There’s something brewing in Old Town, and it ain’t Shirley Baugher’s coffee over at the Old Town Triangle Association, 1763 N. North Park Ave.

Baugher’s no longer there, as her longtime administrator position was recently eliminated by a new board. That move has caused a rift among neighbors, even leading to the formation of a new grassroots group, Neighbors for a Better Old Town (NBOT).

What’s interesting is that Old Towners I’ve known for years tell me that Baugher being canned has big-time divided neighbors. Yet OTTA President Phil Graff begs to differ.

“The community is NOT divided,” Graff said in an email. “That is wildly overstated, unfair and an inaccurate characterization.”

Really? Then why did Graff begin last week’s meeting with a humorous comment about it being the anniversary of the Civil War? And why have six of 11 board directors resigned in the last couple of months?

“This has really torn the whole neighborhood apart,” said Karen Stephenson, an NBOT supporter.

Baugher has been around the OTTA for years, as a three-time past president, art fair chair, historian, Old Town chronicler and much more. And she recently received an award from the mayor for her contributions to the city’s cultural heritage. Whenever I need to know anything Old Town, Baugher is usually my first call.

NBOT sprang up overnight to protest the current board’s decision to eliminate Baugher and hire executive director, Dee McKinsey, a Rogers Park resident. The group said that decision was made behind closed doors.

“They treated Shirley like s***,” said Karen Pfendler, a 60-year Old Town resident. “We keep saying to them, ‘Stop this. Don’t do this.’

“This sleazy board had said nothing to the membership at all,” Pfendler continued. “We want Shirley back in there.”

Many NBOT members have a long history with the OTTA, and they collectively include 12-plus years of board presidents and 10 years of art fair chairs, said Pfendler. The group says despite promises of transparency, the board continues to hold secret “executive session” meetings where important issues are discussed and not revealed to members.

In Baugher’s case, Graff said the long-range planning committee — made up of Triangle neighbors and volunteers — outlined a growth strategy for the Association, deciding it was time to have an executive director to meet future programming and membership goals. Graff said he couldn’t discuss personnel issues, when asked why Baugher’s position was eliminated.

Graff — a former director and vice president — was elected after a contentious and contested election in January, which Pfendler claims was not in accordance with OTTA bylaws. Bylaws clearly state that ballots be opened in full public view, yet Pfendler said they were taken into an OTTA office and counted by a hired accounting firm. Members were told they could look through the window and watch, she said.

“We want a transparent board,” said Pfendler. “It’s all about transparency.”

Board vice president Shannon Waterfield, who recently resigned, stated in an open letter on the NBOT Web site that she was treated like “an enemy combatant” in board meetings. To Graff, she wrote: “You compromised a bond that keeps neighborhood associations productive and basically fun and that is trust. Without the trust of our neighbors, we are now a corporate board. I will sit in these board meetings and always wonder who or what is next on your back-door meeting agenda.

“This is the woman who hugs my kids after school, asks them about their day, and makes them feel more important than anyone else in the world,” Waterfield said of Baugher. “She freely hands out candy, dog biscuits and love. She loves this neighborhood and us.”

Other neighbors agree. They want Baugher back. Bad.

“Shirley is the OTTA,” said David Pfendler, a six-decade community member.

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By David Pfendler from Old Town
Posted: 04/25/2011 9:13 AM

To those people who have found OTTA to be cliquish: I'm not questioning your perceptions, I'm asking for description. In what ways was it cliquish? What were the circumstances? Social setting? Board Meeting, etc? Not doubting! Just asking for more info. In the past I have had the same impression.

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By Happy in LP from Lincoln Park
Posted: 04/23/2011 5:53 PM

My husband and I left Old Town last year. We tried to get involved in OTTA, but realized it was a clique of people who lived in the area forever. What exactly have any of these Nbot people done to help the OTTA become modern & professional? The ONLY value we EVER realized was getting new bricks (fyi, Shirley was clueless -- the volnteers who ran the program were more professional than our regular contractors). We hear the board has mre big things like this planned -- good luck, crazy people.

