Hi, folks. It's been one interesting week in Mokena, with a group of Front Street merchants pitching their alternative to the French Market and an acid spill on I-294 clogging commuters' rides home.

But the biggest news of the week came from Tuesday's primary election, which saw some hot contests and got a lot of folks talking.

Before we get to those comments, here are the comments from my favorite story of the week. Mokena Intermediate School fourth-grader Lauren Peterson, 9, is having her head shaved tonight to raise money for cancer research at a St. Baldrick's Day event at Gatto's in New Lenox tonight.

Her original goal was to raise $1,000. When she hit that, she went for $2,000, which she met this week.

Donate to Lauren Peterson's St. Baldrick's Day fundraising efforts.

Here's what folks were saying about Lauren:

Tiffany Miller Sabatini Way to go Lauren!!!! I cannot wait to see all the other amazing things you will do as you get older. So proud to know you sweetie. <3

Coach Kelly Coach Kelly is so proud of Lauren!!! I will be there to CHEER for her!!!!

And there were more words of encouragement for her.

But onto the election.

John P. Miner was one of the Mokena voters annoyed by the change in polling places.

John P. Miner Well, I live 5 blocks away from my polling place. I would walk there to the pipefitters local 597 and vote. Found out today my polling place is still there but it is not my polling place now! I was moved out to Orland Park a few miles away. How did this save money? Went from a consolidated Frankfort polling place for years previous to now being a single voting place. WHHHAAAAATTTTT????

Our story about GOP hopefulls bypassing the Southland got area resident Sue Bertram reminiscing about 1988, when future President George H. W. Bush visited the area with Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Sue Bertram I was in Three Brothers when a team of very serious looking guys came in, locked the doors and told us all we would be staying there for several hours. Nobody in and nobody out and no phone calls. A bit later, in walks GHW Bush and Arnold and entourage. We shared our booth with some nice Secret Service folks and KNEW our boss was not going to believe the reason for our 2.5 hour lunch break.

Reader Clarice had her doubts about the electrical aggregation referendum that failed in Will County.

Clarice Hi. I'm from the goberment. I'm here to help you.... I guess the voters would rather pay more money for electricity than enrich politicians.

She didn't say how shopping around for a better power rate was going to enrich politicians. Mokena voters approved their version of the referendum.

There was some heated talk over particular races, particularly the Hannon-Hastings race for the 19th State Senate seat and the 1st Congressional primary that will have Donald Peloquin facing incumbent Bobby Rush in the fall.

Whew! Glad the primary's over. Now we'll be able to get back to normal without contentious political campaigns disrupting... oh, yeah.

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