Perhaps the most amazing thing about Tuesday night's Illinois Environmental Protection Agency public hearing into the close of the now infamous L & L Landfill is that it took less time than approval of the minutes at a Village Board meeting.
I don't think there was anything new revealed -- but that's OK -- because while many, if not all, of the opponents to L & L had stated their positions before, but not to the IEPA, the Village Board. There was, in essence, 40 minutes of testimony by residents and experts, some of them self-proclaimed, about the fears of maintaining L & L, while others cited the need for development of the site within environmental guidelines.
Each speaker had three minutes to address the panel. Only one (guess who?) came back up for an encore.
The crowd was pretty much as I anticipated, which could mean one of two things -- people are not interested, or the topic has worn itself down. No matter what your view is on the topic, it is pretty disappointing that more residents are not concerned about an issue -- any issue. Why? Who knows?
You could speculate that folks living away from L & L have the "it's not near me, what do I care" attitude, or some may have said "Oh, it's Lisa Stone's special interest, who cares" Again, who knows.
Was it worth televising? Not really. There were no startling revelations. Residents interested in what was said can get the complete transcript of record from the IEPA in about 2 1/2 weeks.
Did testimony reveal any new information? Not really.
Arguments against 'certification of completion of post closure care" focused on the state of the ground water and presence of Phenol at the facility.
Arguments support the certification cited compliance with IEPA, EPA and Lake County guidelines so the site can be commercially developed.
On supporter said development of the site was necessary because of high unemployment and the need to put men and women back to work. That's an admirable goal, but I don't think you ignore citizen concerns just for jobs.
The fact remains that the IEPA has heard from both sides of aisle and will continue to take comments until one second before midnight on Dec. 9. Odds are it will not be a popular decision.
Residents can still be heard.
Comments may be sent by email to epa.publichearingcom@illinois.gov. Make sure your subject line clearly says "Land and Lakes Wheeling Landfill." Further information is also available Dean Studer, Hearing Office (#5) at Dean.Studer@illinois.gov or Tammy Mitchell, community relations coordinator at tammy,Mitchell@illinois.gov.
Email or hard copy submitted before the Dec. 9 deadline will be entered into the record.
What will be determined is scheduled to be announced on Jan. 15. What happens after that depends on the decision and how people react. If the certificate is approved, then it's possible, even likely, that development of the site will move forward. But like the development of any landfill site -- whether in Northbrook, Evanston, Highland Park or Arlington Heights, monitoring should continue.
Those aforementioned cities have handled development of landfill and it seems logical that Buffalo Grove can do the same.
Only time will tell.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Some questions
As the long anticipated and much ballyhooed IEPA hearing about the L & L landfill approaches, there are some questions I have.
No doubt critics and cynics will say I'm pick on poor Lisa Stone. I'm not. But as long as she waves the flag of transparency, she needs to provide answers.
For example:
Who? Put her up to this? Yes, she originally came to the Board about the compost odor at L & L -- but from there compost became second nature. Stone's work experience, as indicated in the village's web site, is a "Legal Research Consultant - Retired." So where does a background come in? If she was approached by someone in or out of Village Hall, it could help us understand the breadth of the problem. Are of the people involved current Board members or staff, or does it go back further?
Why? Is she so relentless about this issue? This is not to downplay the potential hazards of any landfill, but why L & L? Also, Stone and her family, before moving into the village, lived less than two miles from L & L -- why was she not concerned about it back then? Also, if she is so concerned about the environmental impact of landfills, why has she not taken the village of Wheeling to task about the shuttered landfill on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue, south of Deerfield Road. Also, it's likely that and problems with the Wheeling landfill or L & L maybe impact the watershed of the Des Plaines River, but that has yet to be discussed.
Where? Beside village hall, where is this information being acquired? We've heard and, in some cases seen, emails and documents from the Lake County Health Department, the IEPA and EPA -- but it seems like there is information coming from other sources. Again, revealing those sources could strengthen the L & L argument by providing more definitive information.
What? With all the alleged contacts being made to every conceivable expert and politician, it might be interesting to know what information is being provided and what the full response is. Excerpts and fragments titillate, but do not answer all of the questions. Also, what is she hoping to gain by all of this? A name from which to campaign? More accusations of Village Board members?
How? There's a lot of information being distributed -- besides FOIA requests, how is Stone obtaining the information? This may also connect to the "who" question.
When? When will this all end. It seems as though there has been ample information provided from various sources has not been enough. The IEPA hearing at Village Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday may shed some light on L & L.
However, if Stone firmly believes in "transparency in government," then the time for her to practice what she preaches is now.
Inquiring minds want to know.
No doubt critics and cynics will say I'm pick on poor Lisa Stone. I'm not. But as long as she waves the flag of transparency, she needs to provide answers.
For example:
Who? Put her up to this? Yes, she originally came to the Board about the compost odor at L & L -- but from there compost became second nature. Stone's work experience, as indicated in the village's web site, is a "Legal Research Consultant - Retired." So where does a background come in? If she was approached by someone in or out of Village Hall, it could help us understand the breadth of the problem. Are of the people involved current Board members or staff, or does it go back further?
