August 2018 Your Communication and Information Resource Breaking news: WGN-TV’s Sean Lewis tells (almost) all By Tracy Poyser terrier mix Maddie, who instantly bonded “Fargo” TV series. He moved on to a TV Here I was, a bit daunted with Kallie. You can frequently see the reporter job at CBS afiliate WISC-TV in by agreeing to interview and happy pair in and around Malibu East, Madison, Wis., and was there in 2001 for photograph a skilled pulling Sean (or Tom) around on their Gov. Tommy Thompson’s tearful interviewer/news anchor leashes. resignation speech as the longest-serving and report on a professional So, back to Sean’s life story. He’s a governor in the country when he was reporter – our neighbor Sean Lewis, a native of Kenosha, Wis., where he lived appointed U.S. secretary of health and Malibu East resident since 2009, an until he was 18, and considers himself an human services under George W. Bush. Emmy-award winning journalist and American mutt, with German, Irish, Two and a half years later, just before anchor of WGN-TV/Channel 9’s Saturday Italian, Welsh and French ancestry. His his contract was up, he signed for his irst and Sunday morning news, in addition to maternal great-grandmother was Sicilian. full-time anchor job with ABC afiliate reporting for WGN News throughout the His father’s side was German/Welsh. He WTVO in Rockford, Ill. Was he nervous week. But, as soon he opened the door to was an only child (his parents divorced before his irst newscast, I wondered? the A/B combination unit he shares with when he was quite young). “Sure, but you just jump in, and nerves his WGN colleague and friend, Chicago’s plus adrenaline are part of the job that favorite weatherman Tom Skilling, Sean’s never really leaves you,” Sean explains. easy smile and sunny personality put me “It takes a bunch of tries before you ind at ease. your own, authentic style,” he recalls. His Plus, he had help from Waldo the cat, is conversational enough to put viewers a.k.a. Bubba, a two-year-old adoptee he and interviewees at ease, with a touch of met while hosting the Annual PAWS humor, a lot of compassion and a large Chicago Fur Ball Gala at the Drake Hotel a dose of integrity and respect for the couple of years ago. “It was love at irst power of the word. Plus, he had amazing meow,” Sean confesses, and I had to role models in TV news. Growing up, he agree. He’s just about the cutest little admired Peter Jennings – always classy, black fur ball ever, with distinct white knowledgeable, yet down-to-earth – and, markings for personality. locally, he looked up to Ron Magers, Steve Not to be outdone by a mere feline, the Sean was only seven and in second Sanders and Carol Marin – exceptional condo’s co-rulers are dogs Kallie and grade when he decided he was going to professionals and human beings. Maddie. Sean got Irish Terrier Kallie as a be a TV reporter, spurred on by his In late 2004, his love for American puppy in 2007 from a rescue in Madison, mother and encouraged by his Aunt Jodi, history and politics next brought him to Wis. And, shortly after Sean had done a who was a TV news anchor in Nebraska – Richmond, Va., as weekend anchor/ story on the Anti-Cruelty Society some where Sean caught the bug for journal- reporter for NBC afiliate WWBT-TV. He eight years ago, he and Tom stopped by ism. Coincidentally, Jodi’s daughter lived in the heart of Richmond’s colonial Anti-Cruelty and fell for pink-nosed white (Sean’s cousin), Christina Souter, moved historic district, ive blocks from St. into Malibu East in 2011 and built her John’s Episcopal Church, site of Patrick family here. The Souters recently moved Henry’s stirring “Give me liberty, or give Malibu East events back to their native Minnesota. me death!” speech he made to the Second True to his childhood calling, Sean Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. and meetings spent two years each at the University of Sean made lifelong friends in Richmond Board candidate form deadline Wisconsin-La Crosse and UW-Milwaukee, and had hoped to stay. But, his mother, Friday, Aug. 10 interned in Minneapolis and Milwaukee, who still lived in Kenosha, had been 5:00 p.m. - Management Ofice and graduated in 1997 with a double stricken with recurring metastatic breast Hawaiian luau major in broadcast journalism and cancer, and he used all his vacation time Saturday, Aug. 11 political science. Two weeks later, he and free days visiting her. 6:00 p.m. - South recreation deck started his irst stint as a newly minted In March 2007, he moved back to Board meeting reporter in Fargo, N.D., where he covered Kenosha to look after his mom, commut- Tuesday, Aug. 28 the most devastating lood of the Red ing to Chicago and a new