Editorial

Avoid the Purple Haze

The City may be close to painting itself into a purple corner with its latest move to acquire land for a new civic center. Wishing to acquire the vacant parcel of land at Maple Avenue and University Place from Northwestern University, the City has offered a carrot and a stick: purchasing the parcel outright or using its powers of eminent domain.

Red flags abound: Northwestern says it needs the property because it is zoned U1, for university purposes - a more intense use than is allowed in most of its other properties west of Sheridan Road. That fact alone could affect the selling price of the land - the more valuable it is to Northwestern, the greater their demands from the City. Indeed, the University has already raised the possibility of a trade. While no details have been confirmed, one scenario, inferable from the facts as presented, would involve giving the University the desirable U1 zoning on other properties that it already owns as one consideration in the sale of the Maple/University parcel.

A zoning compromise seems untenable: The residential neighborhoods that abut Northwestern's property just west of Sheridan Road deserve the continued protection of the transitional T1 and T2 zoning, which is well established there. Further, even appearing to condition zoning upon land sale or swap should seem too risky for the City to undertake.

The City has further complicated matters by raising the possibility of using eminent domain. We can see some gratification in the threat: Northwestern's purchase of the 1800 Sherman Ave. building - one of the largest revenue-generating buildings in the whole City - and removing it from the tax rolls left the City reeling and lost the University a lot of its former supporters. Condemning and acquiring a piece of property Northwestern appears to value would seem like payback. But getting caught up in the purple haze of anger at Northwestern is ultimately futile, and using eminent domain to acquire the property would set the City back considerably in time and money, since the University would doubtless challenge the acquisition in court.

All in all, this is a pretty poor showing for years of study and thousands of dollars in consulting fees.

This newspaper has said more than once that downtown is not a good place for a new civic center, and we see nothing in this parcel to reverse that stance. It is not a particularly lovely spot to begin with, and a civic center there will be sandwiched between the Hilton Garden Inn and the 1881 Oak Ave. high-rise. The buildings in the research park area, though they bring dollars to the City coffers, are hardly pleasing to the eye (the RoundTable's architectural critic notwithstanding). So even if the City were able to hire a good architect and come out with a good building, it would be lost in the cacophony of crass glass and faux stone that is already there.

We know that the City Council met again in executive session two nights ago. Let us hope they cast a cold clear eye on this potential mess and looked at other, more reasonable possibilities.

By the way, welcome back, NU alums.

Patriotism and Prejudice

By Charles Wilkinson

When a nation goes to war, the ancient perils of Scylla and Charybdis confront its people from the very beginning. Like Ulysses in the Odyssey one must be strong enough to steer a course between shoals of rock and whirlpools; and if not also trying to understand the war and its reasons, to at least preserve one's integrity for the duration.

Patriotism can be defined as belief in and devotion to the Fatherland. Nothing creates an age of patriotism like the insidiousness of a Pearl Harbor or a 9/11 and the wars after. The Stars and Stripes have rarely been more in evidence than today. "God Bless America" and our national anthem are sung like hymns at ball games, rallies and celebrations. And every soldier's death is mourned by the family of us all. Patriotism, however, should not be blind. As we mature, we all discover that fathers are human and fallible. When it comes to war and decisions at the highest levels, shouting out against the obscenities of war is just as patriotic as voicing or trusting in the rightness of its cause.

To confuse dissent with disloyalty is to betray a gross misunderstanding of democracy. When dissent among us becomes unacceptable, lesser wars are waged among us, at times seeming more justified than the war itself. True devotion should give voice to one's truth, while expecting the same from the devotee.

Prejudice, by its very nature, is not that far removed from patriotism. Politicians can too easily use a dangerously warped version of patriotism to demonize the enemy and, unfortunately, all its people. It happened in WWII with the European Axis powers and especially with Japan. And it is happening today with the Iraqis, Muslims and Middle-Easterners in general. Profiling is a necessity in this age of terrorism, but its by-product of blatant prejudice can become a whirlpool that diminishes us all.

