Sometimes simpler is better....

If you watched the news on Memorial Day, you saw the exhaustive coverage of Memorial Day events.

Parades, wreath layings, special services.

And while many had the glitz of marching bands, prominent politicians, and floats, they may not have had the home-grown warmth that was reflected at the Memorial Day observance at the Knopf Cemetery. 

Annually coordinated by Kingwood United Methodist Church, the 35-minute program brings together multiple generations from veterans to Boy Scouts and just about everyone in between.

Members of Troop 401 salute the flag

The program proves that you don’t need the aforementioned bands and floats to drive home the importance of the holiday.

In fact, it was Buffalo Grove Board President Jeff Braiman, one of handful of presenters, who hit the nail on then head when he told the 100 persons in attendance that the importance of Memorial Day is not found in at shopping malls offering special sales, but rather in the time it takes to remember and honor the nation’s military veterans.

Joining Braiman in presenting remarks were Lake County Board member David Stolman, and Kingswood church members Janet Kyte, Mark Rhode and Jeff Koppenhaver.  Rev. James Preston presented the invocation and benediction.

One of the coolest parts of the ceremony was the involvement of Boy Scout Troop 401 of Kingswood United Method Church under the direction of Dave Stickley of Kingswood.  The troop, whose members are a blend of diversity that has become the fabric of America today, handled the flag ceremonies, which included the retirement of the cemetery’s flag, the presentation of the new one, the pledge and the flag retirement ceremony.

Members of Troop 401 retire the flag that flew at Knopf Cemetery

More than simple parts of the program, the Troop handled each with the utmost respect and provided insightful information – especially about the flag retirement.

Parades -- They’re fun.

Wreath layings -- Meaningful.

But what can you say about a multi-generation program put together as a community service by a local house of worship?

Just two words.

Well done.

A lesson learned...

The recent explosion that leveled a Long Grove home did more than stir up late-night conversations with neighbors or flood 9-1-1 with calls.

                It served as a wake-up call.  It seems as though events like that happen elsewhere as we watch media reports and think that it can’t happen here.

                It can and it did.

                The Long Grove blast was not in some low-end housing development -- we’re talking Royal Melbourne where homes generally run from $1 million on up.

                Media reports say the explosion, which damaged as many as 30 homes, was apparently caused by a natural gas leak.  There were no reports of serious injuries or fatalities.

                Despite the destruction and damage, the incident did prove that systems for handling such situations worked.  Despite some complaints, the response by 9-1-1 operators worked, even though not the way people thought it would.  Some people seem to think that emergency calls in the village are handled by members of Buffalo Grove’s police or fire departments.

Fire Chief Terry Vavra
(Photo courtesy  Village of Buffalo Grove)

                They’re not.  Buffalo Grove is one of 11 area municipalities that are dispatched by the Northwest Central Dispatch System, which handles emergency calls for a dozen communities.  The system offers a variety of services, including some for residents.  You can learn about the system at http://www.nwcds.org/. The night of the Long Grove blast, it was hit, according to media reports, with more than 1,200 calls from area residents.  No dispatch center can handle that load.  That, however, is the unique thing about the Northwest Central Dispatch System.  When its inundated, calls bounce to other dispatch systems to ensure that a call can be answered and help dispatched – which is what happened the night of the Long Grove blast.

                As soon as the explosion hit, sending shock waves through a wide area, people seem to do one of four things:  1.) Call 9-1-1,  2.) Go outside and talk to neighbors,  3.) go on social media or 4.) Drive up to the site to see what was happening. Options one, two and three are probably the most logical.

                Beyond nearby municipalities, the blast appeared to be felt to the southwest.  Buffalo Grove Fire Chief Terry Vavra speculates that geography may have played a role because of the home’s foundation which had a substantial portion facing the southwest. 

                In Buffalo Grove, the flood of calls sent the fire department to respond to a call stemming from the explosion.  Despite the initial uncertainty of the incident, Vavra said the plan for major emergency events worked as expected.

