Winnetka Talk

Why should anyone care about Wilmette Harbor?

Thu, 09 May 2013 13:44:00 -0500

With the exception of the 300 or so folks who keep a boat there, it’s easy to overlook the importance of Wilmette Harbor. But if you live in Cook County, you owe a debt of gratitude to the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Commissioners for recently approving a lease for management of the small north suburban harbor – even if you’ve never stepped foot on a boat. That’s because by approving the leasing agreement with the Wilmette Harbor Association (WHA) earlier this month, the MWRD will save Cook County taxpayers more than $500,000 in annual maintenance costs, reduce the risk …

Letter: Cat Grandma to the rescue

Wed, 03 Apr 2013 19:08:45 -0500

To the Grey Lantern: Call me Cat Grandma. I am a super hero, too. As Cat Grandma, I bring wrongs to right. You know the texting fool in front of you who doesn’t move when the light turns green? I, Cat Grandma, am the one who uses her horn to get the line moving. Surely you are aware of people who lose their doggy’s doo on a neighbor’s lawn. I, Cat Grandma, return it to the owner’s front porch. Yes, I admit it, I’m partial to kitties, so when dogs roam the forest preserve bike trail unleashed, I confront the …

Washburne graduation

Wed, 22 Aug 2012 02:54:02 -0500

The Skokie-Washburne PTO, would like to thank the volunteers, District 36 staff and local businesses that helped make Washburne Graduation 2012 a memorable event for the graduates and their families. More than 150 volunteers dedicated their time and talents to making the formal ceremony, steeped in decades of tradition, as lovely as ever, and to transforming the Washburne gyms into the exciting scene of the “Washburne County Fair” themed party. A special shout out goes to the parents of sixth and seventh grade students who worked before, during and after the ceremony so that the parents of eighth grade students …

Circus shouldn’t run

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:25:42 -0500

I am disappointed to learn a circus with wild animals, including elephants (an endangered species), is scheduled to return to Wilmette, the only North Shore community that still hosts this kind of event. Increasingly, small towns, cities, and countries are banning wild animal performances, due to concerns about safety and animal welfare. All circus trainers use the same methods to train elephants and other wild animals. The tap from the elephant trainer’s “bullhook” reminds the elephant of past training terrors. Elephants are hit repeatedly with multiple weapons and are chained immobile for long periods to break their spirit and make …

Willow Road project could mar Winnetka’s Burnham Cabin

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 06:25:01 -0500

The picturesque view of the Burnham Cabin, nestled in the meadow of Crow Island Woods, may be obstructed from Willow Road drivers, based on a road project in the works. At a hearing last week village official confirmed that plans call for new roadside parking to be carved out along Willow Road in front of the Crow Island meadow for use by staff of the nearby Crow Island school. Crow Island School has millions in reserve for special projects, and sits on five acres of land, however the school wants the village to pay for parking to be created on …

Thanks to stores

Tue, 08 May 2012 12:53:24 -0500

On behalf of the Women’s Guild of Saints Faith, Hope and Charity Parish, I would like to thank the 44 stores of Winnetka who participated in making our fundraiser “Fabulous Finds, A Day on the Town to Shop and Save” on April 26 such a great success! Many stores donated raffle prizes, door prizes and discounts to our shoppers and charitable works. While this event’s main goal was to raise money for the various philanthropic causes of the Women’s Guild of Sts. Faith, Hope and Charity, I believe it had a wonderful benefit of promoting shopping locally! We appreciate all …

Guest Essay: Efforts to end bullying

Mon, 07 May 2012 09:54:01 -0500

Efforts to end bullying Meredith Falk is the New Trier High School Student Senate secretary Throughout the week of March 12, New Trier’s Freshman Student Senate sponsored a completely student-led Anti-Bullying week as a follow up to the annual “Names” program. Back in December when “Names” visited New Trier, students discussed bullying issues ranging from seemingly playful but verbal abuse to LGBT harassment. However, the main focus was to help students accept and embrace others’ differences. Advisers encouraged their advisees to “lower the iceberg,” or see past their peers’ differences to their incredible uniqueness and talents, possibly masked by labels …

