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Above the Fold Local News

Chicago Sun Times, 4/27/08 "A freight train fatally struck a 14-year-old boy Sunday afternoon in northwest suburban Hoffman Estates." Full story

Lake Zurich Courier Editorial, 4/24/08 "[CUSD 95] Board members need to know that you are watching them so that whatever solutions arrived at are best for the entire district." Full story

Chicago Tribune Editorial, 4/24/08, "In this case, the STB should instruct Canadian National to negotiate a more generous share of some local crossing costs." Full story

Fight Rail Congestion email Call to Action, 4/23/08. "So, we are asking YOU to act as a “truth squad responder” in holding CN’s feet to the fire by following stories on-line in your local papers and responding to the CN mythology each and every time you see it.  Write from your heart and you will be part of a force that CN can’t match with its manufactured spin." Full email

Associated Press, 4/22/08 "Several uburban leaders have formed an organization called The Regional Answer to Canadian National, or TRAC, to stop the railroad's planned $300 million purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway's 198-mile arc of tracks around Chicago. Canadian National would use the tracks to bypass Chicago's congested rail hub, and speed freight movement across the country." Full story

Chicago Tribune, 4/22/08 "Suburban leaders fighting the Canadian National Railway's plan to boost freight train traffic through their communities bolstered their ranks Tuesday and called on Congress to force the railroad to pay to lessen the trains' impact or else help stop the deal." Full story

Chicago Tribune, 4/22/08 "When Canadian National Railway Co. meets with investors Tuesday in Chicago, one notable exception will be missing from the list of accomplishments it can rattle off since last year's annual meeting in New Brunswick: its $300 million acquisition of key operations of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway Co." Full story

Barrington Courier, 4/10/08 "Ramps on the north side of Dundee Road to enter and exit the road from Route 14 will be closed for reconstruction from May 1 through June 30, Claffey said. Residents are urged to use Quentin Road as a detour until the ramps are re-opened." Full story

Time for New Photos

Our winter photos are so--well, so last winter. Break out the cameras and send us your great photography of Deer Park.

Click to enlarge. On the right, a pair of Red Tail Hawks, photographed by Al Barry. We occasionally see one of these on our railing right by the back door, which makes the cat nervous. Do you have a photo that captures the heart of Deer Park? Please email it to us, and if you'd like, add a description and the name of the photographer.

If you like what we do, why not join for a one year subscription. See the archive of blasts from the past.

Everyone's talking…

Closing of Quentin School:
Here's the CUSD 95 Board of Education Decision, 4/24/08.

The Surface Transportation Board of has issued its Decision following the Scoping Study on Canadian National's proposed acquisition of EJ&E line. A 45-day period of public comments follows. See our CN Rail Acquisition page for recent articles and video interviews from the Open House. And watch video interviews with officials and local residents at Deer Park Neighbors' YouTube Channel.

One of the projects that will go forward, after 20 years, is some recreational equipment for Old Farm Park. To give you an UNOFFICIAL OVERVIEW of the parks in Deer Park, see map, dated 2006. You can see that the Old Farm area is really isolated from other parks and play areas. The spending will be modest, about $24,000, and benefit many families. Most important, the families of that area worked together, signed a petition, presented that petition at the Park Forum, were clear about what their needs were and continue to send representatives to board meetings. This is, in our opinion, precisely how the process should work.

Read the Draft Budget FY08-09, and yes, there's a projected deficit. However, revenues from sales taxes could be greater than projected. No monies will be spent on Vehe property development, but just maintaining the Barn and grounds is approaching $70,000 per year. But great news, you can rent the Barn for business meetings and special occasions. Let's fill 'er up, and cover expenses. Also, at the budget meeting, the subject of another try at a sales tax referendum--and the amount mentioned was the full one percent--was discussed, no decision yet.

Long discussion of in the VODP Spring Newsletter. Check out the Budget Meeting DVD at the Barrington Area Library, or contact DPN for a copy. Even better, let's get a "Minority Report" from someone, to balance the spin the village provides.

Who will plow our streets next year? Not Ela Township. Our cul de sacs and their equipment are uncompatible. The village is working on another contract, and thank goodness, the snow is gone.

Don't miss a minute! Read them at the Village of Deer Park web site. February BOT minutes make a good read. You'll notice less and less detail about Public Comments, so you'll have to see the DVDs to get the full picture. You are welcome to post your public comments here, as we do, on our Editorial page.