Candidate Little holds first press conference

( c ) 2010

Renown fowl and prognosticator Chicken Little has announced his candidacy for the Buffalo Grove Village Board. In accordance with his policy of open communication, Little will meet the media to address various village issues.

Q. Mr. Little, are you concerned about allegations of violations to the Illinois Open Meetings Act?

A. Funny you should ask, as you may know "The Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney has completed its investigation regarding the complaint made that the Buffalo Grove Village Board of Trustees allegedly violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The State’s Attorney’s finding, as set forth in a letter dated January 26, 2010 (which should be sent out to us shortly by staff), states “For these reasons we decline to prosecute this matter under the Act, and conclude our investigation without finding that the Village Board violated the Act in this instance."

Q. Are you surprised?

A. Not at all. The village, while not perfect, has a reputation of running at high standards. if you look at previous Boards and staff, they not only installed the bar which the Board and Village operate -- they kept raising it. The results have paid off -- almost to the fault because some people think you can't have a well-run village without problems.

Q. Speaking of problems, we couldn't help but notice in today's Countryside that a 63-year-old woman was arrested for prostitution in the village. Is the village attracting more unusual characters?

A. Well let me say this about that -- the village has been attracting a lot of characters lately -- have you been to a Village Board meetings? As for 63-year-old prostitutes, I'm not sure that's an AARP benefit. It did help me get one thing clarified, however.

Q. and what was that?

A. That OTB does not stand for One Touch Beyond.

Q. Speaking of the Countryside, were you surprised to see an add for "UnseenPleasure.com"?

A. Not at all, they must be trying to sell whatever they can to support Ira Leavitt's food bill. Those mega bites don't come cheap, or as we say around the coop, cheep.

Q. But really, with some Village Board members crying for decency, so you think there will be an uproar against them?

A. Who knows, the ad says Northshore's Online Romance Store, but the toll-free number says it's in the mountain time zone, so who knows. I don't think it will harm any similar businesses in the area.

Q. Are you saying the village has or is attracting this kind of store?

A. Not at all, but I've seen stranger things.

Q. Do you think a compost company would be a good investment?

A. At first I did because of the alleged odors and health risks, but as you know, the sky is not falling because the Illinois EPA has cleared the air, so to speak.

Q. You mean we're not all going to die and go to that Big Board Meeting in the sky?

A. Nah. In fact, according to the fine folks up in Waukegan, representatives from the Illinois EPA, Land & Lakes Compay and LCHD conducted a site visit to the Land & Lakes Landfill/Compost Facility. Gino Bruni with the Illinois EPA used a flame ionization detector/photo ionization detector to determine if landfill gas was migrating through the cover. There were no detections. The site was also inspected for evidence of leachate seeps. None were found. Sight odors related to the composting materials were noticed in the northeast part of the site but there were no off site odors. The reduction in odors is attributed to the odor neutralizing agent and hydro mulch sprayed on the windrows.

Q. So what's the problem?

A. The problem is we have some village officials who will raise a stink to grab the spotlight. This can have some far-reaching effects in the village.

Q. Such as?

A. Well for one thing, some trustees whine about village costs, but yet think nothing of taking up staff time to send them on a wild goose (a little fowl tribute there) chase. That's not to mention the time taken away from village meetings and the costs incurred video taping them for Ch. 6.

Q. You mean that's not done for free?

A. Good gosh no. Would you volunteer to do that? Comcast gets paid overtime to videotape the meetings. It's one thing if there's a genuine issue, but a lot of time it's grand-standing and show boating -- or just plain campaigning.

Q. Any suggestions for residents who plan on going to Monday's meeting?

A. Be patient, don't laugh too hard, and realize that the village is not going to Hell in a hand basket.

Q. So you're saying some board members are scrambling the issues.

A. Please don't say scramble to a chicken.

Q. Oops, I'm sorry. What I meant to say is this show boating is becoming way too common and annoying.

A. When residents have to wait until 12:30 to speak it is, especially when some trustees will not yield the mic or even suggest residents be allowed to go first.

