Stephen Douglas bicentennial a time to remember his contributions April 23 marked the bicentennial of Stephen A. Douglas of Illinois, the most influential politician in Washington for a decade prior to the presidential election that brought Abraham Lincoln to the White House. From the Compromise of 1850 to the fateful split of the Democratic Party in 1860, Douglas was the single most consequential player in national politics for a decade. Yet many remember him only for his debates with Lincoln during their contest for the U.S. Senate in 1858. Those debates received national attention because of Douglas’ fame that, in … ]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 02:37:33 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19692675-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19692675-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

New members needed on District 131 board I have worked with students in District 131 for 10 years in various capacities, from coordinating a tutoring program at an elementary school, to mentoring several young men during their formative years, to developing relationships and organizing life-skills programs in an Aurora Housing Authority complex. With this experience, I’ve developed a love for East Aurora and its treasured diversity. The relationships I have with these families and students are some of the most important of my life. And I’ve learned so much from them. I’ve learned that students instinctively need hope and opportunities … ]]> Thu, 02 May 2013 06:23:18 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19184675-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19184675-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

East not getting word out Recently I attended the East Aurora School District 131 special Board of Education meeting to listen to the Virtual Learning Solutions proposal for a charter school this fall offering a web-based approach to learning. Like the presentation to many other districts in the Fox Valley, the idea falls short and doesn’t seem to take into account the needs of the families and kids in our community. There were many questions posed by community members that were left unanswered. While I think the conclusion of our board members ended up at the right point, I want … ]]> Fri, 26 Apr 2013 06:16:05 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19033344-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19033344-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Online charter troubling There have been many articles lately about the proposed virtual on line program that may be offered by a for profit company that has no direct responsibility to our school districts if implemented. This proposal to allow this organization into our communities has become deeply troubling to me for many good reasons. This proposal by the company that is making such an offer is known as the Illinois Virtual Academy at Fox River Valley (VLS) that would fall under the controversial umbrella of K12, Inc. I have found many troubling articles about K12, Inc. that discuss concerning … ]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 06:42:42 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19010107-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/19010107-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

East schedule change Experience has shown me the effects of shortening the school day from 7 to 6 periods. Granted, very little homework is accomplished in Study Halls, thus most educators and students feel Study Halls are not vital to a student’s education. A 6-period day would, however, kill the music/arts programs of the school. Those subjects have a long history at East. While on the school day, these are electives, but few would elect/or are able to arrive early or remain late for such programs. Arts programs offer confidence and self-esteem to many students and often see them become … ]]> Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:33:49 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18963128-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18963128-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Fiscal responsibility in Oswego There have been endorsements for Oswego trustee candidates based on being business friendly as though that is the solution to economic problems. That same hype was used in the ‘90s when the business friendly trustees gave away initially 75 percent of the sales tax to the developers and reduced transition fees to the schools for residential that resulted in several million dollars being lost to our schools. The current Village Board has reduced spending, reduced administrative cost and avoided tax increases. That fiscal responsible record is due to four trustees that have consistently held the line … ]]> Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:19:53 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18948572-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18948572-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Freedom to marry In the next few days, members of the Illinois House will consider a bill that approves the freedom to marry for same sex couples in our state. The Illinois Senate – in a bipartisan, overwhelming vote – already approved this measure of basic fairness and dignity. I hope that our state representative, Linda Chapa LaVia, will stand up for this historic legislation and vote yes. Same sex couples will strengthen the institution of marriage. They want to marry because they love one another and know that it provides immeasurable support for their families and for families all … ]]> Sun, 21 Apr 2013 06:12:29 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18896500-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18896500-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Projects a waste The president has given us the picture of gloom and doom for $85 billion in sequester cuts. Here is some honest to goodness waste that could save money without hurting anyone. These seem ridiculous, but folks, this is some of the spending going on in Washington. In the past two years the General Accounting Office in Washington has identified more than 1,362 duplicating programs at a cost of $364.5 billion every year. EPA gave $141,000 to fund a Chinese study on swine manure; $325,000 has gone to the National Science Foundation to build a robotic squirrel; $500;000 … ]]> Sat, 20 Apr 2013 06:12:03 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18896545-474/story.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18896545-474/story.html

