Even after 11 years, it was still a tacky move by Topinka

As a rule, I don’t blog about state or national elections.

And as a rule, I don’t carry a grudge.

But there’s always an exception.

It used to be the race for Illinois Treasurer, but when Judy Barr Topinka decided to be the state’s comptroller, that became the exception.

As I said, I don’t carry a grudge, but there are some things that kind of stick with you for a long time.

Like politicians who capitalize on someone’s grief.  At the taxpayers’ expense.

As Topinka did.

The story unfolded 11 years ago next month when my mother died.  My dad had died years before, so my sister and I were now parentless, not something anyone wants to look forward to, but it is part of the lifecycle landscape.

For the sake of argument, my mother died on a Monday, was buried on Wednesday.  The following Tuesday, less than a week after the funeral, I received a formal resolution expressing condolences on the death of Jean Zoller.  At state expense.  In a state envelope.

Really? This from the public official who is now bemoaning the state of Illinois’ coffers?

I contacted Topinka’s office and talked with some flack who told me that it’s not unusual for Topinka to do this.

So how does she select the families to barge in on during a time of grief?

No answer.

My guess is that, because of my mother’s longtime career, the Chicago Sun-Times ran an exceptional obituary.  And yes, they quoted me.

So let’s work through this.  A seemingly successful business woman from the northern suburbs dies, with a child among the survivors who lives in the northwestern burbs – that could mean votes – or better yet – campaign donations.

Just a theory.  Whether it’s accurate or not, the mere fact that a public servant sees fit to barge in on a constituent’s grief is, to quote Brandon Marshall, unacceptable.

I can’t help but wonder one thing.  I wonder if she sends condolence resolutions to children in Englewood or Pilsen when their parents die?  How about East St. Louis? Or Rockford.

I doubt it.

If you’re going to serve the people, you need to serve all of the people.

All of the time.  

Transparency by politicians needs to start during the campaign

Last Tuesday was National News Engagement Day, a day dedicated to promoting newspaper readership by Americans, especially young people who seem to be oblivious to the need to be informed.

                In fact, according to a 2012 study by the Pew Research Center found that 29% of those younger than 25 say they got no news the day before they were questioned either from digital news platforms, including cell phones and social networks, or traditional news platforms. In essence, they were news free. While that number has dropped somewhat since 2010, the concern remains that a substantial number of young people may not prepared to make civic decisions.

                Which should be alarming.

                Sponsored by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication, a focus of National Newspaper Engagement Day was not to have people become ‘news consumers’ for the sake of reading, but to become informed citizens so they can make strong civic decisions.  Like voting.

                A key part of an educated citizenry is giving them viable, independent and transparent information.  Proponents of News Literacy, such as me, realize that news consumers today just don’t take the time to critically think about what they’re reading.

                If voters, let along young voters, rely solely on campaign material, there’s more than a slight chance they’ll be making a one-sided decision.  That, however, is the nature of campaign material, because, after all, that’s the nature of campaign.

                What is concerning is the lack of transparency by candidates who seemingly accept the support from anyone who tosses a check their way.

                Take for example, the race for state representative in the 59th District, which pits incumbent Democrat Carol Sente against newcomer, Republican Leslie Munger.  The campaign has been brutal – which seems to be the norm these days – funded mostly by each candidate’s party; Sente by the democrats, Munger by the republicans.

                For the most part.

                Much of Munger’s campaign material is paid for by the “Liberty Principles PAC” (Political Action Committee). The what?  Good question.

                Information about the Liberty Principles PAC is limited through internet searches.  While some financial information appears to be available, there does not appear to be a mission statement or other statement of purpose available.

                Interestingly enough, if you check out the return address, you find that it’s listed to Dan Proft, who is described at various internet sites as a morning talk show host, entrepreneur, and 2010 Republican candidate for governor.  It’s also interesting that while the campaign material on Munger’s behalf is listed as coming from “Liberty Principles PAC”, the statement of organization filed with the state of Illinois in 2011 list the organization as “Illinois Liberty PAC” – but still, no indication as to what the organization believes in and why it is helping with the bankrolling of Munger.

                The House Majority PAC supports democrats and notes on its mailings that it does so without the authorization of any candidate or candidate’s committee.  Liberty Principles PAC makes no such disclosure.