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By Too cowardly to say from Ditto
Posted: 04/23/2011 4:58 PM

Lynn, so the OTTA is all bad and the NBOTS are pure as driven snow. If that's your point, I'm not buying that either. I'm not a member and I don't know Shirley, but I believe the NBOTS are relentlessly attacking and trumping up allegations against the OTTA. Maybe the NBOTS have a legitimate complaint over some issues, but they're being so derisive and mean.

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By Lynn Krohn from Antioch, Illinois
Posted: 04/23/2011 12:50 PM

To the cowardly no-names: I do not know Shirley personally; I do know she is not a saint but nothing she is or has done earns her the treatment she received at the hands of the OTTA Board. In spite of whatever else she may be, Shirley has been an unsurpassed asset to OTTA . Only blind fools could be so ungrateful for her contributions and her devotion to OTTA and the neighborhood. Those fools have forgotten some basic principles: kindness, decency, civility, fairness, and so on

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By Anonymous Gal from Old Town
Posted: 04/23/2011 11:01 AM

Wow -- this is beyond belief, a truly sad & distorted joke. It's obvious whoever wrote this article is not a real journalist. Where is the fairness? Where is the opposing view? And do any of these people REALLY BELIEVE this Shirley person is a saint? She is not. Actually, in our dealings with her -- she has been arrogant, snobby and a real bitch. The reputation of Old Town being a neighborhood of crazy people with too much time on their hands is alive and well. Yuck.

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By Chi Guy from Old Town
Posted: 04/22/2011 10:05 PM

NBOT is a self-fulfilled prophecy. If OT is divided at all, it is NBOT's fault. They are aggressive marketers without regard for the truth, positioning themselves as victims, insinuating clandestine intent on the board, & fanning the schism even further. They lost & can't let go. Now, if NBOT can't point to an OT "divide" they loose their reason to exist. The writer disclosed her bias alluding to her long standing personal relationship to Shirley. This is another NBOT hatchet job. Shame on you!

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By Lynn Krohn from Antioch, Illinois
Posted: 04/22/2011 11:40 AM

I am a life member of OTTA and lived in the Triangle 1963 to 1996. If OTTA had a crown, Shirley would be the "jewel"in that crown. Her retirement in 2 years could have been a grand celebration bringing good vibes to OTTA, But it now has the horrendously ugly spectacle of a mean-spirited board pulling the rug out from her and calling her a "distraction". Some think it is possible to move on in a "positive" fashion over Shirley's bloodied bod without addressing some basic principles. Dream on

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By Anonymous1234 from Old Town Triangle
Posted: 04/22/2011 10:03 AM

Thank you so much "Clydetheglide." I like your name, by the way. I'm still going to volunteer through all of this. That's what it has been about for me, anyway. I don't look at it as a social club, so I don't think I've been quite as affected as others. Thank you for your kindness.

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By Allan M from Wrightwood
Posted: 04/21/2011 11:30 PM

I have been a lincoln park community leader for over 35 years and I have never met a finer community person than Shirley. Her love for the community is unsurpassed. What a shame. I would love to have Shirley move north, but I know how much she loves Old Town

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By Seth from Old Town (not triangle)
Posted: 04/21/2011 10:35 PM

Where the Hell is all this anger coming from? I used to volunteer at the Art Fair and now I'm wondering where all the money has gone. As a historical district, the triangle doesn't compare to the neighborhoods of Europe, Asia, and Peru where streets have been occupied for 1000s of years. I did not realize that the Triangle had such immature puffed up babies, battling for the receipts of the Art Fair. This article disgusted me. Both sides disgust me.

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By clydetheglide from oldtown
Posted: 04/21/2011 8:00 PM

anonymous 1234 thanks for your comments. i think these are points well stated and sorry that you tried to bridge that gap and it didn't work....i hope time heals all wounds...i want our charming neighborhood back as many others do. i am confident this is going to work itself out if all make an effort...

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By Anonymous1234 from Old Town Triangle
Posted: 04/21/2011 5:37 PM

You ask me to extend a hand to an "NBOT member" which proves my point. They created sides. You're NBOT or you're not. Without NBOT there are no sides ... just healthy differences of opinion. I'm happy with my decision to support the current board. Does this make me a "lesser" member? Perhaps it's unintentional, but NBOT makes me feel that way. I can't talk about it with my friends (hence anonymous). Believe me. I tried. The whole thing just makes me sad. Thanks for listening. Peace.