Over 50 years ago Edward R. Murrow said, "Everyone is a prisoner of his own experience. No one can eliminate prejudices — just recognize them." In my own experience, I have learned that prejudice is ignorance in a cheap costume. Our prejudices tend to compensate for what we do not know by settling for what we think or feel or what others tell us. In a time of war, especially this war, if we are to be truly patriotic we need to not only recognize but also confront our prejudices. We need to know who we are fighting and what is really going on, both in Washington and in the Middle East. Five years into the conflict the war continues to take its toll, its end nowhere in sight. Feel familiar? Perhaps that is why, at this point, genuine patriotism is needed more than ever. Prejudice we can always do without.

Awareness / Crear Consciencia

By Peggy Tarr

Two women shared a hospital room but didn't talk to each other. One spoke English, and the other spoke Spanish. Their bed curtains remained drawn around them, accentuating their separateness. But curtains did not prevent the women from hearing each other's sobs.

On their second day in the room together, there was a knock on their door, followed by a cheery, "Good morning, Ms. Gómez and Ms. Smith! My name is Mary Wright. I'm a breast cancer survivor. May I come in for a minute? Buenos días, señoras Gómez y Smith. Me llamo Mary Wright. Yo soy una sobreviviente del cáncer de seno. ¿Puedo entrar por un minuto?"

Mary stood at the foot of the women's beds and said, "I'm going to open your curtains so I can see you and talk to you both at the same time. Is that all right? Voy a abrir las cortinas para poder verlas y hablar con ambas al mismo tiempo. ¿Les parece?"

"¡Sí!" "Yes!"

"The three of us have lost breasts in order to survive. Para poder sobrevivir nosotras tres hemos perdido nuestros senos. Of course you will be scared, sad and maybe even angry. Claro que tendrán miedo, tristeza y hasta probablemente enojo.

Love yourself. Amense a sí mismas.

Always remember that your family and friends still love you. Siempre recuerda que tu familia y amigos aún te aman.

Here's a booklet for you on mastectomies that has my name and phone number on it. Aquí hay un folleto acerca de mastectomias que tiene mi nombre y teléfono.

Call me anytime, early in the morning or late at night. Llámenme a cualquier hora, temprano en la mañana o tarde en la noche.

I'd like to have your telephone numbers, too. También me gustaría obtener sus números teléfonicos."

Mary walked between the beds of Ms. Gómez and Ms. Smith and gave Ms. Gómez a book in which to write her phone number. She then gave the book to Ms. Smith. For the first time Ms. Gómez and Ms. Smith looked at each other. They now understood each other's tears. And although they still couldn't converse with each other, they no longer kept their curtains drawn.

Postscript: I have two sisters who have had mastectomies - one when she was in her thirties, the other when she was in her seventies. A lump was discovered in one during a breast exam. A growth was detected in the other through a mammogram. It was a frightening situation for everyone. Both have survived. Breast exams and mammograms are important. Love yourself and others by getting them regularly and encouraging other women to get them. More information on breast cancer can be found through the American Cancer Society at www. Breastcancer.org.
Thanks to my friends for the translations into Spanish.
Affordable Housing Referendum: Qualified "Yes"

The Board of the Citizens Lighthouse Community Land Trust (CLCLT) of Evanston commends the Evanston RoundTable for its thoughtful and balanced Oct. 4 editorial on funding affordable housing. We strongly support the Inclusionary Housing Ordinance as proposed to the City Council by the Evanston Housing Commission, and we give our qualified support to the Affordable Housing Referendum question on the Nov. 7 ballot.

Letters

Ald. Wollin Supports Transitional Zoning
Editor:

I feel the need to respond to the flyer that Northwestern Neighbors distributed this week without ever contacting or calling me to check their "facts." Simple courtesy would have seemed to require that as a minimum.