                It would make sense, I suppose, if political candidates who vow to be transparent public officials, did so during their campaigns so voters knew what, or who, was behind the money that flows like water into an election, especially a local or regional election.

                Voters should be subject to transparency by those, as noted, who say they are.  If candidates accept cash from PACs, they should explain not only reveal who gave it to them, but should provide information behind the PAC’s motives.

                The late Will Rogers once said that “all I know is what I read in the papers.”

                Some people think that’s scary.

                What’s scary is if people claim “all I know is what I read in the campaign flyers.” 

Fire fighters keep the tradition going...

     Traditions, traditions, traditions.

                Tevye aside, we’re loaded with traditions.  And while the sparrows return to Capistrano, the buzzards to Hinckley and Chicago baseball hits the skids, the fire fighters of Buffalo Grove hit the streets.

                However, unlike Chicago’s Major League baseball teams, they’re successful.

                And it’s not a flash in the pan.

                For nearly two decades members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department have given up their time to raise money for the MDA – the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

                To no surprise, the tradition will continue when fire fighters will flock the Lake Cook / Arlington Heights road intersection on Friday to hold its “Fill the Boot for MDA” campaign.  They’ll be collecting from 7 a.m., to 7 p.m.

Look for Buffalo Grove Fire Fighters on Aug. 22 as they try to
"Fill the Boot" for the MDA

                This year’s effort has a twist as fire fighters will be on the street only one day and only at the one intersection.  Firefighter/paramedic Brian Steen, who is coordinating the effort, said fire fighters opted to concentrate on one intersection this year rather than have thinner numbers at two.  In the past, the event has been two days; one at Lake Cook and Arlington Heights roads, the other at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads.  Steen said the selected Lake Cook / Arlington Heights because it’s a busier intersection, which hopefully will be a good collection point.

                Last year fire fighters raised nearly $20,000 for MDA even though the cut a second day short because of intense heat.

                Their efforts are not limited to collecting on the road.  Members of the Department will be looking to fil the boot during the concert by Parachute, which starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Fire fighters will also collect during the BG Day parade which starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 31 (A complete schedule for Buffalo Grove Days can be found at www.bgdays.com.), and throughout BG Days where they’ll be in a tent.  Steen says not only residents have a chance to donate, but also to chat with members of the BG Fire Department.

                The goal?  Steen hopes to once again approach the $20,000 mark which has traditionally been the fruit of their efforts.

                It’s a good tradition to keep going

.

                Besides, it’s a lot more rewarding than watching Chicago baseball.

                

Marshalls' commitment a welcome addition to village's retail community

It’s just one store, but it’s likely a welcome addition to Buffalo Grove’s retail landscape.

A sign announces the pending arrival of Marshalls at Woodland Commons

                Marshalls, a national retailer of, according to its website, “fashionable, brand name family apparel, home fashions and other merchandise,” is planning to open in late Spring or early summer of 2015.

                The 27,100 square foot store, located in Woodland Commons at Buffalo Grove and Half Day roads, is one of the few, if not the only national retailer in the village.  The occupancy was confirmed by the Inland Real Estate Corporation, which manages Woodland Commons.  Calls to Marshalls were not returned.

                The commitment by Marshalls to move to Buffalo Grove is an indication that there is an interest by major retailers in the village.  It does not, however, mean that a major development will be an overwhelming success. 

                Barring any changes in the coming year, Woodland Commons will have a 100 percent occupancy rate, a rarity in large suburban strip centers. Woodland Commons has more than 170,000 square feet of retail space.  Whatever Inland’s strategies are, they seem to be working.  The company manages a number of nearby strip centers including Rivertree Court and Hawthorn Village Commons, both in Vernon Hills and the Red Top Plaza in Libertyville.

                If the arrival Marshalls is an indication of a turn in the retail economy, the village could see some of the vacancies in strip centers, especially those along Dundee Road, become occupancies.

                But don’t, however, sit back and say “it’s about time the village did something” because the village is not a rental agent, nor does it develop business plans for businesses.  The village has offered incentives to developers, as it did to the interested developers of Cambridge Commons at Dundee and Buffalo Grove roads, only to find that 14 Dundee Road LLC had more excuses than actions for making the eyesore a viable retail center.  You’d think incentives totaling $1.1 million would be a kick in the butt for the developer to get things going. There's only so much the village can do.

