HO_042519
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
homerhorizon.com SOUND OFF<br />
the homer horizon | April 25, 2019 | 13<br />
Social snapshot<br />
Top Web Stories<br />
From HomerHorizon.com from Monday,<br />
April 22.<br />
1. BREAKING: Sowa resigns as Homer<br />
Township clerk<br />
2. Police Reports: Homer man charged with<br />
leaving accident, DUI<br />
3. RE/MAX Millennium a homecoming for<br />
owner<br />
4. New Life puts on inaugural Easter<br />
Eggstravaganza<br />
5. Softball: Celtics best defending<br />
state champ Montini both games of<br />
doubleheader<br />
Become a Horizon Plus member: homerhorizon.com/plus<br />
“William E. Young Principal, Mr. Nathan Baldwin,<br />
with students delivering blankets and a donation<br />
to Silver Cross Hospital...Thanks to everyone<br />
who helped out with this very important project!<br />
They were very appreciative!”<br />
Homer Community Consolidated School District<br />
33C, from April 15.<br />
Like The Homer Horizon: facebook.com/homerhorizon<br />
“A sure sign of spring. The fountain is on at<br />
Victorian Village - Homer Glen”<br />
@stephenneuhaus, Steve Neuhaus, from<br />
April 18.<br />
Follow The Homer Horizon: @homerhorizon<br />
From the Editor<br />
State of the Village a wide-ranging local summary<br />
Thomas Czaja<br />
tom@homerhorizon.com<br />
Each year, you, like<br />
many other Americans,<br />
may sit down<br />
in front of the television<br />
and watch the State of the<br />
Union Address delivered<br />
by the president to Congress.<br />
In their long speech, the<br />
president will cover a variety<br />
of topics important to<br />
citizens, recognize a number<br />
of individuals and as<br />
best as one can in a single<br />
address hit main points for<br />
what has recently passed<br />
and what is on the horizon<br />
to come.<br />
It is a worthwhile watch<br />
and comes with much<br />
pageantry, scrutiny by<br />
pundits, and, yes, plenty<br />
of standing and clapping<br />
throughout the speech.<br />
On a local level, the<br />
Village of Homer Glen<br />
has an annual State of the<br />
Village Address. While<br />
the State of the Union<br />
Address no doubt shapes<br />
larger aspects of the country<br />
and things that impact<br />
us, the local one involves<br />
points like economic<br />
development and infrastructure,<br />
work residents<br />
see firsthand when driving<br />
through and living in the<br />
community.<br />
The mayor each year<br />
hits on everything from<br />
finances to parks to other<br />
topics. Each year, we put<br />
the State of the Village<br />
Address on the news<br />
cover, because I feel it is<br />
an important summarization<br />
of everything going<br />
on in the Village, with a<br />
lot covered. And while<br />
our coverage of it always<br />
tries to be a thorough recap,<br />
I would nonetheless<br />
encourage everyone to<br />
go to the link at the end<br />
of the story and read the<br />
address online fully for<br />
themselves.<br />
Granted, I know not<br />
everyone is into politics,<br />
and the idea of reading a<br />
longer speech may not be<br />
something they initially<br />
think to do. But topics<br />
in there — the 159th<br />
Street roadwork, Heritage<br />
Park, new businesses to<br />
the community, etc. — I<br />
know these are subjects<br />
residents hear a lot about<br />
and wonder about the<br />
latest on, and so I think it<br />
is worth taking the time to<br />
brush up on what is going<br />
on.<br />
As noted in the story<br />
itself, the theme for the<br />
last couple State of the<br />
Village speeches has been<br />
working with residents<br />
and business owners to<br />
come up with strategic<br />
planning initiatives. Yes,<br />
those main initiatives have<br />
already been decided on<br />
as a blueprint, but the<br />
Village’s work is never<br />
done, and it will always<br />
continue to need direction<br />
and input as it continues<br />
to grow.<br />
There is always a<br />
chance to help shape<br />
one’s community, whether<br />
through volunteering, supporting<br />
local businesses<br />
or becoming involved<br />
through attending meetings<br />
or asking questions of<br />
elected officials or anyone<br />
at the Village.<br />
Another thing worth<br />
mentioning again is that<br />
residents can also attend<br />
the State of the Village.<br />
While that may not be for<br />
everyone, and it can be<br />
viewed online, the chance<br />
to be there and hear the<br />
message and speak with<br />
the mayor or anyone else<br />
after is there for those interested.<br />
The Fairbrothers,<br />
who are mentioned in the<br />
story on this year’s State<br />
of the Village Address on<br />
Page 3, are two examples<br />
of residents who do so<br />
and feel they keep getting<br />
something out of it.<br />
Whether State of the<br />
Union or State of the<br />
Village, national or local,<br />
these speeches have no<br />
shortage of talking points<br />
and moments worth<br />
checking out.<br />
Sound Off Policy<br />
Editorials and columns are the<br />
opinions of the author. Pieces<br />
from 22nd Century Media are<br />
the thoughts of the company<br />
as a whole. The Homer Horizon<br />
encourages readers to write<br />
letters to Sound Off. All letters<br />
must be signed, and names and<br />
hometowns will be published.<br />
We also ask that writers include<br />
their address and phone number<br />
for verification, not publication.<br />
Letters should be limited<br />
to 400 words. The Homer Horizon<br />
reserves the right to edit<br />
letters. Letters become property<br />
of The Homer Horizon. Letters<br />
that are published do not reflect<br />
the thoughts and views of The<br />
Homer Horizon. Letters can be<br />
mailed to: The Homer Horizon,<br />
11516 West 183rd Street, Unit<br />
SW Office Condo #3, Orland<br />
Park, Illinois, 60467. Fax letters<br />
to (708) 326-9179 or e-mail to<br />
tom@homerhorizon.com.<br />
www.homerhorizon.com.