It's time to give them the boot...

It’s time.

Amid the usual mudslinging by folks who label themselves as community activists, there’s a tendency to overlook other news in the village.

Yes, there is other news in the village.

As you look through the various board, commissions and departments that make up Buffalo Grove, there’s one that stands out.

The reality is this – It’s time to give them the boot.

Period.

There’s no sense in waiting – the action needs to start as soon as possible – say this Friday.

That’s when you’ll find members of the Buffalo Grove Fire Department at the intersection of Lake-Cook and Arlington Heights roads collecting money for MDA as part of its Fill the Boot campaign.  The fire fighters will be at Buffalo Grove and Dundee roads on Aug. 31.  They will be at the intersections from 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days.

It’s another example of how we look past the obvious and the controversies, or alleged controversies, and take for granted our public servants. 

Which is too bad because most of the time we hear only about problems.  While some residents give up their time to complain, the fire fighters give up their time to raise money.

 

A lot of it, by the way.  Last year the fire fighters raised over $22,200.  Since 1994, they have raised $286,000.  The money goes to a variety of things including wheel chairs, summer camps, and home modifications for persons with MD.

And if you think it comes from big donations – think again.  A couple of years ago I stopped to talk with some of the fire fighters as they collected.  Interestingly enough, they said drivers in high-end cars zip right by while folks who drive older cars and appear to be more “every day” people – stop and donate.

Go figure.

The bottom line is the efforts by the Fire Department are unprecedented.  And don’t think it’s the only the fire fighters do.  They’re also sponsoring a blood drive at the main fire station, 1051 Highland Grove Drive.

The day before the MDA drive.

It’s activism at its best.