                Vavra notes that Buffalo Grove is part of MABAS – the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System – that consists of 550 fire departments in Illinois. The departments, notes Vavra, are split into a number of divisions so departments with reasonable proximity can work together.  Buffalo Grove is in Illinois MABAS Region that is essentially Lake County.

                The MABAS program, which got its start after the Chicago Fire in 1871, is a “Standard single mutual aid agreement,” Vavra says.  In essence, he says it provides a predetermination as to how departments will respond to a specific type of emergency.  “We know based on how the cards developed how we will respond and with which pieces of equipment and personnel,” Vavra says.  The cards, known as “run cards”, are the same for every MABAS member so when there is an incident that requires mutual aid, each department knows what kind support it will get or provide. 

                The program, Vavra says, is national in scope and goes beyond local fired emergencies.  He says the consortium of the more than 550 fire departments in Illinois offers agencies the opportunity for enhanced purchasing power, especially for grant-based purchasing.  Vavra says organizations that provide grants see that their support extends beyond a local department. 

                Vavra also notes that MABAS members do more than fight fires. “After (hurricane) Katrina, the governor of Louisiana reached out to other states, including Illinois, and, Vavra says, in a day-and-a-half, more than 300 fire fighters were in Louisiana to help. 

                The same held true this past November after tornadoes ravaged parts of central Illinois.  Vavra said departments Region 4 assisted by manning fire stations in the stricken area.  He said the region sent a couple of engines, a truck, and ambulance along with personnel.  Despite the severity of the situation, Vavra says it went well because there a pre-established plan.

                “This (Long Grove explosion) was not the first time this has happened,” Vavra says, adding that after every major mutual aid call, the region looks at how the process works.  In addition to the reviews, ongoing interdepartmental training is part of the regiment so the program remains effective.

                Which make sense because what has made headlines elsewhere, can happen locally. 

                

They deliver for you...if you're able

                I’m not sure how many times I have been to the Buffalo Grove post office.  Maybe hundreds. 

                But it wasn’t during a recent visit that something sparked my interest.  Perhaps it was a

There are two parking spots for motorists
with physical challenges.

sore shoulder (which, along with my age may qualify me to pitch for the Cubs) that drew something to my attention.  I noticed that the doors to the Post Office seemed heavy – which I probably would have ignored if it had not been for my shoulder.  Then something entered my mind – what does someone who has physical challenges do?

              No problem; I’m sure the other doors are handicapped-accessible.  It’s not.  I looked for another entrance to see if it was set up for wheel chair users.  There isn’t one.

But no accessibility for the physically challenged here...

                So the United States Postal Service, which vows to deliver for you, does so only if you’re physically able to visit one of its post offices.

                In an apparent display of kindness, there are two spaces for persons with disabilities.  Great.  It seems to me that the message is “welcome, park here, but beyond that – you’re on your own.” 

                I was going to talk with the postmaster, but to no surprise, there was a line and it was approaching closing time.  My initial thought was that there had to be some error because how could the United States Postal Service not comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.

               

...Or here

It’s easy.  It does not have to.  Seriously.  According to its website, USPS.com, “…The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers private-sector employers while the Rehabilitation Act covers public-sector employers. Even though the ADA does not apply to the Postal Service, the two Acts mirror one another and the same regulatory standards apply…” So I checked it the Rehabilitation Act and to no surprise, there was no clear cut edict.  An Internet search yielded a litany of information about protest by, you guessed it, physically challenged Americans, who were, justifiably, upset because they could not easily, if at all, access government buildings – including post offices.

                The village has long been proactive in addressing the needs of residents with disabilities.  Its mission is “…is to assess the needs and concerns of citizens with disabilities and to cooperate with the village government and all other governments in the promotion of quality-of-life issues for persons with disabilities...”.

                It’s not the village’s fault, or the commission’s “fault” that the post office doesn’t want to deliver for everyone.  There is, however, a bit of irony – the federal government is quick to offer funds to improve things in a village – like road projects – but yet for reasons that are not easily found, it chooses to not be as accommodating for a segment of the population that needs as much assistance as possible.

