On balance our communities offer more than odes to the holidays with Santa, lights, and, celebration. We all must take a break from the real world and indulge in light-hearted celebration.
References to holiday celebrations will come into view here farther down and later this month.
There are a few other points of references:
• Naperville city government will share a draft of its new comprehensive master plan at an open house-style meeting from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday with a presentation at 6 p.m. in meeting rooms A and B of the Municipal Center, 400 S. Eagle Street. Resident input in each community is important and too often we find citizens yield to others to give input until their oxen are gored. We should take seriously the structure and changes in our communities when the opportunities are available. Public servants come in all sizes, styles, and situations. We should know them and ask questions, if necessary.
• The Oswego Police Department issued 15 seat belt citations during the recent Thanksgiving enforcement period. Here is the result of its action: Two speeding citations, and seven distracted driving with electronic communications. That is a modest, yet, important result that every community should and often does take seriously.
• Congratulations to Karen Fullett-Christensen of Aurora in her selection Tuesday as the inaugural poet laureate in Aurora which was announced in the mayor’s briefing Tuesday by Richard C. Irvin and recorded live on Facebook by Jason Crane. See video at www.facebook.com/TheVoice.us/videos/839763186438947 There were three finalists and the celebration and congratulations photo at thevoice.us/congratulations-to-poet-laureate-karen-fullett-christensen is a telling symbol of the collegiality of the contestants. Poet laureates offer insight, history, analysis, and pleasurable reading.
• Congratulations to Robert Siljestrom of Elgin who retired recently after more than 30 years of dedicated volunteer service as a leader in zoning and planning commission in Elgin. He served as an example to other communities’ public servants. Dedication by many is necessary to help advance communities.
• Mayor Irvin somberly recounted the two uncommon homicides of youth within a week around Thanksgiving Day in Aurora . Vigilance is continually necessary and causes must be found.
• Nonetheless, our aim must be the celebration of holidays for the benefit of others as much as ourselves.