Looking ahead to Naperville's 2009

Until recently, I could only think of one other time in nearly 10 years when my editor, Bob Smith, suggested a specific topic for my column.

That was back in July 2006 when he requested my recollections about Naperville's flood of 1996. Otherwise, he's given free rein to pitch whatever's on my mind.

As a community columnist, I've enjoyed relating my life's experiences to what's happening in Naperville - the good, not-so-good, and sometimes serendipitous. But mostly, my personal goal is to communicate some related thoughts you might not find in other news stories.

Just before Christmas, Bob asked me to think about five issues I thought would dominate the Naperville scene in 2009. I got to thinking about reader feedback from recent columns, especially the proposed parking decks in downtown Naperville and how we define culture in our city.

Noting that several of us monitor the parking lot at Nichols Library on weekends after hours - a story that included news that the spacious addition to the Van Buren parking deck is now open - a reader wrote, "I loved your article about your little car. You write in a very entertaining manner (with a message). Did you get many responses about it?"

(I chucked about the time a reader said I'd never receive a Pulitzer Prize!)

Back to the question: You bet I received responses! The resounding message was to "rethink" the plan for a parking deck at Nichols.

Transportation

Other hot issues will be road improvements - from pot holes to intersections - that temporarily will hamper how we get around in order for us to arrive at our destinations safely and more efficiently.

Then there's mass transit. If we changed our habits and could rely on timely mass transit - and I think there's a private enterprise just waiting for opportunity here if managed right - to move folks across our city, we could teach our city's children that every driver does not need his or her own car. We also could encourage walking and biking.

But for starters, Metra and Pace offer low cost public transportation alternatives. Metra serves the downtown Naperville and Route 59 train stations, while Pace offers bus service to connect these transit hubs to area stores, theaters and restaurants.

Real estate

With the uncertain economy, we might be at a loss to fill existing residential and commercial properties created by downsizing or moving. Funding and finishing some of the already started developments could be a challenge. New tenants for new development may take longer to sign.

Over the holidays, we heard from a friend who manages skyscrapers for both residential and commercial real estate in New York City.

"Just to let you know, New York is not immune to this economic crisis," he wrote. "We reduced rents last week for our residential tenants 18 percent. Office rents are back to where they were 10 years ago. The lost decade!"

School projects

Finishing the high schools and other building projects in both local school districts as budgeted - or under budget - and on time is certain to have our watch.

Spring election

Another contested issue will be the consolidated election in April. With five seats on city council, five seats on the park board and four seats on each of the school boards to fill, the potential for a shift in leadership is staggering.

Who are these folks who want to serve us, write public policy and approve the multimillion dollar budgets of our governing bodies? Are they fiscally responsible? Do they understand their role as public servant? Do they have a personal agenda? Do they listen well? Are they articulate?

Now is the time to start asking the questions. Now is the time to pay attention.

All that said, I'm optimistic. I like to look toward the future as much as I enjoy my memories. I'd rather pitch something exciting rather than rehash the sorry past without going forward. Some of that comes, I think, from growing up in a family of farmers, educators, engineers and builders who are always planting ideas and developing new things.

As much as I might resist some of the latest expensive technology - my dad's example of how quickly prices plummeted for digital watches always comes to mind - I truly could never buy into the thought that what's here right now is all there is.

In fact, when I walked my dog on clear sidewalks in 56 degree temperatures on Dec. 29, I wondered why I'd bothered shoveling snow for six days in a row.

World-class

It's a privilege to live in a community that shines on the big world map.

Yet, I sometimes wonder if these braggadocios days of No. 1 livability rankings with the misnomer of "world-class" creeping into the local vernacular is the best way to promote the values of this remarkable city with a culture focused on education, families and a caring community spirit.

I've always viewed "world-class" cities as the likes of New York, Paris, London, Tokyo and Rome distinguished by their population, cultural amenities and impact on business and finance.

Several readers asked about my son's experience in Seoul, South Korea, and his journey back to Naperville via Southeast Asia where he is now. Thanks for asking.

On New Year's Eve, while waiting in the Bangkok airport with his laptop, Jeff e-mailed, "'The World is Flat' is an interesting read and it really hits home with me now."

Volunteerism

I'm often reminded how our community came together during a sluggish economy in the early 1980s to volunteer time to build the first phases of the Riverwalk.

Perhaps now our community also will find ways for more residents to become engaged in volunteering, filling in some of the gaps to sustain our quality of life.

Stephanie Penick writes about Naperville on Tuesdays in Neighbor. Contact her at spennydh@aol.com.