Hurray for Hoffman Estates' bike plan

We see Hoffman Estates has a plan to add bike routes and bike lanes in the village (see hoffmanestates.org). We salute any effort to help people get around the suburbs by something other than cars, and bicyclists sure could use ways to get around without having to compete with vehicle traffic for a place on the road.

Those trails aren't cheap:

Fixing the trail at Buffalo Creek Forest Preserve near Buffalo Grove could cost Lake County up to $3.75 million. Much of the trail is closed because it is under water from the nearby reservoir. Officials want to raise the trail and install bridges to keep it dry and open for hikers. That price tag ought to make us appreciate those excellent Lake County trails all the more.

Tired of potholes:

It's nice that some government agencies reimburse for damages to a car that hits a pothole. But it makes more sense to just fill the craters. If you fix the road, you won't need to fix my car.

One man's trash . . .

January traditionally is a month to declutter. Our closets, garages and spare bedrooms are bulging with things we don't need. The timing couldn't be better to dig in. With layoffs, foreclosures and homelessness speedily rising, many people in our area could benefit from what you no longer need. And it's easy to pass it along; organizations like AMVETS, Purple Heart and the Salvation Army are happy to pick up stuff from your doorstep. So start clearing out and give them a call. If you can't use the sweater Aunt Zelda sent for Christmas, there may be someone who can.

Choose wisely:

Wind power in Lake County forest preserves might be many years or even decades away. Or maybe it won't happen at all. But Lake County Forest Preserve's commitment to look at green energy initiatives sets the right example. It's the same forward thinking that brought together suburban planners in DuPage County for an environmental summit that had them looking at worst-case scenarios and ideas for solutions. They all sound good. As public entities and private businesses narrow options for going green, the challenge is finding doable, cost-effective projects that make a lasting positive impact - without wasting money.

Thank you, Officer Friendly:

Aidan Franklin is only 5 years old, but he showed excellent judgment. He dug out his mother's cell phone and called for help after she slipped on the ice and was knocked unconscious outside their apartment in Northbrook. In Aiden's case, the lesson about when and how to call for help came from programs at his Glenview school. While many school programs have come and gone over the years, Officer Friendly has been in the nation's classrooms since 1960. Aidan's story is proof it still works.

Opening doors for students:

We applaud Elgin Area School District U-46 Superintendent Jose Torres for urging the addition of a student as a nonvoting advisory member of the school board. If approved, the district wouldn't be the first in the region to formally invite a student's voice to discussions. And we're sure it has different levels of success based on the student, the board members and the topics at hand. But it's an idea that's worth trying for the potential to bring those affected most into the discussion.