Public works department praised for cleanup efforts

Bob Shor took the time to address the village board Monday.

He gushed about the village's response to last month's storm cleanup. Shor lives near the Schaumburg border and said flatbeds, chain-saws and other equipment were on the scene the day after the storm struck. One of his daughter's friends even told the family: "You didn't get hit very hard, did you?"

Shor also praised the village's spending, saying some neighboring towns with bigger taxing bases aren't as efficient with the way it tosses around money.

So kudos to the public works department and other village employees.

Chalk up a winner:ŒThe village's Chalk It Up contest Friday was a success. Students from schools all over the area created chalk murals. Several awards were handed out by the village's arts commission, but Lincoln Prairie School earned the grand prize. Commission Chairwoman Michelle Pilafas complimented each entry for the "talent, heart and inspiration toward the creation of the murals. Each one had its own life and character. Everyone is truly deserving of award."

Hoffman represent: The office of State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, has hired Hoffman Estates' own Raja Krishnamoorthi, as its new deputy treasurer of policy and programs. Krishnamoorthi, 34, was most recently a partner concentrating in commercial litigation at Kirkland and Ellis LLP in Chicago. He'll oversee the office's pension investment policy, Bright Start College Savings Program, Unclaimed Property Division, Venture Capital Fund, Linked Deposit loan programs for agricultural and business development, and the treasurer's homeownership program.

It's almost time:ŒThe village board on Monday posed for photos for its 2007 holiday card. It's just a matter of time before those shopping center parking lots will be lined with cars and we'll be sipping from some hot cocoa. A variety of lighting was tried during the almost five-minute photo shoot inside village chambers. No word when the cards will be mailed. But I can wait for those icy days when my fingers are numb. I can wait.