So let me assure you that I continue to support T-1 and T-2 zoning as protective buffers between University property and residential property. That has been my position during the campaign, and it has not changed. I have lived in Evanston for over 38 years and am well aware of the necessity for strong and stable neighborhoods. I have always had every intention of protecting them, and I have acted on those convictions. To say otherwise is completely untrue.
I welcome any questions or concerns about any issue that you want to share with me. Please either call or e-mail me directly, and I promise to continue to answer you promptly and honestly. We may not always agree, but at least let us be truthful and communicate with integrity.

-- Cheryl Wollin, Alderman, 1st Ward

In Defense of Ald. Wollin
Editor:

On Oct. 7 the City Council met to discuss Northwestern's proposal to have the west side of Sheridan Road between Emerson and Lincoln rezoned to permit University classrooms and dormitories.

There is student housing in this area, with the concomitant noise and litter, but, after all, they're young, and, one hopes, will mature. For the most part this is a peaceful residential neighborhood, with neat lawns and friendly neighbors. The incursion of classrooms and dorms into this area would change its atmosphere completely, and, of course take more Evanston land off the property tax rolls.

Since the University pays no property tax, my neighbors and I are paying that tax for the land comprising the huge campus, the large "industrial part," and the larger corner building the University just bought at the corner of Sherman and Clark. I am a retired, elderly woman, on pension and Social Security, and I don't know how much longer I can afford to support Northwestern University.

A very nasty rumor is being circulated that our Alderwoman, Cheryl Wollin, has agreed, in a private meeting with the City Manager and another alderman, to consider Northwestern's proposal without consulting her constituents.

I can't believe that's true; when I knew Cheryl she had just left the City Council to become president of the Library Board, and I found her a lady of great integrity and honor.
-- Ruth Granick

End Easy Access to Guns
Editor:

One is too many. The reality is numerous fatal shootings have occurred in our nation's schools in the last seven years:

April 1999 - Littleton, Colo.: 18-year old and a 17-year old shot and killed 12 students, a teacher, wounded 24 others, and then shot themselves.

November 1999 - Deming, N. M.: 12-year old shot and killed a 13-year old classmate.

February 2000 - Mount Morris Township, Michigan: 6-year old shot and killed another 6-year old at his elementary school.

May 2000 - Lake Worth, Fla.: 13-year old shot and killed his teacher.

March 2001 - Santee, Calif.: 15-year old shot and killed 2 classmates.

September 2003 - Cold Spring, Minn.: 15-year old shot and killed 2 students.

April 2003 - Red Lion, Pa.: 14-year old shot and killed his principal and himself.

March 2005 - Red Lake Minn.: 16-year old shot and killed his grandfather, his grandfather's girlfriend, 5 students, a teacher, a security guard, and himself.

November 2005 - Jacksboro, Tenn. 15-year old shot and killed an assistant principal, wounded a second assistant principal and the principal.

September 2006 - Bailey, Colo.: 53-year sexually traumatized six female students, shot and killed one girl and himself.

September 2006 - Cazenovia, Wis.: 15-year old student shot his principal.

October 2006 - Lancaster County, Pa.: 32-year old man shot and killed 5 Amish schoolgirls and himself.

One thread connects these senseless acts of violence - each of the 13 killers had easy access to guns. Even the ten shooters who were teenagers, and the one that was just 6-years old were able to get their young hands on at least one and in many cases multiple types of guns.

While our nation's schools continue to be a target for gun violence, the National Rifle Association (NRA) continues to leverage its financial clout in Congress to repeal the child safety lock law, make it easier for gun traffickers to cross state lines to get their guns, and weaken the power of law enforcement officials to identify and shut down corrupt gun shops. In every session of Congress, gun safety advocates have to wrestle against the strength of the NRA to prevent our federal gun safety and responsible ownership laws from being weakened or repealed.

