Colbert’s Column

SPORTS COLUMN Exelon announcement sparks memories of 1976

When I first read the Byron Nuclear may be closing in September of 2021, my mind harkened back to September of 1976. That was when I first started dating the woman who would eventually become my wife.

For the next few years, I would drive from Rochelle to her home in rural White Rock, which was just a few miles from the construction site of the nuclear plant. With fascination, I would look to the west and see the huge project raising up from the ground.

There had never been anything like it ever in Ogle County. Initially, the biggest concern among local residents was radiation, as little was known about nuclear energy at the time.

Fears of radiation poisoning were unfounded. A far greater result of having the twin towers of nuclear reactors in our back yard was the tremendous impact it would soon be having on the local economy.

I don’t think anyone realized how much money would be flowing our way or the way the town of Byron was transformed from a nothing-special little river town to what it is today.

Certainly folks in the outlying area remember jealousy and resentment over all the tax dollars put into the Byron school system and the advantages it would have over other schools. That mindset has died down substantially, at least I think it has, and everyone seems to get along with

COMMENTARY Andy Colbert

the status quo.

Never knew if this was true or not, but the rumor going on for awhile was that Byron had so much money to run their schools that heated coils were being installed in the sidewalks so they didn’t have to be shoveled. Just a lot of stuff like that.

In the late 1980s, youth and high-school sport rivalries would began to heat up more, as Byron became a juggernaught because of their ‘high-fallutin’ school district.

Parents who wanted the best for their kids, began to move into the district, with subdivisions sprouting up all over.

In turn, those families with a keen interest in academic and athletic excellence help create an stronger environment of competitiveness.

Reflecting back over the 30-plus years of the nuke plant having an influence on the area, the increased competition has been good for sports. Though competition can be bring out the worst and best in some of us, it has created an interesting dynamic between Byron, Oregon and Stillman Valley, with the common denominator being a nuclear plant sitting in the middle of all three towns.

There is no way Byron would have ever reached the lofty athletic reputation it has without Commonwealth Edison selecting a huge plot of land on German Church road to build on.

Personally, I relish the fact ComEd located here and Byron has reaped the primary benefits. I have met so many good people from Byron, many of which may not have been there had it not been for the “plant” as the workers call it.

That employment carry-over effect has extended well beyond Byron into all corners of Ogle County. Sure, Byron got the biggest piece of the pie by a long shot, but we all came out ahead on the deal.

Here in Oregon, I’m thankful that opportunistic citizens beat Byron to the punch on establishing park district boundaries within those 1,782-acres the nuclear plant sits on. Besides the quality of life, it’s immensely helped Oregon athletics because of facilities and recreational activities.

Whether or not the nuclear plant stays open and what will be the economic fallout if it does close? Two very difficult concepts to wrap one head’s around, but one thing is certain - it has been a great ride so far.

OREGON LIBRARY

Now Open for Browsing

Come in to pick out your own books. We ask that you sanitize when you come in and please remember to wear your mask.

To best provide a safe environment we are limiting the number of patrons in the library at a time.

Curbside Pick Up will continue indefinitely, but if you wear a mask you may enter the building to pick up your materials, use the computers or copy items. The building is open regular hours.

You can put holds on items in our Library through our catalog or by calling the library at 815-732-2724

Please continue to return all materials in the outside book drop that is open 24/7. All library materials are quarantined for at least 7 days and then checked in. You will still see these items on your account and still receive notification of overdue until the quarantine period is over.

We are fine free, so you will not be charged for overdue items. However, materials that are not returned will result in replacement costs. This bill is generated after materials are 21 days overdue. As long as materials are returned with no damage you will not be charged the replacement fee. Read More ~ Worry Less!

It’s Here!

The Oregon Public Library is thrilled to announce the opening of a StoryWalk ® at Oregon Park West! What is a StoryWalk ® ?

It is a book that has been disassembled, laminated and presented page by page to promote reading and exercise on a trail, bike path, or in store windows and as you stroll, you are directed to the next page in the story.

StoryWalk® was created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, VT in 2007, and developed in collaboration with the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coalition and the Kellogg Hubbard Library. Our hope

See OREGON LIBRARY, Page 8

An eye exam is a good idea, especially if things are starting to look a little fuzzy around the edges.

Dr. Kurt K. Nelson Optometrist

629 N. Galena Avenue, Dixon, Illinois • 815-284-6866 Member of the American Optometric Association. Therapeutic Licensed.

SM-ST1796665

• Full Service Optical Lab • Contact Lenses (including bifocal & specialty lenses)

• Comprehensive Eye Health Exams • Diagnosis/Treatment of Eye Diseases • Great Selection of Eyeglass Frames

Northwest Eyecare • 815.732.3121 314 W. Washington St. • Oregon, IL www.northwesteyecare.com