Soapbox: Oscar winner is more than image
Diablo Cody revels in her rebel persona, so she probably wouldn't want you to know this, but it's the truth. When she spoke with us in the hectic days before the Academy Awards she couldn't have been nicer or more accommodating. The Benet Academy graduate -- she was Brooke Busey back then -- was more than generous with her time and came off as straight-forward and genuine in her conversation. Think of her what you will from her blog and TV appearances, but she demonstrated with her Oscar-winning screenplay for "Juno" that she can write like an angel. And, at least in her limited dealings with us, she was as far from her devilish image as can be.
A true Hometown Hero
Aurora made an outstanding choice when it picked Jim Armbruster for its Hometown Hero recognition. Armbruster, 60, achieved a 20-year goal last year when he completed a 2,360-mile walk from his Aurora home to San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. Better still, he plotted his five-month trek with the goal of building a name for Marklund, a Bloomingdale facility that offers 24-hour care for severely and profoundly disabled infants, children and adults -- including his 24-year-old son, Nathan. He also raised about $137,000 for the home. The only problem with the Aurora honor is that it doesn't go far enough. Armbruster isn't just a Hometown Hero, he's a national treasure.
Good choice for Metea leader
Jim Schmid calls himself a longtime "Waubonsie Valley guy," and there's really no arguing the point. He's served at the school for 15 years, including the past four as principal. So it's understandable that the Warriors will miss him when he leaves this summer to take the reins of the new Metea Valley High School that's scheduled to open to freshmen and sophomores in September 2009. Opening a high school is the educational opportunity of a lifetime and we think Schmid is a great choice. Better still, he's got access to a superb mentor in Deputy Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who was the Neuqua Valley principal when that school opened. The next challenge for Indian Prairie Unit District 204 officials: Finding an equally qualified candidate to replace Schmid at Waubonsie.
Good luck to great police chief
Aurora Police Chief William Powell is calling it a career after 30 years with the department. And while Powell believes someone in-house should take over the job, it might make some sense for the city to look at candidates with an outsider's perspective. But if Aurora can hire another police chief like Powell, it will have done well. Powell was superb at his job, not only in busting the bad guys but as a strong, positive leader in the community. And we always appreciated that Powell viewed the media as helpful in solving crimes, not an adversary. Few police chiefs share that view. We wish Powell the best in his retirement.
Be responsible landlords
The Villa Park village board has approved an initiative that would require landlords to bring their property up to code, and additionally cracks down on crime occurring in and around rental units in the village. The program is on shaky ground, however, because it's questionable the village can proceed with it without having home rule powers. But that shouldn't stop slumlords from wanting to be responsible landlords. Starting with taking pride in what they own and cleaning up their property, and keeping criminals out of their rental units. Personal responsibility shouldn't have to be forced by government policy.