D204's Daeschner, Metzger on the hot seat

At what point will the SB add up the numbers?

Total cost of BB land vs the cost of the BB lawsuit for damages (which is justified..SB tied up their land for two years with lawsuit and said publicly 'we will pay whatever the jury says the cost is' Damages will be MV of land 2005 vs MV 2008 plus dropped contract (20M)

Cost of remediation ; I hear the members of AME are delighted at the possible windfall....their members also had concerns about site for their children!

and once the real numbers of attendance are published... at 8900 max there is no need for a 3rd HS...need a little space Add a Parking Garage & Additional Classrooms. With the College Classes available thru Governors State and COD next to the NVHS campus; we can spread the students around.

All the hype on 'split shifts' was just FUD to scare voters into supporting Metea. Ha! Ha! taxpayers now they have your cash...what are you going to do to stop this waste?

Enough is enough.

Sadly voters in Illinois don't have the power to recall or impeach the SB, otherwise Metzger and the rest of the SB would be fighting a triple whammy.

Is there anything that can be done here? We seriously need some mediation or arbitration. Does anyone know if the Regional Superintendent has the power to intervene? The State Legislature? The States Attorney? Can't at least an investigation into fraud and corruption be started by the Justice Department?

Clearly Mark has lost the credibility, confidence, and support he once was able to muster. His leadership has faltered repeatedly. It is time for Metzger to resign. If he doesn't do it willingly then the SB needs to vote to remove him and elect someone who can work to rebuild trust and confidence throughout the SD.

Sorry Metzger, we are sure you tried your best. You are no longer the right person for the SB Presidency. You have become a lightning rod who is dividing our community. Now is time to step aside and let a new chapter of IPSD be written. Please do it quickly and honorably.

Sun Editors,

What a nice blog topic to try and incite more NSFOC-type paranoia. Are you unhappy the environmental reports didn't show anything bad enough to stop the school?

Enough with 204 and their problems. You know folks there's a lot more going on in this world and our community than this cat fight between lawyers. Please Sun, show us you can do more than continually add fuel to the fire that was clearly needed to be put out Monday night.

I feel like I am reading the Onion.....These are our District's "official" positions on the Eola site???

1)This just shows what a "nincompoop" Shawn Collins is

Mark Metzger

2) We will just fence that baby in...

Dr. Daeschner

3) The lawsuit (take your pick of any of the three) is ridiculous.

204's lawyers

4) It is ridiculous to expect that the condemnation judgement will be more than $300,000 per acre

Same 204 lawyers

If you just take the District and Board's numbers (assuming that there is no further liability in any of the three lawsuits against US--essentially putting all of our tax money on "red"), they have wasted at least 5 million OF OUR MONEY in legal fees and costs by abandoning the BB land. If you take what they say as true....the FMV of the BB land was DOUBLE what the District and District lawyers based their plan of action on (the same lawyers now evaluating OUR financial risks going forward)

Let's talk about what 5 million buys...

5,000 computers for our schools;

$3,000 bonuses for 1666 teachers

500 ten thousand dollar scholarships for 204 students to go to college

a years salary for about 125 new teachers into the District.

Mr.Metzger, all due respect, but I think you have lost your official license to use the word "nincompoop". I would ask that you please stop talking to the press on behalf of our District (it is really embarassing).

The study was insufficient and not fully disclosed. This is unacceptable. What is the SB thinking? They should all resign. They are either grossly incompetent or deceitful or both.

Hopefully the NSFOC suit helps to stop this lunacy. The crap presented on Monday night was incomplete. They tested only where spills were reported. One blog this week stated that the well serving the bathroom was tested when the TSC representative said that it was NOT when he answered a Vickers question.

The Brach family is suing for upwards of $20 MM, The Brodie family is suing for upwards of $40 MM. If the BB lawyers kick the SB’s butt again, the price of the Eola land becomes $76.5 MM, BEFORE the clean-up, wetlands remediation and construction. I they get only half, its $46 MM.

The BB land is starting to bargain.

The only thing I don’t understand is why the heck Midwest Gen would be a part of this mess. If I were a stockholder or a Midwest Gen lawyer, I would be screaming, “Run away from this mess as fast as you can”.

I have one thought: when the district is facing 3 legal cases over the new high school plus at least one more lawsuit over discrimination, it is not a good idea for Board President Mark Metzger to call attorneys bringing cases against the district "nincomppoops" as he did in today's article about Collin's letter. That kind of arrogance is unbecoming of a public official. It breeds more lawsuits and makes out-of-court settlements difficult to achieve. We, the taxpayers, are being forced to foot the bill for Metzger repeatedly putting his foot in his mouth.

I see we finally know the defacto head of the NSFOCfraud group...and perhaps NO surprise to anyone, she lives in Brookdale.

The same Brookdale that overwhelmingly voted NO to the new school (when they thought it was going to be built at BB). Now of course(with the school slated to be built in their backyard) they STRONGLY believe that the District needs a new school and are 100% in support of EVERYTHING that the Administration and Board are doing to make this happen.

Perhaps the folks behind NSFOC have self interests, but this clearly cuts both ways...For the rest of the 204 community, this should simply come down to whether they believe that the District and Board are using reasonable due diligence to assure that the EOLA land is safe, and using fiscal responsibility in representing the expedenture of OUR TAX DOLLARS.

So far, I would say the grade would not be to high on either account.

Here's a Thought...Mr. Collins is a greedy lawyer hired by greedy selfish parents who feel entitled to get what they want so they don't have to go to a school they think is below them. The word "entitlement" comes to mind.