position as 7:30 p.m. - Windjammer Room River of the North since 1826 (it looded anchor/reporter for Tribune Company’s again in 2010) – and whatever assign- CLTV – the only opening he had found. Leave event and meeting notices at ments were lobbed his way, including Sadly, his mom died just two months the desk for the Dialogue. For more city council meetings and the local police events: malibueast.org/calendar beat, which didn’t quite match the wacky (Continued on page 8) Page 2 August 2018 Please keep in mind that the meeting notes are not the oficial record of the Malibu East Condominium Board of Directors meetings. The oficial minutes are generally approved By Neil Warner during the next meeting and may be viewed or copied in the management ofice. Tuesday, July 31, 2018 working to bring a speaker from Chicago Room for residents’ use from 9 a.m. to 10 Attendance: Ten Board members, two Fire Department to Malibu East in the p.m. on a trial basis whenever the room management representatives, 10 residents fall. isn’t rented by a resident or otherwise Excused: Carol Beatty, Jake Levandowski 8) ASCO & Community Affairs – Sandy being used for an Association-sanctioned Presiding: President Marcel Molins Chaet event. ASCO fundraiser 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12 2) Boat dock cleanup REVISIONS TO AGENDA at Marty’s Martini Bar, 1511 W. Balmoral. Nothing new. 1) “Board meeting attendance” was added Chicago Park District is working on 3) East air handler: low and moisture to Old/New Business. lakefront path separation project from control Ardmore to Foster, separating bicycles Directors authorized upgrading the east TREASURER’S REPORT – Joan Scholl from runners/walkers. Complaints were air handler to control air low and 1) Financial statement (as of June 30) made about Fourth of July ireworks at moisture. Operating and reserve cash Lane Beach Park and Kathy Osterman 4) Stack effect: loading dock enclosure $4,506,772 Beach; our alderman will talk with police When all proposals have been received, Investment in units about patrolling the area on holidays. the Architecture & Aesthetics Committee $2,409,658 (14 units) Edgewater 5k Run/1 mi. Walk will occur will meet to discuss our options. Excess of operating revenue over on Sunday morning, Oct. 14, and trafic 5) Stack effect: garage carbon monoxide expenses on Sheridan Road and east-west streets detection $217,770 year-to-date will be restricted from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.; Work is in progress. 2) Delinquencies (as of July 30) see article on page 7 for details. 6) Seawall rehabilitation project $426,134, including $240,022 from Bidding documents awaiting review. former residents, less $310,000 MANAGEMENT REPORT – Violette 7) Garage structural repairs allowance for doubtful accounts Deschamps Bidding documents awaiting review. Items requiring Board action 8) Landscaping beautiication COMMITTEE REPORTS 1) 37E tax payment See Architecture & Aesthetics Committee 1) Architecture & Aesthetics – Carl Chadek Board approved the payment of property report above. Landscape architect is investigating taxes for this repossessed unit. 9) Balcony/facade project lighting options for the atrium, NW 2) Landscape consultant’s proposal L and M tiers are nearly inished. Work corner and Sheridan Road, among other Tabled. on north-side tiers is on schedule. elements of new landscaping plan. A 3) Garage west wall parapet 10)Lobby/fourth-loor master plan presentation of landscaping plans will be Directors voted to replace the masonry Management has solicited proposals to given at the annual meeting. wall and railing with a similar construc- develop a master plan for renovating the 2) Communications & TV – Thomas tion, allowing for a modiied railing Lobby, the east side of fourth loor and Vaughan design to comply with city code. the residential hallways. Directors will A TV/internet survey for residents will 4) Tower west wall water iniltration interview the irms being considered. be distributed soon. remediation 11)Captain’s Walk stairwell 3) Garage – Martina Molins Board approved the remediation work on Bidding documents awaiting review. rd Garage was 59 cars below capacity as of one bay of the west wall at the 43 loor 12)Captain’s Walk rebranding June 30. Thirteen residents were on as recommended by our consultant. Directors will meet to discuss ideas for waiting list for single self-parking spaces. 5) Tower west wall additional investiga- rebranding the commercial space. There were no damage claims in June. tion 13)Convenience store status 4) Units & Redecorating – Carl Stahlheber Directors authorized our consulting New tenant is making progress in Units 9J and 33H are being renovated.