Saturday Soapbox
A second chance:
Like many of us, perhaps you weren't ready when Flag Day came around June 14. There's still time before the Fourth of July to replace a tired, worn symbol of red, white and blue. In many cases, the American Legion or VFW will help retire your colors properly. Take the time and do it right. You'll be glad you did.
Barking up the right tree:
Just a friendly reminder that with nicer weather, there are more joggers and walkers in our parks and on our sidewalks. And, while you may know your dog would never bite anyone, others don't. So, please, keep pets leashed.
Des Plaines managers take a bow:
Kudos to all Des Plaines senior staff who are refusing to accept raises this year because of the economy. No, it won't make much of a dent in the city budget, but every penny helps and it's leadership and sacrifice we applaud.
Help in Hanover Park:
And while we're handing out praise, let's give some to Hanover Park interim Police Chief David Webb who granted an interview this week to talk about strategies for dealing with the spike in violence. And thanks, too, to neighboring police departments adding patrols to help in Hanover Park.
Setting her own term limits:
Suzanne Hart announced plans to run for a seat on the Will County Board. This is the same Hart re-elected to the Naperville Park District board in April and sworn in for a second term in May. Now, one month into her new four-year term, she's already making plans to circulate petitions in August for another elected job. Shouldn't newly elected officials fulfill the bulk of their obligation to the people who voted for them before turning their political attention elsewhere?
No pay, no gain:
You know things are bad when state-hired construction contractors are walking away from their jobs. A few who have been working on a College of Lake County remodeling project in Grayslake haven't gotten their state paychecks for six months. "That's the only way to get their attention," one plumbing contractor said. Who can blame them?
Consistency is key:
There's big pressure on Republicans to defeat the American Clean Energy and Security Act. We've heard some environmentally friendly suburban congressmen might follow the party line in an expected House vote next week - with plans to change sides if it comes back from the Senate. Please be advised: Voting against it before voting for it sounds an awful lot like what got John Kerry in trouble when he voted for a tax increase before he voted against it.
A glimpse of perfection:
One of the most memorable lines from the movie "Remember the Titans" is when the defensive star tells his coach there's more at stake in the championship game than simply doing your best. "With all due respect, you demanded more of us. You demanded perfection. Now, I ain't sayin' I'm perfect, cause I'm not, and I ain't never gonna be, none of us are. But we have won every single game we have played 'til now. So this TEAM is perfect. We stepped out on that field that way tonight, and if it's all the same to you Coach Boone, that's the way we wanna leave it." Makes you wonder what Steve McMichael will say tonight at the Sears Centre when his unbeaten Chicago Slaughter takes the field in the CIFL playoffs. Good luck, Mongo.