Immigrate the right way Vanessa Viayra-Gutierrez wrote about illegal aliens. They are illegal, not so-called illegals. They do not deserve to be in this country or be treated equally under U.S. law as Americans. They crossed over illegally (that’s against the law), which makes them illegal. Do you assume if you just shoot someone you don’t like that it was an undocumented discharge but, that’s OK? Immigrants need to learn to read and write English, then go through the right way. So getting a license, food stamps, housing, etc., should only be earned after they become citizens. I’m so tired … ]]> Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:07:48 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18784322-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18784322-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Questions for Oswego There is a Village Board candidate who has claims to be “pro-Oswego”. Does it mean the opponents are “anti-Oswego”? Do you oppose special deals where politically connected people make substantial profits, but taxpayers get the privilege of picking up any losses? Do you think a special tax break for a local business is a bad idea, especially if that business has already received significant government aid and the parent company has received billions of dollars of tax money, most of which is unlikely to be repaid? Do you refuse to turn a blind eye to the kind … ]]> Sun, 14 Apr 2013 06:12:52 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18783395-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18783395-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Sequestration talk A quote to keep in mind when you hear all the “Armageddon” sequestration hype from the White House and Dick Durbin: November 21, 2011 — “Already some in Congress are trying to undo these automatic spending cuts. My message to them is simple; No,” Mr. Obama said from the White House briefing room Monday evening. “I will veto any effort to get rid of those automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending.... There will be no easy off ramps on this one.” Durbin commented on Warren Buffet and the so called Warren Buffet rule. My two cents … ]]> Sat, 13 Apr 2013 06:06:53 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18716973-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18716973-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Stop illegal guns I have been listening to all the news media about what should be done to curb gun violence, the people in charge keep going for the law to not allow large magazines for guns and the outlawing of the assault rifles. My question to all of these people is exactly how is this going to stop the gun violence we are seeing. The majority of gun violence comes from the people who do not have a gun license or a FOID card, and get their guns from the black market or some other devious manner. So instead … ]]> Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:04:34 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18649132-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18649132-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Auroran of Year Several years ago my wife and I had the pleasure of meeting Clayton Muhammad and associating with him at numerous public functions. We had an opportunity to see his interactions with the students at East Aurora High School and his interactions with the public. To say that we were endlessly impressed would be an understatement. It is my thought that Clayton Muhammad should be named the Person of the Year in Aurora and not just the African American Person of the Year. Fred M. Morelli Jr. Aurora Hoarder or killer? The headline “Aurora bird hoarder reflects on … ]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:34:29 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18693834-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18693834-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

On Jackson Jr. The article in Feb. 27 Beacon about Jesse Jackson Jr. was well written. I enjoyed reading it and hats off to Anthony Stanford — good job. Did you notice how the general media played down any involvement with Jackson being a part of the Blago deal in obtaining Obama’s seat... thought that was interesting. After he gets any jail time, he most likely will be out on the scene again... maybe not wearing such a fancy watch, though. Jan Aszman Oswego Hinckley water bills You may have heard horror stories about the over-priced water bills in Hinckley. … ]]> Mon, 08 Apr 2013 07:11:19 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18648363-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18648363-474/letters-to-the-editor.html

Christians must stand up Deena Sherman’s column of March 1 says that Christians do not need to defend marriage, I strongly disagree with that concept. We are losing all our rights, one after another and marriage by one man and one woman is being attacked on all sides. Christians have gone along to get along too long and we need to stand up and be counted. True Christians know exactly what the Bible says about homosexuality. It is totally not accepted as a normal relationship as God told Moses in Leviticus 18:21-23 Let me quote: Thou shalt not lie down … ]]> Sun, 07 Apr 2013 06:08:52 -0500 http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18627340-474/letters-to-the-editor.html http://beaconnews.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/18627340-474/letters-to-the-editor.html