Should the court agree with the NSFOC and Mr. Collins and the Brach Trust and Brodie Trust this will be the most expensive high school in history and all of our taxes will shoot through the roof. Thanks NSFOC for making all of us pay for your frivolous lawsuit so you could get your way and thank you in advance should my taxes go up because now the high school will cost close to 300 million.

What you will see should this happen is hundreds of residents if not thousands move out of IPSD 204. You will also see the already existing hatred towards TG and We increase. My guess is the majority of people thta will move from this district are those people who supported the NSFOC. To blame this on the school board is absurd you could have just let it play out between the BB trusts but instead the NSFOC had to get what they felt was "due to them".

I HOPE NO ONE EVER FORGETS WHAT SOME RESIDENTS IN TG AND WE DID TO TO THE CHILDREN, PARENTS AND TEACHERS IN IPSD 204. Considering everything the school board did in 2005-2006 to make thoes same residents happy, they turn around and SUE US ALL!!! DISGUSTING!! Nice example you showed to your chidren and the teachers that teach your children.

I have to agreen with another post from another blog. IPSD 204 was better without the TG neighborhood. But, I guess this is what happens when you welcome in a bunch of selfish residents that feel entitled and how it's all going to benefit them. (example giving them a Naperville address, that's when the entitlement began)

IT WAS NEVER ABOUT HOW THEY (the NSFOC/TG/WE) COULD BENEFIT THE IPSD FOR ALL OF US, IT WAS ABOUT HOW THE IPSD COULD BENEFIT THEM (the NSFOC/TG/WE) AND IF THEY CAN'T....SUE THEM!!!

In order to provide more context to why the seat may be hot, a group of people have compiled a list of third high school comments from newspapers and past emails. Reading through this list may help give bloggers perspective on why there is such large divide among the people of 204.

Actual Link
http://ipsd204.proboards76.com/v45index.cgi?board=sb&action=display&thread=569#42405

Easier Link
http://tinyurl.com/3nvsud

Does anyone know if D204 can lose its state funding if it violates the state's "Build Safe" standards? I'd say that's a potential loss we don't want to jeopardize.

I agree with Anonymous @ 7:37. While the editors of The Sun certainly have the right to exercise their freedom of speech, I do feel that all of these blog threads are accomplishing little other than further dividing our community and fueling hateful dialogue. Whether or not we're happy with the situation, the facts are that the environmental reports are in, the land purchase is being made, and the construction is soon to begin. It would be SO refreshing if The Sun were to help in the process of mending the rifts between the opposing fronts in 204 instead of deepening them...perhaps this could be done by initiating discussion on how we can move forward as a community instead of scrutinizing and picking apart this mess in paparazzi-like fashion. I'm disappointed...as a lifetime Naperville and Aurora resident, I've come to expect more of The Sun than this.

Moderator Jim to SC: Sorry, SC, but another classic case of "blaming the messenger." We've been diligently covering both sides of this story in a fair and balanced manner, giving plenty of coverage to both sides in the Metea story. This is our mission: to inform on topics relevant to the community and this, for sure, falls under that category. We're not in the business of bringing the community together, we're in the business of reporting the facts. The blogs serve as a community forum where topics - again relevant to the community - can be discussed. Finally, I resent your "paparazzi" analogy. That's not what we're about. So, again, I would urge you not to blame the media or think of us as mediators, arbitrators or solvers of problems. We just report in a fair and balanced manner - it's up to you to decide and then, as a member of the community, use your informed knowledge to make decisions as to schools or whatever issue it may be. Not our job - yours.

To Here's a Thought on April 9, 2008 9:06 AM

"Should the court agree with the NSFOC and Mr. Collins and the Brach Trust and Brodie Trust this will be the most expensive high school in history and all of our taxes will shoot through the roof. Thanks NSFOC for making all of us pay for your frivolous lawsuit so you could get your way and thank you in advance should my taxes go up because now the high school will cost close to 300 million."

Do courts hear frivolous cases? Better yet do they "agree" with frivolous cases? You're speaking out of both sides of your mouth.

Since when is a voting right frivolous? Or the safety of our children? Or the accountability of our School Board?

Contrary to previous biased coverage of this topic, the Naperville Sun did a great job of reporting both sides of the 2 lawsuits in today's paper but the topic of this blog and the way it was phrased is inflamitory. Is the Sun afraid that this issue will die down now that the experts have spoken about the safety of the site? Is the Sun afraid they will lose subscribers or internet hits? I don't understand why the Sun is trying to fan the flames. The next blog topic should be to find a solution to end this dispute.

Editor of the Sun, I really appreciate for your effort and for opening up many hot discussion blogs like this. I don’t think, you are dividing the community, but you giving us a chance to understand what is really going on around us and get everyone feed back. Keep it up.

We can agree to disagree about the way The Sun chooses to wield its power of press. We can also agree to disagree on the definition of "fair and balanced" reporting. I see from your response that my expectations of this publication were too high, and for that I am truly sorry.

Moderator Jim to SC: "Expectations too high?" No, not accurate. I think your expectations are unrealistic due to your misunderstanding of the role of the press. However, I agree on your point that we can agree to disagree. Agreed?

Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to. Agreed. :)

Moderator Jim Anonymous: The topic of the blog just reflected what was reported in the paper and on our web site. We're not fanning any flames. If you read the blog entry all it did was address the two issues, i.e. the Brach-Brodie lawsuit and the NSFOC's response to the environmental reports. To say that Daeschner and Metzger are on the "hot seat" is fairly obvious. Plus, it's just a figure of speech that accurately describes the overall situation. Thanks.

