Closing outdoor dining misses great opportunity

Once again the politicians have messed up a really good thing. What was the Arlington Heights Village Board thinking when they took 3 hours to decide to shut down the vastly successful Arlington Alfresco at the end of September? It is very obvious they weren't thinking.

The mayor and the village trustees just don't get it, do they? They have no foresight and maybe that is why many business choose to open in other towns, such as Schaumburg, that are far more business friendly than Arlington Heights.

Arlington Alfresco was the lifeline for many businesses last year during the pandemic. With the exception of a few bad weather days, the weather has been beautiful until early November the past several years. Let these loyal restaurant owners have their day in the sun.

But the politicians can't help themselves and once again they stick their noses in and want to shut down a fabulous dining experience far too early. The Arlington Chamber of Commerce has also dropped the ball here by basically demanding that Arlington Alfresco shut down early so they can charge vendors money to use village streets for what they call the “finale event” the first week in October.

The mayor, village board and Chamber of Commerce just can't see the forest for the trees. I'm willing to bet few of those politicians suffered almost dire financial consequences as the restaurant and business owners did during the pandemic. Wake up, Arlington Heights village board, you are missing a great opportunity once again. Remember them at election time,

Ray Cowin

Bartlett