The Soapbox: Brief thoughts from Daily Herald editors on suburban topics of interest
This week's clippable quote
"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time." - John Lubbock, banker, politician and writer
Good to see safety work at trail crossing
It's good to see that the DuPage County Division of Transportation will construct a curbed barrier median on County Farm Road where the Great Western Trail crosses it. The median serves as a safety island for bicyclists or pedestrians as they cross the four-lane road. Friends of the trail have rightly called for measures to reduce the risk of the crossing.
Stop messing with wildlife
It seems like every day we read another story of some well-meaning person trying to "save" a wild animal that in all likelihood doesn't need saving. If you see a fawn or other young animal alone this time of year, leave it alone. Mom is probably nearby. Often, the worst thing you can do is interfere with nature.
Let's not make it 50
It's understandable if you have lost count of the number of times Long Grove's historic bridge has been hit by vehicles too tall to make it through. Two more this month takes the number to 49, and one of those actually punctured the facade. Drivers, the height signs are there for a reason. Please read - and heed.
The smell test
Prestige Feed Products in Mount Prospect has been offending its neighbors for years. The company uses leftover cheese and soy products in creating animal feed, and the stench is overpowering. Now, trying to prevent being shut down, officials say they're installing equipment that could end "100% of the complaints." Let's hope so, for everyone's sake.
New hope near O'Hare
O'Hare Airport planners were discouraged last month when a letter from the FAA seemed about to ground a noise-reduction strategy they spent seven years developing. Now, the FAA says not to worry, there's still "a path forward." It will require some revisions and a new submission but regulators promise they're "committed to keeping this on track." Neighbors are counting on that.
40 years of doing good
In 1983, Sister Rosemarie Burian founded a food bank in Carol Stream with a small group of like-minded volunteers. It didn't matter that they had no money or staff. The Bethlehem Center Food Bank later became the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Now headquartered in Geneva, it provides 80 million meals annually to people across 13 counties.
Bearing down
A business group that supports bringing the Chicago Bears to Arlington Heights is organizing a June 26 event featuring Bears CEO Kevin Warren. With Bears suitors now including Naperville as well as Chicago, the group worries Arlington Heights' hopes could fall to "political foot dragging" over taxes and other issues. It's an understandable, growing concern.
Winners only
As the Bears courting rituals advance, let all parties keep one overriding thought in mind: The negotiations cannot be a matter of winners and losers. Wherever the stadium ends up, all parties must benefit. Though no stakeholder may get everything they want, likewise none should end up suffering.