On the second day of Cornerkicks gifts, Cornerkicks will be handing out a couple different gifts today...so check back often.
The first stop is in Oak Park, which is home to Oak Park-River Forest High School. The school has been trying for years to add lights to its stadium field - something most schools throughout the country have had since the start of the 21st century. Yes, the 21st century.
Don’t get me wrong, I respect the neighbors around schools and stress to others to do the same. Five years ago, I respected the birds and bees, too, in Palos Hills when a group of old, grumpy bird watchers were upset that Stagg High School was going to cut down some trees to build athletic fields for kids.
Life is tough, but I don’t get upset when I go to McDonalds and can’t get the senior discount. That’s life, right? In the case of Stagg vs. Birds, some retirees were picking birds over kids. To this day, I hope the birds take care of their business on the retirees' cars because that’s essentially what they did to the kids.
With each passing day and everything I read, it seems like we another sad issue like this in Oak Park. Some neighbors don’t like to see light or people at night. So we’re going to present them two gifts in one box: a Casper “The Friendly” Ghost costume and a one-way Metra ticket to get out of town.
Here’s a piece of an article that ran in the Oak Park Wednesday Journal:
“But at last week's meeting, toward the end of the long session, neighbors and others offered public comments to the board, including objections and reasons for not installing lights, which they've made loudly and passionately to the school many times before in the six years since this idea was first proposed. They don't mind living next to the high school, and though they have concerns about Saturday afternoon games, they've learned to live with it. But they're drawing the line and won't sacrifice their Friday nights.
"It's as different as day and night," said neighbor Terry Lieber.
(Complete story: http://wednesdayjournalonline.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=9768)
They have concerns about Saturday afternoon games, but they’ve learned to live with it?
Are you kidding me?
As different as day and night? How would they know?
The high school, its programs and children are apart of the community. If some people don’t like it, it’s time to move.
And after reading that story, the holiday spirit has overtaken me. So guess what? Call me - I’ll help you load the truck.
- Joe Trost
















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