A recent media report detailed a little battle in Chicago, where city officials apparently had to take steps against landlords who were reluctant to adequately heat apartments, even though temperatures plummeted into the single digits outside.

Wednesday, December 20, 2000

A recent media report detailed a little battle in Chicago, where city officials apparently had to take steps against landlords who were reluctant to adequately heat apartments, even though temperatures plummeted into the single digits outside.

Perhaps they were afraid their generosity woul dbe abused, but it’s still hard to imagine anyone unwilling to help someone, at least for a time, deal with elements beyond their control.

It makes us wonder where the Christmas spirit is today.

In "A Christmas Carol," Dickens criticized the unwillingness to be neighborly; lambasted greed and selfishness.

That classic – and the events in Chicago – should hold a lesson for everyone.

Take it easy, watch out for the fellow next door, down the street or across the county. We’re in this together.

The star that brightened the skies 2,000 years ago shone on us all.