The Soapbox: Hamilton and COD, quiet zones in Elgin, the Des Plaines cop who arrested Gacy, a spat in Wauconda and more

Hamilton's closed-door comments:

In her Guest View Thursday, College of DuPage Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton suggested we took her comments out of context when we reported Tuesday that she was supportive behind closed doors of the buyout compensation for President Robert Breuder. To which we say: Listen to the audio on dailyherald.com and judge for yourself.

Lombard needs a fest:

Asked if they'd be willing to run a replacement fest for Taste of Lombard, canceled this year because of the demise of the local Jaycees, 30 nonprofits surveyed didn't exactly jump at the chance. But maybe a more collaborative effort would help share the burden. A town the size of Lombard should have a flagship festival.

Quiet zone:

Good for South Elgin for looking into establishing its first "quiet zone" that would require trains to sound bells rather than the much-louder horns when they pass close to the River Crossing condo complex. But before spending too much on the plan, we suggest trustees be certain the trains are as disruptive as some indicate.

The look of winners:

The Chicago Bandits have collected some nice wins outside of their National Pro Fastpitch games. In two "battle of the sexes" exhibitions, the softball stars beat the Joliet Slammers and Windy City Thunderbolts baseball teams. And they added a charity game win over the Strikers of the Chicago North Men's Senior Baseball League.

A winning approach:

More impressive than beating the boys, the Bandits have been champions in their season-long efforts to raise money to fight ALS. From hosting charity games to bowling nights to pass-the-bucket collections, this team is all in. You can join them on Aug. 4 for ALS Awareness Night that features an NPF game and jersey auction. It's a win-win.

Last word on John Wayne Gacy:

Only weeks before he died, Joe Kozenczak finished the audio narration of his book "The Chicago Killer: The Hunt For Serial Killer John Wayne Gacy," the gripping narrative of the one of the most fascinating manhunts in Chicago area crime. It's fitting that the former Des Plaines cop got it done in time, and in his own voice.

Now's the time!

The days already were getting shorter, and now it's August. Got a list of summer "musts?" It's time to dig it out and start concentrating on enjoying the fleeting season.

Long and winding road:

It took DuPage forest preserve commissioners nearly a year to find a new executive director. Here's hoping Michael Hullihan, who was serving as Oak Brook's public works director, proves to be worth the wait.

Good news for kids:

The DuPage Children's Museum finally will reopen its Naperville facility on Sept. 19, roughly eight months after broken water pipes flooded the building. Crews had to repair not only the building, but all its exhibits. Lesson for you youngsters: No use crying over spilled water.

Lending a helping hand:

Speaking of the DuPage Children's Museum, kudos to folks at Westfield Fox Valley shopping center in Aurora who carved out space to serve as the museum's temporary home during the repairs. Called DCM@TheMall, the temporary facility was such a hit that officials considered keeping it open, until they came to grips with the realities of funding and staffing.

Wauconda unrest:

The acrimony on the Wauconda village board between trustees and Mayor Frank Bart has reached new heights. A blowup over the fate of the village's emergency dispatch center led to a call for a no-confidence vote against Bart. Let's hope cooler heads prevail and real efforts are made on all sides to repair this relationship and work together for residents.

A costly homecoming:

Insurance giant Arthur J. Gallagher's return to Rolling Meadows will bring more than 2,000 workers to the city and provide a much-needed shot in the arm to the struggling Meadows Corporate Center. City officials say those benefits are worth the up to $30 million in city Tax Increment Financing funding that lured Gallagher. Let's hope they're right.

Best wishes, Carole:

Assistant Corporate Secretary Carole Reconnu retired from the Daily Herald this week. Meticulous and caring, Carole served, among other things, as one of our links to company patriarch Stu Paddock Jr. having been his secretary for the 11 years prior to his passing in 2002. Enjoy retirement, Carole.