Currently, there are no federal laws banning assault weapons, handguns or 50-caliber rifles, no laws requiring waiting periods on purchases, no restrictions on multiple gun purchases, no limitations on gun-show sales, no laws imposing licensing of gun owners or purchases, no laws requiring child-access prevention, and no ballistic identification laws. Fortunately, some state and local governments have passed gun laws to restrict sales and ownership, but is still not enough. Only Washington, D.C. and Chicago have laws banning handguns. Only eight states require a license or permit for handgun purchase or ownership. Only four states require a license or permit for any type of firearm purchase or ownership. Only two states limit handgun purchases to one gun per month. Only eight states regulate gun show sales. Only half the states have child access prevention laws. Only 12 states impose some sort of waiting period on some types of gun purchases. And, these progressive state and local governments are under continuous scrutiny and pressure from NRA lobbyists.

There is one thing we can do: Support federal, state, and local candidates who are not obliged to the NRA and who will work hard to strengthen gun safety and responsible gun ownership laws.
-- Francine Allen

NCLB Should Be Revised
Editor:

When the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act came out in 2002, teachers all said the same thing: No way can all students score at or above average on the tests required by the Act. Statistics doesn't work like that.

Expecting special education and limited-English-proficient (LEP) students to score as well as average and above-average students is educationally unsound.

Special education students wouldn't be in special ed if they could learn as quickly as regular education students.

To penalize schools because they have large numbers of special education and/or LEP students is unfair.

Changing staff, principal, management, etc., is not going to help ETHS (or any school) because the same students at all levels will still be there. Charter schools as a whole are no better than the neighborhood schools. Also, most do not take special education or LEP students.

ETHS has as many, or more, National Merit, etc., students than the top schools in the Chicago Public School system. Apparently, teachers are doing something very right here.

I am dismayed to learn that Congress isn't going to revise the NCLB Act for another three years. They should have revised it before this.
--Rachel Fowler, retired teacher

School Should Fund Students' Education, not Administrators' Salaries
Editor:

I wonder how many current parents of ETHS students, or even community members/taxpayers, know that, not long ago, there were three student newspapers at ETHS. There was Fresh Print, the freshman student newspaper; Sophomore Ink, the sophomore newspaper; and the Evanstonian, written by juniors and seniors. What was wonderful about having all three was that Fresh Print and Sophomore Ink offered the opportunity for any interested student to try his or her hand at writing. It was much less competitive to participate in these newspapers. Both of my children wrote for both of them when they attended ETHS and remember their experiences fondly, more fondly than writing for the Evanstonian, which was not only more competitive, but also rather cliquish … it seemed that whether one had been a protégé of one of the teacher/supervisors or whether one had been a close friend of one of the chief editors played a significant role in getting a position on that paper and in getting one's articles published.

Both of these two student newspaper programs (Fresh Print and Sophomore Ink) were cancelled a few years ago, when the District began facing some impending budget deficits, along with a number of other student programs, including some intramural sports, the PomPom girls (who have been reinstated only through their own determination and the generosity of the coach who agreed to work as a volunteer), and a variety of other programs directly affecting students.

What you also might not know, is that at the same time these cuts were being made, administrators were receiving salary increases between 12 and 35 percent, many as they approached retirement.

I was very distressed to learn of these large salary increases for administrators at a time of budget cutting, and I explored this issue further. I found that, in many states, it is illegal to give especially large salary increases in the final years of employment with the purpose of increasing pension payouts.

In Illinois, this practice will become illegal beginning in 2008. When inquiring about these large increases, concerned citizens were given a variety of answers by current Board members, including "Everybody does it; it's been going on for many years," and "This is a contractual obligation; there's nothing to be done about it."

I have recently learned that, in fact, it is not written anywhere, in any official policy, that administrators are to receive these increases. It seems to be some kind of tradition, some kind of verbal agreement that was made many years ago. These increases are negotiated on an individual basis by administrators and approved each year by the School Board. What that means is that, contrary to what Board members have said, when the budget is in trouble and cuts must be made, it would have been perfectly possible, and I would say the ethical and responsible thing to do, to simply say "no" to these huge increases at the same time that student programs were being cut.

