Elk Grove gets its salt ready to go
There's apparently no time like summer to start thinking about snow.
That's how municipal officials have to think, even while we're all clinging desperately to those last months of autumn weather.
Elk Grove Village this week ordered all the road salt it hopes it ever needs: enough to handle a winter as snowy as last year's.
Trustees this week OK'd plans for 5,400 tons of salt.
"We weren't going to take a chance," Mayor Craig Johnson said.
The village had already budgeted $160,000 but must increase that by $495,000. Elk Grove is spending $334,597 to get salt through the state contract.
And if there's any leftover, the village has plenty of space to store it.
White House recognition:
Bruce Ahlmann, who founded the Des Plaines' Citizens on Patrol, received praise from President Bush Monday on the White House lawn along with other volunteers.
Citizens on Patrol helps police with nonemergency duties, "so police can continue with their duties," Ahlmann said.
He and other volunteers around the U.S. accepted the praise of President Bush, who honored volunteers who've pitched in to help their communities since the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
"It wasn't just for me. I think it's for all the volunteers in Des Plaines," Ahlmann said.
He also got a tour of the White House while in town. He said he enjoyed touring the halls and absorbing all the history. He did note that he didn't see any portraits of first ladies except for Hillary Clinton.
Celebrating 75 years:
Congratulations to the Jr. Women's Club of Des Plaines on its 75th anniversary. Over that time, members worked to establish the Northwest Suburban Day Care Center in Des Plaines and the Des Plaines Historical Society.
But like other membership groups, the club is facing dwindling membership, so it's seeking new members to continue its good works. Women of all ages in Des Plaines and the surrounding area can join. For anyone interested, the group meets at the Des Plaines Public Library at 7 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month. For more information, contact Doris Colson at (847) 224-9139.
Thanks for reading my final Daily Herald column. I'm leaving the paper for other career pursuits. I've enjoyed telling your stories, and serving as a municipal watchdog for nine years. I know my parents - mom especially - will continue to keep me up to date on the news in town by saving me some clippings. I've always prided myself on the fact that I went from delivering the Daily Herald (working on my sister's paper route as a girl growing up in Arlington Heights) to delivering for the Daily Herald (as a journalist). It's been my pleasure. Thank you.