Q. Shouldn't the Board President have stopped it.

A. He tired, but some folks just don't get it and keep right on talking -- even if it's out of order on the agenda.

Q. How would the folks around the coop handle this if it was another chicken?

A. Easy -- Egg Beaters.

Chicken Little to run for Village Board

"Exclusive"

(c) 2010

In a stunning turn of events in the village of Buffalo Grove, famed fowl Chicken Little announced today that he is running for the Village Board.



Little, a life-long Buffalo Grove resident said he has been living peacefully since the death of Col. Sanders and was enjoying life driving around the village in his own coupe.

What alarmed him, he said, was the realization that the sky is, in fact, falling.

"It stunned me," Little said, "I was cruising between the Home Shopping Network and reruns of Ozzie and Harriett when I happened on Ch. 6. I was stunned."

Little told the gathering that he could not believe what he had heard. "Off-track betting, ethics ordinances and now life-threatening landfills." He said he has tried to watch the Board meetings, but they last way too long past his bedtime. "I don't have a chance to see the entire meeting. I was hoping NetFlicks would carry the meetings, but I did not know to look under comedy or drama."

Little said he was concerned about rumors of life-endangering fumes. "At first I thought Al Gore had joined the Board," he said. Little was reassured when found out that there were reportedly odors from a landfill on Milwaukee Avenue.

"What Landfill? There's a yard-waste composting facility that is being phased out, but no land fill. Landfills include solid waste and toxins that infect your mind, curve your spine and help the allies lose the ward."

When asked if he thought it would impact area businesses, Little said probably not because if there is an odor it's likely from an influx of holiday (Little says he tries to be politically correct) trees. "Yeah, once those things start to rot, they need some turning. It's no big thing."

Little took exception to reports of a foul odor. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear, that is f-o-u-l, not f-o-w-l. There are a lot of foul things in the village, but this little clucker isn't one of them."

Concern over the environment is not the only reason he's running. "It's important to maintain the integrity of the village. I keep hearing how insensitive the Board and staff is to homeowner concerns, and I just don't understand it."

Little says he has talked to a homeowner in The Crossings who experienced some snow removal difficulties two years ago. "This guy was upset, so he called the Village President at home -- that's not like calling the village staff -- and it was early on a Sunday evening," Little says.

He noted that Village President Elliott Hartstein returned the call and discussed the matter with the resident. Within two days the resident heard from not only the Village Manager, but also the director of public works. "What really impressed me," Little said, "is that the next time there was a snow storm and the resident happened to be outside when the plow came by, the driver stopped and discussed the situation with the resident. I just don't understand folks who get in the public limelight to squawk."

If anyone knows a crisis, it's Little. "Yeah, I once thought the sky was falling. It wasn't, but I recalled my announcement. Recalling is a good thing, especially, as we say around the coop, if someone is a bad egg. But if you have your ducks in a row (a little fowl humor there) you can get a lot more done."

As for his campaign, Little says it's in the planning stage. "Someone suggested "A chicken in every pot" but I took offense to that," he said.

"I'm looking for some big name endorsement -- like a County Board member -- anyone but a District 125 School Board Member."

His platform? "I think we need to take a good look at what is going on in the village and educate residents that the sky is not falling and that a well-run community often has mundane board meetings."

Little said he wasn't calling the Board Members mundane, just, some of the recent meetings.

As for a slate, Little hinted that he may be joined by Rocky T. F. Squirrel. "I'm not sure he is as politically motivated as I am, but he did tell me he has an interest."

Why?

"Squirrel told me that Village Board meetings have become a good place to find some nuts."

A new thermostat needed at Village Hall?

(c) 2010

I'm really disappointed with the village staff. It's beyond comprehension how they are letting the Village Hall run down.

Yes, the bricks and mortar look nice, as does the historical collection inside, but the appliances must be getting old. Especially the thermostat.

I didn't realize it until Jan. 18 Village Board meeting when the vulnerable kitchen of controversy seemed to be getting warm -- very warm. I wasn't sure until I began to watch some dynamics unfold.

For those of you who tend to shy away from attending Village Board meetings, one of the regular parts of the agenda is the part where there are trustee reports. For the most part they are usual and customary. It does, however, give trustees a chance to report on activities they are involved with on behalf of the village.

