Soapbox: Works and plays well with others?
A majority of Island Lake trustees voted Thursday for a resolution that they'll try to work together in a positive manner and to avoid personal attacks and rehashing settled business. Worthy goals, all. Trustee John Ponio voted against the measure, saying, "When is somebody going to say what's positive and what's negative? It's just not enforceable, and I just don't agree with it." Oh-kaayyyy, then. Anyone want to place a wager (friendly, of course) on how long and well this resolution will help keep the board working together constructively?
All kinds of access
Lincolnshire village board meetings already are shown on local cable television -- both live and then replayed. Next month, the village will broaden access by making village board and committee meetings available on the village's official Web site: www.village.lincolnshire.il.us. This is a great way to give residents the chance to check up on village business meetings at anytime convenient to them.
Outbound heavy on the Addams
Having one's name affixed to a Chicago-area tollway is a mixed honor; after all, on snarled-traffic days drivers may curse the honoree's name. And columnist Chuck Goudie is correct in noting that turn-of-the-20th-century social reformer Jane Addams might not have been a big fan of the tollway system had they been around at the same time. Still, the Illinois Toll Highway Authority's decision to rename the Northwest Tollway as the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway is refreshing. It's a high-profile way to remind today's Chicagoans of Addams' timeless work. And it's nice, finally, to see a woman so honored, taking her place alongside Kennedy, Ryan, Stevenson, Ike and Reagan.
Green thumbs, big hearts
The Daily Herald takes genuine pride in organizing the Giving Garden, an 8-year-old program urging suburban gardeners to donate excess produce to area food pantries. But the project succeeds only through the bottomless generosity of area residents. Since July 1, the Giving Garden has attracted more than 60,000 pounds of produce; contributions may be made at various drop-off points through Oct. 1. Thanks to all who have taken the time and effort to make these nutritious foods available to those who rely on food pantries to feed themselves and their families.
Smart? You could say that
They are too many list here, but congratulations are in order to several dozen suburban high school students who have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists. Nationwide, there are 16,000 semifinalists. If that sounds like a large number, trust us: This is elite company, and the vast majority of us do not want to get involved in any sort of quiz bowl or any other academic competition with these teens.
Beyond belief
When an individual chooses an unusual lifestyle, people generally just nod and leave him or her to his own choices. Most folks are tolerant that way. But when that person is a teacher bent on foisting personal choices like a vegan diet onto children, however, tolerance is harder to find. School officials removed Fox River Grove Middle School teacher Dave Warwak from his job after he apparently crossed the line from informing to proselytizing. And he has grown less rational since, threatening to sue the district if it doesn't convert to an all-vegan school menu. Which suggests he might be better off working for a vegan food store than a public school system.