                The challenge for the village is to find ways, besides offering financial incentives, to attract retailers.

                Again, that’s a challenge.  The village is not a shopping destination and establishing it as one will not happen overnight or by building a new downtown.

                This isn’t Dyersville, Iowa.  It’s going to take more than building it to make them come.

                That’s why the discussion of an Economic Development Commission at the July 28 Committee of the Whole meeting (OK, it’s a workshop meeting) was an encouraging sign.

                In the meantime, Marshalls is a welcome addition.

                But it’s just one store.

This is the first of a series examining economic development in Buffalo Grove.

2, 4, 6, 8 -- politicians find it's time to communicate

It’s August, right?

Finally.

Recently people have asked me if I was still blogging about things in Big Animal Grove.

But of course.

Sometimes, however, things get chaotic and not everything gets done.  Like a blog.

For the past six weeks I have been traveling around the country for either vacation or journalism workshops (mostly the latter) and since July 7 I have been in the town of the Bison for maybe seven days.  It has been a busy time.

So it was a welcome relief when I had a chance to start getting some personal stuff done, like doctor’s appointments.  But I’m not going to take up time about inane personal stuff; I’ll leave that for soccer mommies who like to take up time and space writing about that.

I had the opportunity for some badly needed R & R, which was, unfortunately interrupted by Cong. Brad Schneider (D-10) – not once, not twice, but three times in the course of 24 hours; twice by robo calls and once by an seemingly ill-trained volunteer equipped with a bad cell connection asking me if I was going to support him.

No.  I’m not.  Not yet anyway.  It’s three months to the election and I prefer to weigh my decision on how well our lawmakers (why do I cringe when I write that) handle key issues.  In the month I have been on the road (with apologies to Charles Kuralt) a passenger jet has been shot down, the immigration of children from central America has escalated and the mid East has become a hotbed of conflict.  Again.  So it seems likely that unless the world does a group hug in the next 90 days, there will be lots of opportunities for politicos to show us what they’re made of.

How exciting.

It appears that Schneider is going through a phase of low esteem because at some point this summer I was approached by another volunteer asking me if I was going to support Schneider.  I haven’t thought about it now and I certainly had not thought about it then.

But I decided to play along.  “He’s running against (Robert) Dold, right?” I asked.  His answer?

“Yeah, his family owns a bug company.”  Really?  They’re refugees from the Nixon administration? (In actuality his family owns Northfield-based Rose Exterminators.)

But he’s not alone. It’s that time when lawmakers, many whom resemble the White Sox bullpen – they exist but are in effective -- begin waging campaigns in which the vow to change the world. 

It’s likely that this campaign will bring out the worse of both parties.  Schneider’s gang of henchmen have done little to address issues and even less to boost our image around the world, while the party that Dold hangs his hat on is more interested in suing or impeaching President Obama.  Really?  That’s good use of our tax dollars?

This summer version of hi-how-are-you-will-you-vote-for-me has spilled over to state races as well.  I’m waiting for a news story that Bruce Rauner was hospitalized after he cut himself shaving and bled green while Gov. Quinn will make news when he announces he’s undergoing a personality transplant.  Yawn.

State Rep. Carol Sente has jumped on the bandwagon as well.  In addition to an assortment of leaves, weeds and other growth in my yard, I found a soggy Sente flyer, which goes along with the ones I’ve gotten in the mail.  But at least she’s communicating.  Her opponent, Leslie Munger, according to her web site, will be attending a series of barbecues and meet-and-greets at Metra station.  How nice. Issues please?

But now it’s the dawn of the campaign season – robo calls, grip and grin flyers, etc.

How about addressing issues – something that would be a novel idea to be sure.

As time going on, however, candidates will push the panic button and let you think the sky is falling.

Wait…sky falling?

There is one candidate who may be able to help.

And with medical marijuana looming, he’ll give new meaning to the term potted chicken.

In the meantime, brace yourself for an onslaught of robo calls, flyers and social media messages from folks who otherwise have had limited communication with their constituencies.