Some trustees, however, who see fit to turn the trustee reports into campaign sessions. During her report, Lisa Stone brought up a perceived health problem having to with a landscape compost facility on Milwaukee Avenue. To no surprise, it has become a huge issue -- just listen to Miz Stone. In fact, she took offense to Village Manager Bill Brimm giving Board President Elliott Hartstein some insight. It's interesting that Miz Stone demands attention, but when someone asks her to follow protocol and the agenda, she doesn't. Despite requests from the Chair, Ms. Stone continues. That's not to say the topic should not be brought up -- but there is a time and place for it.

Ms. Stone clearly makes a point of reading the minutes, because she always votes again them, but it seems like she doesn't read the agenda. Hint, the section is called "New Business."

So what does this have to do with heat. It seems as though Miz Stone has forgotten about her favorite cause -- the Ethics Ordinance and the code of ethical behavior for village elected and appointed officials.

It's unfortunate that village time and effort had to be spent on an ordinance tell officials how to behave, but it's not a bad idea to have written guidelines. Now all that is needed is for trustees to read them. Including Miz Stone.

The guidelines are explicit about the expectations, including behavior during meetings. It seems as though Liza gets upset when the Village Manager dares to consult with the Village President -- but when she has interactions with a member of the audience, that's OK because, golly gee, when she's in the kitchen, there is no heat.

Wanna bet? The code clearly states that "The passing of notes to or the receiving of notes from, the audience who are attending Village Board meetings is distracting and must be discouraged. However, the passing of notes between members of the Corporate Authorities absolutely necessary in the conduct of business can be undertaken but should only occur if absolutely necessary."

I know, she wasn't passing notes, but mouthing conversations back and forth is not only disruptive to Board business, it's also annoying to residents who may be attending Board meetings.

Granted, everyone should be focused on the business of the Board, but what does it say about someone who whines about Board members not returning her emails, and who sees fit to follow her own agenda with little regard for the village business at hand?

It says that either the thermostat is broken or there's too much heat in the kitchen.

Isolated case? Afraid not.

The recently passed ethic guidelines also state that "Public Officials shall refrain from abusive conduct, personal charges or verbal attacks, direct or inferred attacks, or implied attacks upon the character or motives of other Public Officials, Village staff or the public."

The guidelines do not stipulate abusive conduct be limited to meetings. The reality is village officials, elected or not, need to maintain a sense of proper decorum and stick (ideally) to village business. Which, I suppose, would include allegedly calling someone's employer to complain about the action of an employee's activities outside of work were negatively impacting the image of the employer.

In this case, the Buffalo Grove Park District. Why? Because Ms. Stone seems to have issues with Mike Terson, who is the PR person for the Park District. Oh, yes, it's the same Mike Terson who ran for Village Board last May.

So why is Stoney upset? Lemme see -- maybe because he doesn't agree with a lot of what she says. Terson may not be perfect, but he has a right to his opinion and, as a village resident, has a right to be involved in the community. There is no conflict-of-interest with what he is doing because he is there as a resident. Any time he represents the Park District, he clearly indicates his intentions.

But Stone may be concerned that he'll get more notoriety than she. So she takes advantage of her position to try and tell another public entity how it should run. As is the case with village, the Park District is well run. The intrusion by Miz Stone into its operation because one of its employees bothers her is not only wrong, it hints, rather strongly, at an abuse of power.

In the dean's office, they call it bullying.

What causes that? Maybe a defective thermostat. Afterall, if it's broken, there just may be too much heat in the kitchen.

A case where actions speak louder than words...

A Rabbi once told me that he fears the "younger generations" will not support Israel because they take it per granted that it will survive no matter what.

There are some media reports that make you shake with anger because it seems like some media organizations wait to pounce on anything Israel may do "wrong."

Nothing's perfect.

But the following links are evidence that while many countries stood and shook in disbelief at what was happening in Haiti, some took quick actions.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619//vp/34944405#34944405

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yz44iZKUMng

It's time to eSkape this madness

(c) 2010

Monday night's Village Board meeting was, as they say in some Mexican restaurants, refried beans.

