Tri-Cities Soapbox

Too bizarre

In one final sop to his party, Dennis Hastert is likely to leave his U.S. House 14th District seat before the end of the year. That will trigger the need for a special election, likely to be held at exactly the same time the regular primary is held to choose his successor. If anybody doubts why citizens are so fed up with politicians, this is it. They could end up voting four times in less than a year for a single seat. Either finish out your term or quit on a schedule that leaves the field open -- saving us all a lot of money and voting booth aggravation in the process.

Something to be proud of

Good job, Batavia officials, for continuing to recognize soldiers as they return home. Two more homecomings were celebrated this week. Credit is due, also, to Batavia area residents who send supplies to the soldiers through Batavia Cares and other organizations. The deadline for sending holiday packages for soldiers overseas is coming up, so make sure you put them on your list right away.

One thing they can agree on

Before the word "incorporation" became a battle cry for some and a pejorative for others, Campton Township residents and officials were mostly focused on open space. It's good to see that has continued. Recently, township officials bought 55 acres next to the Headwaters Conservation Area from the Motz family. And the township is looking to buy 60 more acres off Beith Road soon. Interestingly, tax increases through two ballot questions allowed this land to be purchased … while these days it's the fear of a tax increase that's splitting residents apart.

Getting tougher

Hoping to reduce pressure on school secretaries and collect about three-quarters of a million dollars in unpaid school fees, Elgin School District U-46 plans to hire a collection agency to do the deed. That would free up secretaries, many of whom were asked to collect unpaid fees for their building, to revert to "welcoming" students and making the initial fee collection attempt. The new approach would allow the district to recoup its money, minus the 25 percent that will go to the get-tough collectors.

Beauty that can be a distraction

There is one hidden -- OK, maybe no longer so hidden, as we speak -- benefit in having all the leaves finally off the trees and shrubs. We can now more safely negotiate intersections large and small on many of our roadways. While we like the beautification of our roads as much as the next person, during the spring and summer months in some spots it can be awfully difficult to see the traffic for the trees. A little pruning on those "nature" medians might help next spring when the leaves return.

Classes are in session

For those of you who are adamantly against more classes in the Illinois high school state tournaments, insisting more is not better and impacts the status of the title, consider that 16 high schools had state football championship aspirations heading into this weekend. Do you think those 16 schools or communities really cared whether they were Class 1A or Class 8A? As far as those schools' fans were concerned, their class was the most prestigious one of the eight and that's all they cared about.

An odd definition of 'gentleman'

Why do the radio ads for suburban nudie bars always refer to themselves as "gentlemen's clubs?" Not to be judgmental about the entertainment choice, mind you, but we question whether "gentleman" is an apt description of most of the clientele.