                The village, as previously noted, has its hands tied because, well, the federal government seems to march to the beat of a different drummer.  While it’s a tall order to expect the Commission for Residents with Disabilities to take on the feds, it might want to send the Buffalo Grove postmaster a copy of its mission statement.  And while they’re at it, send a copy to Patrick R. Donahoe, Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer to let him know of local concerns and that if the Postal Service is going to “deliver for you…” it needs to do so for everyone.

                Whether the commission does or does not is its business.

                But here’s a tip for commissioners.

                Play it safe; send it by Fed-Ex.

Continuing to serve and protect....

And so Buffalo Grove, your police officers continue to serve and protect as evidenced by these gems from the police reports:

Must have been trying to send a tweet -- Officers responded to a call about a suspicious noise on the roof.  Investigators found a bird in a dryer vent.

Oh say can you see?  Police received a complaint about possible/internet fraud after a resident said he approved a transfer of funds to a South Korean company totaling  $54,480 -- for eyeglass wear.

Oopps -- Police received a call from residents complaining that a handyman was at the house ready to do work.  The handyman was reportedly doing work for a mortgage company.  But the homeowners hadn't moved out yet.

Give him A for originality -- A resident who drove off from a gas station without paying said he did so because he was having trouble with the credit card.

You would think she would know -- A woman said she received a call that her grandson was in jail.  No, she said, he was work. 

There may be a better way -- It seems that a resident felt his neighbor's music was too loud and decided to do something about the problem. Police were summoned when the neighbor returned home and found the cords on his stereo cut.  Police suspect the next-door neighbor may be involved.

Danny DeVito, where are you when we need you? A resident complained that he was overcharged for a cab ride.  Nothing new here. However the cab driver told police that the resident fell asleep and he could not wake him up.

Calling Lizzie Borden -- A resident called police saying he found a fire hatchet found leaning against a fire hydrant.  Police did the obvious and checked with the Fire Department.   Nope, they said, it wasn't theirs.

At least it wasn't for their email --- Residents reported the theft of their mail box. Really

Bounced checks?  Police report they were summoned to investigate a theft from Xtreme trampolines

A selfie too?  Someone got a text from God.  Police said the texter apparently had the wrong number.

These boots are made for walking...A woman police to report her daughter's boots were taken.

Going postal?  A resident was asked to leave the post office after raising voice because the automatic vending machine did not give him his stamps.  To no surprise, it took the clerk a while to discuss the matter and check to machine, something which further agitated the man.  Police came -- And by gosh the man was right.

Bill Gates it ain't -- Caller said he was from Microsoft and could clean up person's computer for $179 via remote access.  Scam.

Yah mon, you're a winner. --   A man with a heavy Jamaican accent who identified himself as John Walker called saying he was from Publishing Clearing House and had a prize for the resident.

Just how long was it there?  Woman reported her car was missing from Metra station.  Police found it -- In the parking lot, which is where the woman had parked it.  The car was complete with a fresh coat of snow.

Patience...patience...patience -- or lack of -- A neighbor broke door down his neighbor's door wanting to know why owner did not answer.   The answer was simple, he was in shower.  The angry resident wanted to know why he was running the water and said he would kill the neighbor if he did not turn off water.  Really.

Court ruling may give new meaning to "open mic"

The ruling by the Illinois Supreme Court that strikes down the state statute prohibiting the recording of conversations without permission may not be the panacea a lot of people are hoping for.

            The Chicago Tribune reports that the statute was considered among the strictest in the Country.  The Court said loud conversations in public could not “be deemed private”, noting “…a loud argument on the street, a political debate on a college quad, yelling fans at an athletic event, or any conversation loud enough that the speakers should expect to be heard by others.”

            The case was, to no surprise, complicated and came as a result of recordings made by Annabel Melongo who recorded three telephone conversations she had with a court reporter supervisor at the Leighton Criminal Court Building about the policy for correcting a hearing transcript.  Melongo was convicted and spent 20 months in Cook County Jail.  Melongo also posted those recordings on the Internet.

            While the Court’s ruling does not specifically cite the recording of telephone conversations, you can bet that there are those people who will record anything without asking.

