The Soapbox: COD curiosities, blessings in Hoffman Estates, a legend remembered in Kane County and more

Beyond the noise at COD, Part 1:

A few weeks ago, there was an uproar about whether College of DuPage Chairwoman Kathy Hamilton violated a board ethics policy by actively supporting a slate of candidates in the spring COD election. If municipal board members, school board members and park commissioners can endorse in their elections, why can't COD trustees?

Beyond the noise at COD, Part 2:

One of the hottest COD controversies has been spending at the Waterleaf restaurant, and let's be clear, we think it's worthy of review. But let's also keep in mind that when the college's "profit" is taken out, the $183,000 spent from October 2011 through this January amounts to a real cost to the college of roughly $73,000, about $24,000 a year.

At what cost?:

Flashing sign along Schaumburg Road: "U text U drive U pay." But what do you pay? A fine? Possibly, if they can catch you. Bodily harm to you or others on the road? You increase the likelihood, for sure. Even worse ....? Please, phone in the glove box, hands on the wheel. Let's all make our roads safer.

Wear a helmet:

It doesn't matter how nerdy bike helmets look. They work. If you saw the huge pileup in the Tour de France, you know what a difference they can make. Even if you're out with your honey or your kid on one of our many suburban bike paths, it's only a matter of time before you take a spill. And it can mean life or death. Trust us, we know.

Gold Medal finalists:

Kudos to the Itasca, Oak Brook and Fox Valley park districts, which are in the running for a Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. Itasca and Fox Valley are going for their third medals; Oak Brook for its first. They'll find out how they did in September.

Kindness of strangers:

"I am so blessed. I am so thankful." These are the words from a Hoffman Estates woman whose home caught on fire in May, and is now living elsewhere until it is rebuilt. The outpouring of help and support the family received - from an empty house, to clothes, to food - was beyond words.

Never forgotten ...:

It's unimaginable, but it happened. And it probably happens more than we realize. The remains of three veterans had been unclaimed since at least 1983. But all it takes is someone to step up - Jackie Glueckert of Glueckert Funeral Home in Arlington Heights - and a host of volunteers, and these veterans were finally buried with full military honors. As they deserve.

Cool in the pool:

As our communities fret over missed revenue from sparsely attended swimming pools, let's not lose sight of the fact that those facilities continue to serve important safety and teaching functions, irrespective of the weather.

Good spot for a bike path:

Amid the news that the lion's share of the work on Gary Avenue in Bloomingdale will soon be completed is that a bike path on Gary will be built between Army Trail Road and North Avenue. That's good news, because a connection between, say, the Mallard Lake area and the Illinois Prairie Path and Great Western Trail is sorely needed.

Klinkhamer one of the good ones:

Before there was "coffee with the mayor" there was Jim Klinkhamer, the former Carpentersville police chief, who would be in his office Saturday mornings so the line of people waiting outside to speak with him could be heard. Mr. Klinkhamer, 86, of Hampshire, died Wednesday. He joined the force around 1957. "He was a great guy," said John Skillman, Klinkhamer's assistant before becoming chief.

Fountain safeguards:

Three juveniles were cited for draining 60,000 gallons of water from the fountain in Carol Stream's Town Center. Not funny. But good to see the village considering ways to make the valve the kids opened more secure.

All along the line:

After charging a Roselle man with aggravated battery on charges of head-butting a Metra conductor and breaking his nose, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin promised, "This type of unprovoked attack on a man who was just doing his job will not be tolerated in DuPage County." Nor, let's hope, anywhere that Metra operates.

Get cookin':

Like to cook? Enjoy a challenge? Join us for the Daily Herald's fifth annual Cook of the Week Challenge. This friendly bracket-style competition starts with 16 cooks and works up to a fun, festive live cook-off Nov. 2 between the final four. Check out the details and fill out an application at www.events.dailyherald.com/cook-of-the-week/. Good luck!