Saturday Soapbox

Great role models for girls:It's quite a weekend for top female pro athletes who showcase their skills in the suburbs. Inez Karlsson tries to become the first female jockey to win the Arlington Million today. Softball superstar Jennie Finch wraps up her final homestand with the Bandits before retiring. Olympian Sylvia Fowles and the Sky closed their first season Friday.On the roads again:Despite a three-week construction hiatus due to the summer strike, schools throughout the suburbs appear ready to welcome students back on time. That's a relief. Now let's see that stepped-up effort translate into smooth and open roads - sooner rather than later.Adding insult to injury:It's tough to get cut from a high school team during summer tryouts, but kids know it happens. However, it's especially harsh when a coach sends a young athlete home in front of other players, with no explanation. Remember, coaches, you're educators, too.On track toward quietude:Freight train traffic and noise in suburban neighborhoods will only grow when the economy improves. So we applaud Lake Zurich's efforts to quickly develop a plan to lessen the impact on homeowners. Canadian National Railway will be funding the project.And speaking of noise:It seems drivers in Elgin who insist on sharing their music with an entire block at a time are getting the message it's unacceptable. Police have been handing out fewer $500 tickets - even though the revenue sure would be nice.Keep our kids safe:Parents fear a new bus drop-off point at Wright Elementary in Hampshire is too dangerous. Community Unit District 300 disputes that, but underlying the whole debate is that drivers must be cautious when they're around school buses. We sound like a broken record, but can't people just obey the law?Government efficiency wins this time:Perhaps a sign of the times. One of our editors found it far easier and faster this week to get a marriage license at the DuPage County clerk's office than to add a co-signer to accounts at a national bank. True, federal law is hampering banks somewhat. Somewhat.Ethics clarity:DuPage County Elections Commission's ethics commission wisely ruled last week that a public relations agent who has done work for Republicans can act as spokesman for the Elections Commission. Not so clear is why such a decision couldn't come from the ethics office of the county, which appoints the Elections Commission.Concessions for all, please:Bus drivers, teacher aides and other support staffers in Huntley Unit District 158 agreed to a contract that freezes salaries for this year and calls for raises the second and third years tied directly to the rate of inflation. Teachers are entering the third year of a three-year deal achieved only after a two-day strike in 2008. Teachers, please take note.End in sight - barely: Motorists who travel busy Washington Street in Gurnee, take heart. Plans are under way for the final leg of the improvement project that has stretched on for 14 miles, 17 years and $53 million. That's right, widening and other work on the last 1.5-mile segment could begin in 2013. So close, yet so far away.