As a matter of fact, in the year 2004/05 alone, the top five administrative raises were 20.69 percent, 19.86 percent, 19.06 percent, 17.92 percent, and 12.25 percent, for a total of $139,725. If just these five raises had been held to 6 percent, our students would have had $92,000 more to put towards their education. My guess is that the Fresh Print and Sophomore Ink would have been able to continue.

I believe it is essential that all parents and community members know about the decisions that are being made by the School Board regarding spending priorities. I urge all concerned parents/citizens to demand that spending priorities return to focus on student needs rather than on administrative salary increases.
-- Nancy Bruski

Vote Yes on Transfer Tax Referendum
Editor:

What is the Transfer Tax? Currently everyone who sells their home in Evanston pays $5 per each $1000 of the selling price to the City of Evanston. These monies go into the operating budget for the City. The requested additional $1 per $1,000 that is being requested in the referendum would be used exclusively to ensure that working Evanston families who make less than $74,000 a year can buy a home and remain in Evanston.

The transfer tax is a one-time fee and should not be confused with yearly property taxes. The transfer tax is only in effect if you sell your home, and the increase would result in a minimal increase in the fees already collected at the closing of a home. If you plan on moving, you will know that you have played your part in ensuring that Evanston remains the economically diverse community that attracted you here in the first place.

How will funds from this additional $1 be used? Certain federal funds, called HOME funds, which the City receives yearly have been used successfully to build and renovate homes and make them available for working families. Up until now, this has meant that about five homes every year are made available in our community at an affordable price. Rather than concentrating affordable housing into a single multi-story unit, an increase in the pool of money for affordable housing means more dilapidated homes can be properly restored to Evanston standards while being sold to families at an affordable price. To remain diverse we need to be more proactive than just making five homes available yearly. The transfer tax will enable to do this.

Vote "yes" on the transfer tax Referendum. It is a way for us all to play a role in ensuring that housing remains affordable in Evanston.
-- Cathy Katon

IDES Thanks Veterans
Editor:

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) would like to say a special "Thank You" to the men and women who have, or are, serving our country in the armed forces. Your courage, bravery, inspiration and overall dedication to duty serves as the standard from which our flag proudly flies. We see you in your uniforms at airports, bus stops and train stations…destinations unknown. We know that when you don that uniform you represent the "best of the best of us" and are willing to give everything in your service to the greatest nation on earth. We here at IDES want to thank you for your dedication to duty and your willingness to do what has to be done in order to protect our country from those who wish it harm.

This country has asked a great deal from you, and now we wish to give something back and assist in your transition back into civilian life. Veterans of the military receive priority of service at IDES. We take a great deal of pride in our outreach and no-cost services that include one-on-one staff assistance with skills identification, resume and cover-letter assistance, re-employment referrals and much, much more.

We will work with you to assess your present situation and highlight your attributes to the thousands of employers in our database. This process of working with our nation's finest has shown us over and over that military veterans are outstanding, highly motivated and dedicated employees. We promote the hiring of veterans and, in the process, businesses benefit. We understand that you will bring specialized skills and knowledge to your new position. IDES offers resources and incentives to businesses that hire veterans, including skills-matching services designed to meet job requirements and assistance by local IDES Veterans Employment Representatives to facilitate the hiring process. IDES encourages employers even further on your behalf by helping them navigate avenues of hiring that may not have been previously pursued, such as the potential to earn tax credits for each eligible U.S. military veteran hired. We have the answers, veterans have the desire and businesses have the jobs.

You as a veteran already possess many of the people skills, organizational understanding and technical capabilities that can add immediate tangible value to a business. You are trained leaders who use delegation, motivation and inspiration to direct others. You recognize how teamwork stems from a responsibility to your fellow colleagues, and how that applies to the importance of working with all people, regardless of race, gender, origin, background, religious beliefs or economic status. We believe in you, and once again, thank you for all that you have done for us.

I invite you to contact me at 847-864-3530 Ext. 228 or e-mail suzette.robinson@illinois.gov to learn more about the services and programs we provide.
--Suzette A. Robinson, Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Representative, Illinois Department of Employment Security