Dear Editor:   Hybrid or District systems increase costs: Many cite a study by Southwick which was written 16 years ago by an author who was not a political scientist nor an economist. There have been many other studies since then that contradict this position ("Local Logrolling? Examining the Impact of District Representation on Distributive Politics" -Burnett, Kogan Aug 2012). In addition, looking closer to home, since our neighbors in Wheaton went to a hybrid model, their costs have gone down. If you think it will add costs due to slush funds or discretionary funds, that can happen with an…

Naperville Mayor George Pradel has endorsed City Councilwoman Judith Brodhead for a second term on the Council. The Mayor, currently serving his fourth term, appointed Brodhead to the Transportation Advisory Board in 1990 and Naperville Plan Commission in 1991.  She served as Plan Commission Chair from 1997-2002 and went on to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals from 2001-2006, serving as Chair from 2004-2006.  A sixteen-year community volunteer, Brodhead is an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Cultural Events for North Central College, where she teaches English and Urban & Suburban …

Open Letter to the Community, On the day Spring Break finally arrives for our schools, whether we are waiting for a winter storm to blow in or are escaping to warmer climates, the feeling of being lifted out of the weightier days of winter is everywhere.  My sincere hope for our families is that they will find time together enjoying one another’s company and making memories that will stay with them, even as the years pass. When the students return, we know they will be invigorated and ready to make that final push to the end of the school year. This is the wonderful thing about spring. It is…

The League of Women Voters of Naperville supports at-large elections. In 2010, members of the League of Women Voters of Naperville undertook a study to determine the methods available for electing members of the city council.The results can be found on our website at http://naperville.il.lwv.org/councilelections.htm This study was done in advance of the 2010 election in which the referendum question asking voters whether to divide the city into districts was held. We considered representation in other large Illinois cities with a council manager form of government: 72% have at-large …

I am the pastor of First Congregational United Church of Christ, founded in Naperville in 1833. We are one of the oldest in town, and the oldest Congregational church in northern Illinois. We are a diverse church. We don't all agree with each other on certain aspects of doctrine. How have we survived for 180 years? We’ve survived because we covenant to respect one another in spite of our differences.   Our state is close to passing a law that will legalize same sex marriage. I realize that some readers of the Naperville Patch are upset by this possibility. But what makes my church work is the…

Dear Utility Customers: You’ve been hearing a lot about the Naperville Smart Grid Initiative (NSGI) in the last few weeks, and not all of it has been flattering. I’d like to take a few minutes to set the record straight about this project, the tremendous benefits it will have for our City as a whole and you as a municipal utility customer, and the meter installation process. First, let me remind you what the NSGI is about. The NSGI is basically an upgrade to our electric network to provide more efficient, cost-effective and reliable service and empower customers with more information on their…

I am so saddened to learn of the brutal treatment these Naperville mothers received for wishing to not have Smart Meters put on. Originally, Smart Meters were not to have been forced on anyone in America but encouraged. The opposite has come to pass and it's only in hard won states in our nations where there is even an Opt Out program. Even the claims of "good" these Smart (?) meters do have not panned out to be true. However, the harm these devices bring to our bodies, families, neighbors, and citizens is bad for all of us unless you are a fan of sickness, cancers, even early deaths. To …

Dear Editor, I am a retired teacher with a vested interest in protecting the integrity of all publicly funded pensions. I am also extremely frustrated that there has been so little consideration of the real underlying problems our State faces: an unfair state income tax structure, an unwillingness to accept reality with regard to a sales tax on services, and an unrealistic repayment schedule for our pension debt. Illinois is one of only 7 states in the nation which employs a flat tax and, until the recently enacted temporary increase, at 3% for individuals was dead last in the rate imposed. …

At this time of year, our thoughts turn to family, friends, holiday celebrations, and giving to others. I am the parent of a 20-year old daughter, Kelsey who has Down Syndrome. As most parents, I want to provide the best for her. Kelsey's primary focus right now is to be with friends, and family, have fun and "learn new stuff".   One of the most important parts of Kelsey's life is the time she spends participating in the programs at Western DuPage Special Recreation Association (WDSRA). Without WDSRA, special needs adults and children wouldn't have opportunities to socialize, travel, learn, …

Safe schools lead to safer students who are more likely to be better learners. The Connecticut shooting last week shattered the families of 20 little first graders. Colorado’s theater shooting a few months ago claimed the lives of several college students. Chicago neighborhood teens routinely risk their lives en route to their middle and high schools. Gun violence accounts for a significant number of deaths of children under the age of 18- our students. Gun Control would facilitate students getting to and from school in one piece and focus their attention during the school day on learning …

