The Soapbox: A loss on the District 15 school board, an eyesore in downtown Naperville, a new police station in East Dundee, a garbage transfer station in Round Lake Park and more.

A loss for Dist. 15:

Palatine School District 15 leaders may not mourn the resignation of board member Manjula Sriram, but her departure is a loss. Recently viewed by some as divisive, Sriram served an important role as often the only board member offering a contrary point of view. The board may run smoother without her, but perhaps not better.

Matters of trust:

State leaders met last week on the budget impasse, but the result was mostly an opportunity for both sides to reaffirm their stubbornness. Some moves were made to pay municipalities money they are owed, but even the towns are not excited. In the apt words of Elgin Mayor David Kaptain, "it's become a matter of trust." Or, you might add, lack of it.

Respecting taxpayers:

Bartlett leaders this week gave taxpayers something to cheer for the holidays - a tax cut. At a public hearing at which no one commented, they announced plans to cut next year's property tax levy by 1.85 percent. In recent years, they've cut $700,000 in spending to reach next year's $9.3 million plan. Maybe someone should say thanks.

Ten years vacant?

Stunningly, the building that once housed a Kmart and Menards at Ogden and Jefferson avenues in Naperville has been vacant for 10 years. We say stunningly, because that's so un-Napervillelike. With its popular downtown, long-term vacancies are rare.

Biggest eyesore:

The long-shuttered building is not sitting well with city council members, one of whom called the site "the single biggest eyesore in the city of Naperville." The owner of the property says deals to make it a bowling alley or Asian grocery store fell through.

Don't wait:

And with nearby Route 59 just coming off a two-year overhaul, the former Kmart space might not be the most desirable retail spot in town. Council member Patty Gustin suggested the owner not wait for the perfect tenant. Sounds like decent advice.

New police station:

Congrats to East Dundee and the new state-of-the-art police station the department will occupy after the first of the year. The new building will offer more than 10,000 square feet of additional space and better functionality.

Sounds of the season:

There are lots of sounds of the season at this time of year. One of our favorites? The distinctive sound of sandhill cranes as they migrate south.

This Rose is a rose:

Perhaps no one over the past three decades has done more to shape Wheaton than City Manager Don Rose, who announced this week he's stepping down next spring after 35 years at the city's helm. Serving under six mayors, Rose has been the guy who made sure the city worked. A job well done, sir. A job very well done.

Clean start:

For obvious reasons, all eyes will be on Lake County's first garbage transfer station when it opens next month in Round Lake Park. The plan attracted plenty of controversy, including a lawsuit from neighbors. Residents, officials and the media will be watching to see if the operation is as clean and efficient as Groot Industries says it will be.

The real Moneyball:

Baseball keeps raising the bar when paying for talent. While David Price once said it would be fun to win a World Series with Joe Maddon in Chicago, he opted to have fun in Boston for $31 million per year. At the other end, Gordon Beckham hit .209 and took a pay cut from $2 million to $1.25 million to play for Atlanta. Coupon days for him?

Crowning the champs:

The IHSA crowned its state football champions last weekend at NIU with Glenbard West in Class 7A and Montini in Class 6A coming away with titles. Equal congrats go out to Class 7A runner-up Libertyville, which played the weekend's most thrilling game against Glenbard West.