Pioneer to claim there was a heated exchange is not only inaccurate journalism -- specifically headline writing (reporter Kathy Routliffe's article is accurate) but a cheap way of taking advantage of the Stone presence on the board.
Yes, while I have ripped Liza for her delivery system (among other things) this time I'll go on record to say she followed Hartein's request, thus eliminating a heated exchange. She did respond at the end of the meeting, which is mentioned in the article, but clearly it was not heated.
It seems to me that Pioneer wants to yell fire in a crowded movie theater by dropping the S bomb. "Hey guys, it's a slow news day -- what do we do -- Put Stone in a headline?"
****
The next page contains an article about Stone's campaign fund being cleared. My question is why was the hearing (at least according to the Daily Herald) held in closed session? Things like campaign funds are public records as should resolutions about complaints filed.
******
Mega Bites -- Another free full page ad for restaurants that try to attract suburbanites with massive amounts of food. And they augment it with pictures of people shoving food in their mouth. Gross.
I wonder if Pioneer goes to schools in its distribution area and flaunts "Mega Bites" to students who are on free lunch programs because parents are on food stamps? I wonder if Pioneer sells subscriptions at area food pantries?
No, Pioneer panders to the perception that its readers are affluent and insensitive to the needs of the less fortunate. I didn't see any coverage about the CROP Hunger Walk held Oct. 18 in Libertyville. Walkers raised nearly $25,000 to feed the hungry. By the way, that was just from one team..the group from the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville. Kudos (and yes a donation) to that group (that yes, includes friends) for doing that. It's rewarding when members of house of worship take time out to help others -- rather than just plan a party.
Why didn't Pioneer cover it? Nope. Ms. Goodhair didn't even mention it in attempt-to-be-a -journalist column. Why? No ad potential.
Pioneer should demonstrate good corporate citizenship with a Mega Heart.
Am I glad they did.
Local schools stay open as swine flu threat grows. Huh? So we would close schools because of a threat? And it took three reporters to cover this? How about how the school are coping with the swine flu? How about preventive measures they are taking. Saying the schools are staying open because of a threat is like saying Dog Bites Man.
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Stevenson celebrates scores -- that's what it's all about, right? How much better we are than someone else. How about telling us how they're working with at risk students, providing services for students who may be falling through the cracks because of problems such as domestic violence, drug abuse etc. Oh wait, that doesn't make us look good. Silly me.
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Holy headline, batman -- Lisa Stone is at it again. OMG, what have I missed. Liza (for whatever reason I call women named Lisa, Liza -- it's a tribute I guess to Liza Minelli's album, "Liza with a Z.." Wait, did I say album...hello, Ted Mack) must be on the warpath again. Circle the wagons, call Rob Sherman (who, in his blog, takes credit for bringing peace and harmony to the board) -- there's trouble in River City.
But wait. This is not only old news, it's no news. Seriously. The "exchange" took place at the Oct. 19 Board meeting -- this ran in the Oct. 29 newspaper. Why not the Oct. 22 newspaper guys?
But wait. There was no heated exchange. The alleged argument was stemmed by Village President Elliott Hartstein who, during a public hearing, told Mike Terson that he could not challenge Stone on her position regarding eSkape wanting to have a dance club. Terson persisted by Hartstein reminded Terson that a public hearing was not the time to take on a trustee -- any trustee -- he was not singling Stone out.
To no surprise, Stone wanted to reply -- let's face it -- if looks could kill the Board would have adjourned for a Shiva Minyan. However, Stone took the cue and held her remarks to the end of the meeting. This alone is breaking news.
For Pioneer to claim there was a heated exchange is not only inaccurate journalism -- specifically headline writing (reporter Kathy Routliffe's article is accurate) but a cheap way of taking advantage of the Stone presence on the board.
Yes, while I have ripped Liza for her delivery system (among other things) this time I'll go on record to say she followed Hartein's request, thus eliminating a heated exchange. She did respond at the end of the meeting, which is mentioned in the article, but clearly it was not heated.
It seems to me that Pioneer wants to yell fire in a crowded movie theater by dropping the S bomb. "Hey guys, it's a slow news day -- what do we do -- Put Stone in a headline?"
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The next page contains an article about Stone's campaign fund being cleared. My question is why was the hearing (at least according to the Daily Herald) held in closed session? Things like campaign funds are public records as should resolutions about complaints filed.
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Mega Bites -- Another free full page ad for restaurants that try to attract suburbanites with massive amounts of food. And they augment it with pictures of people shoving food in their mouth. Gross.
I wonder if Pioneer goes to schools in its distribution area and flaunts "Mega Bites" to students who are on free lunch programs because parents are on food stamps? I wonder if Pioneer sells subscriptions at area food pantries?
No, Pioneer panders to the perception that its readers are affluent and insensitive to the needs of the less fortunate. I didn't see any coverage about the CROP Hunger Walk held Oct. 18 in Libertyville. Walkers raised nearly $25,000 to feed the hungry. By the way, that was just from one team..the group from the First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville. Kudos (and yes a donation) to that group (that yes, includes friends) for doing that. It's rewarding when members of house of worship take time out to help others -- rather than just plan a party.
Why didn't Pioneer cover it? Nope. Ms. Goodhair didn't even mention it in attempt-to-be-a -journalist column. Why? No ad potential.
Pioneer should demonstrate good corporate citizenship with a Mega Heart.
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