Saturday Soapbox
A turn for the better:
We have to give Schaumburg credit. Just two weeks ago, the Soapbox had an issue with the one intersection in the village patrolled by red-light cameras. A report showed that 98 percent of the 10,000 or so tickets issued over a 10-week period were for right-turn violators. To Schaumburg's credit, the village turned off the right-turn camera and is considering changes to its policy at that corner of its commercial district. The cameras were not catching the intended targets, and kudos to Schaumburg for recognizing this.
A fitting tribute:
A tip of the cap to the Chicago Bulls for the great tribute to NBA legend Johnny "Red" Kerr. The ceremony was well done and well deserved. It was also long overdue. Better late than never, as they say.
All the right moves:
Vernon Hills looked for budget cuts in the right place when it trimmed proposed Summer Celebration entertainment spending from $54,000 to $30,000. The cut means original acts like the Gin Blossoms or diluted one-time hitmakers like Quiet Riot probably won't be coming to town this year. Less expensive cover acts will still attract crowds and bring the community together.
Abe never gets old:
Didn't you enjoy all those 200-year tributes to former President Abraham Lincoln? We sure did, along with the reminder that Honest Abe's ideals never get old. That's something everyone in Illinois can take pride in, and something we needed after our recent lack of leadership in Illinois government. We can only hope that generations from now, when our state is celebrating Lincoln's 300th birthday, Illinois won't be known for corruption.
Two wrongs don't make ...
A South Elgin trustee candidate was tossed from the ballot because he hadn't paid his water bill. The objection was filed by a trustee who is also a candidate. The water bill should have been paid. But don't you wonder how the trustee knew the bill was unpaid?
Creative approach:
Kudos to Bloomingdale business owners, who aren't just waiting around hoping things will improve. Their B-Card, which gives discounts at local businesses, returned with more participating businesses and three weeks to use it this year. That's good for consumers, local shopkeepers and the village, which is trying to recoup some lost sales tax.
Get ready to tune in:
Congress approved a four-month delay in the switch to digital broadcasting. The 6.5 million Americans still watching analog television have had years to prepare. If they haven't by now, will a few more weeks really do much good?
Signs of spring:
It's colder today, but there were plenty of signs this week that spring is coming. Along with 61-degree weather Wednesday, Cubs and Sox players started reporting to training camp, potholes popped up and birds chirped feverishly. Oh, and there's that other annual rite of passage: another star baseball player admitted to using steroids.
Hot business:
Despite all the bad economic news, a few rays of sunshine had suburbanites lining up at car washes. Maybe that's the recession-proof business everyone has been looking for.