Saturday Soapbox: DuPage County and Fox Valley
Time for an explanation:
The wall of silence Naperville's park district board has created around recently hired executive director Daniel Betts' sudden "leave of absence" has done nothing but damage the already dismal reputation of that board. The board hasn't said why Betts is on leave and when and if he'll return. So much for transparent government.
In defense of older drivers
Not surprisingly, when a car driven by a 74-year-old Roselle woman crashed through the window of a beauty salon in Arlington Heights, it prompted some unkind comments about older drivers. While we've probably all known older people who hang onto the car keys longer than is advisable, and the state needs to be vigilant about regular road testing to assess their skill levels, the reality is that the far bigger dangers on the road are drunk drivers and teen drivers. So let's avoid stereotyping - most older drivers are doing just fine.
Back to school boost
Kudos to Catholic Charities, for helping families in need get ready for school. For the 17th year, Catholic Charities has sponsored a Back to School Fair, where those who cannot afford school supplies can get them at no charge, along with free vision and dental screening. Catholic Charities works with the DuPage Regional Office of Education, social service agencies and the Illinois State Crime Commission to present the event.
Chicago should look to Aurora
The same week it was reported that the city of Chicago has had an 18-percent spike in murders this past six months, police in Aurora announced 2008 has been good when it comes to safer streets. Aurora Police Chief Greg Thomas said the city's violent crimes dipped 15.6 percent so far this year, which hasn't had a single murder, compared to seven this time in 2007. Robberies also are down. Though Thomas said his officers will remain vigilant, he pointed to several initiatives, such as getting more guns off the street, using computer-generated stats to better identify crime patterns and more traffic stops in search of those wanted on warrants, as reasons for the downward trend in violent crime.
Unsettling mistakes
A former Elgin police officer was convicted of battery for beating a handcuffed suspect in the back of a squad car. A Kane County prosecutor was suspended without pay for four weeks after her boss found out she was having an affair with an Aurora cop, who just so happened to be a key witness in some of her trials, according to authorities. And South Elgin police admit they lost a blood sample from a teenager accused of driving drunk and killing a motorcyclist. All people make mistakes, and in the newspaper you'll probably see at least one a day. But some of these instances are more than mistakes. They can shake your faith in the justice system.
Super job by superintendent
When Alan Leis decided to take the job of superintendent in Naperville Unit District 203 in 2003, he knew he was going to help lead a great school system. But he also knew the district was going through tumultuous times and internal strife when he took the job. That he was able to help establish a sense of stability in the school district while continuing to advance excellence in education is a credit to his leadership skills and his congenial personality. Leis has announced he will retire at the end of this school year. He will be missed, as he has made a huge difference in District 203. We wish him well in retirement, when that time comes.