Filling potholes

After days of continuous snowfall, the sun finally came out this week and the roads were clear of ice and snow.

I couldn't believe all of the potholes. All of that freezing and melting, along with the grating of the snowplow blades really took a toll on area roadways. Sections of Boughton Road are marked by holes, cracks and ridges, along with many other major streets around town.

It reminds me of the overall state of life here in The Brook.

Like many towns in America, the economic storm that has blanketed the country has caused some wear and tear on the village. Residents are feeling the pain of lay-offs, store closings and home foreclosures. We've been battered, but definitely not torn apart.

According to Mayor Roger Claar, Bolingbrook fared the storm in 2008 much better than many other areas of the country. The village still attracted new businesses to town, opened the first new hospital in 25 years, and created new jobs, Claar said during his State of the Village address last week. Still, more than 370,000 feet of retail space sits empty, he said.

Claar also said Bolingbrook will be featured on a CNN business segment because of the town's recognition by Money Magazine as the 32nd best place to live in the United States. For those who live here, did it feel like you were living in one of the top cities in the country or have you been hard hit by the challenges facing our nation?

Out on the streets, it's too early for construction crews to fill the potholes. There's still too much cold weather ahead.

But this week, it was bright and sunny, and the sun reflecting off the snow provided a radiant glow around town. Once the snow has melted, we'll see how much repair is necessary. Hopefully, brighter days are on the way.

What do you think? Did Bolingbrook make it through 2008 as well as the mayor says we did? Do you see Bolingbrook as one of the best places in the country to live or as a town in need of repair? What areas show the most need for improvement? Comment about it here.