2008 Year in Review

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Morrison Post Editorial

Our state governor has graciously sent the Education bill back to our state legislators with changes he deemed necessary. This bill should provide school districts in this state with badly needed extra funding when it finally becomes law. It sat on Rod Blagojevich’s desk for around two months before he finally decided to send it on back. Few would argue that he was holding the bill hostage while forcing legislators to discuss a bailout of the Chicago Mass Transit Association. The MTA has reportedly been mismanaged for years and controlled by a union that sees itself as indispensable. This is the union that just last week conducted an unannounced work stoppage to “prove a point” to the public about public transportation. Isn’t politics grand?

There is one state law that benefited my family this past weekend however. We decided to try bowling as a family, since there is no longer smoking allowed. It was a fun experience for all of us, and no one’s health was endangered by second hand smoke, although our display of bowling skills wasn’t healthy for anyone!

The school board announced the resignation of board member Greg Houldson at their meeting last week. I have had the pleasure of speaking with Greg on several occasions, and seeing his work on the school board, I can say that he will be missed by most anyone who has worked with him. Finding dedicated board members is never easy, and replacing Greg will not be easy. The new board member will be joining at a tough time, due to having to search for a superintendent.

There is heated action now from presidential candidates for the primaries. I know that I really try to take Editorial . . . By Ben Wolf – Editor The Morrison Post Ben Wolf, Editor picking a president seriously. But it is hard to stay that way. The candidates are constantly getting feedback about what the voters in different parts of the country are responding well to. So they change, or tweak their speeches to accommodate their audiences. This makes it pretty tough to determine what a candidate really stands for. Their main objective is to get elected, not to show voters what they are really made of. I think a lot of voters end up making their decisions on gut-feel. It’s more of an emotional decision than a calculated one. I do wish that I had a better way to elect our leaders for our country. But I don’t. So, enjoy the entertainment that is our presidential primaries!

Thanks to all of our readers and advertisers. And thank you to everyone who mentions The Morrison Post to the places where they shop. That certainly makes an impact on where advertisers spend their money. And, thanks for reading!

by Ben Wolf, Guest Columnist
January 14, 2008