Saturday Soapbox

Big Loser no more:

Among the 800 runners and walkers in the sixth annual Cantigny 5K race in Wheaton was Julio Gomez, a contestant on this season's "The Biggest Loser" on NBC. The Algonquin 40-year-old finished in 34 minutes, 27 seconds - 10 minutes off the winning pace. But not bad for a guy who used to weigh more than 400 pounds. Attaboy, Julio.

Driving us crazy:

There has been much debate on the pros and cons of red-light cameras at intersections, but maybe we can all agree on this: Somebody has to stop those left-turners who keep right on going after the arrow turns. And let's not even talk about the ones who block the intersection during rush hour.

It's good to be a leader:

Sunday is School Board Members Day in Illinois. According to the Illinois Association of School Boards, there are nearly 6,000 people in the state who give their time to serve. While we might not always agree with their decisions, these people are to be saluted. Too often, their difficult work goes unnoticed.

Lessons for Veterans Day:

A hearty thanks to the Freedom Calls Foundation for organizing a chat that served two purposes. It closed the 6,500-mile gap between Libertyville resident Jason Hunt, who is serving in Iraq, and his sons Ryan and Jason. At the same time, classmates at Butterfield School got a real-life lesson in appreciating the little things while learning more about the sacrifices military families make, particularly during wartime.

A round of ap-paws:

If this retiring law officer were human, he'd probably be well-decorated. Mato, a drug-detecting German shepherd, is ending his five-year service to Kane County due to health concerns. He has helped seize 500 grams of cocaine and 1,500 pounds of marijuana and assisted in 50 felony arrests. We wish Mato, as well as handler Ron Hain and family, happiness in his golden years.

Magnificent miles:

We're inspired by preservation groups' efforts to protect 20,000 more acres in Lake County by 2030, setting aside 20 percent of the county as forest preserves, trails, open space, farmland and natural areas. Pitched by Grayslake-based Liberty Prairie and involving 16 entities including the Forest Preserve District of Lake County, the effort would make the most of lower land prices and establish a common goal for the future.

Long-term investment:

We support going green and all that, but we're puzzled by Hanover Park's $141,600 grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The village will convert 12 percent of its streetlights to use energy-efficient LED fixtures for a savings of $6,000 a year. So the investment will pay for itself in ... 23 years. Isn't there a better way to use those tax dollars?

Doing the right thing:

We commend and thank Aurora's higher-ranking fire officials for agreeing to set aside a scheduled 3.5 percent pay raise and instead accept a pay freeze for 2010. The move by the 29 unionized captains, assistant chiefs, battalion chiefs and fire marshals will save the city $125,000 next year. They are among 305 city employees who will forgo raises next year.

Still looking for protection?

If you're still trying to get the H1N1 vaccine, keep trying. Call your county health department or doctor's office, or check this handy link to the state health department: idph.state.il.us/h1n1_flu/sf_vaccine_locations.htm.