Soapbox: Turbulent forecast
They call it stormy Monday but Tuesday will probably be just as bad for DuPage Republicans running for county board. Monday marks the deadline for candidates to file in the Feb. 5 primary and battles are brewing in at least five of six county board districts. Not exactly the harmonious, sail into the general election and save money to fight the Democrats game plan party leaders might hope for. However, GOP nation can take heart because local Democrats aren't exactly singing "Kumbaya." Two Democratic organizations are operating in the county and a battle for the chairman's spot is expected in early 2008. The good news is this should actually lead to more debates, conversation and engaged voters -- so let's hear it for bipartisan dysfunction.
Burglars have sunk to a new low
It takes a special kind of lowlife to burglarize churches. There are four local men who've either already been convicted or are awaiting trial on charges related to alleged thefts from 15 different religious and not-for-profit institutions in Wheaton. Computers, televisions -- even money from the donation box -- were allegedly snatched during the crime spree. Anyone convicted of stealing from churches and organizations that exist to give comfort to those in need should, at a minimum, be forced to do some community service. The hours of labor should equal the value of what they stole. Maybe the goodness of these churches and organizations will rub off on the criminals. If not, at least they can feel the full weight of their shame.
Arboretum in full glory
The leaves have finally given up the green of summer for the gold of fall. No one is happier about that than the Morton Arboretum in Lisle, a great place to see trees in autumn splendor.
Case of the strange suitcase
A suspicious suitcase in Naperville, that forced police to bring out the bomb squad, evacuate the 5th Avenue train station, stop trains and lock down schools, turned out to be harmless. It belongs to a homeless man who had hidden the suitcase in bushes so he didn't have to haul it around. Police firmly told him that it wasn't the smartest thing to do, and not to do it again. And while the whole situation was extremely aggravating, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief that the bag wasn't packed by bin Laden.
Long, compassionate walk
You have to do more than walk a mile in Jim Armbruster's shoes to appreciate his incredible capacity for compassion. You'd have to walk 1,827 miles. That is the distance between Aurora -- where Armbruster began his walk to raise funds for and build public awareness of the Marklund Home in Bloomingdale -- and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, where the walk ended. Armbruster raised more than $200,000 for Marklund, which provides 24-hour care to infants, children and adults with severe disabilities - including Armbruster's 24-year-old son Nathan. This was one heartwarming hike.
And this time he means it!
When federal Judge Michael Mason again extended the deadline for discovery in the discrimination lawsuit filed against Elgin School District U-46, you could almost feel residents groan. The district has already spent more than $3 million to defend itself and Mason has yet to even rule on whether the suit will become a class action. In June, Mason extended discovery (trading of evidence) until Nov. 1. Now it's been extended to Nov. 29, more than a year after discovery began. Mason told the parties involved that he'd brook no extension after that date. We're pretty certain residents footing the legal bills are hoping he means it this time.