Why? Is she so relentless about this issue? This is not to downplay the potential hazards of any landfill, but why L & L? Also, Stone and her family, before moving into the village, lived less than two miles from L & L -- why was she not concerned about it back then? Also, if she is so concerned about the environmental impact of landfills, why has she not taken the village of Wheeling to task about the shuttered landfill on the east side of Milwaukee Avenue, south of Deerfield Road. Also, it's likely that and problems with the Wheeling landfill or L & L maybe impact the watershed of the Des Plaines River, but that has yet to be discussed.
Where? Beside village hall, where is this information being acquired? We've heard and, in some cases seen, emails and documents from the Lake County Health Department, the IEPA and EPA -- but it seems like there is information coming from other sources. Again, revealing those sources could strengthen the L & L argument by providing more definitive information.
What? With all the alleged contacts being made to every conceivable expert and politician, it might be interesting to know what information is being provided and what the full response is. Excerpts and fragments titillate, but do not answer all of the questions. Also, what is she hoping to gain by all of this? A name from which to campaign? More accusations of Village Board members?
How? There's a lot of information being distributed -- besides FOIA requests, how is Stone obtaining the information? This may also connect to the "who" question.
When? When will this all end. It seems as though there has been ample information provided from various sources has not been enough. The IEPA hearing at Village Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday may shed some light on L & L.
However, if Stone firmly believes in "transparency in government," then the time for her to practice what she preaches is now.
Inquiring minds want to know.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
A picture is worth a thousand words
I was amazed when I saw it on the front page. I never expected the election to end with such an image.
But it was a relief.
Yes, there it was, Mark Kirk and Alexi Ginnaoulias end the campaign over a beer at the famed Billy Goat Tavern.
Coke, no Pepsi, chips, no fries.
Thank you Sam Sianis.
You would think, if not hope, that most campaigns would end on some kind of positive note. Two candidates who slugged it out realize that the election is over and while one is disappointed, perhaps angered, the has an image as to what lies ahead and moves forward with the issues at hand.
You would think. You would hope.
The meeting at the Goat between Kirk and Giannoulias provided a bit of levity to a long and bitter campaign. Levity can be good. The key word -- can.
There was another front page picture that also surprised, make that shocked me.
Buffalo Grove Village Board President Elliott Hartstein "dressed" like Lisa Stone who was recalled by nearly 70 percent of the voters who voted in Tuesday's election.
Seeing Hartstein donned in a long black wig was like seeing Little Black Sambo at a KKK rally or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a Bar Mitzvah. In other words, it did not work. Not by a long shot.
To cite the headline in the Daily Herald, "what was he thinking?"
If he thought he was being funny, save you gas money folks, Hartstein won't be at Zanies this weekend.
The picture was a surprise because Hartstein has been a dedicated public servant in the village for more than 30 years. You would think he knows better. If he's trying to gain support among trans-gender and cross-dressing voters, the effort failed.
After 18 months of attacks by Stone, I was anticipating that Hartstein would be more humble and quite honestly, classy in accepting "victory." A simple statement wishing Stone well would have sufficed. But that did not happen -- not by a long shot.
What's needed here is for Hartstein to not just write an apology, which to his credit he did quickly, but to call Stone and personally apologize. Here's the tricky part -- is her hatred of Hartstein so deep that she would not listen? Who knows. My guess is probably not.
Hartstein's sophomoric antics do not diminish his years of public service. He is well versed in public issues and has held things together reasonably well during the past 18 months.
His antics do not diminish the vote. Hartstein's antics are not a political issue. Members of the Board, especially Jeff Berman who has expressed his displeasure on AOL's Patch, are more than just a little upset with Hartstein.
I think it's a safe bet to say that Stone is too. As well as she should be. Pundits will want this to become a political issue. It's not. It's an issue of stupidity. The reality is, we've all had moments like that and while they may eat at us, we move on.
Again, not to diminish the poor taste of Hartstein's stunt Tuesday night, the Board has to move on and get back to business. Stone's antics were a distraction, which drove board members and residents crazy. They wanted her gone and now she is. Move on.
It may be easier said than done, but while we'll all remember Hartstein in a wig (anyone remember when Mike Ditka did the same thing) we can't overlook what needs to be done in the village. Once the votes are certified and Stone is officially off the Board, the Stone Age is over.
There's no reason to discuss her tenure on the Board or how she ridiculed other board members. Stunts that belittle her, or anyone in the public eye for that matter, are not needed. You won -- move on. Be gracious and accepting and move on.
If it does not exist already, I am proposing that Hartstein be given an award for Tuesday night. I think he should receive the first ever "Michael Dukakis Award for Worse Photo Opp." It can be presented to the public official whose photo opportunity turns into a photo opposite.
While it's likely the Stone camp won't let this die, this cannot be the focus of the Village Board. It was Hartstein who decided to mock Stone, not the Board.
