This contrast stings

This contrast stings

While the DuPage County Board wrings its hands over how to handle a budget catastrophe, the DuPage County Forest Preserve District is in the financial land of milk and honey. Or honey at least. As the county board contemplates layoffs, cuts to benefits and -- gasp -- their own perks, the forest preserve is pondering whether to spend money on a modern honey-processing facility for its bees that meets all modern health codes. Here's an idea. To make some extra money, the county could offer to process the honey at the health department and sell it. Talk about a sweet deal.

Refusing to be polite for polite's sake:

Jim McCann didn't go quietly when he resigned this week from his position on the Itasca School District 10 board. McCann expressed harsh criticism for several former colleagues. Meanwhile, those board members didn't hide negative observations of McCann. While no one likes to see elected officials trade insults, there appears to be a silver lining in this instance. Clearly, District 10 school board members are very passionate about their jobs. And they don't sugarcoat their opinions of each other -- even when a little white lie might be the polite thing to do.

So much for man's best friend

Sorry Fido, this is one party you'll have to miss. To quell safety concerns, Glen Ellyn Park District leaders banned residents from bringing their leashed pooches to major events, such as the Great Cardboard Boat Regatta and the Freedom Four Run. Our four-legged friends still are allowed in many district facilities, unless noted on signs, but not during specific sporting events, such as baseball, football and soccer games. There wasn't a specific incident that prompted the ban, but leaders said they're trying to be cautious in the name of safety. We get the thought, but it seems a bit extreme to live in a community where you can't take your dog along with you to enjoy a fun local outdoor recreation event. After all, that's the sort of stuff that draws folks to the suburbs in the first place.

Age of enlightenment?

Chicago Bears linebacker Lance Briggs says he panicked after crashing his high, high-end car into a light pole at 3 in the morning and left the scene to "avoid a scene." Then he told police a wild tale about his car being stolen, before calling them back to tell them the truth. Why? Because his lie nearly instantly sounded "ridiculous," even to him. He says he's learned from his mistakes. And that he loves everybody. He sounds just like a teenager, caught doing something wrong and trying to wriggle his way out of trouble. Problem is, he's 26, not 16.

While we're at it

Maybe, after the Briggs fiasco and earlier Tank Johnson debacle, it wouldn't be a bad idea for somebody (Lovie?) to just take the car keys away from all the Bears until the season is over. Isn't there a Pace route that links Halas Hall and Soldier Field?

A lovely gift

When Jake Taylor of Bartlett dropped a pencil, he was pretty much stuck -- until Sable entered his life. Jake is 7, suffers from a congenital muscular and joint disease and spends a lot of time in a wheelchair. Sable is a black Labrador retriever for whom serving Jake became a life's work last week, including the picking up of dropped pencils. Sable was a gift from Dogs for Disabilities, a not-for-profit group run by Dan and Sue Wasilas of Batavia. After training with Sable at TOPS Canine Complex in Grayslake for most of the summer, Jake took her home last week. She's already part of the family, Jake's companion and likely an icebreaker with other kids, who might otherwise be reluctant to approach Jake in his chair. A lovely gift for a kid who faces plenty of challenges each day.