Saturday Soapbox

Small lots, big issue:

Land costs money. And land in Naperville usually costs more than other places. Naperville neighborhoods are dotted with small empty parcels that could make nice neighborhood parks, but the park district's purchasing protocols essentially rule out buying those pieces of property. Park board members have been looking for lots big enough to build unwanted recreation centers, which really don't exist in the city anymore. Perhaps it's time to re-examine those guidelines and take into account the desires of the residents.

Makes you wonder:

Nothing against the candidates who made the first cut for Naperville District 203's open school board position, but you have to wonder why Steve Deutsch isn't among them. His experience with the facilities task force and board issues after having run for a school board seat last spring would seem to give him an edge over some others in the field. We just hope his opinions alone -- some of which are against the majority of the board members' views -- didn't knock him out as a candidate. With a major facilities decision looming, the board could use some input from fiscal conservatives who reflect the concerns of many taxpayers while still putting high value on education.

Good deal to encourage good cause:

Any movement at all toward getting people to use public transportation has to be greeted positively. So it is encouraging that commuters in Naperville are taking advantage of the opportunity to ride free of charge from Park-n-Ride lots to the Route 59 train station. Between June 18 and June 30, the city gave away over 5,000 rides in its Free Ride program. Hopefully this will work to meet the goal of motivating more people to leave their cars at home. For more information on the Free Ride program, go to www.naperville.il.us/freeride.aspx

Celebrating peace:

This is a time of summer festivals, a chance to enjoy good food, great music and games. But a different kind of festival will begin in earnest next month in Naperville, with the aim of encouraging harmony. The inaugural Celebration of Peace Month will begin on Friday, Sept. 7, with a number of events lined up to make us think about how we can be more at ease with ourselves. In a time of fear of terror, in a time of war, such an undertaking is to be welcomed, and hopefully will end with a new understanding of what it takes to leap the barriers that stand in the way of peace.

Ring their bell:

The Millenium Carillon's Moser Tower is open three days a week and costs $3 a pop to climb to the top. Only in Naperville is that considered accessible.

Double-billing:

Some Aurora residents were mistakenly sent two water bills instead of one. The city asks those with dual bills to pay just one and disregard the other. We bet they will do just that. How often is it that government asks you not to pay a bill.

Route 59 Pioneer Days:

You don't have to go to Naper Settlement to get a feel for how the early pioneers lived. Just drive along Route 59 through Naperville and Aurora, during rush hour and during construction activity, and you'll experience what it was like to inch along in the covered wagon behind a team of horses.

Excellence in economic development:

Congratulations to Christine Jeffries, president of the Naperville Development Partnership and Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau, for winning the 2007 Illinois Distinguished Economic Developer Award. The award was given by the Illinois Development Council.