To Spoiled Tall Grass Brats on April 9, 2008 9:57 AM

"The school board tried everything in their power to get BB."

Crouse - Daily Herald 11/29/2006: "We believe that we have sufficient funds available through referendum or other sources to pay fair market value of the property,"

Metzger said he isn’t worried about getting locked into whatever price the jury sets.

“I don’t believe there’s much risk of it being an out-of-control number in the first place,” he said. “Our data is better than their data. Even if it’s the worst case scenario, we can afford it so it doesn’t matter.”

Mark Metzger
Daily Herald
July 12, 2007

Who is the nincompoop? Looks like your data is also better than the three groups sueing the District in that you know that each one has no merit or any financial exposure to the District.

On a seperate note, one guess from where Here's a thought is from.....Brookdale??

Sorry that all 4,500 plus people who reside in TG are such horrible people. What is the next NSFOCfraud platform..Subdivision cleansing???

I want to see the hidden envirenmental reports and everyone should be writing to Midwest Gen ASAP demanding their release. It is NOT fair to go forward with our tax dollars to buy this property and hide behind confidentiality agreements (as taxpayers, we should not have ANYTHING hidden from us).

Please contact Mr. McCluskey at Midwest Gen as ask for Midwest Gen to share these reports asap:

fmccluskey@mwgen.com

The NSFOC suit states build on Brach-Brodie or give the money back. Judges don't legislate from the bench. They will state whether or not the SB, with all their documentation, lead the voters to believe their votes were for the BB site. If the SB doesn't want to 'give the money back' they will have to vote on another site.

The NSFOC suit is not suing for any money. It is saying for God's sake, don't buy a contaminated piece of property located where 15% of the students live. Read the complaint. The BB suits, on the other hand, are suing for upwards of $60 MM. The BB suit is requesting monetary compensation for harms done. The NSFOC suit is not. It is saying avoid these incredible BB suits by doing what you promised to do. The BB families are suing because the SB harmed them.

Does anyone know if the BB suits have received the same judge who ruled against the SB last time? Might be bad karma.

I heard people talking about Midwest Gen walking away from the SB deal. Has anyone else hard that? What will the SB do if they don't have all the land they need?

Sounds like the SB is having a bad week. :)
F

Since the BB trust wants the district to buy the land at the jury verdict, I hope the county is taxing the land at that value. Afterall, they just entered into the court records that they feel that is the proper value of the land. Hard to argue with the tax assesor over that.

It is amazing to me that everyone is still pitting neighborhood against neighborhood. In case you haven't noticed district 204 is in deep trouble people! There are now three lawsuits representing three unique groups that each feel they have legal grounds against our school board. And unfortunately, they all have merit to their suits. The school board has not been nor is it today being forth coming about all the pertinent information to the public. There are alot of enviromental issues to the Eola site, sorry all you NOFSC bashers but look at the reports and 7 still haven't been released to the public for fear if the contract goes south the value of the land would be in jeopardy. HUH? Doesn't that say right there things aren't good? I'm not one to stand behind litigation but in this case I'm beginning to have respect for those people that stood up and took this action. Who is going to pay for all the mediation to the land? The school board says the seller will. But then fails to quailfy that with only what pollution is known at the time of closing, which is what the seller has agreed to. So already this district owes the group that several bloggers keep referring to as the spoiled TG people a great deal of thanks for delaying the March closing. Otherwise, this district would be footing the bill for some of the clean up determined in the phase 2! Stop the mud slinging and please back off your own my way or the highway attitudes. It's time to realize that there are three sides to every story - yours, mine and the TRUTH! No side of this mess can say they have handled things correctly 100% of the time - we're all human. Time to stop fighting, step back and make sure our kids are safe and our board members are honest - then build the high school.

Now the NSFOC wants to make an issue of where the defacto head of the anti-NSFOC resides. I do not live in Brookdale but I feel the NSFOC is a fraud. When 9 individuals choose to sue me as a taxpayer for their own selfish reasons, I don't think it matters where I live. Nine people are suing to tell me how I voted. Sorry but I don't care in which subdivision you reside, no one wants to see their tax dollars spent to defend against nine entitled people.

To hers a thought: First off, let me start by saying I purchased my lot long before there was even streets, pipes, utility lines etc. in this subdivision, I did not look at it as way to be better than anyone else or some how to be entitled by trying to make a home for my family. We come from the south suburbs where in our community it was just that a community, no subdivision names, just the town name. I am not a nfoc member, I do not feel entitled to anything in my life, I drive a ten year old car, shop at old navy and still have my best friends since high school. I did not want a third high school but hey it was voted on and decided so be it. I did not like the bb site but it was what the sb decided again , so be it. When the bouandaries were decided you bet I did not like it not because I had anything against any school but it was the distance , I couldnt understand how the sb thinks this somehow saves in transportation cost but then by reading these blogs and the hatred and endless blame on certain subdivisions started, and I took the attidude of what will be will be. I have read peoples postings of glee at speculation of foreclosures , people posting how selfish those people are , I have even seen postings by people about our children that live here and now once again a post like YOURS! No one choose the bb site but your sb, no one decide to sue bb for a quick take but your school sb, no one but your sb walked away from this site,noone but your sb choose the new eola site and noone is responsible for the bb lawsuit but your sb!yes, we all our being sued by nsfo and that is on those people involved it it, not entire subdivisions as you have put it. This is the same mentality my ten year old uses when she is mad at her sister for one thing it is suddenly her sisters fault for everything. Please realize it is no one that lives in these subdividions fault that the bb is now suing ipsd but your sb, and like YOU I am not happy in paying higher taxes but the cost of this bb suit and the cost to clean up new site on eola is purely the sbs responsibility! with this said I have to questions for you to look inside yourself and answer them truthfully. If these subdivisions had smaller homes and blue collar workers paying for them and still opposed the sb would you stil find them just selfish people who think they are just entitled or would you slap them with other labels because they dont agree with you and my second question is if there was another site in the north section and it was between this site (which had the criteria of bb) and the eola site which site would you honestly choose eola for a new school? with me its still so be it my children will be warriors and they will enjoy their high school and they will make new friends not because of subdivisions , homes they live in or the cloths they wear but because they concider them good people , because that is what I have taught them , which makes me wonder what your parents taught you!

