On the Campaign Whale

The Shedd Aquarium's principal moneymaker -- their pod of white beluga whales -- have produced another calf. Which means it is time once again to name the new baby beluga whale. It goes without saying the Shedd has yet to miss an opportunity to turn these infrequently periodic events into some easy PR/Ad-buzz for the Aquarium.

Operatives may be wondering, Why is your LakeCountyEye giving the fish-eye to the Shedd Aquarium? Because whales are like babies and dogs: in politics, it never hurts to be seen kissing one. Predictably our local politicians have taken the bait and are in line to soak up some of the free feelgood PR. According to the Daily Herald ...

Name dropping: Suburban leaders weigh in on belugas

no fewer than 22 local pols are competing to name the whale.

• Des Plaines Mayor
• Elk Grove Village Mayor
• Gurnee Mayor
• Former Lake Park District 108 School Board Member
• Itasca Community Library Director
• Roselle Village President
• Naperville Mayor
• Palatine Mayor
• Hanover Park Mayor
• Inverness Mayor
• Prospect Heights Mayor
• River Trails Elementary District Superintendent
• Northwest Suburban High School District 214 Member
• Superintendent of Arlington Heights Elementary School District 25
• Mount Prospect Mayor
• Principal of Prospect High School,
• Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce
• Mayor of Schaumburg
• Maine Township High School District 207 Superintendent
• Arlington Heights Mayor
• Rolling Meadows Mayor
• Hoffman Estates Mayor

Your LakeCountyEye hasn't seen this many politicians interested in a fish since Harriet Miers was nominated to the Supreme Court ...

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For those local politicians who haven't jumped on the baby beluga bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? The contest is still open -- you can't win if you don't play. In case your PR guy has taken a long weekend, here are 10 suggested names for the the baby beluga whale.

Top 10 Names for the New Baby Beluga Whale

Flipper Princess Nudelman Special Porpoise Entity Namor the Sub-Mariner Caucasian Carp Javier, the Beluga Caviar Lady Belugaga The LOLrus Baby B.O.P.* Chicken of the Sea *Blow Out Preventer

Your LakeCountyEye will be spending the holiday by the LakeCountyEye Koi Pond. Chasing away the Blue Herons.