Soapbox: The gist of Money's list? It's rubbish
It's nice, we guess, that Arlington Heights, Bolingbrook, Mount Prospect and Naperville made Money Magazine's list of the country's 100 best places to live. But we think a lot of other Chicago suburbs belong on it too.
That list, Part 2:And we're kind of offended that they're not.That list, Part 3:With all due respect, who is Money Magazine to decide? Don't you have to live in a town to really understand what makes it special?Hurray for Habitat:Don't you just love it when people think beyond their small corner of the world in helping out? We were buoyed to see Habitat for Humanity volunteers rehabbing a house in Carpentersville, but the fact that volunteers came from DuPage County and beyond to help out made us smile all the more.A costly ploy:So now we realize that year-round school families won't reap the benefits of the Aug. 6-15 sales tax holiday on school supplies. It's just another indication that the 5 percent break from our state leaders amounts to mere political stratagem rather than wisely crafted legislation. Remember, this move might end up costing our debt-weary state $60 million.Turning over a new leaf?The Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board, which fired its previous superintendent in a $185,000 deal cloaked in secrecy, started on a better foot with its new interim chief, expediting a Freedom of Information Act request for his contract and resume so that they would be available the night of his appointment. Keep it up.Ticket masters:A shout-out to Glendale Heights leaders for quickly assuaging the anger of residents who bought ride tickets at the village's Summerfest that ended up being shut down because of a storm. Because it was the final day, the tickets were useless. But the village promised to honor the tickets next year. Call (630) 909-5330 for a voucher form.And then . . . The same storm also prompted cancellation of Glendale Heights' fireworks. Again, the village quickly rescheduled the show this week, and the fireworks went off without a hitch.Mind your ethics:After months of finagling, the Kane County Board has come up with an ethics law that restricts campaign contributions and requires disclosure for those doing business with the county and limits nepotism. Let's hope there's no need for the rules - and that the state's attorney comes down hard on those who would break them.Hitting a home run:You can't help but love the quaint story of restaurant owner Keith Giagnorio and his self-made Wiffle ball field, Pasta Park in Lombard, where kids from 7 to 81 gather on Sunday afternoons to have some fun playing the game. It oozes neighborhood, and neighborhood is good.Teach away apathy? Nice to see Benedictine University in Lisle having students in American Government classes become judges for the Nov. 2 election. Maybe getting involved through school will help students realize the importance of their vote.