THANK YOU NSFOC for opening our eyes to this reckless SB.

To: Naperville Sun editors on April 9, 2008 9:36 AM

You say you cover both sides equally? Maybe more attention should be looked at in the words you use. The Naperville Sun states..."old peaker plant that stands in the shadow of the soon-to-be constructed high school"

I've never seen shadows that extend over 23 acres from the closest point of the high school to the effected area on the former peaker plant? Words say a lot Naperville Sun, chose carefully how you use them.

For what is worth, I agree with the editor's stance on the role of the media. I do not think they can comment on a person's level of expectation since one's expectations are their own. I do disagee with the word choice of "Hot Seat", these are words that provide a clearly negative connotation.

While I do not agree that we need for third high school, the distrct did vote to approve. We did not vote on location nor boundries. If the members of NSFOC feel that they were mislead, why did they vote for a referendum that did not spell out the specific criteria for approval (in their opinion). Also, before we start pointing figures at specific sub-divsions, do we know the demographics of the membership in NSFOC? Are their childern scheduled to attend MVHS?

To Spoiled Tall Grass Brats

It sounds like you would get a kick out of students being treated poorly. A few residents of TG are part of NSFOC not the majority. What happens to the family that is okay with going to WV. Should their innocent child be treated badly? There are 1000 homes in Tall Grass how many families do you know personally, I'm guessing that would be 0. You have issues way beyond a new high school. Get some help soon!!!!

I agree with the other comments posted here about the Sun trying to fan the flames of this topic and in the process further divide our community. No matter what else happens, I have a whole different opinion of the Naperville Sun. I'm sure Harold White is turning over in his grave by what has become of this paper. Can you say tabloid.

If the jury verdict was fair market value, why does the BB trust feel the need to sue the district to buy the land? Why don't they sell it to someone else? Oh that's right. Its not worth anywhere near that amount.

To "spoiled Tall Grass Brats"--Thank you for saying it so succinctly and so much better than I could! As my parents always said, pigs is pigs.

To "Moderator Jim"--They are not in the hot seat other than in the imaginations of the NSFOC. That comment is infammatory and biased and if you can't be honest about that, you may be an editor, but not a journalist. Editors may choose to share their opinions if it is labeled as such, journalists shouldn't, especially if they are not labelled!

The protestor greeting all before the board meeting looked like a KKK wizard in my opinion and really should have been man enough to take off the hood if he feels that strongly about the issue.

As for Ms. Vickers, I found her to be unprepared, stumbling through notes, only to question and comment on topics already covered in the report explainations. She did nothing more than waste our time. I also feel the amount of time she apparently spends sunning herself naturally or artificially, probably poses more risk of cancer or damage related to EMF than any child will ever be exposed to at the Eola site.

I may not have heard correctly, but I'm pretty sure the first speaker was named on the amendment to the NSFOC lawsuit. Whoever she was, for three minutes she did nothing but speak in circles and continually repeat... the question I really want to ask is... She never asked a single question. If this is the best NSFOC can do, we have nothing to worry about.

I find it disappointing that the Sun repeatedly prints one-sided articles written to fan the flames of this contaversy rather than take an unbiased approach. They must be aiming for a spot next to the tabloids at the check out. Of course comments made by an engineer applauding the thorough work done by the environmental group was ignored even though his professional interpretation of the findings hold as much value as that of the chemist who spoke and was quoted in the Sun article.

It was explained that phase I testing primarily consists of historical research of the land in question. After this is done, phase II testing is conducted where concern arises. It is done so that time and money is not wasted on testing when it is clearly not needed. This is the case with the majority of the Eola site as well as BB. They were handled in the same manor, although by different firms. I don't think anyone questioned the validity of the BB phase I findings, but maybe our guardian angels of the south will persue this if the tide turns their way.

If you look at the map indicating where the borings were taken, it is evident any contamination whether reported or not, would likely have been discovered. The investigation was thorough. Nothing has migrated to the location of where the proposed high will stand.

Being that Brach is in the candy business, they obviously know how to steel it from a baby- and play dirty in court. Our district did all it could to secure that site. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned, thus the alternate site.

I voted twice for a third high school because I feel the kids are overcrowded; both times knowing my kids would in all likelihood be attending WV regardless. Now it looks like I will have kids at different high schools at the same time. I love WV and am disappointed that my youngest won't get to be teammates with some close friends, but understand sometimes we sacrifice for the greater good. They will remain friends and play club together. The NSFOC needs to accept that the new boundaries are best for all. The reality is, if the boundaries allowed them to attend NV the lawsuit would never have been filed. Quit hiding behind your KKK masks and your false concerns for children other than your own.

Wow,
So much anger towards the Tall Grass community. I feel sorry for the people above who are so focused on Tall Grass, White Eagle and the law suit. Kids learn from their parents. If parents are constantly spitting out hateful comments towards the Tall Grass community, I feel sorry for those kids. I think some of the bloggers above may need some psychological help.

