Finally, it's time to cast informed ballots
Finally! Despite a snowy break late Sunday, the day has arrived that many of us marked on our new 2009 calendars last fall.
Yet before I plead my case, as is customary every Election Day, for candidates to make prudent and productive use of that anxious time while waiting for the returns to take down all campaign signs, I wondered about other significant events that have happened on this date in history.
As I scanned through hundreds of possibilities, I noted that the 42nd Academy Awards were presented on April 7, 1970. That year, Oscars went to "Midnight Cowboy" for Best Picture, John Wayne for Best Actor in "True Grit" and Maggie Smith for Best Actress in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie."
Further in the "oh-my-gosh-where-has-the-time-gone?" category, other Oscar winners in 1970 were "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Hello, Dolly," Goldie Hahn for Best Supporting Actress in "Cactus Flower," and Gig Young for Best Supporting Actor in "They Shoot Horses, Don't They."
That winning spirit from 1970 emphasizes variety as well as my support for the arts. With open seats on every governing body, here's hoping educated and thoughtful voters go to the polls to vote FOR our community.
Polls are open today from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Local ingenuity
Leave it to resourceful voters in Naperville to rethink their candidates.
While tooling around town Saturday in peaceful bliss, I noticed some residents had used pre-printed political campaign signs to express their true colors.
Mindful of the renewal and refreshment that comes with spring, some yard signs have been creatively redone with "caution yellow" tape to reflect the names of candidates other than the ones printed on the signs.
Good schools
We spend a lot of time in this community acknowledging the excellence in our public schools.
And rightly so.
Since the days of Hannah Ditzler and the Naper Academy followed by the arrival of North Central College to Naperville nine years after its founding in Plainfield in 1861, this community always has placed education highest among its priorities.
That expectation by our residents is another reason private schools and other higher institutions of learning have been attracted to locate here, too.
I've always found it interesting that even with recognized excellence in our public schools, many residents choose to send their children to private schools. And others choose home schooling.
Whatever choice, I think the majority of Naperville children go to school prepared and eager to learn. Plus, parents provide encouragement, tools and lessons for enrichment as well as after-school tutoring when needed.
I'm convinced it's a strong collaboration among home, school and community that makes the difference in the success of our children.
Friday an enthusiastic supporter for two of the hopefuls running in today's election appealed to my judgment - and my vote - by quoting the late sales guru Og Mandino. "Take the attitude of a student: never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new."
As I pondered our lively conversation, I was reminded how grateful I am that more than enough residents want to serve our community. And most of them made themselves available for questions during a variety of forums this past month.
Did they have the right answers to represent you? And if elected, will they ask the tough questions?
Be prepared
About eight years ago, a group of local folks organized Community First, an initiative that "encouraged compatible redevelopment in established neighborhoods." They also followed a mantra: Education. Communication. Cooperation.
Education is the beginning of everything - and if we throw in communication and cooperation, everyone is better served every time.
And just like our goal to provide a broad education for our curious children, with skills to prepare them for the future of a demanding work force, I hope voters on this Election Day are well-informed and ready to choose good leaders who know our community. Why would we want it any other way?