The Soapbox: A tribute in Buffalo Grove, a voting push in Naperville, volunteerism throughout the suburbs.
Exercising safety
Even though it's winter and the conditions are not always user friendly, there still are some of us who enjoy our time in the outdoors. So here's another thank you to our park districts for the removal of snow and ice from local walking paths. We would rather not take our chances on the roadways, so we appreciate you keeping us safe.
Our greatest treasure
Congratulations again to this year's Leadership Team. How lucky we are to have such active, caring teens. In the midst of their busy lives, these young people have a passion to help, to take charge and to live their lives with compassion. They are not only leaders now, but will be leaders for years to come.
And there's more
On the same day we published our look at student volunteerism, columnist Burt Constable told about Bill and Debbi Meddendorp of Des Plaines whose work with the Salvation Army helps bring warmth and food to the homeless in the midst of the most frigid winter days. The call to service clearly spans the generations.
Stay in your lane
If you're southbound on the two-lane stretch of South Meacham Road between Kirchoff and Higgins Roads, you may notice a series of "only" turn lanes to your right. These lanes exist to safely funnel off traffic into those neighborhoods. These lanes - common elsewhere in the suburbs, too - are not for passing on the right.
'Solaces' from sorrow
Grief over the 2016 deaths of three Buffalo Grove High School teachers takes a musical turn with the world premiere of "Solaces." Orchestra Director Elizabeth Bennett turned to a composer to create a piece with notes inspired by the school's initials as a way to cope with loss. Sunday, students will play the piece in a moving tribute to teachers gone too soon.
Consolidation watch
Two March initiatives could advance government efficiency. DuPage County voters will consider an advisory referendum to eliminate the DuPage Election Commission; Aurora voters can decide whether to keep the Aurora Election Commission, whose duties the Kane County clerk says he can assume. It's good to see consolidation on the ballot.
Happy voter-age day
The League of Women Voters in Naperville have given Waubonsie Valley and Metea Valley High School students turning 18 before November another reason to be excited. It created nonpartisan gift boxes to welcome kids to the qualifying age for voting and help them understand the joys and responsibilities it entails. OK, folks, now get out there and vote.
Finding a future after brother's death
It was a heartwarming ending to a painful tragedy when Jason Contreras was sworn in this week as an Aurora cop, more than 21 years after his 6-year-old brother was killed by a stray bullet fired into his Aurora home. Inspired by police work on the case, he's now part of the fight against the gang violence that took his brother's life.
Remembering Kyle Leonard
We join with our colleagues in mourning the loss of Kyle Leonard of Hawthorn Woods, longtime editor at TribLocal and Pioneer Press. Though he was a competitor, Kyle shared our devotion to the people and places that make the suburbs what they are. And he was an exceedingly good person too. Gone too soon at 55; we will miss him dearly.