Thanks to Winnetka Fire Department

Sun, 27 May 2012 08:04:29 -0500

I would like to express my appreciation to the Winnetka Fire Department for their recent assistance in what was a non-emergency event. We live on the fourth floor of a condominium building and when the elevator became inoperative, we called the Fire Department to ask if they could give assistance to my wife who is disabled, in getting her down the four flights of stairs when it became necessary for us to leave the building. They not only responded promptly but arranged to have her carried back up the stairs when we returned four hours later. The two paramedics involved, …

Town destroyed a career

Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:46:00 -0500

David Wartik was cleared by the Evanston Police. No charges were filed, the case is closed, and they characterized the incident as unfounded and uncorroborated. The Evanston police investigated and closed the case quietly. David’s rights and reputation were respected until the facts could be determined. Contrast that with Winnetka, where David worked and contributed significantly to the community and to our children. Unfiled charges were made public. David’s rights were trampled on; David’s career and reputation were destroyed. The difference in the way these two towns handled this situation is stunning. One was humane and just; the other was …

Affordable housing

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:31:58 -0500

On Election Day, 2,030 Winnetka voters voted No and 692 voted Yes on a referendum worded by the Winnetka Home Owners Association: “Should the Village of Winnetka expand our existing Affordable Housing Plan?” The question is, what direction does this provide the Village of Winnetka with regard to affordable housing? The answer is none at all. Winnetka voters received not one iota of information in advance of the election about the nature of the “existing affordable housing plan,” the definition of affordable housing or proposals for expansion. Moreover, the referendum, as a policy issue, is non-binding by state law. Winnetka …

Teacher deserves apology

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 15:42:02 -0500

Although I pay outrageous taxes and no longer have kids in the Winnetka schools, I plan to make a contribution. I’m going to buy the superintendent a dictionary. I think there are some words he needs to look up because it’s not clear he understands their definitions. Mr. Hagerman stated that the goal during the process reviewing David Wartik’s employment status was to be “professional, transparent and sensitive...” Was it professional to start the process by issuing a press release making unfiled charges public? Was it sensitive to smear a respected teacher by e-mailing the entire district with innuendo about …

Proposed District 36 cuts

Thu, 29 Mar 2012 16:15:41 -0500

In the very same week that District 36 Human Relations Director Maureen Cheever proposed cutting special education staff to save money, press announced new district office renovations. For $749,800, or $192 per square foot, the district administration now has beautiful offices, “equipped with the latest technology to handle mobile devices and wireless communication.” Quality education does not begin with cutting staff-student ratio. Instead of cutting people who participate in the classroom as a whole and support children who struggle the most, spending cuts should start with those that do not directly interact with students. Instead of spreading classroom teachers increasingly …

Slow down and protect wildlife

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 19:34:07 -0500

My one and only question in response to the deer dumping (Winnetka Talk, Feb. 23 issue) is why? Why are there fie deer killed in one week.That figure seems awfully high.This could be cut in half if our communities would pull together and post Wild Life Crossing signs.We really need them on Wiilow Road,Tower Road and especially Forest Way Drive.I have asked both police departments and forest preserve personel why aren’t there signs and who is responsible for this and they all say they are not sure.People drive down Forest Way Drive on an average of 50 - 65 miles …

A special day of service

Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:03:43 -0500

The Kindness Connection and The Volunteer Center would like to thank the nearly 400 participants who attended our Martin Luther King Day of Service on Jan. 16. Together, the enormous crowd made the day off a day “on” in service to those facing crises in their lives. The group produced over 1,000 lovingly made goods for ten nonprofits and their clients, including: Project Linus, Little Brothers-Friends of the Elderly, Connections for the Homeless, The Night Ministry, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Orphans of the Storm, Heartland Animal Shelter, New Trier Food Pantry, Hines VA Hospital, and various nursing homes. Congratulations, too, to …

Wrong on Suzuki decision

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 08:42:01 -0500

I am asking the taxpayers of Winnetka’s school District 36 to join me in admonishing the administrators, faculty and board members for their decision to eliminate the fees charged for the optional, deficit producing, program that provides Suzuki music instruction to students electing to participate. Recently it was discovered that the district was in violation of state law by charging a fee for the optional Suzuki music program because the lessons were taught during regular classroom hours.The simple solution would, of course, be to move the instruction after school where the fees presently charged could continue. The administration, backed 5-2 …