The Board meets again Nov. 15. I'm not sure how Hartstein will be attired -- I just hope to hell he doesn't come dressed as a landfill.
But it was a relief.
Yes, there it was, Mark Kirk and Alexi Ginnaoulias end the campaign over a beer at the famed Billy Goat Tavern.
Coke, no Pepsi, chips, no fries.
Thank you Sam Sianis.
You would think, if not hope, that most campaigns would end on some kind of positive note. Two candidates who slugged it out realize that the election is over and while one is disappointed, perhaps angered, the has an image as to what lies ahead and moves forward with the issues at hand.
You would think. You would hope.
The meeting at the Goat between Kirk and Giannoulias provided a bit of levity to a long and bitter campaign. Levity can be good. The key word -- can.
There was another front page picture that also surprised, make that shocked me.
Buffalo Grove Village Board President Elliott Hartstein "dressed" like Lisa Stone who was recalled by nearly 70 percent of the voters who voted in Tuesday's election.
Seeing Hartstein donned in a long black wig was like seeing Little Black Sambo at a KKK rally or Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at a Bar Mitzvah. In other words, it did not work. Not by a long shot.
To cite the headline in the Daily Herald, "what was he thinking?"
If he thought he was being funny, save you gas money folks, Hartstein won't be at Zanies this weekend.
The picture was a surprise because Hartstein has been a dedicated public servant in the village for more than 30 years. You would think he knows better. If he's trying to gain support among trans-gender and cross-dressing voters, the effort failed.
After 18 months of attacks by Stone, I was anticipating that Hartstein would be more humble and quite honestly, classy in accepting "victory." A simple statement wishing Stone well would have sufficed. But that did not happen -- not by a long shot.
What's needed here is for Hartstein to not just write an apology, which to his credit he did quickly, but to call Stone and personally apologize. Here's the tricky part -- is her hatred of Hartstein so deep that she would not listen? Who knows. My guess is probably not.
Hartstein's sophomoric antics do not diminish his years of public service. He is well versed in public issues and has held things together reasonably well during the past 18 months.
His antics do not diminish the vote. Hartstein's antics are not a political issue. Members of the Board, especially Jeff Berman who has expressed his displeasure on AOL's Patch, are more than just a little upset with Hartstein.
I think it's a safe bet to say that Stone is too. As well as she should be. Pundits will want this to become a political issue. It's not. It's an issue of stupidity. The reality is, we've all had moments like that and while they may eat at us, we move on.
Again, not to diminish the poor taste of Hartstein's stunt Tuesday night, the Board has to move on and get back to business. Stone's antics were a distraction, which drove board members and residents crazy. They wanted her gone and now she is. Move on.
It may be easier said than done, but while we'll all remember Hartstein in a wig (anyone remember when Mike Ditka did the same thing) we can't overlook what needs to be done in the village. Once the votes are certified and Stone is officially off the Board, the Stone Age is over.
There's no reason to discuss her tenure on the Board or how she ridiculed other board members. Stunts that belittle her, or anyone in the public eye for that matter, are not needed. You won -- move on. Be gracious and accepting and move on.
If it does not exist already, I am proposing that Hartstein be given an award for Tuesday night. I think he should receive the first ever "Michael Dukakis Award for Worse Photo Opp." It can be presented to the public official whose photo opportunity turns into a photo opposite.
While it's likely the Stone camp won't let this die, this cannot be the focus of the Village Board. It was Hartstein who decided to mock Stone, not the Board.
The Board meets again Nov. 15. I'm not sure how Hartstein will be attired -- I just hope to hell he doesn't come dressed as a landfill.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Time Has Come...
Today, voters around the country will head to the polling places to for the mid-term election. In Illinois, the focus i s on the gubernatorial race between Pat Quinn and Bill Brady while the race between Mark Kirk and Alexi Giannoulias has captivated the most ardent political observers. Unemployment, the spiraling state debt and attracting new businesses to the state have been the focus of the campaign.
Except in Buffalo Grove.
The focus on the election is the potential recall of Village Trustee Lisa Stone.
On Tuesday, voters will have the rare opportunity to, in essence, fire an elected official -- and not a moment too soon.
The debate and discussion of Stone's performance have gone on long enough. The village is fortunate that we are not facing the crunch other nearby municipalities are facing -- staff layoffs, budget deficits, and the reopening of collective bargaining agreements with police officers and fire fighters in order to stay solvent.
The village of Buffalo Grove is not facing that kind of crunch. We have AAA bond ratings with both Moody's and Standard & Poors.
But you wouldn't know that. For the past 18 months the focus has been on everything that is wrong with the village. At least according to Lisa Stone.
Buffalo Grove is not perfect -- no municipality is.
But to listen to Stone you'd think Buffalo Grove was run by corrupt, back-stabbing, unprofessionals.
That's not the case. But you know that. The village staff is highly respected by other municipalities.
What the village needs to do is address the problems that may arise in the future. We're not immune to a struggling economy, unemployment or the need to attract business and commerce to the area.
