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Although I’ve been a resident for nearly 15 years, I didn’t fully understand the history or the value of the Glencoe caucus system. And my recent experiences as co-chair of the Glencoe School Nominating Committee demonstrate it’s time to inject some community enthusiasm and education to get the participation and funding we need to carry on. To quote from the website www.glencoecaucus.org, which I urge you to visit, “Make sure you have a say in the quality of our children’s education, the character of our Village, and the services we receive.” As a veteran of one election cycle, I now recognize the value of the caucus system in ensuring a central role for resident input in local governance. This season, although we published articles in print and online, posted flyers, advertised through district e-blasts, and approached acquaintances, we still did not receive the number of applicants needed to simply fill our ranks. Furthermore, caucus funding is raised strictly through donations, and we do not have the money to print and mail the ballots for our spring election, without writing personal checks or having our printer agree to future payment! I urge people not to let apathy or ignorance cause the system that serves us well to fail. If the present caucus system has outlived its usefulness, let us be active in charting a new course of action. ‘Tis the season to get political. We welcome ideas, applications and contributions. Loree Sandler Glencoe
Updated: March 29, 2012 3:35PM
Although I’ve been a resident for nearly 15 years, I didn’t fully understand the history or the value of the Glencoe caucus system. And my recent experiences as co-chair of the Glencoe School Nominating Committee demonstrate it’s time to inject some community enthusiasm and education to get the participation and funding we need to carry on.
To quote from the website www.glencoecaucus.org, which I urge you to visit, “Make sure you have a say in the quality of our children’s education, the character of our Village, and the services we receive.” As a veteran of one election cycle, I now recognize the value of the caucus system in ensuring a central role for resident input in local governance.
This season, although we published articles in print and online, posted flyers, advertised through district e-blasts, and approached acquaintances, we still did not receive the number of applicants needed to simply fill our ranks. Furthermore, caucus funding is raised strictly through donations, and we do not have the money to print and mail the ballots for our spring election, without writing personal checks or having our printer agree to future payment!
I urge people not to let apathy or ignorance cause the system that serves us well to fail. If the present caucus system has outlived its usefulness, let us be active in charting a new course of action. ‘Tis the season to get political. We welcome ideas, applications and contributions.
Loree Sandler
Glencoe
If the truth be told
And now the general election for the House of Representatives in the 10th Congressional District gets underway. The Democrats have voted for Brad Schneider and incumbent Robert Dold is the Republican candidate.
On one of the key issues of the campaign, Dold continues to assert that he is “standing up for seniors by making sure that any changes to Medicare keeps seniors’ Medicare health care and prescription drug benefits intact without driving up premiums.”
But what Dold doesn’t say in one of his latest mailouts is that if Republicans get their way, they will give seniors a voucher for a few thousand dollars and tell them to go to the open marketplace and buy their own health care insurance--if you can get it. This is the plan put forth by House Republican Paul Ryan and voted for and supported by Dold.
Let’s be honest about this plan: it will end Medicare as we know it. This is a “change” we can’t afford.
Don Packard
Highland Park
Beating of teen shows the realities
The charging of two teenage suspects for the vicious New Year’s Eve attack of a Highland Park girl on Chicago’s Northwest Side should serve as a wake up call to suburban parents who haven’t already had “that talk” with their teenage children. Chicago is a wonderful city with great cultural attractions and extensive public transportation, but there are places and situations suburban teens ought not to venture into alone, and they should never go with strangers in unfamiliar areas.
Trips to museums should start at an early age when parents can share their children’s excitement over their discovery of the treasures so close at hand. There’s no reason for putting off such trips until the children become teenagers. Once children reach the stage where they feel comfortable about traveling on their own, the parents should discuss safe ways to reach chosen destinations and explain about the extra care they need to take in many areas after dark.
Osmosis doesn’t work when it comes to assuming children automatically understand the pitfalls of exploring cities on their own, whether it’s Chicago, San Francisco or London. Parents must help their children recognize life’s realities.
J. L. Stern
Highland Park
