Saturday Soapbox: Lake County

Fireworks over no-bid

There's a reason governments must solicit bids on purchases over $10,000. Besides the fact it's a state law, it makes sense to get the best price when public dollars are footing the bill. Why then is Fox Lake Mayor Cindy Irwin trying to waive the bid process and hire Mad Bomber Fireworks Productions for $25,000 to produce the village's annual fireworks show this summer? Irwin claims the purchase is a "specialty item" and the fireworks committee looked at nine proposals before agreeing on Mad Bomber. But those proposals were not part of the official bid process required by state law. Governments can get around the law with a two-thirds majority of their board, but why do that in this case? The village's financial struggles in the past year are well known to its residents, so getting the best deal on a purchase is important.

Three cheers for the environment

Here's even more evidence that Lake County residents are ahead of the curve when it comes to protecting the environment. At a tire and oil collection event held this week, people brought more than 60 tons of old tires and about 2,500 gallons of used oil to be recycled. The tires will be shredded and used for fuel. The oil will be recycled and used in roadwork by asphalt companies. Lake County residents themselves also will be doing some recycling this spring and summer. Residents snatched up every last one of the nearly 1,000 rain barrels at the second annual sale. The plastic barrels will collect rain water that can be used on thirsty plants and dirty windows and cars, and that's just for starters. The water in the barrels also will be kept from running down driveways and into storm sewers, mixing with oil and lawn fertilizers along the way, and polluting our water supply. We applaud everyone who's taking part in these and other "green" activities, and encourage those who haven't yet to get on the bandwagon. Your local officials -- with the Lake County Farm Bureau, the IEPA, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County, the Lake County Forest Preserve District, the Lake County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission -- sure are making it pretty easy.

Here's to teachers

Did you catch American Idol on Wednesday? Perhaps the best moment came in the second half when David Cook went to his hometown and surprised his elementary school music teacher with an on-camera visit. He wanted to thank her for inspiring him to get into music. Not every teacher who has left lasting inspirations in their students will get such a public honor. But they all deserve it. Why not take a moment, consider the teacher or teachers you consider influential, track them down and let them know?

It's a dogs' world

Some days, it seems the world's going to the dogs. At many local parks and forest preserves, it's literally true. As Nadia Malik's report showed, in increasing numbers they're setting aside special areas for pets to roam off the leash. This is one case where the world going to the dogs is a positive, not a negative. Go Spot, run!

Why all the Cub anniversary talk?

May 6 marked the 10th anniversary of Chicago Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood's 20-strikeout game. The week before that it was the 25th anniversary of manager Lee Elia's infamous post-game profanity-laced explosion. So why all the reminiscing about Cubbie moments? Because championship-starved Cub fans have had little else to look at but these anniversaries, especially the big one coming up this October.