Stay tuned; the excitement continues to build.

Happy birthday to my favorite uncle

Dear Uncle Sam,

I was in a card shop the other day looking for a birthday card for you.

I saw cards for kids, 20-year-olds, 30-year-olds, and 60-year-olds.

But none for a 238-year-old.

That’s too bad.  I don’t think there’s a person who has an uncle who has done what you, or endured what you have. Even though your image didn’t permeate America until 1916, your message, which is your heart and soul, is 238 years today.

So Happy Birthday Uncle Sam.

I imagine with each birthday you look back on your nieces and nephews that make up this great country and you laugh, cry, worry, and beam with excitement at what lies ahead.

What a family you have.

A family that has loved, hated, fought and made up. 

This has been a heck of year for you.  Just last week you celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the signing of the civil rights act.  Sure, there is still hatred among some people, but at least we recognize the rights of all people.

Last month you beamed with mixed emotions as the allies recognized the 70^th anniversary of D-Day.  You beamed with pride because the America-led coalition stormed Normandy in the name of freedom and peace.  However, you wept as you recall the many nieces and nephews who perished on those distant shores.

You continue to be filled with anguish because we’re still sacrificing our troops – the purest form of American heroes – on distant shores – whether Korean, Vietnam, Iraq or Afghanistan. You wish the rest of the world would embody some of the fundamental freedoms and principles that you have tried to instill in your American family.

You’ve been busy for 238 years making sure the welcome mat to United States is clean and the doors open for those who come here seeking a better life.  No doubt you grouse when newcomers expect us to speak their language, as they overlook the fact they came here to experience freedoms and opportunities they’ve never had before.  But still, you do what you can to accommodate them.

And while you clean the welcome mat, you make sure the door is kept open for persons who may have been our enemies at one time.  But you try not to live in the past, you are quick to forgive and quick to welcome, perhaps, some may say, to a fault.

As you look at the family album for the past 238 years, you probably beam with how the family has overcome obstacles.  You recall with bittersweet tears how we overcame the Civil War to be united.  You smile with amazement at how during the depths of the Great Depression men were selling apples on the streets to survive, but yet in what seems to be a short few decades, men and women were selling Apples because they were a pinnacle of American technological know-how.

Long before you turned 200 you looked on with horror as JFK and MLK, two voices of hope were gunned down because of what they believed.  You probably panicked in 1968 as the major cities erupted in violence, adding to the turbulence that was rocking America.

But, dear Uncle Sam, you beam with pride at the resilience of your nieces and nephews.  With a heavy heart, you point to Sept. 11, 2001 when more than 3,500 family members died because insurgents resented our freedom and success -- Freedom and success for everyone regardless of their race, religion, creed, sexual orientation.

And while the sense of ensuing unity brought insatiable pride to you, the opening of the 9-1-1 Memorial made everyone realize just how lucky we are.

You’re a great teacher, Uncle Sam.  You teach by example.

I wonder how many people spend part of your birthday cheering for their favorite baseball team with little thought the traditional American pastime is truly American – the rosters of Major League Baseball teams are filled with players from more than 10 different countries.  It’s hard to believe that it seems like only yesterday that Major League Baseball teams were limited to white players only.  It’s also hard to believe that you were only 132 when the Cubs last won the World Series.

It’s fitting, in some ways that your birthday this year is on a Friday because it’s the start of the weekend when your nieces and nephews will take time to worship in synagogues, churches, temples and mosques – a guaranteed freedom missing in many countries.

But not here.  Through it all, the pride and independence that you represent resonates across America for better or worse.  We’re not perfect, but we’re light years ahead of most countries thanks to you and your unwavering support and guidance.

So to my favorite uncle – Happy Birthday.  And thank you.

Because of what you stand for, it’s easy to say “God Bless America.”

Signed,

A grateful nephew

They continue to serve and....

Well it has been a while since we checked in on Buffalo Grove’s finest and the calls they respond to. Here's a sampling of the calls police respond to.  Seriously.

·         Yeah, right, the renewal is in the mail.  A motorist involved in an accident was cited for driving with an expired driver’s license.  The license expired in 2009 -- five years ago.