By Spoiled Tall Grass Brats on April 9, 2008 9:57 AM
The school board tried everything in their power to get BB. They couldn't get it. It didn't work out for your neighborhood so quit being spoiled brats and turning everyone against each other. Everybody knows what NSFOC (Tall Grass Snobs) is really about. I am 100% sure that if TG was allowed to go to NV 100% of the issues would be dropped along with the lawsuit. Your kids are going to be hated by other students when they go to Waubonsie because of your actions. There is going to be a huge price to pay by your kids as the Waubomsie students know how much you detest the thought of your kids going to school with the "lower class" people from Waubonsie. Your actions are low class.

______________________________________

My child is only 11 years old and a future student of Waubonsie Valley. Despite the fact he has nothing to do with this situation and is entirely too young to understand what is going on, you state that "Your kids are going to be hated by other students when they go to Waubonsie because of your actions."

What kind of parent are you that you can post such a hateful statement? What are you teaching your children? What is the "huge price" my 11 year old will have to pay when he gets to Waubonsie?

Threatening children is disgusting. Leave the kids out of it.

Despite the fact that you and I may have a disagreement, I would NEVER stoop to such a level to even think about taking it out on a child.

I don't think of anyone in this district as "low class" either. Well, except for maybe you.

My kids are staying at Waubonsie so I have no dog in this race but when will everyone wake up and realize how WRONG the Eola site is? It's wrong for a multitude of reasons - far from population density, transit/traffic issues, questionable land including pipelines, EMF, contaminated land, etc., outstanding legal issues with regards to BB, loss of state funding due to BuildSmart program, future litigation costs, future mitigation costs, future clean-up costs....the list goes on.

Sorry for those of you that really want that new school at Eola but it just doesn't make sense for the whole of the District. Hopefully our "intelligent" SB members will realize that sooner than later. We can't afford to move ahead on the Eola land.

I've talked to a lot of future MV parents and guess what? There are a LOT of parents/kids that don't want to be there if it's at Eola. They're smart enought to recognize the potential dangers of the site. It's not safe!

Just wanted to clear up a few misconceptions said by some of your bloggers.
1. NSFOC is not costing tax payers money. If anything, trying to stop wasteful spending by the incompetent SB.
2. I am NSFOC member, and I don't live in TG or WE. When I go to the NSFOC meeting (which are open to anyone), I see people from Penncross Knoll, Stonebridge, West Wind, and Ashbury (just to name a few) who are also members.
3. Shawn Collins, the greedy lawyer, is being paid by the NSFOC member dontations. And, is getting about an 1/8 (or less) of what he typically gets paid. He's taken on this case because he beleives that what's going on is wrong.

Whether or not, some of the motives (of a few) were over school site or boundies, the facts don't change. Sometimes, it takes an ulterior motive to start looking. And, what's been found is disturbing.

Thank you, to the head NSFOC members, for all your hard work and time. And thank you for fighting, the good fight, for our children. And, putting up with the ignorant (slanderous) comments made by a few. You fully have my support. Keep up the good work!

Moderator Jim to Anonymous. I disagree. I think Harold White would be delighted that The Sun is so vigorously covering both sides of an issue vital to Naperville. As for others who have castigated the use of the headline ''HOT SEAT'' I would simply ask the following: Given what's going on with this multi-faceted situation and all the ire and angst expressed on these 204 threads, can anyone not truthfully say that Messrs. Daeschner and Metzger are NOT on the "HOT SEAT"?

Moderator Jim to "In the business of..." Agreed, it was a poor choice of words on my part and I stand corrected. My apologies.

Get a Clue,

If Midwest Gen walks away from the voluntary negotiations and the SB still wants this site.... yep, you guessed it! We go thru another eminent domain lawsuit. That means more lawyers, more cost, and more time.

To those who still think construction is going to start soon on the Eola site... it is time for a reality check. First the SD will need to apply for a building permit before any work can begin. From what is going on I'm willing to hazard a real big guess here and speculate that as soon as a building permit is issued one of the many groups opposing the Eola site will file for an injunction. And then we will be back to square one with more lawyers, more cost, and more time.

There is no realistic way a new HS will open in time for the 2009-2010 school year.

People are divided and dug in on the issues and the sites. No one wants to talk compromise or resolution. Expect this to drag on past 2010, maybe even 2011.

How long do we fight this in court? How much money do we waste on lawyers? How much money do we pay to "damaged" land owners before we start to realize that we really do have the ability to add some minor additions on to both NV and WV to handle the number of students and classrooms?

It is time for Mark Metzger to resign. He has single handedly and steadfastly led us into this mess. He will have you try to believe there is light at the end of tunnel. Yes there is, problem is the light is coming from a train and he is deaf to what is about to happen.

To: Moderator Jim
Would you please consider banning from the blog people who make threats against children as per the post below? I'm not exactly sure what is meant by a "huge price to pay" but it sounds like some kind of threat to me. I believe in free speech, and respect your decision, but if someone can get kicked off for calling one of your reporters names, frankly I find this to be much more serious - not to mention demented. Some kids probably do read this, but hopefully not many. In any event, they should not be made to feel afraid. Thank you.

By Spoiled Tall Grass Brats on April 9, 2008 9:57 AM

The school board tried everything in their power to get BB. They couldn't get it. It didn't work out for your neighborhood so quit being spoiled brats and turning everyone against each other. Everybody knows what NSFOC (Tall Grass Snobs) is really about. I am 100% sure that if TG was allowed to go to NV 100% of the issues would be dropped along with the lawsuit. Your kids are going to be hated by other students when they go to Waubonsie because of your actions. There is going to be a huge price to pay by your kids as the Waubomsie students know how much you detest the thought of your kids going to school with the "lower class" people from Waubonsie. Your actions are low class.

to 204 Snob. Are you serious?

