Help me win a bet: Get out there and vote!
Talk about pathetic. I just bet a political junkie that the vote turnout in the February primary will top 50 percent. That would mean only one of every two voters goes to the polls to weigh in on who will be our next potential president, county board member, state's attorney, etc.
He thinks it's more likely it'll only be one of every three registered voters who turns out. Actually, most of the political whiz kids I've talked to in recent days say a 35 percent turnout would be surprisingly good for a primary.
I say people are fed up, scared, tired and worried -- fed up with paying out the nose for gas, mortgages and bills, scared it's only the beginning of bad times, tired of hearing the same old promises and worried it's going to get worse.
I think that means we'll vote. In droves. So I'm sticking with my more than 50 percent turnout guess and hoping I'm way low.
Your two cents
What do y'all think? Will you vote? Did you already? What made you decide to vote? If you're not voting, may I ask what stops you? Is it that whole "have to pick a party" thing? Or something else? You can post your thoughts below the column or send an e-mail to amack@dailyherald.com. Or call (847) 931-5725 and weigh in. What would it take to get you to vote?
Name that clown!
By the time this clown is given a new name, I do believe he can say he was named by a village. Algonquin Village Clerk Jerry Kautz retired his Klutzo the Clown name after the distressing news another clown using that name was arrested on child porn charges last fall. Jerry was so distraught he immediately retired his Klutzo from clowning. But quick and overwhelming support has him back in the clown business. The Algonquin Lions Club and Rosen Hyundai are sponsoring the contest, which runs Friday through Feb. 29. The very generous car dealer is providing a $1,000 savings bond for the winner. Kids in kindergarten through third grade will get the entry forms at school this week. Move over, Klutzo, here comes … !
Icing on the skate
Congratulations to the Algonquin Brubaker clan! Jacobs High School grad Rockne Brubaker, 21, and his skating partner Keauna McLaughlin, 15, just won the U.S. Figure Skating senior pairs championship.
Next stop? The world championship competition next year and, hopefully, the Olympics in 2010. Talk about doing your hometown proud!
Opening right
If you've been looking for a new restaurant to check out, consider stopping by the new Wool Street Grill & Sports Bar in Cary. And not just because they have 54 different beers on tap. The "family-friendly" spot aims to give you a good meal and good place to watch the game
It's at 800 Feinberg Court -- that's near the intersection of Cary-Algonquin Road and Route 14, just past the Blockbuster store. Cary Grove Chamber Director Suzanne Corr tells me there's a lot of excitement for today's ribbon cutting as Wool Street's opening highlights Cary's new prime business development area.
Talk about timing: Isn't there some big game going on in Arizona this weekend?