            And therein lies the problem.

            For responsible citizens and journalists, the use of recording devises is a useful backup to ensure accuracy as no one likes to be misquoted.  Freedom to record does not diminish the need for courtesy and ethics. It seems logical that a reporter, or other individual seeking to record a conversation, would inform the interviewee – whether it’s an in-person or phone interview.  I imagine there will be a new round of protocol for both interviewers and interviewees.

            For interviewers, inform; for interviewees ask.  If the Court ruling does in fact cover telephone interviews, do people now have to answer their phone “hello, please don’t record this”?

            So while people will point the finger are over-zealous interviewers, there seems to be a possibility that some people, especially public officials, may clam up out of fear of being recorded.  Good by transparency.  At some point, in some way, the two sides need to work together.   Responsible recorders, and for the sake of argument, journalists need to have full disclosure from public officials no matter how the information is being taken down – writer or recorded.  Conversely, journalists will need to follow ethical standards and not be deceitful in how they record (written or audio) information.

            The Code of Ethics for the Society of Professional Journalists state that journalists should“…Avoid undercover or other surreptitious methods of gathering information except when traditional open methods will not yield information vital to the public. Use of such methods should be explained as part of the story…”  Quite simply, in most cases, do not be deceitful.

            At a time when there are more and more “citizen journalists” professional journalists need to maintain or raise the bar of ethical news gathering.  A gentle reminder that a conversation is being recorded is a great step to incorporate.

            Conversely, interviewees, especially public officials, need to recognize the need for transparency and not hide behind a microphone.

            It’s a two-way street and in the end, it’s the news consumer who benefits the most.

            For a look at the opinion by the Illinois Supreme Court, go to Eavesdropping Opinion

It's all Dominick's fault..

I'm sleeping better recently, thank you very much.

In the past two weeks I have been at ease -- as if I have found the answers to everyday problems.  Problems that plague us near and far.  Local and global.

The answer to what ails us can best be summed up in two words.

Blame Dominick's.

That's right -- Dominick's.

Car not running well --  Blame Dominick's.

Kids  misbehaving -- Blame Dominick's.

Taxes too high -- Blame Dominick's.

Cubs facing another miserable year -- Blame Dominick's.

Well, OK -- maybe not quite everything.

But if you are on the development team for the nearly vacant eyesore at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads, best known as Cambridge Commons that seems like the logical choice.  Just blame Dominick’s.

You remember Dominick’s – the Chicago-grown grocery chain that sold to a national conglomerate that promptly ran it into the ground and then ultimately out of town.

The result of the shuttering of Dominick’s left the village with three, count ‘em, three vacant stores.  Two have been taken over, one, at Half Day and Buffalo Grove roads; will become a Mariano’s while another one at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads is becoming a Garden Fresh.  Plans for the remaining site, at Arlington Heights and Lake-Cook roads have not been determined.

There was, is, may be yet another grocery store coming to Buffalo Grove.  If you believe 14 Dundee Road LLC, developers of Cambridge Commons, Fresh Farms wants to come into Buffalo Grove.  At least that’s what they said in August of 2012 when 14 Dundee approached the Village Board.

They were looking for support, not to mention incentives, from the village – and they got it – to the tune of a pledge for $1.1 million.  Among the things the village required was a new look at the center – start with the façade.

No problem.  Or so it seems.  As time marched on the 14 Dundee asked for, and received, extensions from the village. How great is that?  You get a pledge of $1.1 million to redevelop a prime location and you get more and more time to do it.

            Last September it seemed as though things were going well – extensions and all.  The Village Board approved permits so work could begin.  All the Board asked was that it be completed in 180 days – by March 22.

            No doubt, there are folks saying the Village is being mean and nasty and demanding that after nearly two years and a pledge of $1.1 million in incentives, that something be done,

            There was.  The developers came to the Board Feb. 26 and asked for, you guessed it, another extension.

            Bad idea.  Very bad idea. The Board did not take too kindly to the request.  Not at all.  In fact, the Board’s reaction was the harshest toward a developer that I can remember.