1.)The SB agreed to bring in additional outside counsel to defend the lawsuit. The lawyers will be paid from dollars collect from teh taxpayers. That money should go to educating all the children of the distrcit not fighting against the parents of 9 households.

2.) If you are a member of the NSFOC, can you define who/what a member is? Are you a named plantiff? Do you have a vote in a settlement agreement? The NSFOC is a coporation owned by a limited number of owners (9?).

3.) Collins is doing this because he believes in the cause? That's just plain laughable. Have you seen his website? He is an environmental attorney..no, he is a personal injury attorney...no, he represents anyone who pays him. This is all about money to him. If he is getting 1/8 of he normally makes, then he is still overpaid. Does he live at Tall Grass?

What is that I just heard???? You are going to really want to read the papers tomorrow for this one!!

Thank you very much NSFOC. This would have never happened without you sticking up for what is right!

What is the next step for the SB and admin. They probably could have negotiated the BB land for below the $520,000 per acre...but obviously not anymore. What's another few million dollars of our taxpayer dollars??

It is a shame that we will not have a third high school available in 2009 as promised because of the careless behavior of the Board and Dr. D.

Next steps..The IMMEDIATE resignation of Daeschner and Metzger. I would also suggest a community meeting to heal the horrible divisions that these people have created in the community.

Thank you again NSFOC and all of those who have taken the time to contribute.

However, please do not stop the fight here, however because these folks will continue to act like cornered animals. I suspect that there will be a few emergency options that they will look at (condeming other land,etc.) that will continue to spurn the three lawsuits against our District and continue to expose our community.

moderator jim, calling the 7 reports "secret" is definitly inflamatory.

Get over it! The result are in, the school will probably be build at Eola and WE /TG you will be a WVHS. Fist SOME WE/TG were upset with the District because they would be at Metea on BB. They were irate that they could not go to NVHS. They wanted that deal to change and it did. They never figured this would be the hand they were dealt. Be careful what you wish for.. If I bought a home specifically for a school, I would be irate too, but when does it end?

So now Mr. Collins sounds like he is spreading fear. This is embarrassing to the community.

SC I agree that this is biased reporting, and before I get my hand spanked, I know, I know...fair and balanced. Let us too agree to disagree.

To: tallgrass resident on April 9, 2008 10:33 AM

"If these subdivisions had smaller homes and blue collar workers paying for them and still opposed the sb would you stil find them just selfish people who think they are just entitled or would you slap them with other labels because they dont agree with you and my second question is if there was another site in the north section and it was between this site (which had the criteria of bb) and the eola site which site would you honestly choose eola for a new school?"

While I appreciate everything you said in your response you also asked me to respond to your questions.

1. There are plenty of smaller homes in TG then there are where I live. In fact there are many homes in the "north" that are larger then the homes in TG. Home values and income has nothing to do with my issues against the NSFOC and TG. If you do live in TG then stop your own neighbors from suing you.

This has nothing to do with my arguement of TG feeing like they are an entitled neighborhood. I actually don't even have a problem with WE as much because after the first referendum and they were slated to go to MVHS on the BB property they said "so be it" (using your words) and agreed to it. TG still had an issue going to MVHS on the BB property at that point they just didn't sue and form the NSFOC. Fast forward 2 years after the SB tried to get the BB property the SB tries to aquire a different site. Because a few TG residents didn't get their way for a second time they decide to form the NSFOC and sue all of us. Why couldn't they just say to themselves "so be it"? It had everything to do with boundaries and nothing to do with safety at that time. Please don't try to convince anyone otherwise.

Regarding your second question. I voted for a 3rd HS as did every neighborhood in the north except for Brookdale. See the difference is between you and me is I built my house here knowing that my kids would attend WVHS and I was happy about that. Well, until certain people started bashing WVHS and spreading false rumors. Guess who that would be? I honestly don't care where a 3rd HS would be and neither did any of the other neighborhoods in the "north".

The problem the majority of the people in the north has with the NSFOC is them saying BB or nothing or give all the money back to the taxpayers. Sorry but the referendum was for a 3rd HS, that's it!!!

The second thing I believe (I apologize I know I shouldn't speak for everyone) is that the IPSD shouldn't be forced to purchase a particular piece of land because the NSFOC says so. I'm sorry but I voted for what is best for the IPSD. Obvioulsy those that are part of the NSFOC and I believe TG in general didn't vote for what is best for the IPSD, they voted for their own self interests.

So please stop trying to make it into class issue or a SB mess up. The school board from the begining has always just tried to build a 3rd HS. Wheather you believe it is needed or not they too were only trying to do what they felt was best for the IPSD.

When posting it may be time to take a hard look at what we want as a community. The situation we find ourself in as a district family is tough indeed. The 3 lawsuits are a definite wake up call that there are many issues brewing. The time has come to act not argue! Enough with attacks on individuals, newspapers, moderators, subdivisions, board members, etc. At this point in our 204 district history it is high time the meetings are overflowing and venues changed to high school gyms. If folks are that concerned, this type of interest will send a clear message to board members and staff. What I expect to happen is a turnout of about 20 people at next weeks meeting, I hope I am wrong.

Lets especially stop the attack on the paper, HOW QUICKLY SOME FORGET THE INFORMATIVE MAP the sun put out such a short time ago. My thanks to our editor Jim

the sb does not need a building permit to begin construction.

call the city of aurora and check it out.

