Up, Down and Around Our Town

Ah, Easter weekend. A shift in the normal schedule and the highlight of a Christian season that has seen its share of interesting aspects. But, as we all know, the joy of Easter is the significance of both the sharing and the continued aspect of the family. From the spiritual ones to the physical ones. Nice touch and it always comes at the prettiest time of the year.

On a side note, a big Happy Birthday to my big brother Bill, who is prospering well in LeRoy, New York and patiently (sic) waiting for spring to arrive. Patience for spring in the northeast is a learned art.

Locally, a number of thoughts this week on the two issues that are surrounding this area. One being the Mayoral election and the other the $2 million in cuts in the local school system to assist in balancing an already crippled budget. The latter is reflective of the economic woes of most of Illinois and its recovery may be marked with lots of little ups and downs. We'll see.

The Mayoral election brought us four more years from the incumbent, John Spring. Challenger Dave Bellis ran an aggressive campaign and with all such races, there were times of great anticipation and others were not quite to well received. Whether or not any mandates were delivered is yet to be seen. Spring has proven to be a most capable leader and has aligned himself with those who can best help the City. However, some viewed those relationships as perhaps too close - too chummy- to benefit other than those already in power. The challenger was quick to point out that perhaps there were other ways to more equally allow the strengths of the city to prosper and with those differing views brought an election that was probably closer than expected. However, two quality men chose to put their character on the line and the outcome was, from a truly democratic view, a good exercise. Just wish that more had voted as less than 10,000 actually went to the polls.

Perhaps the uglier race was for the local School Board. Over the past 35 years or so, a growing unrest and gap has been formed by sitting boards and the taxpayers. Some because of privacy laws and other because of some hidden agendas. The coalition of those whose prime motive seems to be to pull the district in another direction may now have been reached. It is sad in one way; the purpose of a school board is to set policy and assist in the direction and compliance of the district. On the other hand, the "whose ox is gored" concept runs deep. Fears of any tax increase have kept the district's fiscal hands somewhat tied; fears of lowering the quality of the educational product have kept the administrators from being to adequately do their job as well. Someday there may be a compromise. I don't see that in the near future. We'll see.

The start of the baseball season and the excitement of the Masters really highlights the week and the weekend. Tiger won't win this one, no matter how well he plays. Yet, the joy of watching that game being played on that famous surface just cannot be minimized. And, as always, honoring those who have made the game what it is gets no better than the salutes to Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller. The latter I have had the joy being with, as he was a more than occasional visitor to our fair city during the D.A. Weibring Pro-Am days. And what you see is what you get. A non-stop chatterbox that exemplies the joy of their game. And they play it to the highest degree.

The Cardinals and Cubs both got hot and cold during the first week. Both are playing with closers, but I know of many Cardinal fans who are clapping loudly after the initial performance from Chris Carpenter. Face it - a healthy Carpenter puts a whole different spin on the race and the presence of #5 in the everyday lineup is a force to be reckoned with. Yet, the Cubbies are just as formidable. A strong starting rotation and lots of lumber in the lineup promises for a wonderful summer of a game whose luster has been disturbed ever so slightly.

It even pours over into the classroom. The Culver baseball team is enjoying another stellar season and having the presence of some of these young men in early morning classes is a joy. After a win, they can't get enough spring in their step; after a loss, motivation can be a problem. Ah, to be 21 again.

But most of all, Easter is a chance to have those whom you value the most to be at your side. Our Florida refugee has returned from Ft, Myers, the musicians are with us and the elders with the two cute kids and furry white dog will descend for an afternoon of egg hunting, sugar consumption and the joy of close company. For that, we are very fortunate and lucky.

The joy of a balloon has entered the lexicon of my little hero and her presence makes almost every day a holiday. We'll savor this one and look forward in a month to her first birthday party. Believe me, they'll be balloons on that celebration and her comedian brother will be right in the middle of it all.

We'll got a special reunion scheduled for the coming weekend; more on that later. Till then, and as always, I'll be back and I remain....