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Bob Fischer: Latest argument for downtown development misses point
I learned something new Monday night while sitting in City Council chambers. All along I had assumed that the reasons my grown kids no longer live in our town were because of their jobs or the ability to grab more house for the buck in other communities. Instead, we were told that, if we turn downtown Naperville into something more akin to Wrigleyville not only will our kids stay in town but more will move in from around the country to ensure a bright future for our community.
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From The Homefront: Baseball and political seasons upon us
Despite the weather, harbingers of spring are all around us. Pitchers and catchers checked into Arizona earlier this week, and position players are not far behind. Another season kicking into high gear is the local political one.
From The Homefront: Same players, different story line
When last seen in 2012, the Naperville Electoral Board had dismissed the requests for an advisory referendum on smart meters because the proponents of that question had failed to find a sufficient number of legitimate city of Naperville registered voters to sign their petitions. This time around, the hearing, was not about smart meters. Instead it addressed a move by a group of residents to undo the 2010 referendum vote that Naperville should be divided into five City Council districts.
From The Homefront: Water rate hike takes happy out of new year
While not quite sure I understand all the math, a 15 percent rate hike by the city of Chicago becomes a 20 percent wholesale rate increase from the DuPage Water Commission. This bump up in costs is then passed on to the city of Naperville and other area municipalities whose residents rely on Lake Michigan water for drinking, cooking, bathing, gardening and other household needs.
Bob Fischer: Decorating worth awe in 2-year-old’s eyes
This week’s column represents a milestone. Not only is it my last column for 2012, but also my 101st since I started doing this almost four years ago. In the event there is some truth to the Mayan calendar predictions, and this is the last …
From The Homefront: Confederation members neither bored nor old
Is there an “age-divide” in Naperville? Is there a fundamental disconnect between the expectations and preferences of those born before and after Richard Nixon’s presidency? While I do freely advocate that pre-1975 music is superior to what has come since, I never thought that my hopes, dreams and vision for life in Naperville were that much different from those of folks a few decades younger.
Bob Fischer puts up train set from childhood for grandkids
Tucked away in a corner of Bob Fischer’s basement, next to bowling balls, luggage and out-of-season holiday décor, are two relatively nondescript blue 32-gallon storage totes with the word “train” scribbled on them in magic marker. These childhood mementos are seeing new life this Thanksgiving, thanks to two grandchildren.
From The Homefront: Procrastination leads to insights on election
Looking for reasons not to rake the leaves in his yard, columnist Bob Fischer finds time to read “Cronkite” on his Kindle and finds roots of current political landscape.
View from here too tall for downtown Naperville
While I have, on more than one occasion, been told to “go fly a kite,” a chilly late September Sunday morning was the first time I had ever been invited to go out and hoist a balloon. A small group of interested citizens wanted to …
From The Homefront: Fair Housing Advisory Commission here to help
In response to a call for applicants, I was selected to a term of office on the Fair Housing Advisory Commission. This group exists to help ensure that all people, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, familial status, physical or mental handicap or disability, military status, sexual orientation or legal source of income, have a fair and equal opportunity to purchase, own, lease or occupy housing within the city of Naperville.
From The Homefront: Smart meter discourse hits ludicrous speed
While I am certain analog-meter-loving luddites will find fault with my smart meter analysis, the situation long ago deteriorated beyond rational dialogue. My adding further convenient “facts” to the discussion, no matter how outrageous, merely highlights the absurd direction of the discourse.
From The Homefront: Meeting focuses on city services
This Saturday, the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation kicks off its 2012-2013 general meeting schedule by giving residents the inside scoop on how our city government functions. Joining Dr. Bob at the podium will be 14 city government team members led by City Manager Doug Krieger and Deputy City Manager Marcie Schatz.
From The Homefront: Confederation’s opinions more than rhetoric
Columnist Bob Fischer sets the record straight about the Naperville Homeowners Confederation’s by-laws, and how the group’s positions are developed and presented.
From The Homefront: No do-over for Water Street development
Naperville’s Planning and Zoning Commission will get a rare chance to be part of a “do-over” this Wednesday. The Water Street developers will make another appearance to pitch their most recent plans for their piece of a small area tucked along the downtown Riverwalk.
From The Homefront: Pitching horsehoes in Naperville is the pits
Last February, while visiting our friends the Schultz’s in Arizona, Ted roused me out of bed one morning to engage in some male bonding at the nearby Rec Center. Together with 20 or so other AARP card carriers, we spent a couple hours engaging in a sport whose roots harken back to second century BC Greek soldiers: horseshoe pitching.
From the Homefront: HOAs bring neighbors together
Recognizing the need to recruit and include motivated new members, the Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation recently revised its bylaws to allow individual homeowners, not part of a recognized Homeowners Association, to join the confederation.