To: Suzie on April 9, 2008 11:16 AM

You're right Suzie. Kids to learn from their parents. Unfortunately the lesson some are teaching their kids in this school district is that "if you don't get your way, sue".

I'm sorry but this smacks us all in the face from kids to parents to our teachers in the IPSD. I think with this type of mentality by the NSFOC everyone should be on watch because you never know when this group might feel the need to file another lawsuit against someone that they feel has "wronged them". And you think this group is looking out for our best interests? Try their own best interests.

To Jim the Moderator: My opinion -- while there is an inherit negativity to the tone of these blogs, it is faned by using the words "hot seat". It sounds like someone who sees a smoldering fire and throws gas on it to make it bigger with the purpose of brining attention to themselves and not the issue.

It seems to me you are spending most of your moderator time defending your position. I did not think that the job of a blog moderator.

Gee I wonder where the name calling starts? Our SB president calling another lawyer a nincompoop.

I believe the the Fraud group head lives in GingerWoods. They are pushing harder then the vote no Brookdale folks.

Moderator Jim - You have done nothing of the sort whatsoever in regards to reporting both sides of the story. If that were the case, then your cover story Tuesday morning would have been that overwhelmingly, the meeting was favorable towards the Eola site being a safe place in which to build Metea. Your report would have had quotes from the well spoken attorney and commercial real estate developer who is very familiar with environmental testing on commercial property. His three minutes were full of actual facts in support of the SB dedicating 2 years in trying to secure the BB site and the fact that the Environmental testing that was done on the Eola site far exceeded what is "normal" for this type of land with 96 boring taken - much more than normal for a site like this. He put any claims by the man who has a chemistry degree to rest and applauded the reputation of the TSC (the environmental company that conducted the testing) and how well respected they are in their arena of expertise. The entire group of scientists all nodded in agreement that they would send their kids to Metea at Eola. If you were reporting without bias, your article would of covered this. If your article was not biased, it would not have glamorized the man dressed in what truly looked like a KKK outfit (ironically enough) at the entrance and the irrational man ranting after the meeting was adjourned. I am truly afraid of what some of these people are capable of and I believe, as do many that you are fanning the flames of some people that might not be stable. I'm sure this either won't get posted or you'll fire back in a personal attack bc it seems - you are the only one with freedom of the press here.

To Moderator Jim

Harold White cared a great deal about this community and I do not believe he would have allowed his paper to be used as medium for the inflamitory comments being posted here.

To: 204 snob on April 9, 2008 11:30 AM

1. NSFOC is not costing tax payers money. If anything, trying to stop wasteful spending by the incompetent SB.

Please tell me how this is not costing us money? If the IPSD has to defend this lawsuit it is costing them/us money. If in their lawsuit they are asking and awarded:

d) Award plaintiffs their attorney's fees and costs (Collins and Fish);
e) Award Plaintiffs any such other RELIEF as this Court deems just and proper

IT IS COSTING THE IPSD AND US MONEY!!!

2. I am NSFOC member, and I don't live in TG or WE. When I go to the NSFOC meeting (which are open to anyone), I see people from Penncross Knoll, Stonebridge, West Wind, and Ashbury (just to name a few) who are also members.

Well I also have proof of people in every elementary school district that disagree with that the NSFOC. Difference is my proof is real and yours is just talk.

3. Shawn Collins, the greedy lawyer, is being paid by the NSFOC member dontations. And, is getting about an 1/8 (or less) of what he typically gets paid. He's taken on this case because he beleives that what's going on is wrong.

THIS IS THE BEST ONE YET!!!! I HAD TO TAKE 5 MINUTES SO I COULD STOP LAUGHING. You seriously think he is doing this because he believes what is going on is wrong? Try again!!! He knew this would get a ton of publicity and that is why he took this case! I know he has a track record of winning previous cases but in this case with the NSFOC he clearly stated "it's a long shot at best". I shold also point out that at the 3/25 meeting he said he would throw out as many "what-if's" to the court wheather they were based in fact or not. As long as there has been a study on it he'll throw it out there. I'm sorry but I live my life in facts not "what-if's".

Sorry 204 Snob but he is as greedy of a lawyer as theycome, who is trying to win this case in the media because it will pay him far more then he could ever hope to be paid by the NSFOC. It wouldn't surprise me either if this is exactaly how the NSFOC proposed it to him as well so he would take the case.

You are right 204 Snob, what has been found is disturbing. However, I would say the way the parents of the NSFOC are acting and what they are willing to do to all of us in the IPSD is far more disturbing!!!

To: Anonymous on April 9, 2008 11:41 AM

The NSFOC does not have enough money to file an injunction so said Mr. Collins on 3/25. However, nothing would surprise me from the selfish entitled members of the NSFOC who just want to get their way and everyone else better stand back. Even if it is at the cost of all of our children and property vaules.

Have to wonder if those in the north will take the high road as they always have in the past and just let this all play out in court. Or, will they be tired of sitting by and watching this mess and go after the heads of the NSFOC who are suing us all in the IPSD? Stay tuned?

Moderator Jim to Anonymous: "Still-secret" is the exact wording in the letter obtain ed on behalf of the NSFOC. Their words....not ours. Remember, we just report.

Moderator Jim to Big Picture Issues: Thanks and you're absolutely right about that offensive comment that carried negative overtones re/Waubonsie. It slipped through and now has been deleted

Moderator Jim to Tired....: I'm not going to get into semantics. If you want to take a literal interpretation of "hot seat" so be it.

To: first battle won, what did you hear?

