Saturday Soapbox: Thanks, Creen Bay
Thanks, Creen Bay
The Green Bay Press-Gazette's apology for misspelling “Chicaco” in a big headline Sunday was heartfelt and humorous, with a classy bow to our “great city” and a promise not to mess up the spelling of Super Bowl host Dallas.
Beginning of a thaw?
No, not the weather. But we can hope that relations between the parties in Washington, D.C., are warming. The fact that Sens. Dick Durbin, Democrat, and Mark Kirk, Republican, plan to sit next to each other during the State of the Union address next week is a good start.
Rough patch of road:
It's the time of year again for tales of perilous potholes and rippled roadways, and we're sure all drivers have their own nightmares to be avoided. Ours is the stretch of Bode Road between Braintree Drive and Springinsguth Road in Hoffman Estates. While there might be others as bad, there can't be many much worse.
Careful out there:
Even the most meticulous of shovelers are having trouble keeping their driveways clear of ice this week. Remember, most fall-related injuries happen in or around one's own home. Tread with caution.
Clean-spirited:
Island Lake is considering requiring owners of vacant property to register with the village and pay fees for maintenance. Other towns already do this. It seems a reasonable approach to keeping things tidy in this time of foreclosures and buildings left unrented.
High-tech enterprise:
Kudos to Lasse Ingebretsen for his effort to make downtown Elgin a place where young tech talent can find jobs. His Elgin Technology Center is a new network for students, professionals and businesses.
Sound of silence:
With all the political noise of late, the idea of “quiet cars” on the Metra line is sounding better all the time.
Pay to party:
A report says a Cook County manager pressed her subordinates to buy $100 tickets to a Todd Stroger fundraiser in October. Really, Mr. Stroger. Charging political appointees to attend your own tribute party? And to enrich a campaign fund that was moot at the time?
Dangerous animals:
Two Bloomingdale residents are now facing misdemeanor charges after police found two baby alligators in a tank in their yard last fall. This makes even coyotes look not so frightening.
Welcome support:
Few schools know the importance of combating mental illness like Barrington High School, which has seen seven suicides in three years. The addition of services from three major health agencies gives a big boost to the school and community's goal of destigmatizing depression. With luck, they'll have successes other schools can model.
Celebrating celebrations:
Maybe it's not “Happy Days Are Here Again,” but it's still encouraging to see Des Plaines bringing back its summer festival and researching other attractions. “We don't want to be known just as a casino town,” says Mayor Marty Moylan. Amen.