Craftsman or not?

My copy of “Mental Floss” – yes it’s a magazine – arrived in the mail the other day.  Mental Floss features unusual stories.  For example, the recent issue includes in-depth writing on the 25 most powerful TV shows, Salvador Dali, and the original Dear Abby.  Seriously.

               The article, however, which caught my eye the most, outside of the one about purchasing homing pigeons, was one on comedian Bill Cosby.  Yes, that Bill Cosby. And while the article cites Cosby’s signature routine, “To Russell, My Brother, Whom I Slept With” as his best, the one I always associate Cosby with is Noah.  It’s not only a great routine, it’s a great story – one which might have been different had it taken place in Buffalo Grove.

               I am not sure just what the village regulations are for arks, but I image Noah would have to go before the ZBA (Zoological Board of Animals) before coming to the Village Board.  No doubt he’d be drilled about his association with L & L (Lions and Llamas) and the number of bathrooms on board the ark.

               But what would set Noah apart from some people in the village is that he was a craftsman.  He wasn’t a craftsman because he built things, it is because he did it right.  I have never built an ark, because I don’t know what a cubid is, let alone I have no space for an ark.

               I do, however, admire those craftsmen who use skill and master techniques in their projects.  There are, in my mind, two types of craftsmen.  The first is a 'butcher' who swings a hammer, tears things down and then rather than rebuild, bellows to people that they don’t have a plan.  The other type of craftsman has a plan – perhaps not always perfect -- but rather than swing the hammer, they use screw drivers, drills and a collection of files, rasps and awls.  Rather than swing aimlessly, the fine craftsman, more of an artisan, gains input and shares it with his or her peers so the final project, whenever it’s completed, is a work of art, or close to it.

               Municipalities, such as Buffalo Grove, are loaded with craftsmen.  And while the finished projects are not always works of arts, there has been, in most cases, collaboration in the design and implementation.

               No village board, school board, city council, plan commission or park board is going to have a perfect pallet in front of them.  So when the wrecking crews show up yielding hammers and crow bars, they do so just tear done without any plan.  They just swing the hammer and say “look at me, look at I did” instead of saying what they can do.  But when you swing only for attention there is nothing to show for it but a pile of rubble.  Fortunately, there are enough folks with screw drivers, drills, files, rasps and awls to keep building.

               And look past the rubble.

Far from being a field of dreams...

I love baseball.

And being a Cubs fan I did not see much this season.  Like none.

So as a way to enjoy America’s pastime, I decided to watch one of my favorite movies, “Field of Dreams.”

So stretched out in the old Lazy Boy, I was hoping to see Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Amy Madigan and a litany of actors playing some of baseball immortals.

But darn it all, just like the Cubs, the movie wasn’t performing.

Every time I turned it on, I ended up at crmproperties.com.  Instead of cornstalks, I saw glistening strip centers.

I was mystified.

And then, even without the help of permanent or replacement officials, after further review, I finally figured it out.  The fine folks at CRM Properties are the ones who want to leave their indelible mark on Buffalo Grove.  Like Costner, they must believe that “if you build it, they will come.”

And so, what do they do?  They put together a plan for a massive downtown for Buffalo Grove, which they presented at the Aug. 6 Village Board meeting.  So why blog about it now? A couple of reasons.  For one, on Aug. 6 I was enjoying the fine shopping and dining of Paris.  Secondly, I wanted to take a better look at what was being proposed.  And finally, after two months, some folks are voicing their concern.

And who can blame them?  There’s no doubt that the village lacks a strong retail climate.  A smattering of strip centers makes up the village’s retail climate.  There are, not just in Town Center, but other strip centers, waves of empty stores.

A 65-acre complex with eight- and 10-story buildings may glisten, but will it really solve the problem?  Don’t count on it.  CRM Properties has several high-end developments.  Most, however, are built over or near existing infrastructure with strong proximity to public transportation.

