Article Options

Ups and Downs

Thursday, January 10, 2008 10:26 PM CST

Thumbs up ... to the Donald L. Brewer Gymnasium and Convocation Center at John A. Logan College, and to the man behind the new name officially given to the building in public ceremonies Wednesday night. Donald L. Brewer was a member of the college board for 34 years, chairman for 11 years and worked with every college president in the 40-year history of the college. Brewer, who lives in Murphysboro, recently was honored as the longest serving community college board member in the state of Illinois, an accomplishment noticed by College President Robert Mees. "That is an exceptional commitment to the college," Mees said recently. "He helped us in a lot of ways." We couldn't agree more and think it's fitting that Brewer earned the honor in his lifetime.

Thumbs up ... to the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act that would pour about $3 billion into improving Amtrak's infrastructure. U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a key supporter, on a podcast from his personal Web site talked about America's need to improve and develop its passenger rail system as an affordable alternative to costly fuel prices for motor vehicles and expensive air fares. Durbin said the bill would earmark about $200 for Illinois alone to purchase newer trains, improve rail tracks and speed, and expand passenger rail service to other parts of the state. How important is Amtrak as a means of transportation to and from Carbondale? In 2006, Amtrak officials reported a 46 percent increase ridership on the Chicago-Carbondale corridor. Durbin, a member of the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, helped secure a commitment from Amtrak last fall to supply four new trains for additional roundtrip service on three Illinois routes, including Carbondale to Chicago.

Thumbs down ... to the deplorable conditions at the Crossings mobile home park in Carbondale, with sewage backing up into residents' bath tubs. We're not certain who's to blame, but thankfully it appears that park owners and city leaders are working now on a solution.

Thumbs up ... to Jana King and her staff at EJ's Day Spa in Herrin for initiating the Select A Soldier program, which allows her customers and the general public to select the name of a soldier serving overseas and send at least one card or letter a month in exchange for spa bucks. The "bucks" are redeemable for services at the spa or may be applied toward the purchase of certain food or personal care items that will be shipped to the soldiers by the spa staff.

Thumbs up ... to Marion building inspector Jim Phemister and the city for its can-do attitude with the removal of 43 eyesore houses in 2007. The cleanup process promotes a safer and healthier community and also raises the property values of neighbors.

Thumbs up ... to retiring hospital administrator George Maroney, who oversaw major expansion at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale during his 32 years as the facility's chief. Maroney's tenure was marked by continued expansion of the health care services offered to Southern Illinoisans, including open heart surgery.

Thumbs up ... to the National Park Service for recognizing the history of the Southern Illinois region. The department dedicated the first official Illinois site on the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail and hopes to dedicate other sites throughout Pope, Johnson and Union counties in the coming years.

Thumbs up ... for the arrival of Girl Scout Cookie sales, one of the tastiest fundraisers ever invented. Those "cookie bucks" help provide training for leaders on the regional level, and a big chunk of the money goes to the individual troops to help finance activities in their home communities. Added to that is the experience gained by even the youngest Brownie Scouts in making their sales pitches, keeping track of sales and working toward individual and troop goals. If those pluses aren't reason enough for gobbling down Thin Mints, just consider the taste.

Thumbs up ... to smoke-free establishments and the law-abiding nature of Southern Illinois residents. With the definite lack of proactive enforcement the Smoke-Free Illinois Act is only successful because of self-policing that has been conducted by local establishment owners and employees. We commend smokers, too, for following the law. Public health departments are reporting few complaints against Southern Illinois establishments, although the Illinois Department of Public Heath has received 220 complaints statewide. Kudos to those who have taken a firm stance to follow the law and set a good example.