'Click it' or you may lose out on chance at new car

I have more than one reason to wish I was again a new driver, still in school. And not just because I'm old.

As a motorist without a car -- and you know that means "STRANDED" if you live in the northern Kane or McHenry County region -- I'd sure love to be a high schooler in the coming months. It would mean I'd have a chance to win a car just by wearing my seat belt.

The incredibly successful Operation Click program initiated by Crystal Lake police, schools and generous automobile dealer Sam Oginni of Crystal Lake Pontiac/GMC is expanding.

Thanks to the generosity of Sam and other car dealers in the region, and the efforts of many in Crystal Lake law enforcement and schools, the program already has been expanded from Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Prairie Ridge and Cary-Grove high schools to include five more schools this year -- McHenry East, McHenry West, Barrington, Wauconda and Woodstock.

New Trier, Buffalo Grove, Palatine, St. Viator, Hersey, Hoffman Estates, Conant, Elk Grove and Richmond Burton are considering it for next year.

Three Champaign County schools will start in the next month, and southern Wisconsin schools may next year.

Here's how it works: Students sign up, agreeing to wear seat belts, not drink and drive, or ride in a car with an impaired driver. If the school hits 90 percent seat belt compliance, one finalist from that school advances to the car finals. If it's at 95 percent or above, two finalists advance. Talk about peer pressure.

It's effective and it's exciting, said Crystal Lake police officer Sean McGrath, who's been a key player in the program's success.

"It's positive reinforcement," he said. "When we have our luncheon and give away the car, everyone has a smile a mile wide."

See what I mean? Oh, to be in high school again.

Wheels down

Why no car for me? It started when the timing belt blew on a car with too many miles. The cost to fix the resulting damage just wasn't worth it.

Then it was a financial timing decision. And, for now at least, it's been a green decision. It feels really good to know I put one less car on the road for awhile, though less good to know I'm mooching rides at times. With all my beefing about congestion, I thought I'd try to be part of the solution as I sort out my travel options, but it's pretty clear it likely won't last. If anyone claims southern McHenry County or the northern Fox Valley has mass transportation, they need to redefine transportation. As I see it, they mean my feet!

Voter deadline

Whether or not your candidate did well in Iowa, Tuesday brings another opportunity to win voters' hearts for most of them, this time in New Hampshire. Then it's Michigan, Nevada, Florida. Judging from the incredible turnout in Iowa, an impressive number of voters recognize the importance of this next election and turned out in droves. Will you be able to weigh in with your vote when it's Illinois voters' turn Feb. 5?

You must be registered to vote -- at your current address -- by Tuesday. You can register at most city or village halls, townships, libraries and your county clerk's office. For Kane County voters, that's in Geneva. Call (630) 232-5990 for details.

For McHenry, you'll find the clerk in Woodstock. You can call (815) 334-4242 for details.

Mailer

Speaking of elections, I hear many of you have received a somewhat mysterious mailing that includes only a copy of a column I wrote about how much McHenry County State's Attorney Lou Bianchi spent on candy, doughnuts, meals and such. The mailed piece notes it was reprinted with the permission of the Daily Herald.

In fact, I've learned we did sell those reprints, as we often do, but the mailer does not indicate who sent them to McHenry County voters. Some of you have called wondering if I mailed it to you.

Not me -- I sure stand by my column and love when you read it, but I don't ever get involved in political campaigns. And any extra nickels I have will go toward said car instead of postage stamps. Those who suggest I was the sender likely just didn't like what I had to say in that particular column.

I did do some checking, however. McHenry County GOP chairman Bill LeFew confirmed he purchased the reprints as an individual and mailed them to more than 900 people because he thought they should see the information about the state's attorney's expenses.

"I purchased it with my own money out of my own pocket," LeFew said. "It was not part of a political campaign fund."

He says he felt the column stood on its own and didn't feel it necessary to add anything. Now if only my editors felt that way when I filed my copy.