BEST USE OF TAXPAYER FUNDS
Bicycle trails Woo hoo! At long last, the Sangamon Valley Trail on the west side, dreamed of for years, opened last summer, and it was about darn time. At a cost of $3.6 million, mostly federal stimulus funds, for more than five miles of trail perfect for runners, cyclists and walkers, there is no bigger bang for a government buck, especially when you consider that all the running, cycling and walking might prolong a few tickers and lower the cost of health care. There is also the planet to consider, and Schwinns don’t generate greenhouse gases. Built on abandoned railroad tracks, the trail links Centennial Park with Stuart Park. Plans call for the trail to be extended north to Athens. Get cracking. Runner-up: Education
BEST THING. PERIOD.
Abraham Lincoln Tip your top hat to good old honest Abe, this year’s all around best thing. Why do we love him? Is it the beard? The witty quotations? Perhaps the whole saving-of-the-country situation way back when? Whatever it is, Springfield’s crazy about him, and we think that if Mr. Lincoln were here the feeling would be mutual. Like he said in his farewell address: “To this place, and the kindness of these people, I owe everything. Here I have lived a quarter of a century and have passed from a young to an old man. Here my children have been born and one is buried.” Runners-Up: D’arcy’s Pint, Horseshoes
MOST UNDER-REPORTED NEWS STORY
All Things Davlin From the late Tim Davlin’s “past practices” to the closing of The Barrel Head, readers overwhelmingly voted the declining fortunes of the late mayor and his brother, Kevin, the most under-reported news story in Springfield during the past year. Since Jan. 1, the State Journal- Register has published at least 14 stories on the late mayor, who committed suicide in December of last year, and his brother, Kevin, owner of The Barrel Head and Chantilly Lace, both of which have gone through foreclosure proceedings. Meanwhile, lawyers for the estate of the late mayor, the Catholic diocese and the late Margaret Ettelbrick spent the year in court. The late mayor was executor of Ettelbrick’s estate, but $340,000 is allegedly missing, and Catholic Charities is supposed to get the money. Stay tuned.
Runner-up: Good news in Springfield
