Saturday Soapbox: Fox Valley
Not this year for public works
If officials in Carpentersville think the village can break ground on a public works facility this fall, they must know something no one else is privy to. There are no plans, no designs and no funding. If the public works facility was such a top priority, why has it taken so long to get a cost estimate drawn up? The village has sat on the property at Wilmette and Cleveland avenues for more than 18 months and will continue to sit on it for at least 12 more.
Heed the warnings
If you have the urge to go fishing, do so where the river isn't raging. Four men, including a 76-year-old Chicago man, on Monday morning rented a rowboat so they could fish near the Stratton Lock Dam near McHenry. Three men were rescued. The Chicago man was not. The Fox River is a fine place for fishing, but not when Wisconsin empties its waters into ours at an alarming rate. Unless you're sandbagging to keep your house dry, stay away from the water.
Friends in hard times
How inspiring it was to hear that Carolyn Cox and Gloria Johncours have found each other. The two McHenry County women share experiences and feelings that none of us would ever want to -- both were nearly killed by their husbands. That they provide each other support and solace lets us know that no matter how grim things can get there is always someone out there with whom to share our seemingly unique set of problems.
Watch out for Swedish Days daze
Listen up, people attending Swedish Days in Geneva this weekend. We know you are in a daze, having eaten Swedish ham sandwiches and had fun at the Eco Fest and learned what rosemaling is. But you have to pay a wee bit more attention to traffic when you cross the streets downtown. Don't just step off the curb; push the button so you get a "walk" signal. And drivers, exercise extra caution this weekend.
Make a good neighbor
The outcry from West Dundee neighbors of the newly approved site for a Wal-Mart is hardly a surprise. Few would want a megaretailer right next door. Our bet is West Dundee village officials, who unanimously OK'd it in their quest to ensure sales tax revenue, hope that Wal-Mart makes for a good neighbor. If the retailer really wants to make friends, it should volunteer to quickly repair and upgrade that pothole-riddled stretch of Huntley Road to the west even before building the store. That will be far more effective than bringing brownies.
Allow for signs, but make them nice
There must be an attractive way to allow for business owners in the Waubonsee Corporate Center in Sugar Grove to erect signs along Route 47. The owners say passing motorists don't know they are there and point to jumps in business when makeshift signs have been posted. Too many and over-the-top ad signs can really make a spot ugly, but with the village and business owners working together, a compromise should be within reach so the businesses can reach out to customers while keeping the right aesthetics.
A move for history
The Kane County development department is to be commended for facilitating the move of a historic farm house earlier this week. After years of discussion, the county brought together two developers to move the 1845 Byron Kendall House from Keslinger and Anderson roads in Elburn to a new location in the historic district of the Settlements of LaFox. One of the developers paid for the move. Congratulations to all.