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By Anonymous814 from Old Town
Posted: 04/21/2011 5:30 PM

This article and subsequent comments by NBOT members/supporters only furthers the divisive nature of what has transpired in our charming neighborhood. NBOT's actions are shameful and they are alienating devoted volunteers that help to make the Art Fair and all of OTTA's events strong and successful. This is no longer about Shirley, who many of us know and still love...she herself was set to retire in the coming years. Stop the childish games NBOT and let's move forward in a positive way.

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By clydetheglide from old town
Posted: 04/21/2011 4:36 PM

anonymous 1234, i know parties on both sides, have been here awhile and i wouldn't take such a negative view of the situation. Although I am not on either side, i believe NBOT is trying hard to not create sides, but trying hard to keep the Board and Directors true to the original charter and by-laws--very important to all. perhaps instead of criticizing, could extend a hand to one of the NBOT members and begin the task of helping to move the neighborhood forward.

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By Fred from Lincoln Central
Posted: 04/21/2011 4:20 PM

I do not live in Old Town, but I live nearby. I am not a member of OTTA. However, I know who a lot of the players and this only convinces me that I don\\\'t want to be a member of OTTA or NBOT . I don\\\'t think I want to attend the Art Fair this year. You all sound like a bunch of spoiled brats who are upset because you didn\\\'t get your way. Obviously, whoever wrote this article sides with the NBOTS, but that\\\'s not even the point. You all look immature and petty. Shirley too.

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By Karen Pfendler from Old Town
Posted: 04/21/2011 3:37 PM

Mr. Stotle (or is that Aristotle?) Come clean with who you are...your post has a familiar ring to it. Mr. Russell---please renew your membership...NBOT intends to restore power to the membership and welcomes your perspectives and continued involvement. We can't afford losing steadfast, longtime OTTA members such as yourself. Visit www.abetteroldtown.com for more information about NBOT. There are multiple articles you need to read. And one more thing-we surely could use some sunshine-fast.

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By Anonymous1234 from Old Town Triangle
Posted: 04/21/2011 3:32 PM

I have found OTTA to be a VERY cliquish place. However, I can see why her friends are upset. If I were her friend, I'd be upset, too. Yet the vote (which was accurate) proves that there is actually a majority that wants change. I hope that NBOT can finally accept that, stop their "us versus them" rhetoric (and the mean-spirited newsletters) and shake hands as they once promised to do. I have friends on both sides. Why is NBOT creating sides? Let's just shake hands and move forward.

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By karen stephenson from old town
Posted: 04/21/2011 3:23 PM

felicia, thank you very much for your article. having been a long time member of the triangle, as i stated, it bothers me greatly to see the neighbors having such strife. respecting each other's views and understanding a "watchdog" group is actually healthy for an organization will move to bring the neighborhood back in harmony. one can only hope.

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By David Pfendler from Old Town
Posted: 04/21/2011 3:10 PM

To Mr. Russell, Please take some time to reconsider you renewal. As an NBOT charter member I want to assure you that we neighbor/residents want to improve this Association not tear it down. It has never been our intention to hurt the OTTA. It needs a serious change in leadership, that is our mission. To Mr. Stotle, whoever you are, come out from behind the curtain of anonymity, and until you do your comments do not even merit a response. Your next 8th grade class bell is ringing. Go to it.

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By John Russell from Estero Fl.
Posted: 04/21/2011 12:00 PM

I lived in the Triangle for almsot 30 years. We still belong to the triangle asscociation. I won't renew. Shirley baugher was and will always embody Old Town. She worked tirelessly for it. Phil is a joke.

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By Ari Stotle from Yes
Posted: 04/21/2011 11:32 AM

The Nbots lost the election and cannot deal with it. Shirley and her small group of supporters are acting like children who have had the cookie jar taken away. Without any reasonable arguments they must resort to name calling. Their days of unfettered acess to the largess of the art fair are gone. The voters spoke loud and clear.

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By Candace Jordan from Old Town
Posted: 04/21/2011 10:55 AM

Thanks Felicia for writing about this neighborhood situation. As a member of NBOT, it is frustrating to see the current board continue in this way, dictating to the neighbors what's best for them instead of the other way around as it should be. We want a board who loves our community AND we want Shirley back, who dispensed love with her every gesture.