Soapbox: Seeing red, revisited
Yes, we know this topic has been previously preached from the Soapbox. And it will be again, for long as there is a problem (which there is) and for as long as communities thankfully keep addressing it. Our roads are menaced by motorists running red lights and treating yellows as if they are a signal to speed up, not slow down. So bravo to Palatine and Schaumburg for joining in as the latest municipalities to help out with cameras at red lights. It probably won't stop the problem, but any step in the right direction is a good step.
You call this a rebate?
Apparently members of Congress don't understand the definition of the word "rebate," if you listen to proposals for an economic stimulus package. "Rebates" are a return of monies already collected to the parties from which they were collected. Thus, you can't give "rebates" to people who didn't pay anything. You can give them handouts, but not "rebates." And somebody has to pay for both handouts and rebates, either in the form of cuts elsewhere, which no one has proposed, or more debt.
Thanks for the help
Struggling home at about 9:30 p.m. last Tuesday night it was a virtual white-out -- great gusts of wind blew snow across the roads, blotting out any sense of place; street lamps were invisible. Making our way at a snail's pace south on Mannheim, crawling almost on instinct alone as we approached Higgins, suddenly a Rosemont squad car appeared through the gloom, lights rotating, and then parked at the corner. It was like seeing a lighthouse on a rocky shore to those of us driving there that night. A very thoughtful gesture.
Entertaining prospect
Just guessing, but we'd imagine the results of a consultant's survey of residents, employees, students, civic and business leaders regarding a new superintendent might be pretty entertaining, and likely to make the ears of Elgin School District U-46's school board burn a little. Between the overly generous contract it gave former Superintendent Connie Neale, her abrupt departure and lingering animosity over her redistricting plan, it's more than likely the consultants got an earful. Their survey report to the board on Feb. 19 is open to the public.
Three cheers for cheerleaders
Good luck, all you cheerleading teams from the suburbs who are going into today's state finals in Bloomington. The athleticism that marks cheerleading today is something truly marvelous to behold, which means the old saw is true: Just getting this far really is an honor; and a testament to your hard work and dedication.
Simon says yes, so we will too
Whether "American Idol" is your thing or not, we've really got to tune in this season to see how far our local contestant, Michael SanFillippo of South Barrington, can go. It's not just that he's local, it's the sincere excitement he's generating among his friends that makes you just want him to succeed. Besides, any kid tabbed in high school as "Most likely to win a Grammy," must have something worth listening to.
You tend to wonder…
what's going on when the phone -- instead of your alarm -- rings at 5:17 a.m. For High School District 214 households on Friday, it was word that school had been called off. Criticized by parents last year for a snow day decision, District 214 officials deserve credit this time for both making the right decision and informing students and parents in a timely fashion.
And amazingly…
some of those same sleep-craving teens could be seen out shoveling the family driveway before 8:30 a.m.!