We need to focus on moving forward in the village. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on partnerships to generate new initiatives for our children. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on the programs to curb crime. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on how to continue the excellence that has lead to the aforementioned bond ratings. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on finding ways to continue supporting our public works, police and fire department employees. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on how to continue growing our citizen involvement through commissions, events and committees. Not on Lisa Stone.
This is my 100th blog, the first coming in early July of last year. Most have, unfortunately, focused on the antics of Stone and her effort to put her agenda ahead of what is needed for the village. Some people have asked me why I hate Lisa Stone. I don't hate Lisa Stone. What I do hate is the way she has handled and presented herself as a Buffalo Grove village official. And that's what needs to be addressed on Tuesday. It's about Lisa Stone -- not her husband or family.
Some people have said maybe it's unfair to judge her because she has only has been in office for 18 months. So has Beverly Sussman. Sussman brought with her an agenda -- one that had the village in mind. Yet if you listen to Stone, Sussman is part of the "old boys club." Sussman has, however, raised questions and has not gone along with the Board on every issue and has done so with a thought-provoking, professional demeanor.
Stone has not.
Instead of working for the community, she has been a polarizing force that seeks to tear down and not build up.
So the time has gone for residents to do the ultimate job performance review.
As noted in previous blogs, winning an election does not give you immunity from the wrath of the electorate. Winning an election puts you at the highest level of public trust and when that trust is breached, it becomes a case of drastic times calling for drastic measures.
That time is here. The village cannot continue to function with the distractions and unfounded accusations levied by Stone.
On Tuesday residents will have the option of voting yes to recall Stone or no to keep her in office.
The unfortunate reality is that there is only one choice.
It has three letters.
Except in Buffalo Grove.
The focus on the election is the potential recall of Village Trustee Lisa Stone.
On Tuesday, voters will have the rare opportunity to, in essence, fire an elected official -- and not a moment too soon.
The debate and discussion of Stone's performance have gone on long enough. The village is fortunate that we are not facing the crunch other nearby municipalities are facing -- staff layoffs, budget deficits, and the reopening of collective bargaining agreements with police officers and fire fighters in order to stay solvent.
The village of Buffalo Grove is not facing that kind of crunch. We have AAA bond ratings with both Moody's and Standard & Poors.
But you wouldn't know that. For the past 18 months the focus has been on everything that is wrong with the village. At least according to Lisa Stone.
Buffalo Grove is not perfect -- no municipality is.
But to listen to Stone you'd think Buffalo Grove was run by corrupt, back-stabbing, unprofessionals.
That's not the case. But you know that. The village staff is highly respected by other municipalities.
What the village needs to do is address the problems that may arise in the future. We're not immune to a struggling economy, unemployment or the need to attract business and commerce to the area.
We need to focus on moving forward in the village. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on partnerships to generate new initiatives for our children. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on the programs to curb crime. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on how to continue the excellence that has lead to the aforementioned bond ratings. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on finding ways to continue supporting our public works, police and fire department employees. Not on Lisa Stone.
We need to focus on how to continue growing our citizen involvement through commissions, events and committees. Not on Lisa Stone.
This is my 100th blog, the first coming in early July of last year. Most have, unfortunately, focused on the antics of Stone and her effort to put her agenda ahead of what is needed for the village. Some people have asked me why I hate Lisa Stone. I don't hate Lisa Stone. What I do hate is the way she has handled and presented herself as a Buffalo Grove village official. And that's what needs to be addressed on Tuesday. It's about Lisa Stone -- not her husband or family.
Some people have said maybe it's unfair to judge her because she has only has been in office for 18 months. So has Beverly Sussman. Sussman brought with her an agenda -- one that had the village in mind. Yet if you listen to Stone, Sussman is part of the "old boys club." Sussman has, however, raised questions and has not gone along with the Board on every issue and has done so with a thought-provoking, professional demeanor.
Stone has not.
Instead of working for the community, she has been a polarizing force that seeks to tear down and not build up.
So the time has gone for residents to do the ultimate job performance review.
As noted in previous blogs, winning an election does not give you immunity from the wrath of the electorate. Winning an election puts you at the highest level of public trust and when that trust is breached, it becomes a case of drastic times calling for drastic measures.
That time is here. The village cannot continue to function with the distractions and unfounded accusations levied by Stone.
On Tuesday residents will have the option of voting yes to recall Stone or no to keep her in office.
The unfortunate reality is that there is only one choice.
It has three letters.
Candidate Holds Press Conference
(c) 2010
Distraught by what continues to transpire in the village, and with Tuesday's election right around the corner,Village Board candidate Chicken Little met with members of the press today to discuss issues facing the village.
Q. Mr. Little, do you still plan to run even if recall fails?
A. Absolutely. There are a lot of things going on in the village besides Trustee Stone.
Q. How do you see the recall campaign going so far?
A. It's a mixed bag. The recall committee has been aggressive, which does not surprise me. What has surprised me is the lack of initiative by the Stone supporters. I am not surprise that Ms. Stone asserts that she has done a good job, but there has not been a lot of overwhelming support for her. In fact, some of what has appeared has been darn right wrong.