            There’s no doubt that the village would like to have a stronger retail environment.  The reality is however, there is so much the village staff and the board can do.  Promote the village, yes; offer incentives, yes; rent spaces, no.

            So after offering incentives and extensions left and right, patience ran out.

            The process, you would think, would be a two-way street.   A developer wants something, the village says OK, but we would like you to do this or that. You would think this would kind of logic would make sense.

            But after offering the aforementioned incentive, which, by the way, was taxpayer money, the Board ran out of patience of navigating what 14 Dundee LLC had made a one-way street, especially after the Board gave approval and issued a permit for work to be done.  This permit, for work on the façade, was issued in September.

            And where was it as of last week?  Still at Village Hall.

            Seems as though the folks over at 14 Dundee LLC just didn’t have a chance to pick it up.

            The reason?  None was given, but they kept bouncing back to Oct. 10, 2013 when Dominick’s announced it was calling it quits in Chicago.  That, the developer said, through a loop into the plans of Fresh Farms.  They had to rethink their plans.  After more than 18 months, Dominick’s was the issue.  Nearly six months after being granted a permit to begin work on project that had $1.1 million in village incentives, Dominick’s was the problem.

            If Dundee14 LLC wants to know where the problem lies, they should stop looking across the street from Cambridge Commons and look someplace else.

          Like in a mirror.

Be it rain, sleet, snow --- the police respond. To all kinds of things.

So what better way to fight cabin fever (wait, cabins in Buffalo Grove?) than calling the police.

As always, the police reports yield some rather interesting calls.  Some of the gems from recent reports include:

                Trying to get them ‘canned?  A resident contacted police because a note was left in the resident’s mailbox complaining that the garbage cans were out too early.  What?  No Toters?

                Speaking of trash… Police responded to a call about a man climbing through garbage dumpsters.  His excuse?  He was getting exercise and was picking up the garbage.  Really folks, I don’t make this stuff up.

                Perfect timing.  Police were summoned to a multi family residence because of a complaint of incessant stomping by upstairs neighbors.  It stopped as soon as the police arrived. 

                Write your own headline:  A man told responding officers that he was not urinating in public.  He was just pouring out coffee.  Really.

                Sax in the city?  Police report that a saxophone was stolen.  Someone either has natural talent or just wants to be a pain in the neck.

                Oh, baby, nice hair.  A store reported that two males stole Rogaine, razors blades and baby formula.  Hey look, I’m just reporting the news.

                Talk about sun block.  A resident called police reported two coyotes living under their sun porch.  Police contacted an animal shelter – which make sense.

                Take an extra key.  Residents reported a possible burglary when they spotted a ladder against the side of home belonging to people they knew were out of town.  Keyword here is “were”.  The family had returned, sans key, and was trying to break into their own house.

                Talk about a bad hair day.  A woman told police she left a salon (which used to be called beauty shops..) because she did not like the way her hair looked.  She changed her mind and returned to the salon to pay the $82.  Really?  $82.

                Operator, can you help me call my old best friend?  Someone reported an annoying phone call.  The caller said it was a case of drunk dialing.  At least they weren’t texting while driving.

                Free atlas with every subscription?  A resident called police about a suspicious solicitor for an Arlington Heights based newspaper.  The solicitor said he was selling subscription in Lincolnshire.  He was told he was in the wrong town and went on his way.

                Good to the last drop.  Finally.  Police were called about complaints of a suspicious car.  The occupant told police she was only finishing her coffee.  Police told her the facility was closing and she needed to leave.

                Story of the month.  A Prairie View resident stopped by the Buffalo Grove Police Department with a purse he found along I-65 in Indiana.  Police found that its owner was a woman who lives in Plainfield. 

                Haunted attic?  Police responded to a home after the owner heard whispering in the attic.  Intense investigation revealed animal tracks and candy wrappers.  Go figure.

                And finally.  Write your own headline, part 2:  A resident of a multi-family building contacted police because he heard noise coming from his upstairs unit every 30 minutes.  The resident told police it sounded like shoes dropping.  Use your imagination -- and then stop laughing.