The Soapbox
Oh no, no snow?
The older we get, the more some of us appreciate the lack of snow in winter. We know others enjoy it and that many people even rely upon it for their livelihoods. Come what may, and despite what the meteorologists say, we can’t help but fear getting socked with a spring storm.
Welcome back, Ralph:
It was good to see Geneva Alderman Ralph Dantino back in his chair at the city council meeting this week. He’s been absent all fall, with the exception of attending a meeting via teleconference in December, hospitalized with severe complications from surgery and chemotherapy treatment for cancer.
Tune in:
Round Lake Area Unit District 116 administrators are embarking on a new initiative to bolster communications — radio. The district this week launched its weekly “Destination Excellence — 212° & Rising” at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays on WRLR 98.3-FM. We’ll be listening.
Fresh start:
After the resignation of its previous leader and reports claiming millions of dollars in misspending, the DuPage Housing Authority got a new director this week. Will David Hoicka be the “healer” board members say he is? He has the credentials. We wish him luck.
‘Sunk costs’ move south:
Who would have thought two years ago that the Cubs’ ace pitcher would so quickly be reduced to an economic term for “wasted money”? Sad for Cubs fans but also for Carlos Zambrano. We hope he conquers his personal demons in Florida — in the American League.
Local ties:
Amazing, isn’t it?, how often the suburbs figure in the national political spotlight. Joe Walsh (McHenry), Mark Kirk (Highland Park), Henry Paulson (Barrington Hills), Hillary Clinton (Park Ridge) ... and now, Rick Santorum (Mundelein). You’ve got to admit, we get involved.
Making a stink:
It was inconvenient to cancel a basketball game at Rolling Meadows High School because of odors coming from a new gym floor. But an abundance of caution is always appropriate when health is at stake. Besides, you can always reschedule a basketball game.
Tragedy upon tragedy:
The sex-assault murder of an 11-year-old girl may be the most heart-wrenching of the tragedies surrounding the death of Holly Staker of Waukegan, but by far it wasn’t the only one. It appears Juan Rivera improperly served 19 years in prison for the killing, and now, it’s hard to imagine her killer, whoever it is, will ever be brought to justice.
Roadside memorials:
We love our pets and the animals around us. Really, we do. But we believe a request by some downstate members of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals to put up roadside markers to commemorate cattle that were killed when a truck rolled over should be denied. Let’s keep the remembrances limited to people.
‘Resistance is futile’:
Anyone else see a connection between the recent toll hikes and the Borg’s famous axiom in the “Star Trek” series? You may have started off with a strong resolution to take local roads to avoid paying tolls, but after a day or two you found yourself back on the tollways. Resistance, while laudable, seems futile.