Q. Can you explain, please?
A. There was a letter that ran the Countryside and on AOL Patch that, as we say around the coupe, doesn't have all of its eggs in one basket.
Q. How's that?
A. The writer claims that evil water from L & L is in the village's reservoir. Not quite. The village wells are 1,000 feet deep, making it almost impossible for contaminated water to find its way into the wells, let alone the reservoirs. Shallow water aquifers are about 400 feet deep. That's just for starters.
Q. What about experts from Lincolnshire who allege that Buffalo Government needs someone like Lisa Stone?
A. They should open up the history books and check the history of Lincolnshire. She should also check other landfills in the area.
Q. Critics of recall have said she was elected and therefore must serve out her term.
A. Being elected to any office does not give a person carte blanche to do what they want for their own ego or agenda. Nor does it give them the right to put them above issues and make make them front-and-center.
Q. So you're saying that Stone's term on the board has served what purpose?
A. Quite honestly, I'm not sure. She can rant about transparency in government and the old boys network and serving the community when in reality she has done little of any. I'm not saying that she has to agree with the board on everything all of the time, but rather than understand issues she challenges everything. She gives the appearance that everything in the village is wrong -- from the minutes to the warrants for expenditures.
Q. What do you see as the impact of what has transpired during her 18 months of tirades and accusations?
A. The impact on the community has been negative. Real estate agents and the business community are concerned that her image of the the village operation and village board will be a detriment to their respective markets. People outside of the village, whether residents or municipal officials are in virtual disbelief as to what they see.
Q. So what would you tell critics of recalling Ms. Stone?
A. To look at the whole picture and the impact of a renegade official who has said that she will not follow the rules. Whether you like any of the other board members at this time is immaterial. What's at stake here is the future of the village. The Board needs to provide village staff with effective input so it can continue to do the job it has been doing.
Q. So what's the solution?
A. Residents need to vote on Tuesday. Residents need to consider what has happened and what is happening and what may happen if this kind of tomfoolery continues.
Q. So you're saying it's better to take action sooner than later.
A. Yes.
Q. And how soon is that?
A. Tuesday.
Now if there are no more questions, we'll end this press conference. As we say around the coupe it's time to get crackin'. Thank you all for attending. I do have one final comment, however.
Q. And that is?
A. Remember to vote on Tuesday -- and remember to vote on all issues on both sides of the ballot.
Q. And your recommendation on the recall issue.
Candidate Little just smiled, winked and said "you figure it out. But it's time to steady the ship and continue sailing. It's not always going to be a smooth cruise, but at least the boat won't be taking on water.
Distraught by what continues to transpire in the village, and with Tuesday's election right around the corner,Village Board candidate Chicken Little met with members of the press today to discuss issues facing the village.
 |
| Chicken Little Image from swotti.com |
A. Absolutely. There are a lot of things going on in the village besides Trustee Stone.
Q. How do you see the recall campaign going so far?
A. It's a mixed bag. The recall committee has been aggressive, which does not surprise me. What has surprised me is the lack of initiative by the Stone supporters. I am not surprise that Ms. Stone asserts that she has done a good job, but there has not been a lot of overwhelming support for her. In fact, some of what has appeared has been darn right wrong.
Q. Can you explain, please?
A. There was a letter that ran the Countryside and on AOL Patch that, as we say around the coupe, doesn't have all of its eggs in one basket.
Q. How's that?
A. The writer claims that evil water from L & L is in the village's reservoir. Not quite. The village wells are 1,000 feet deep, making it almost impossible for contaminated water to find its way into the wells, let alone the reservoirs. Shallow water aquifers are about 400 feet deep. That's just for starters.
Q. What about experts from Lincolnshire who allege that Buffalo Government needs someone like Lisa Stone?
A. They should open up the history books and check the history of Lincolnshire. She should also check other landfills in the area.
Q. Critics of recall have said she was elected and therefore must serve out her term.
A. Being elected to any office does not give a person carte blanche to do what they want for their own ego or agenda. Nor does it give them the right to put them above issues and make make them front-and-center.
Q. So you're saying that Stone's term on the board has served what purpose?
A. Quite honestly, I'm not sure. She can rant about transparency in government and the old boys network and serving the community when in reality she has done little of any. I'm not saying that she has to agree with the board on everything all of the time, but rather than understand issues she challenges everything. She gives the appearance that everything in the village is wrong -- from the minutes to the warrants for expenditures.
Q. What do you see as the impact of what has transpired during her 18 months of tirades and accusations?
A. The impact on the community has been negative. Real estate agents and the business community are concerned that her image of the the village operation and village board will be a detriment to their respective markets. People outside of the village, whether residents or municipal officials are in virtual disbelief as to what they see.
Q. So what would you tell critics of recalling Ms. Stone?
A. To look at the whole picture and the impact of a renegade official who has said that she will not follow the rules. Whether you like any of the other board members at this time is immaterial. What's at stake here is the future of the village. The Board needs to provide village staff with effective input so it can continue to do the job it has been doing.