They’re crowning example is the revitalization of downtown Deerfield.  That had nowhere to go but up.  It’s hard to miss when you are showcasing a retail development at a major intersection (Waukegan and Deerfield roads) a place Deerfield residents and shoppers from the area have been familiar with for decades.

Aside from the redevelopment of downtown Deerfield, other area downtowns have gone through attempted metamorphisms – with varying degrees of success.  Highland Park’s Port Clinton Square and Renaissance place have worked well within the existing framework of its retail district.

Arlington Heights has done a beautiful job of incorporating arts, residential and retail – but there too is a case where it’s within the framework of a retail area, which, like Highland Park, has mass transit in proximity to the district.  It is far from perfect.  In fact, Arlington Heights is seeing more and more “for lease” signs in its downtown.  Think theaters are the answers?  Think again.  The movie theaters in downtown Arlington Heights are now shuttered.  In fact, it was reported in the Oct. 4 Trib Local, that the Arlington Economic Alliance is planning to survey residents about their shopping patterns.  Wonder why?  Probably to draw more folks to a somewhat struggling Camelot.

                It’s interesting that Buffalo Grove village officials did not seek out CRM Properties.  They approached the village.  That should tell you something right there.  No doubt they surveyed and researched the village’s land use, zoning, socioeconomics and other statistical information that they wanted to put in their fuel tank.

                But did they talk to the residents who would be impacted by their plan?  Probably not.  That is because they know a buzz saw when they see one.  My sources, none of which are on the village board, tell me that some thought was given to enhancing the Lake-Cook Road / Rt. 83 intersection, but costs and site limitations kept them from pursuing that.  Translation – they could not make enough money.

                So what’s next?  Hello, Robin Hood – is it OK if we take your concept and twist it a bit?  Instead of taking from the rich and give to the poor, if you look at CRM’s plan, it takes from the poor to give to the rich – or maybe it’s to take from the poor to make them rich.

                The panacea they presented in August (and this is all on the village’s web site) calls for such amenities as an up-scale grocery store, drug store, children’s museum movie theater and live theater.  My goodness, how original are they?

                Buffalo Grove had a gourmet grocery which had about as much luck as the White Sox did in September, there are two, count ‘em two, outstanding children’s museum within 45 minutes of Buffalo Grove and we have more drug stores than the Cubs had losses this year.

                So what’s the attraction?  Live theater.  This, of course, comes at the same time the Buffalo Grove Park District is looking to create a performing arts center on the site of Congregation Beth Am.

                So what do we have here?  Everything CRM proposes.  So let’s say, for the sake of argument, that this “downtown” becomes reality, what happens next?  With such duplication either the folks who have been in business at Lake-Cook and Rt. 83 die and the new downtown thrives, or it fails and the existing commerce continues.  Either way, we stand to be stuck with more retail vacancies.

                Despite what pundits say, there has to be a way to cohesively develop a plan that intertwines the existing retail with those along Buffalo Grove Road.  You have drug stores, movie theaters, performing arts (in the near future), doctor offices, condominiums, and, of course, sushi restaurants and a Starbucks.

                I find it interesting that CRM also calls for a new village hall, police station and public works building.  Why? And how about eight- and 10-story buildings?  They just blend in so well abutting against residential neighborhoods.  The location is about as conducive to Buffalo Grove as a Packers bar would be at Soldiers Field.

                It’s no wonder a group of residents, marketing themselves under “Save Buffalo Grove” have formed.  Most seem to be from nearby neighborhoods and are concerned about the quality of life near their homes.  Understandable.  However, they need to convey a message of concern and not use threats toward elected officials.

The proposal was made not even two months ago and there has not been any discussion on the development of Camelot.  Reaction to something as glistening and shiny as CRM’s proposal is like looking at that ultimate sports car – your eyes become as big as saucers.  Then what?  You look at the price tag, the insurance costs, and the gas mileage, and then the sports car -- like CRM’s plan -- would be described in words often used Marquette University’s late basketball coach, Al Maguire.

                Seashells and balloons.

Post Labor Day syndrome?

