The final salute

It is always the second item on the agenda for every Village Board meeting.

               The Pledge of Allegiance.

               For the most part it’s routine.  Just as it was at the March 18 Village Board meeting.

Retiring Police Chief Steve Balinski
bids a fond farewell
at the March 19 Village Board meeting

               But tonight, it was a subtly different.  While the throngs in attendance stood, placed their hands over the hearts and recited the pledge, one member of the audience, impeccably dressed in his Police Department dress uniform, saluted the flag as he said the pledge.

               It was a class, even poignant thing to do – pay tribute to the country with dignity and honor.

               But that’s what you would expect from Police Chief Steve Balinski.

               Balinski was honored with a reception prior to the meeting and then with the presentation of the obligatory resolution by the Village Board.  In essence, the night belonged to Balinski.  As well it should have.

               His salute, most likely his last as Buffalo Grove’s top cop, could have been seen as more than a salute to the country.  It very well could have a been a salute to the village and the people “Bo” served for nearly four decades.

               If a coach reflects the character of his team, then the Buffalo Grove Police Department reflects Balinski class as a professional and person.

               “I am blessed because of everyone here,” an emotional Balinski said.  “I feel lucky to come to work every day.  All of you have been very important to me. You’ve been my strength. You’ve allowed me to succeed.”

               And while Balinski thanked the expected – the village staff, the elected officials and, of course, his colleagues in the Police Department – he became emotional and tearful for the one person he said has “always been there, my wife, Karen.”

               That’s Balinski.  An honest cop, a good cop, a class cop – and a caring cop.  I’m a staunch admirer of the men and women of the nation’s police and fire departments.  They’re not all perfect – no one is – but they face daily challenges that most of us can’t even imagine.  Buffalo Grove is fortunate to have a class police department.  I have worked with the department on and off for more than 30 years, before Balinski was chief, when the department was located in the basement of Village Hall, so my admiration is not based on any recent events.

               “We were always a team,” Balinski said.  And that team wasn’t limited to police headquarters, but to the entire village.  A lot of police departments boast that they “serve and protect” – but none do it the way the BGPD does it.  Good leaders recruit and groom good professionals.  For 36 years, Balinski has been part of that – even though he initially thought the job offer was a joke.  “I thought it was a fraternity buddy,” he said.

               It wasn’t.  Instead it was the start of an amazing career.  “When you wear star or badge – it’s about opportunity, service,” Balinski said.  And over the past 36 years he provided both – service to a community that seen unprecedented growth, and the opportunity to truly serve and protect.

               For whatever reason, I remember an editorial cartoon that appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times shortly after former Chicago Police Chief Orlando W. Wilson retired.  In essence, it was a police badge and night stick talking.

               The badge said “I shine a little brighter;” while the nightstick said “I stand a little taller.”

               They’d say the same thing about Balinski.

Butch McGuire's coming to Buffalo Grove?

I was dumbfounded.

There he was, sitting nice and relaxed -- Proverbial candidate and community activist Chicken Little.

Chicken Little

Generally this time of year I find him with his feathers really ruffled – between chicken soup for Passover and eggs for Easter, he’s nervous.

But not this year.  He looked cool, calm and collected.

I had to ask why this year was different from all other years.

“I have a plan,” he said, “for a new business in Buffalo Grove.”

Let me guess, I said, a comedy club.

“Nah,” he said, “I have something more original – and besides – it’s a proven success.”

I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear this, but good ‘ol C.L. never ceases to amaze me.

So what’s his big idea?

“Well,” he said “after attending the recent candidates’ forum, I’ve decided I need to continue the legacy of the man himself.”

Who? I asked.

Butch McGuire.

Excuse me – the late founder of what many consider the original singles bar?  Here in Buffalo Grove?

“Yep,” C.L. replied.

But wait, how do the candidates for the April 9 Village Board election factor into your decision to open a singles bar in Buffalo Grove?  Seriously, if I saw the slate of four on Division Street I’d probably give up drinking.

“It’s not the people, dummy, it’s the idea.”

I’m lost, I told him.

“OK, the candidates’ forum brought together a bunch of people who were curious what other people had to say – you know, like going into McGuire’s.”

It’s a stretch, I said, but OK, tell me more.

“And just like a singles bar, the folks hear the things they expect to hear.”

I was beginning to catch Little’s idea a bit.  The forum did produce a nice crowd and the candidates presented their stands, which is the stuff you expect and want to hear.

“From my perspective,” Little said, “I was able to walk away without fearing the sky is falling.”

But, I asked him, do you think the sincerity was there.

“Probably more, he said, because three of the four are repeat customers, so to speak.  In fact, I think I heard someone say, “excuse me, but what’s your sign?”

Not quite – I think someone was asking for a sign – a lawn sign.

“Oh, that makes sense.”

So do you still think a singles bar makes sense?

“Absolutely, if the lively art of conversation can bring people out for a candidates' forum, imagine what’s they do for fun and relaxation.”

C.L., I said, this is Buffalo Grove, where folks don’t come out unless...

“Yes, I know...the sky is falling.  Maybe I’ll need to have karaoke.”

Nah, I told him, some performers can be painful to listen to.

“True.  But the allure of conversation and heated debates could make it interesting.  Maybe I could give it a Chicago Cubs theme.”

What, only have a successful year every 105 years or fade every August?

“Well, there could be a lot of singles without much scoring.”

Don’t quit your day job, I told him.

C.L. said he has one concern about his single bars idea.

“I’ll need bouncers.  I mean what if a fight breaks out?”

No sweat, I said, just call 9-1-1.

“That’s my concern,” he said.

Why? I asked.

“What if I can’t get through?”