The usual sable rattling by Lisa Stone (see related blog), mixed in with usual village business and yes, golly gee, more about eSkape's plan to have a special event room that will include a teen dance club.

When these discussions began, and don't quote me on this, Jimmy Durante was performing at the Chez Puree. I mean it was a long time ago.

And yet, still no resolution.

Why? Because the Village Board is being too cooperative. The gasp you just heard came from the Stone household.

The Board has been negotiating with eSkape czar Bill Feldgreber for months -- during the Village Board meetings. I know, the public needs to know. The hours and hours of discussion have cut into resident's time -- like the resident who waited until, my sources tell me, 12:30 a.m. to speak the Board. All because of eSkape (and, well, a little Lisa Stone as well...)

But if the village decides to negotiate every special use permit the way it has been with eSkape, the next Village Board president will be Howie Mandel -- Deal or No Deal.

The Board is scheduled to vote on an ordinance that would approve a special use permit and amendments at its next meeting Feb. 1.

Hopefully it will end the countless hours of questions and presentations about the dangers of having a teen dance club in your town.

So it seems that way. There's no doubt that some cynics think the village has stacked the deck against eSkape with all of the police department testimony and presentations by representratives from the Metropolitan Enforcement Group (MEG).

I began to think so. I was becoming somewhat cynical (nah, me?) about the barrage of statements on how a teen dance club would curve your spine, infect your mind and help the allies lose the war.

Not any more.

I decided to chat with a police liaison in the school where I teach. Aside from being a Vikings fan, he's a nice guy. Much to my chagrin, he was not available. Instead, however, the police officer who previously held the post -- for eight years -- was filling in for him.

I briefly explained the ongoing saga of eSkape to him and asked him if the concerns about problems stemming from outsiders was valid, especially when it came to drugs.

He didn't have to think twice. He unequivocally said yes and that, and this is the interesting part, there used to be a facility (Club Fever) in Rolling Meadows that was, in his own words "nothing but trouble." As far as he recalls the city closed it down. It originally started as a club for the over-21 set, but later became a "juice bar" for kids under 21.

He agreed with the belief that teens with expendable income become prey for dealers and other unsavory types and that, yes, they do come from outside the area.

As for the "triad" (that's MEG's word) of problems -- gangs, drugs, and guns -- that show up at these clubs, he said, yes, that is the case. He also pointed out that drug overdoes inside the club were common.

If nothing else, it gives some credence to what we've heard -- and heard again. eSkape is a great facility that has brought stability as an anchor to the north end of Town Center. Feldgreber, admittedly, is taking a gamble on the facility and the perceived baggage that comes with a teen dance club.

So on Feb. 1 the Board will put its cards on the table and hopefully they'll consider the expert testimony they solicited.

Hopefully the board will take into consideration all that they have heard. Honestly, I was a little surprised by what I was told by my contact. He has no interest in what happens Buffalo Grove.

Again, it's important to remember, this was not someone sought out by the village.

Just a cop who knows his beat.

Putting things in perspective...

So when the Village Board meets Monday, we'll hear more about issues, inconsequential ranting about self-centered issues and the usual procedural matters.

But the village -- and its residents -- need to sit back and just realize how good things are?

Put aside the ethics argument, stop whining about OTB, stop claiming the whole village is corrupt, and look south.

Way south.

Not to Chicago, not to Springfield, not to Miami.

South to Haiti.





The devastation, as we've seen on the Internet and on TV (especially Sunday's "60 Minutes") we're spoiled, let alone lucky.

It's easy to turn away from the most impoverished nation in the western Hemisphere and blame previous administrations. But for a moment, put aside the faux issues and take some time to address humanity.

Many corporations, organizations and government agencies have coordinated relief efforts or listings of charities.

Perhaps the village can offer a similar service for residents. If nothing else, it could serve as a clearinghouse for collections, or coordinate relief efforts among the village -- school districts, library districts and park district.

I don't think it's a difficult thing to do -- and it might be one issue the entire Board -- or eveb community - could agree on.

If nothing else, they'd realize just how good we have it.