Maybe it’s a post Labor Day syndrome that brought an end to strangeness.  The September police logs lack the usual number of somewhat unusual complaints.

But not totally…

Let’s hope it’s not Margaret Hamilton

Resident reported finding a note under her door that stated “Bad wicked ugly neighbor, move out!” The note was written in capital letters with a black marker. The resident has not had any issues with anyone. 

This is suspicious?

Resident reported a tan Kia SUV driving through the neighborhood. Officer checked the area with negative results.

Gotta be careful on social media..

Resident stated that a former high school acquaintance used to call her constantly and he was told not to do so. During the past week, the resident received three letters from the acquaintance addressed to her parent’s address. Officer attempted to contact the acquaintance and left a message that further contact by him would lead to an arrest. 

Talk about trashing the place..

Complex manager reported that a contractor, hired by a bank for the foreclosed property, is throwing garbage from the third story balcony, putting residents and their property at risk. Officer spoke to the contractor and advised him of the error of his way. He agreed to stop throwing things off the balcony. 

Just a reminder about scams..

Resident stated that she has received a number of calls from a male caller that stated the resident won a large sum of money and needs to first send $500 for fees. The resident suspects that this is a scam and she was advised that it is. The officer told the resident that if the subject calls again, tell him that the police have been notified and hang up.

From the “you are kidding, right?” department…

Employee reported a male subject in a blue/green mini van that kept changing parking spots and looking into the store. The employee believed that the subject was wearing lingerie. Officer located the van and spoke with the driver who stated that he was going into the store to purchase a present for his wife. The Officer noted that the driver was wearing a tee shirt and a slip trimmed in lace. The officer requested that the driver put his pants back on and not to return to the store. 

Other news from the blotter…

In addition to the myriad of summaries posted by the Buffalo Grove Police, there is other news.  Hats off to Officer Jim Harris.  As posted in the blotter…

Officer Harris awarded for tornado relief efforts

Buffalo Grove Police Officer Jim Harris received the department's first quarter 2012 Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award.

Harris was honored Sept. 10 for leading a relief effort to benefit tornado victims in Kentucky earlier this year.

Officer Jim Harris was given a plaque after Village Manager Dane Bragg spoke of his efforts to provide assistance to residents of West Liberty, Ky., following the March 2 tornado.

Harris was nominated to receive the Buffalo Grove Police Department’s Above and Beyond the Call of Duty award by Deputy Chief Steve Husak, Commander Tom Reed and Officer Danielle Baron.

“After seeing the newspaper coverage of the damage, Jim began to think about what he could do to help the people in the area,” said Bragg, reading from the nomination letter from Harris’ colleagues. “He decided that he would travel south with needed supplies, as requested in various newspaper articles he read.”

Harris turned to fellow village employees for help, and donations were provided by staff, The Connie Sizer Foundation, Critter Stuff Pet Supplies, and two local Brownie troops.

“His truck was packed so tight, he almost didn’t have room for a change of clothes,” Bragg read from the nomination letter. “Jim told us it made him proud to work in such a fine village.”

Harris quietly accepted the award before receiving congratulatory handshakes from members of the Village Board.

Think about this the next time you get mad at a cop.  They do a lot more than just issue tickets.

Going beyond the proclamation

                Village Board meetings are interesting occurrences.

                Last night’s Buffalo Grove Village Board meeting was, and this may be breaking news, a quiet affair.

                Aside from a lengthy discussion and vote about regulating residential rentals, it was a routine business meeting.  As in village business. 

                Among the routine agenda items was a proclamation for October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which I am delighted to say was approved.

                That’s because I, along with Buffalo Grove resident Maggie Osborne, wrote.  Osborne, it should be noted, is Senior Health Initiatives Representative for the Illinois Division of the American Cancer Society’s northwest suburban chapter based in Arlington Heights.  She and I began working together on an initiative that my student journalists support.  Originally it was the ACS’ “Plant it Pink” program, which the sale of pink tulip bulbs.  My students planted more than 300 bulbs in the three years the ACS offered that program. Additionally, they dedicate the October issue to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

                But enough about that.  The approval of the proclamation by the Buffalo Grove Village Board is significant not only because it calls attention to Breast Cancer, but because this year cancer awareness takes on an additional importance.