·         The wheels on the bus?  A Pace rider was asked to leave the bus for using foul language. Police told him to wait for next bus -- or find another way home.  Sounds like a good idea.

·         Seriously?  A resident called police because her neighbor cut part of her grass too short.  Police report that “she was upset” Police told her it would grow back.

·         Seriously, Part 2 -- Police report that a cell phone was stolen from a church. Is nothing sacred?

·         Guess it wasn’t happy hour.  Police report an intoxicated male did not take kindly to being processed at the police station.  According to police reports, he took fighting stand and swung at a police officer.  While being processed, took fighting stance and spit at camera.   Talk about a Kodak moment.

·         Speaking of spitting.  Police report that a man spit on car next to his because he didn't like the way it was parked.  Said he was making a statement.  Seriously.

·         Why does this not surprise me?  Police report several incidents of dog bites at the Happy Tails dog park -- really?

·         Talk about recycling.  A resident reported their mail box missing.  It was located, post and all, found in a mulch pile.

·         Seriously, Part 3.  Police reported they stopped a motorist for texting while driving.  Now that’s bad enough, but the motorist also lacked a driver’s license. 

·         The itsy, bitsy spider.  Folks, I can’t make this up.  Police responded to a case of road rage brought on by a spider.  Seriously.  The female motorists reported seeing spider on an envelope in her car.  Panicking, she three it out the window of her car.   Another motorist approached her car and lectured her about littering and then allegedly verbally abused her and took pictures of her license plate.  The spider was not charged.

·         If you decide to drive after drinking, take into consideration the following:

A woman got stopped for speeding – doing 51 in 35 mph zone.  Big deal, right?  But wait, she decided to, ahem, help the officer.  Since she could not find her insurance card, she told the officer to give her a ticket for not having an insurance card.  But wait, there’s more.  When the officer asked her if she saw police car, -she said yes, but was on cell phone and was also texting.  Being cooperative, she told the officer to give her a ticket for both.

But wait, there’s more.  She told the officer that she wasn’t drinking, but then admitted to having Bud Lights / Coors Light.

Surprise – she did not pass field sobriety test, after which she was taken to station, where, according to police, she started "making odd statements".  Like what, you ask?

"I pay your salary” Even though she’s from Schaumburg.  She then told the officer that he should “rebel against the government".  This was followed by a “heil Obama” comment and a declaration that and she was not drunk because "I'm a 120 pound woman and had three beers".   Must have been a full moon.

·         Draw your own conclusion.  A resident complained to police that she heard “juvenile noise” the night before.  The next morning she reported finding used condoms the next morning.  She discarded them before her children saw them. 

·         If you decide to drive after drinking – Part 2. When a police officer goes to administer a field sobriety test, do not say “no, F^&* you.” 

·         Talk about distracted driving – A resident called about a vehicle traveling at a moderate pace as the driver was on the cell phone. He was driving on a village bike path.

·         Read the fine print – Police were called to a restaurant because a customer did not want to pay bill. The resident brought in two coupons from restaurant.com – Even though the offer said customers could use = only one...he wanted to use two.... was not going to pay due to confusion on web site.  Seriously.

·         And you want the police to do what?  -- A resident called police because he upset because landscaper stuff blew into his yard.  The landscaper agreed to use lawn trimmer next time.

·         Getting forked over – A resident reported that his lawn had been vandalized by numerous white plastic forks.  Seriously.

·         A political statement? -- Someone vandalized a bike path by spray painting the word "devil" on the bike path -- it was on the Elliott Hartstein Trail.

·         Check it out.  – A resident reported to police about a Craig’s list purchase – He purchased a car which needed work.  But there was a reason for it – he found out later it had been salvaged and rebuilt.  Oops.

·         Seriously? Part 4 – Police noticed a home with its doors open late.  It turns out the owner had been out watching storms and left doors open,

·         Write your own conclusion -- A business operator noticed kids with a “large bulge in the pocket of his cargo pants and suspected an attempt to shoplift alcohol.

·         And finally --- A new meaning to suspicious person.  Responding to a report of a suspicious person, police found a man sitting in his car playing video games.  But why?  He told police his wife does not like him playing video games at home, so he pretends to go to the health club and then parks and plays video games.  Seriously.