After much debate, off-track betting OK'd in Buffalo Grove

Shortly after two new Buffalo Grove trustees were sworn in at Monday's village board meeting, board members came dangerously close to swearing at each other.

The tension spilled over into the audience as tempers flared over the possibility of off-track betting in the village.

After nearly three hours of discussion -- not to mention eye-rolling, gavel-beating, sarcastic remarks, accusations and enough audience reaction to fill the backgrounds of several sitcoms -- the village board, including Village President Elliott Hartstein, voted in favor of allowing off-track betting as a special use in the village. The two newest trustees, Lisa Stone and Beverly Sussman, were installed that evening and were also the only two "no" votes. Both Stone and Sussman tried to table the matter but were outvoted.

The village already has a proposal to install off-track betting at Adam's Rib and Ale House on Milwaukee Avenue north of Lake-Cook Road. The zoning amendment to allow the special use paves the way for the village to approve the new OTB, which is likely to be discussed at the next village board meeting. Originally both the zoning amendment and the proposal were expected to be voted on Monday, but the proposal was left off the agenda at the request of the two new trustees, who wanted more time to consider the matter. Sussman, who along with Stone opposes off-track betting in the village, also didn't want it to seem like she and Stone were divided from the rest of the board.

Stone and Sussman thought the amendment was also left off the agenda, after discussing the matter with Hartstein last week. Both expressed surprise when it came up, especially since an e-mail to the board from Village Manager William Brimm led Stone and Sussman to believe both matters would be off the agenda.

Tension erupted shortly after the matter was introduced, when Hartstein attempted to explain the nuances of the zoning amendment. He said turning off-track betting into a special use would actually give the village a greater ability to set conditions -- and even say "no" -- to off-track betting.

But Sussman interjected. "Well, now I'm confused," she said, adding she thought the ordinance was to approve gambling.

When Hartstein attempted to explain, Stone interrupted, saying, "I need to speak on this point."

Hartstein quickly hit the gavel, saying she was out of order. And at that point, the meeting unraveled.

Stone confronted Hartstein, saying she was assured the matter would not be on the agenda.

Hartstein insisted there was no deception. He said the agendas were put together after he spoke with Stone and Sussman. He said the zoning amendment was put on the agenda after consulting with Brimm, who made sure the petitioner, Melrose Park-based Inter-Track Partners LLC, could wait another two weeks.

Stone then went on to castigate the village for not being more upfront with the public on the issue.

She said the issue was not mentioned in the village newsletter, the village's electronic newsletter or the front page of the Web site.

"The vehicles we have for communication should have been taken advantage of," Stone said. "It is irresponsible."

Both the new trustees and the public spoke vehemently against the proposed use.

Sussman said she had done a great deal of research on the topic and said the village would gain only $70,000 a year in tax revenue.

"Are we willing to sell out Buffalo Grove for $70,000 or $100,000? What is the image of Buffalo Grove?

"Will gambling make this a great place to live?"

Trustees who were more open to an OTB, like Jeffrey Berman, mentioned that communities like Arlington Heights have off-track betting.

Throughout the meeting, Stone had confrontations with veteran trustees. At one point, Trustee Jeffrey Braiman said to Stone, "Lisa, I'm sorry. If change means rudeness to other trustees, I don't want that change."

Trustee Steve Trilling expressed his disgust with the drift of the discussion. As Trilling spoke, Stone hit the button controlling the light indicating a request to speak, causing Trilling to turn toward her. At that point, Hartstein hit the gavel again, saying, "Let the speaker speak. Trustee Trilling has the floor."

Several members of the public emotionally expressed their opposition to gambling, including resident Andrew Stein, who recently ran for the village board.

"This is a fundamental change in the village of Buffalo Grove," said Stein. ""Is $70,000 worth changing the face of Buffalo Grove?"