Q. So what's the solution?
A. Residents need to vote on Tuesday. Residents need to consider what has happened and what is happening and what may happen if this kind of tomfoolery continues.
Q. So you're saying it's better to take action sooner than later.
A. Yes.
Q. And how soon is that?
A. Tuesday.
Now if there are no more questions, we'll end this press conference. As we say around the coupe it's time to get crackin'. Thank you all for attending. I do have one final comment, however.
Q. And that is?
A. Remember to vote on Tuesday -- and remember to vote on all issues on both sides of the ballot.
Q. And your recommendation on the recall issue.
Candidate Little just smiled, winked and said "you figure it out. But it's time to steady the ship and continue sailing. It's not always going to be a smooth cruise, but at least the boat won't be taking on water.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
One confused chick
It did not come as a surprise.
With the Nov. 2 election just days away, I was not surprised at all when I got a call from Village Board candidate Chicken Little.
"Darn," he said, "folks are getting pumped for the election, aren't they?" For a chicken, he's very astute. Yes, I told him, a lot has been written and posted about the election, election the big ballot item. "You mean the retention of the judges," he said wryly. Not quite, I told him.
While Kirk and Giannoulias and Quinn and Brady battle it out, much of Buffalo Grove, and the surrounding areas are watching the outcome of the effort to recall Village Board trustee Lisa Stone.
"I am amazed at what has been written," he noted. I agree. "I noticed that one paper ran an article saying she was defending her record," Little noted, and then asked, "what record." He's an observant little clucker, isn't he?
The question is a good one, however -- what record? Granted she raised the question about L & L and when she did not get the answer she want, she raised it again and again and again. Stone seems to know more than the IEPA and EPA. If she is interested in the impact landfills have on the area, why hasn't she gone after the village of Wheeling in regard to a shuttered landfill off of Milwaukee Avenue? "That's easy," Little said, "there no votes there."
As for waving her independent banner, which is synonymous with annoying, Stone told the Countryside that she is "fighting against a machine." For someone who grew up in the Chicago area, Stone should know a true machine when she sees one. Residents who volunteer their time to public service are not machine members. "Yeah, I guess you're right," said Little. "But is Buffalo Grove perfect," he asked?
Nope. But it's light years ahead of other communities. I wonder if Stone read where the Police Chief in neighboring Prospect Heights quit because of potential cuts in the department. "Wow, is Buffalo Grove heading that direction?" Again, the answer is no. Buffalo Grove has exemplary police and fire departments, so much so that a police officer in a nearby community is amazed at how hard they work. "I bet Stone really has a lot to say about that." Well, not exactly. When our fire fighters gave up their time to call awareness to breast cancer, Stone did not say a word lauding their effort. Nor, for that matter, did she wear pink. "You're kidding, right?" Little asked. I wish I was. My guess is she's concerned that Deann Glover was getting too much of the limelight. After all, Glover has worked tirelessly on breast cancer awareness.
How about when Fire Chief Terry Vavra reported to the Board about the village's ISO rating? Nope. Nada. Zippo.
"I'm confused," Little said. "What does she support in the village?" Good question. I'm not sure what she does because she does not vocalize too many positive points.
Little shook his beak in disbelief. "She says there's a double standard. Is that right." I laughed. Honestly laughed. "What's so funny?" Little asked.
Well, I told him, at the Sept. 21, 2009 board meeting, she chided the board and then Village Manager Bill Brimm for delivering the Board information on the Thursday before Rosh Hashana. She said that she did not have time review the packet, even the holiday was over the day before (or two days before depending on your degree of celebration) the meeting. "You'd think she would have planned ahead and maybe contacted the village ahead of time." True, but there's no media coverage for planning ahead.
"So where's the double standard?" Little asked. Good question. It seems that while Stone wants people to pay attention and respect the holiday she observes, she does not think twice about contacting non Jewish staff on their main holidays. "How's that?" Little asked. In an email acquired through the Freedom of Information, Stone did not think twice about emailing a staff member on Easter. She indicated that she wanted to make sure the email got there by Monday.
"Wow," Little said, that is a double standard. It's the same as whaling on the Board about how rude they are, or she thinks they are, toward residents who want to speak to the Board, but turns around and files a police report against a resident whom she does not like alleging that she thought he was going to harm her,
But yet, it's Stone who says Board members are desperate to get rid of her. They don't, she told the Countryside, want someone as "independent" as she. As noted in previous posts, Stone seems to confuse independence with annoyance. But soon the ball will be in the voters' hands.
"So if she recalled, will you still blog? Little asked.
Of course, I told him, there are plenty of things to write about besides the antics of Lisa Stone.
" Are you going to relax at all?" he asked? Sure will. Why, I told him, I may just make a nice batch of chicken soup. "Not funny he said. I suppose you'll be drinking a vodka stone sour while you make it."
Not funny, I told him.
"I know," he said. "Neither is the current situation with the village, which is why people need to vote on Tuesday.
Right again, I told him.
With the Nov. 2 election just days away, I was not surprised at all when I got a call from Village Board candidate Chicken Little.