I am writing this letter to express my full support for the “Water Street District“ proposal.  Having lived in Naperville since 1988, I have seen the many changes which have taken place, mostly for the betterment of the community as it grew. We should be proud of our up to date infrastructure and excellent financial rating. Some of the Historic character has been preserved, some has been replaced with modern developments to serve the varied demographics of our citizenry as it changed. For over ten years, I first rented then owned and lived in a Condo at RiverPlace, 509 Aurora Ave. I am …

Dear Editor: Thank you to the 1,500 wonderful people who on November 3rd made a statement about homelessness by sleeping out in tents, boxes and cars to raise awareness of the growing problem of homeless families.  Sleep Out Saturday is sponsored by Bridge Communities, the largest provider of transitional housing in DuPage County, serving 100 families each year. People from faith-based, community, corporate and family groups braved a cold night and experienced homelessness firsthand. I slept outside in my car with my grandson Nathan and granddaughter Olivia, while their younger siblings …

To the Editor:  The Rotary Club of Naperville recently held its fifth annual Soup’s On! event to end hunger and homelessness in our communities on October 21st. We are grateful that more than 2,100 people – a new record – visited the beautiful Tellabs atrium on a perfect Sunday afternoon to discover and enjoy a myriad of scrumptious foods, desserts, and beverages donated by 30 of the area’s best-loved restaurants and food purveyors. Fabulous donated silent auction items encouraged eager bidders. Entertainment provided by the talented students of Naperville School Districts 203 and 204 and …

Naperville Patch accepts letters to the editor. If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Naperville Patch Editor Collin Czarnecki at collin.czarnecki@patch.com.   Dear Editor, At Naperville’s Sept. 18, 2012 City Council’s Open Forum (on their video from minutes 20:40 to 58) a number of residents and members of the Naperville Smart Meter Awareness group discussed in great detail the FIRE Hazards posed by smart meters. To view this informative session and council’s responses open this link.  http://naperville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=542 Bottom line is ComEd …

Naperville Patch accepts letters to the editor. The following was submitted by Naperville resident Thomas Mitchinson.If you're interesting in submitting a letter, e-mail Naperville Patch Editor Collin Czarnecki at collin.czarnecki@patch.com. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  Dear Editor, I’d like to thank Congresswoman Judy Biggert for her commitment to religious freedom in health care. As a Christian Scientist, I feel that ensuring individuals have access to effective health care, and respecting their religious freedom is important. Congresswoman Biggert has made great efforts to ensure that …

Food allergies are on the rise, and Illinois kids need to be protected Odds are you know someone with a food allergy. For reasons not yet fully understood by the medical community, food allergies have become more prevalent in recent years, and their effects can be devastating. Because first-time allergic reactions are most likely to occur in childhood, it is critically important that we safeguard our kids against this very real threat. One in 13 children now suffers from some type of food allergy, and of those affected, nearly 40 percent suffer from allergies that are severe to life-…

Local Republican Group Urges People to Get Involved Your vote in November will shape decisions made on a local, state and federal level. And the recent redistricting of senate and congressional districts means many of you will choose between two candidates that may be unfamiliar to you. That’s where the Aurora Republican Women comes in. The ARW has been working to clear up questions about the redistricting process, reminding people to register to vote, highlighting the importance of supporting Republican values, and educating voters about the GOP candidates whose names they will see on …

Letter to the Editor: A Pension Balance that Republicans and Democrats can agree upon. As noted in the suburban newspapers recently, Mayor Emanuel testified in front of the Pension Committee that he was requesting a 10 year moratorium on the 3 percent annual increase on teacher’s pensions paid for by the City of Chicago. It is obvious that since the Mayor is responsible for paying these pensions, he has sought financial advice and understands the consequences of yearly increases which over time become unsustainable. If coupled with reasonable age requirements for retirement, his suggestion …

Letter to the Editor: On May 5, DuPage Veteran’s foundation hosted a fundraiser to support our local World War II Veteran’s and Honor Flight Chicago at the DuPage airport. Doug Deetjen, a Lisle resident, businessman and Vietnam Veteran sponsored “Let’s Ride for Honor Flight Chicago” for local motorcyclists with the support of Lee Mattes, owner of Heritage Harley-Davidson in Lisle to honor our Veteran’s and raise funds for such a worthy cause.  I am honored to have participated in this ride and I want to give my sincere gratitude to all who organized and participated in the event. This was a …

Letter to editor Green Naperville’s (Code of Ethics) Our city council apparently has never heard of recusing themselves when it comes to programs or policies which directly or indirectly enrich them. Currently we have three members of council who partially make a living representing various alternative green energy services, products or generating electricity. Two others served on committees prior to being council members which created the city’s environmental sustainability plan. Long story short there seems to be a vested interest on their part to turn Naperville green with the city’s tax …