Read about Hubert Thompson before you vote to cut mental health care
Read before you vote:
Before voting to cut mental health care, we want state lawmakers to read about mentally ill Hubert Thompson's sentence in the murder of James Malone in Lombard. Pay attention to the victim's cousin, who said: "It's just a shame that someone who has been ill for so long kept being let back into society until someone else had to lose their life."
Keep asking questions:
Warren Township High School board members Charles Crowley and David Grum were wrong when they told fellow board member Jeanette Thommes that looking for more information isn't her job. Yes it is. In fact, Mr. Crowley and Mr. Grum, that's your job, too. Something we learned in kindergarten bears repeating: The only stupid question is the one you don't ask.
Welcome back, Joust:
Rain and storms forced the cancellation of last year's Lancer Joust. We're happy to see a forecast for clear skies Saturday. Good luck to those participating in the Lake Park High School competition - and to those in many other marching band contests this school year.
Brotherly love:
Though 7,000 miles apart, brothers Matt and Brian Gerber are bringing their worlds a little closer today by participating in 9.11-mile Freedom Runs in Barrington and Saudi Arabia. The 78-degree forecast might be a tad warm for Matt in Barrington. But it's a far cry from the stifling 107 degree heat that Brian will endure in Riyadh.
Stay close to home, don't waste money:
For the record, even in the best economy, Lake Zurich should not spend $3,100 to send board members to a Lake Geneva getaway. And offering buses, at an additional cost, doesn't erase the violation of the open meetings act, which states that meetings must be at a convenient time and place for the public to attend.
Full of glee here in the suburbs:
Add Ian Brennan of Mount Prospect to the list of suburbanites who've made it big in entertainment with his one-hour musical comedy "Glee" on the Fox TV network. It takes courage to follow your dreams; Brennan's success shows you've got to try.
Ideas for Oprah's 25th season:
OK, Oprah, we acknowledge the Magnificent Mile kickoff was quite a spectacle. But for season 25, you might consider the suburbs. Jerry Ford once filled Woodfield Shopping Center for a campaign event, but if you don't like that venue, might we suggest the Morton Arboretum, the Botanic Garden or Busse Woods?
Good move at Central Park:
The Naperville Park District's vote to move along renovations at Central Park seems prudent. The concert park near downtown has a new bandshell, but the rest of the facility needs sprucing up. The park board has ensured grant money won't be lost to help with improved concert seating, traffic flow and other amenities.
A near road-rage experience:
When Joseph Alexander, 18, shouted out his car window to a cigar-smoking Jeff Blankensop that "smoking kills," the Villa Park trustee thought he heard an obscenity and started a three-block chase. Police arrived, accusations were made, and apologies were exchanged. We hope the teen and the trustee learned a lesson in civility this week.
Legal costs be gone:
Smart move, McHenry County Sheriff Keith Nygren, for dropping the lawsuit against Crystal Lake about who has jurisdiction over the accident-prone entrance to Prairie Ridge High School. No sense in wasting money when a face-to-face meeting can settle the dispute. Now some real progress can be made toward a safer intersection.
Helping themselves:
Novak Park subdivision near St. Charles is having a garage and bake sale today and Sunday to help offset what will likely be an expensive fix to drainage problems in many homes. This riverfront community knows for each homeowner to go it alone would be costly. It's great to see a neighborhood doing something to help the greater good.
Presidential prattle:
Despite the controversy over President Obama's speech to students, we didn't hear much about one problem that struck us. It was too long. President Obama, know your audience. Third-graders aren't going to listen to you for 16 minutes. Neither are high school juniors, for that matter. Everyone needs an editor.
Presidential prattle, Part 2:
Maybe Obama's opponents did him a big favor this week. All the attention on whether that speech should be delivered to children certainly got our attention. Would anyone have been listening otherwise?