There is finality in some of the election season. First, all ballots in the State postmarked November 3, must be in by November 17 to be counted. That expansive time is more than ample. Some states have cut-off dates much earlier, November 5, 6, 7, for example.
The final U.S. 14th Congressional District likely is settled, barring a true last day flood of ballots. November 12 the Associated Press determined that incumbent Lauren Underwood of Naperville won a second term in a close race against Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove. With 100% of the precincts reporting, Underwood, of the Democratic Party, had 200,638 votes, or, 50.6%, and Oberweis, of the Republican Party, had 196,034 votes, or, 49.4%. Oberweis led early, however, mail-in ballots, which could not be counted early changed the outcome. See elsewhere on this page.
Nonetheless, Mr. Oberweis attended the reception this week in Washington, D.C. for elected Congress members. Where the process evolves remains uncertain this week. At some point there will be finality.
• Dick Ebeling of Aurora wants supporters and donors to know that the annual Pearl Harbor Luncheon and Ted Brattin Civic Youth Award ceremony, which had been set for Monday, Dec. 7 in the Gallery Room of the former Aurora Public Library at Stolp and Benton Streets in downtown Aurora has been canceled. Schools’ students and military groups receive support from the worthwhile event. Attendance usually hovers around 300 each year. This year would have been the 51st annual Pearl Harbor Luncheon and the 34th Ted Brattin Civic Youth Awards. Donations can be made to Brian M. D’Arcy, 317 Western Drive, North Aurora, IL 60542. Pearl Harbor day was December 7, 1941, when the Japanese government launched a bombing raid on the U.S. Navy in Pearl Harbor n Hawaii.
• The Rotary Club of Aurora, due to COVID-19, has canceled the community volunteer collections at the end of the Aurora Festival of Lights. See the display ad on page 16 for the annual event which runs November 27 through December 27. The Rotary has gone virtual for donations. Donors can visit the Festival of Lights website, www.aurorafestivaloflights.com, or, rotaryclubofaurorail@gmail.com. The good cause will not be halted.
• A world politics note: In spite of untrue rhetoric, World War II in Europe was not fought to contain socialism, but, rather, to defeat the forces of fascism represented by Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. Facts matter and understanding is important.
• To confirm and repeat: Large groups in celebration of Thanksgiving will spread COVID-19.
Clear and Concise, Week 46:
Words Matter Department:
• Those in the Washington, D.C. Circle who discuss appointments, leaders, and organizations, must desist from using the word czar for the person in charge. Czar is the name of the leader in old-time Russia, which was diminished through history. Czar was the substitute and shortened term for Caesar, the Roman term for emperor after Augustus Caesar helped steer the Roman republic into an empire. Instead of czar (ugh), the person in charge could be chairman, director, even president. The term is a fascist-oriented label to be avoided. Please!
• Better perspective includes love, not hate; hope, not despair; better angels, not nasty pride; positive, not negative; inclusive, not exclusive.
• We still have reasons to be thankful; gratitude is the attitude, glass half-full; optimism exceeds pessimism.