The Soapbox: Brief thoughts from Daily Herald editors on suburban topics of interest

This editorial is the consensus opinion of the Daily Herald Editorial Board.

Today's clippable quote

"Smart people learn from everything and everyone, average people from their experiences. Stupid people already have all the answers." - Socrates

Racist rhetoric in East Dundee

East Dundee trustees this week overturned the village president's veto of the Elgin Mall relocation, but the community hasn't exactly rolled out the welcome mat. At Monday's meeting, some opponents of the mall's plan to move to the long-vacant Dominick's site repeated tropes about immigrants and crime. Very disappointing.

Not everything is a conspiracy

A Republican-led county clerk's office applied for a $2 million grant to replace aging voting machines, so naturally that's interference by ... Democrats? Some in the Kane County GOP don't like the left-leaning founders of the source of the money, the U.S. Alliance of Election Excellence. The grant aims to promote fair and secure elections, hardly a "liberal" idea.

So long, Tribella

Tribella Bar and Grill in Batavia will close its doors Sunday after 26 years in business. The owners say they just couldn't recover after the pandemic, and that's sad to see. It's sad for the staff, the Batavia community and the customers who loved Tribella's food and atmosphere. And it's a reminder to give your favorite small businesses the support they need to stay open.

Hello, Caputo's, and ...

Mount Prospect residents will several new businesses to enjoy as things progress along what Community Development Director Bill Cooney said is shaping up as a "a cool little stretch" in the Prospect Avenue corridor. Caputo's Fresh Market is about to open. A fitness facility already has opened, and other unique attractions are expected this summer. Keep 'em coming.

Spiritually, ethically, morally behind him

Sunday night is the premiere of the fourth and final season of HBO's dark, dark comedy "Succession." We'll be cheering on someone likely key to denouement: the man Logan Roy wishes were his son - and Kendall Roy's best frenemy - Stewy Hosseini, played by 1998 Glenbrook South grad Arian Moayed.

Singing her heart out

Good luck to Algonquin native Caroline Baran, known as Kaeyra to her music fans, as she competes on Sunday's audition episode of "American Idol." While not new to Chicago stages - she's performed at Lollapalooza, Taste of Chicago and at Chicago Bulls and White Sox games - now the world will get to hear her sing Chris Stapleton's "Cold" at 7 p.m. Sunday on ABC.

Still relevant, a half-century later

It was 55 years ago this month that Robert F. Kennedy announced his run for president, emphasizing values of peace, justice and equality. "This is a time to create, not destroy. This is a time for men to work out a sense of decency, not bitterness. This is a time to begin again." RFK's vision of a more just, peaceful world is still worthy of our collective focus.