                Why?

                Because as the eyes of the nation begin to focus on tomorrow night’s debate between President Barack Obama and GOP challenger Mitt Romney, one thing is sure, millions of Americans will be focused on where the two candidates stand on various issues.

                The economy.

                Foreign policy.

                The national debt.

                And the war.

                Granted, the war has preoccupied the minds of Americans because we are bombarded with images and reports of dastardly attacks against Americans in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Libya.

                And the images these attacks permeate the media, and justifiably so, candidates needs to address funding and strategy for the war.  The funding needs to increase.  Not, however, for the war in the aforementioned countries, a war being waged right here at home.

                It is not just the war on terrorism, or the war on hungry – the war against cancer.

                With October being proclaimed by many cities, counties and states as Breast Cancer Awareness month, the attention focuses on Breast Cancer.  The American Cancer Society reports that so far in 2012, nearly 230,000 cases of new breast cancer were reported nationwide.  Think that’s high?  The ACS also reports the same number of new cases of lung and bronchus cancer for the same time period.

                Do the math – that’s almost a half a million new cases of cancer report.  Those are, however, second and third place tallies so far.  In first place in reported new cases of cancer is Prostate Cancer with nearly 242,000 new cases reported.  The total for new cases of all types of cancer is nearly 1.7 million.  And there are still three months left in the year.

                Is it a special interest vote?  Unfortunately, yes.  People whose lives have been turned upside down by a battle with cancer are more than likely to be at the forefront in the war and, in this case, the well orchestrated effort to put funding for the war on cancer front and center.  Breast Cancer seems to get the lion’s share of coverage.  Susan B. Komen walks attract thousands of women annually to raise awareness.  As mentioned, October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

                It is the “it doesn’t affect me” attitude that may be alarming.  You can’t avoid cancer as you can the flu.  There’s no vaccine against it, nor is there an age differentiation.  Adolescents and people in their 20s and 30s need to be aware of cancer risks and the importance of funding.

                Testicular Cancer and Skin Cancer are two cancers that can strike young people.  With Breast Cancer Awareness month abutting the Nov. 6 election, the timing seems ideal for candidates in all races, not just the presidential battle, to explain their position and, hopefully, support for a continued, if not increase in funding against the war on cancer.

                Locally, one congressional race that will attract a considerable amount of interest is in the 8^th congressional district where incumbent Joe Walsh is being challenged by Tammy Duckworth.  It’s a media dream – A right-wing Republican taking on a physically challenged female war veteran.  If anyone knows what it takes to overcome obstacles, it’s Duckworth.  Her dedication and injuries as a member of the military have, at times, become an issue, courtesy of Walsh.

                Which is too bad, because images of a physically challenged vet are over riding other key issues.  Like the war against cancer.  In the nearby 10^th district, incumbent Bob Dold is being challenged by Brad Schneider.  Again, it’s charges of tea party politics against the democrats.

                In the race for state rep between Sidney Mathias and Carol Sente, the mudslinging has focused on just about everything but what they stand for.

                Issues please?

                The need for funding the war on cancer is not a special interest vote.  Funds are not needed solely for research, although that is a primary concern.  Funding helps organizations like the American Cancer Society help people undergoing treatment by offering emotional support and resources to help them get through their battle.

                It’s not a small battle – not with 1.7 million people involved.

                It’s not a specialized battle – cancer affects men and women, blacks, whites and Hispanics. 

                It’s not an age battle – cancer strikes the young, the middle-aged, and elderly.

                It’s an ongoing war, which needs the support of the nation’s law makers.

                It’s the one time when Americans need to be remember three simple words.

                Support the war.

 (Additional information can be found at cancervotes.org).