While Kirk and Giannoulias and Quinn and Brady battle it out, much of Buffalo Grove, and the surrounding areas are watching the outcome of the effort to recall Village Board trustee Lisa Stone.
"I am amazed at what has been written," he noted. I agree. "I noticed that one paper ran an article saying she was defending her record," Little noted, and then asked, "what record." He's an observant little clucker, isn't he?
The question is a good one, however -- what record? Granted she raised the question about L & L and when she did not get the answer she want, she raised it again and again and again. Stone seems to know more than the IEPA and EPA. If she is interested in the impact landfills have on the area, why hasn't she gone after the village of Wheeling in regard to a shuttered landfill off of Milwaukee Avenue? "That's easy," Little said, "there no votes there."
As for waving her independent banner, which is synonymous with annoying, Stone told the Countryside that she is "fighting against a machine." For someone who grew up in the Chicago area, Stone should know a true machine when she sees one. Residents who volunteer their time to public service are not machine members. "Yeah, I guess you're right," said Little. "But is Buffalo Grove perfect," he asked?
Nope. But it's light years ahead of other communities. I wonder if Stone read where the Police Chief in neighboring Prospect Heights quit because of potential cuts in the department. "Wow, is Buffalo Grove heading that direction?" Again, the answer is no. Buffalo Grove has exemplary police and fire departments, so much so that a police officer in a nearby community is amazed at how hard they work. "I bet Stone really has a lot to say about that." Well, not exactly. When our fire fighters gave up their time to call awareness to breast cancer, Stone did not say a word lauding their effort. Nor, for that matter, did she wear pink. "You're kidding, right?" Little asked. I wish I was. My guess is she's concerned that Deann Glover was getting too much of the limelight. After all, Glover has worked tirelessly on breast cancer awareness.
How about when Fire Chief Terry Vavra reported to the Board about the village's ISO rating? Nope. Nada. Zippo.
"I'm confused," Little said. "What does she support in the village?" Good question. I'm not sure what she does because she does not vocalize too many positive points.
Little shook his beak in disbelief. "She says there's a double standard. Is that right." I laughed. Honestly laughed. "What's so funny?" Little asked.
Well, I told him, at the Sept. 21, 2009 board meeting, she chided the board and then Village Manager Bill Brimm for delivering the Board information on the Thursday before Rosh Hashana. She said that she did not have time review the packet, even the holiday was over the day before (or two days before depending on your degree of celebration) the meeting. "You'd think she would have planned ahead and maybe contacted the village ahead of time." True, but there's no media coverage for planning ahead.
"So where's the double standard?" Little asked. Good question. It seems that while Stone wants people to pay attention and respect the holiday she observes, she does not think twice about contacting non Jewish staff on their main holidays. "How's that?" Little asked. In an email acquired through the Freedom of Information, Stone did not think twice about emailing a staff member on Easter. She indicated that she wanted to make sure the email got there by Monday.
"Wow," Little said, that is a double standard. It's the same as whaling on the Board about how rude they are, or she thinks they are, toward residents who want to speak to the Board, but turns around and files a police report against a resident whom she does not like alleging that she thought he was going to harm her,
But yet, it's Stone who says Board members are desperate to get rid of her. They don't, she told the Countryside, want someone as "independent" as she. As noted in previous posts, Stone seems to confuse independence with annoyance. But soon the ball will be in the voters' hands.
"So if she recalled, will you still blog? Little asked.
Of course, I told him, there are plenty of things to write about besides the antics of Lisa Stone.
" Are you going to relax at all?" he asked? Sure will. Why, I told him, I may just make a nice batch of chicken soup. "Not funny he said. I suppose you'll be drinking a vodka stone sour while you make it."
Not funny, I told him.
"I know," he said. "Neither is the current situation with the village, which is why people need to vote on Tuesday.
Right again, I told him.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
A Performance Review...
Much has been written and said -- both by the media and in the media by persons commenting to various articles about next week's election and vote on the recall of trustee Lisa Stone.
Included in that debate is if it's "fair" that recall "takes away" the vote of those people who voted for Stone.
If this was the corporate world, a successful election would be like a job interviewed. You're hired.
For some reason, however, some folks who get elected think they have an edict to do whatever they want for the length of the term and nothing can happen to them.
Elected officials seem to have that luxury. Just because they are chosen, doesn't mean they are the chosen. That would be like an NFL, NHL or NBA coach getting a contract and not having to worry about performance. Education has its tenure, which in many ways is a flawed system.
So if you take a corporate position, recall is a performance review -- not a contract renewal. Eager beaver legal experts will be quick to remind you that Illinois is an "at-will" state and people can lose their jobs "at the will" of their employers.
The people of Buffalo Grove employ the Board. If there is a serious breach in that performance, one which hinders village operation, there should be a recourse available. In this case it's recall. With the flurry of editorials, letters and comments by readers of various publications, it's no secret that Stone voted in favor of the recall ordinance.
Her defense, as posted on AOL's Patch is that she is up for recall because, she claims to be an "independent" and not part of the "old boys club." We've been down that road before.
