Soapbox: Always thinking of the trails
An example to treasure:
While politicians often obsess over keeping their jobs, West Chicago Treasurer Don Early wants to eliminate his. He recognizes the original purpose of the job — minding city finances — has been taken over by professional administrators. At his urging, voters can remove the job April 5. Bravo to Early for his integrity.
Coming home:
New Cubs manager Mike Quade returned to Prospect High School this week with a message about the solid foundation his suburban high school provided. “Without that foundation, I'm nothing,” he told the student body. It's a message worth thinking about for students at any suburban high school.
Imagine:
And Quade's former coach at Prospect, Larry Pohlman, had memories that can't help but stir a Cubs fan's heart. “The hard work, the determination, the positives that if things don't work out all the time, you keep working at it and things are going to be all right.” Well, if Cubs fans know anything, it's that things don't work out all the time. Maybe this year they will.
Always thinking of the trails:
Not a moment too soon, the Friends of the Great Western Trails is already getting the word out about a trail cleanup April 30 in DuPage and Kane counties. The group seeks volunteers to help; see www.friendsofthegreatwesterntrails.com. Yes, cyclists always do think about riding, even when it's too cold.
Serious business:
Authorities say whoever set traps in a field near Geneva “knew what he was doing.” Maybe as far as trap setting goes, but as far as trap location, we can only hope he didn't know what dangers he posed to neighbors. It was only good fortune that saved Jeff Henry's dog, Smoakie, and later Henry himself from serious injury. Let's hope the instigator is stopped, soon.
That helps:
Wauconda residents got good news this week when the village board said it would make good on a pledge to cut the municipal tax on utilities by 50 percent if voters approved a fire district referendum in November. The perk was offered to help offset the property tax increase.
Coaching carousel:
Does the NFL balance its Chicago coaching ties? Out: Brad Childress (Marmion), Mike Singletary (Bears). In: Ex-Bears Les Frazier, Jim Harbaugh, Ron Rivera. Stock up for Lovie Smith (Bears), but down for Mike Shanahan (East Leyden) and Jeff Fisher (Bears). Rex Ryan (Stevenson) still in playoffs, Sean Payton (Naperville Central) out.
Objection to objections:
Seeing the case of the Schaumburg Township District Library board candidate who was disqualified because he failed to properly file a receipt of his statement of economic interest with the library, though he'd filed it with the county, one wonders if our election laws couldn't do more to distinguish between meaningful and frivolous challenges.
That's civil discourse:
“We all shook hands and agreed we're going to communicate better.” What a great outcome to the flap over guide dog Iggie, whose condo neighbors in Bloomingdale complained about over his barking. Owner Tim Spencer agreed to try ways to curtail any barking, the condo association dropped fines against Spencer and all promised to try to live in harmony.