Trash talk heats up
You know political season has arrived when the bickering begins.
Usually, elected officials try to stay away from making public comments about election-related issues at meetings. But Palatine Mayor Rita Mullins says she's had enough.
At a council meeting on Monday, she made a statement about mailings put out by ex-councilman Warren Kostka.
If you live in Palatine, you've probably seen the "Council Clipping" newsletters he hand-delivers to local homes. The content is usually about what village council members and other elected officials are doing wrong. He has repeatedly said his literature contains the truth and tells residents what they should know about their officials.
But Monday, Mullins said Kostka crossed the line with a recent mailing, saying his reference to the Armed Forces was uncalled for.
In the newsletter, he writes, "Our soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and coast guardsmen serve to protect our freedom. Our village council takes away some of our freedom."
"We have a disgruntled person that lives within the community," said Mullins.
She added that the current mailing, which happened to be twice the size of his normal newsletter, is the liner to her bird cage.
"I am glad he's made it a larger size," she added.
Restaurant closed: La Granja, a Peruvian restaurant in Palatine, has closed. The eatery at 1572 N. Rand Road opened in November 2006. The chain of perky, quick-service eateries was started in Aruba in 1993 by Peruvian emigrant Gustavo Bartra. It subsequently expanded to Florida and moved on north, now with 16 locations. Palatine was its first Midwestern restaurant.
Town hall meeting: Councilman Scott Lamerand will hold a District 2 Town Hall Meeting Jan. 24 from 7-9 p.m. All Palatine residents are invited to attend and ask questions on issues affecting the entire community. The meeting is in the council chambers at village hall, 200 E. Wood St.
Topics will include the local budget, economic development, police and fire department updates and community health updates. Specific to Palatine's 2nd district, capital investments, water management and ComEd meetings will be on the agenda. Call Lamerand at (847) 894-0002 for more information.
Golf facility open: Golf Nation, a first-of-its-kind, year-round golf and fitness club, will celebrate its grand opening Saturday and Sunday.
The 25,000-square-foot club on Quentin Road offers year-round golf training and several state-of-the-art training opportunities.
The grand opening celebration will have contests and prize giveaways.
The indoor facilities include large chipping and pitching greens, sand traps, true-roll putting green and other areas. Outside, there's a heated driving range and a par-three hole. The club also has virtual golf simulators with 57 championship courses, along with lessons and private instructors. Go to golfnation.us for more information.
• Sara Faiwell writes about Palatine and Inverness. Contact her at (847) 427-4479 or e-mail sfaiwell@dailyherald.com.