The questions that need answering should include: How well has she done her job? What has she contributed to the Board at its meetings besides the usual rant about how poorly the village government is run? Look at the minutes -- yes the minutes that Stone vehemently objects to -- and check the votes of the Board on matters relating to the operation of the village. My guess is that she voted with the rest of the Board nearly 95 percent of the time.
Her most glaring no votes center around the minutes. That's because, as noted here before, that she wants a narrative flaunting her comments. Village Clerk Jan Sirabian is not a reporter -- she's a village clerks who records the actions of the Board -- not a narrative of every comment. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for campaign literature.
Stone says good government needs dissent, discussion and debate. I'm not sure dissent is the proper word, disagreement may be a better word because through proper debate, disagreements can often be resolved. She left out one "dis" word --- disrespect.
Her flagrant disrespect for her colleagues on the board, village staff and the rules approved by the Board is one of the keys that people single out when discussing the recall issue. In the corporate world it would be called insubordination.
When that method of operation becomes the prevailing one, any attempt at productive government is gone.
Her obsession with her own issues has become not only an annoyance, but also a hindrance to the operation of the village. In the corporate world, they would call this lack of productivity.
These are not the traits a productive employee should demonstrate. In the corporate world, managers would work with an employee to improve their performance. Stone's colleagues on the Board have tried that. Granted, it has been a difficult effort. Stone does not accept counterpoints to her views very well, or so it seems through her actions at the Board meetings.
Needless to say, the results have not been pretty. Nothing is perfect. Corporations, schools, nonprofit organizations -- or government. Any one person who thinks he or she holds the key to an organization's success through an insubordinate and flawed performance is not working for the good of that organization -- in this case, the village.
There's a difference between independence and arrogance and belligerence.
And when the latter two overshadow the good and welfare of the company, or in this case the community, the "personnel managers" -- in this case the voters -- need to take action.
The performance review is Tuesday.
And what is it that Donald Trump says?
Included in that debate is if it's "fair" that recall "takes away" the vote of those people who voted for Stone.
If this was the corporate world, a successful election would be like a job interviewed. You're hired.
For some reason, however, some folks who get elected think they have an edict to do whatever they want for the length of the term and nothing can happen to them.
Elected officials seem to have that luxury. Just because they are chosen, doesn't mean they are the chosen. That would be like an NFL, NHL or NBA coach getting a contract and not having to worry about performance. Education has its tenure, which in many ways is a flawed system.
So if you take a corporate position, recall is a performance review -- not a contract renewal. Eager beaver legal experts will be quick to remind you that Illinois is an "at-will" state and people can lose their jobs "at the will" of their employers.
The people of Buffalo Grove employ the Board. If there is a serious breach in that performance, one which hinders village operation, there should be a recourse available. In this case it's recall. With the flurry of editorials, letters and comments by readers of various publications, it's no secret that Stone voted in favor of the recall ordinance.
Her defense, as posted on AOL's Patch is that she is up for recall because, she claims to be an "independent" and not part of the "old boys club." We've been down that road before.
The questions that need answering should include: How well has she done her job? What has she contributed to the Board at its meetings besides the usual rant about how poorly the village government is run? Look at the minutes -- yes the minutes that Stone vehemently objects to -- and check the votes of the Board on matters relating to the operation of the village. My guess is that she voted with the rest of the Board nearly 95 percent of the time.
Her most glaring no votes center around the minutes. That's because, as noted here before, that she wants a narrative flaunting her comments. Village Clerk Jan Sirabian is not a reporter -- she's a village clerks who records the actions of the Board -- not a narrative of every comment. Taxpayer dollars should not be used for campaign literature.
Stone says good government needs dissent, discussion and debate. I'm not sure dissent is the proper word, disagreement may be a better word because through proper debate, disagreements can often be resolved. She left out one "dis" word --- disrespect.
Her flagrant disrespect for her colleagues on the board, village staff and the rules approved by the Board is one of the keys that people single out when discussing the recall issue. In the corporate world it would be called insubordination.
When that method of operation becomes the prevailing one, any attempt at productive government is gone.
Her obsession with her own issues has become not only an annoyance, but also a hindrance to the operation of the village. In the corporate world, they would call this lack of productivity.
These are not the traits a productive employee should demonstrate. In the corporate world, managers would work with an employee to improve their performance. Stone's colleagues on the Board have tried that. Granted, it has been a difficult effort. Stone does not accept counterpoints to her views very well, or so it seems through her actions at the Board meetings.
Needless to say, the results have not been pretty. Nothing is perfect. Corporations, schools, nonprofit organizations -- or government. Any one person who thinks he or she holds the key to an organization's success through an insubordinate and flawed performance is not working for the good of that organization -- in this case, the village.
There's a difference between independence and arrogance and belligerence.
And when the latter two overshadow the good and welfare of the company, or in this case the community, the "personnel managers" -- in this case the voters -- need to take action.
The performance review is Tuesday.
And what is it that Donald Trump says?
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