Have to Wonder..

Why don't you start by asking the District to have the NSFOC lawsuit thrown out if it is so friviolous???? Seems like 6 plus weeks have passed and nothing in response??

What are your damages from the NSFOC? That they have asked for the truth? That they have filed a lawsuit (a civil means of addressing a dispute). That they have taken out advertisements sourcing and footnoting everything that has been contained in the advertisements?? If you believe some of the info is inaccurate, what is the legal remedy of this (what is the harm or breach of legal duty??)

I am not one of the owners of NSFOC, but for the life of me, if this case is so frivilous, what are the damages?? You want to file a counterclaim for legal costs (which appear to be almost nothing so far since the District has not responded at all as of yet)?? This is not Europe or Canada where loser pays for legal costs and there is no such permissable action. Are you admiting that the questions and concerns addressed have slowed down the process?? If so, what is actionable about this??

Just do not get the point...Perhaps we should consider taking legal action against the Board members and Dr. D personnally...

Moderator Jim - you say you "just report". The words of the NSFOC "Still-secret" - do you have any journalistic responsibility to check your sources and make sure you are reporting facts. Most journalists are held to that legally - I thought - otherwise you could say whatever you want and you know their are simpletons out there that actually believe what they read bc it was in the paper - it must be true. Try a little discretion in the way your playing this out. We have had other reporters on the side of the NSFOCfraud - but you would not know it by reading their columns bc they are being responsible reporters. You really should try a little discretion when reporting for the Sun - you are setting an example for Tim Waldorf as well.

Is this a reference of threats or worse (going after the heads of the NSFOC)against the heads of the NSFOC???? Is this the high road that you are referencing.

to heres a thought I am sorry but you did state that ipsd would be better off without the tall grass subdivision because it is just filled with selfish people did you not? and that is my point it is not TALLGRASS suing it is nsfo. It is not TALLGRASS who is going to cause your taxes to raise if bb wins their lawsuit it is the school board.how exactly is tallgrass involved in the bb suit because as you stated it is apparently our fault? your sb is purely responsible for this suit filed by the bb. YOU hope no one forgets what tallgrass has done? what exactly have these people except for those involved done with the nsfo done? voiced opions? so to make these biased statements does that mean you know each family in this neighborhood personally that you can label us all selfish? I can not say anything nor try to convince any one about the nsfo because I dont speak for them . If they choose to sue that is THEIR choice but by you saying it will be tallgrasses fault if bb wins their suit and we have to build a 300 million plus school shows exactly why I feel its people like you giving naperville a bad reputation. stop throwing labels at subdivisions and start looking at your sb , they are the only ones who can answer for the situation .

Ok, if Metzger thinks Collins is a "nincompoop" then I believe it's fair to say that Metzker ASSUMES way to much for D204 tax payers and D204 attendees with his CART BEFORE THE HORSE type of thinking!!!

Consider all the costly plans and risks he is willing to take just to meet an unrealistic quoted opening date of Aug 2009:

1. After the SB starts construction to make the Aug 2009 date, they will worry about enrolling into the voluntary IEPA remediation program to make sure all that needs to be remediated will be remediated. Yes, but at what cost to D204 tax payers and risk to Metea attendees?

2. After the SB starts construction to make the Aug 2009 date, they will worry about paying any required legal expenses associated with walking away from the initial Brach-Brodie deal - could be nothing or maybe $40M.

3. After the SB starts construction to make the Aug 2009 date, they will worry about getting a good deal for the land they already purchased at Brach-Brodie.

etc, etc, etc. Is this fiduciary, due diligent, shrewd or is it hasty, assuming and reckless?

Which is better - nincompoop or knucklehead?

Moderator Jim to Anonymous: You're off base there. The "secret reports" was verbatim verbiage used in the NSFOC letter, and we were doing a story on the contents of that letter. Very simple.

To: Anonymous on April 9, 2008 12:21 PM
Your report would have had quotes from the well spoken attorney and commercial real estate developer who is very familiar with environmental testing on commercial property. His three minutes were full of actual facts in support of the SB dedicating 2 years in trying to secure the BB site and the fact that the Environmental testing that was done on the Eola site far exceeded what is "normal" for this type of land with 96 boring taken - much more than normal for a site like this. He put any claims by the man who has a chemistry degree to rest and applauded the reputation of the TSC (the environmental company that conducted the testing) and how well respected they are in their arena of expertise.
******************
Anonymous - I'll leave the fight about the balanced coverage between you and Moderator Jim. However, I think you need to play back the tape of the attorney/real estate developer. I personally thought he bumbled through his whole presentation - not what I would expect from a well-spoken attorney. Also, it was, in fact, the man with the chemistry degree who spoke succinctly and in great detail about his concerns. The man you are defending did not discredit him at all or put anything to rest, in my opinion. He just simply disagreed. I only heard a lot of generalizations from the real estate man, with the exception of him quoting the number of samples taken on the land, the length of the legal battle with BB, and a stated figure of how much the SB has spent thus far in attorney fees fighting BB, which I believe was understated and therefore incorrect. I also don't understand why, in the middle of his speech, he decided to bring up the fact that males at Waubonsee actually have higher test scores than males at Neuqua (which he mispronounced). What was the point of that? Sorry, lost a lot of credibility there. How many former industrial sites has he had experience developing for non-industrial use - specifically for schools? How many times has he personally worked with TSC? Some statistics on that might have helped his credibility. Otherwise, he just sounded like another parent supporting the school board (his perogative), but certainly not someone who said anything that could be substantiated as "expert" opinion which merited being quoted in the paper. Sorry - please listen again.