The Soapbox
How true:
Message on Schaumburg city sign outside the police and fire department this week: “Got freedom? Thank a soldier.” Simple words, profound meaning.
In particular:
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Army Spc. Samuel Watts, 20, of Wheaton, who died just a week ago from injuries suffered from a roadside bomb in Afghanistan. Our prayers are with all our servicemen and women and their families. This weekend, and every day, we are grateful for the sacrifices they make to protect us.
Cutting hurts:
While we sympathize with suburban mayors and others upset as state legislators consider various ways to cut spending, the cuts must come from somewhere. One plan this week proposed freezing the 6 percent of state income taxes local communities get. Given the state’s red ink, a freeze rather than a cut seems pretty reasonable. The budget must be balanced, and it will hurt.
Goofy math?
It’s sort of like you and me suggesting that if we didn’t have to pay the mortgage, property tax and utilities, we’d be strolling down Easy Street. In response to a consultant’s report that the DuPage Airport’s Prairie Landing Golf Club lost about $456,000 last year, airport authority officials cited several ongoing expenses keeping it from breaking even.
The tax-exempt pay taxes:
Because of a 2007 agreement, the otherwise tax-exempt airport has to pay taxes on the golf course to the city of West Chicago and other local governments. That accounts for almost half of the deficit. Authority officials also complained an airport flight center deli — which for some reason falls under the auspices of golf course operations — loses money.
More than a golf course:
Airport Authority Board Chairman Dan Goodwin mentioned he opposed plans for the golf course years ago; he never intends to play it, in fact. But it is achieving its stated intention to provide water retention and a noise buffer. And if someone has a better idea for how to accomplish that, he’s all ears, he said.
Local heroes:
We echo the Round Lake village board’s praise of 17-year-old Sadie Contreras, her father, Luis, and neighbors Jeffrey Platt, Christopher Moore and Mayla Moore, who were honored this week for their quick thinking in alerting a neighbor that her house was on fire.
Grab a good read:
If you don’t have the funds to enjoy a book on a coastal beach this season, there’s no need to give up the reading part. Local libraries are starting their summer reading programs, so get yourself and the kids involved. State education officials offer this site for finding the right book by ability level and interest: www.lexile.com/findabook. Check it out.
Relief over the rallies:
Thankfully, the protests at the NATO summit in Chicago didn’t cause the massive disruption or violence people had feared. In spite of the hype, they ended up having as much oomph as, well, a Facebook IPO.
Inspiring kids:
A Batavia High School girl born with no lower leg bones trying out for the Paralympics, a Wheaton-Warrenville High School student doing amazing things with video, and dozens of kids from throughout the suburbs named to the Daily Herald Academic Team. That’s just three days this week on the front page. What’s not to smile about?
Still a good deal?
Google buys Motorola Mobility and we’re all left to wonder whether it and its 3,000 jobs will remain in Libertyville. A company spokesman says all options are being considered. Then comes word that Sears Holdings issued layoff notices to possibly 200 workers in Hoffman Estates, while saying it will add positions as well. Both firms, of course, got incentives to stay from state officials. Now we can’t help but wonder whether that was a wise move.