Saturday Soapbox
And the calendar turns to Aug. 1:
Summer, you can arrive any time now.
This race puts us on the cycling map:
Get out this weekend to take in the Alexian Brothers Tour of Elk Grove, which has become one of the biggest cycling events in North America and brought pride to the suburbs.
If Obama wasn't ready, is Murphy?
Remember the critics who said Barack Obama wasn't experienced enough to be president after only four years in the Senate? What's their take on Matt Murphy's run for governor after what would be just four years in the Illinois Senate for the Palatine Republican?
A hero, with class:
Sgt. Thomas Horvath of St. Charles is not only a hero after serving in Afghanistan for about a year, but he also showed class when he pulled our reporter aside to tell him another soldier from his unit was coming home, but without fanfare. That's how we learned about 1st Lt. Kevin Holt. Thanks for making sure another local hero wasn't forgotten.
We like an improved Ela Road:
We are delighted to see the newly paved Ela Road between Algonquin and Lake-Cook roads. Those old potholes were getting out of control, and it appears now there will be good shoulders allowing bicyclists a smooth thoroughfare across northwest Cook County.
Is Higgins Road fixed yet?
Meanwhile, Higgins Road in Schaumburg remains a killer road, with potholes still able to eat up tires and maybe differentials. Work can't start there soon enough.
Ads, ads, everywhere:
Just when we're finally getting fewer credit card solicitations in our mailboxes, Cook County wants to include advertisements in its next assessment mailing. Those fliers already clutter up our utility bills.
Readin', writin' and helpin':
Community Unit District 300 has seen a 50 percent increase in homeless students. Numbers are rising in other suburbs, too. Many charities are gathering school supplies and filling backpacks for students who can't afford to gear up for school. If you're picking up supplies, why not throw a few more in the cart for someone less fortunate than you?
An ounce of prevention:
Suburban police were shut out of $1 billion in stimulus money. We wish Sens. Richard Durbin and Roland Burris showed more leadership to help out departments in Elgin and Hanover Park. Maybe they just don't understand that suburbs are complex communities in need of resources to prevent the crime that put other towns on the list.
Candace, you're always welcome here:
Candace Parker admits she loves her hometown so much she has joked with her husband about moving to Naperville to raise her daughter, Lailaa. With Naperville quickly establishing itself as the suburban answer to city-style entertainment, maybe a WNBA team someday isn't completely out of the question.
1,200 feet of safety:
Kudos to Milton Township Highway Commissioner Gary Muehlfelt and Lori DeMarke for finding a cost-effective fix for a stretch of Pleasant Hill Road near Wheaton. DeMarke's brother, John Rigdon, died there when he was riding his bike in the street. Muehlfelt agreed to extend the sidewalk to the Prairie Path to, hopefully, prevent another tragedy.