Dear Geneva Community, We are sincerely grateful for those of you who came to the aid of the Herrington last week! With the teamwork of the countless volunteers, we were able to save the hotel from flooding. The amount of community support was overwhelming, and we thank everyone who came together to assist wherever needed. The volunteerism and community spirit is truly inspiring. Thank you! Paul RubyThe Herrington Inn & Spa

Editor's note: The preferred and easiest way to submit a letter to the editor is to post a blog on Geneva Patch. Click here, and you can get started in minutes! Letters to the editor also are accepted via email to rickn@patch.com, but are subject to longer wait times for publication. You also can endorse candidates simply adding a comment to this article .   To the Editor: As a resident in Geneva’s 1st Ward, I am so thankful that Mike Bruno time has finally come. For years, we, as neighbors, have been encouraging Mike to run for public office. We have always felt that he had the skills, …

As a parent of two Batavia High School graduates, a resident and a taxpayer, I of course want "our" public schools and education to be the best, which I always felt they were. How could our beautiful schools, gorgeous theater, huge field house, terrific teachers ... do anything but provide an excellent education? Then recently I heard news of a "virtual" charter school (K12) being discussed for the area. I decided to check it out and see if I wanted some of my tax dollars going to K12 instead of our existing public schools. I had not heard of a "virtual" school before, but a few years ago, …

To the Editor: We have an important election coming up on Tuesday April 9. Many local offices will be filled with qualified representatives of our community. I would like to bring emphasis to one candidate in particular. The person I am speaking about is Mark T. Wissing, who is running for re-election as the Geneva Township commissioner of highways. I want to give you some reasons to return Mark to that office. As a Geneva Township trustee, I have overseen a lot of road commissioners. Mark is a standout, and I can safely say the very best road commissioner I have witnessed in all of my years …

Dear Editor: My wife, Kathy, and I are long time Geneva residents (37 years); and I’m also a retired Geneva High School English teacher and department chair.  We strongly support the re-election of Mark Grosso, current District 304 School Board President. We have known Mark for many years as a friend and neighbor and have worked with him on various committees for the Pepper Valley Homeowners Association. Four years ago we endorsed and supported Mark when he was running for the school board for the first time. We said, “Mark works hard, cooperates well with others, listens carefully, pays …

Dear Editor, Illinois faces a pension liability conservatively placed at $95 billion.Gov. Pat Quinn and his legislative leaders have finally recognized the problems caused by years of offering too many pension sweeteners without meeting state funding obligations. It is unfortunate that their rhetoric has — so far — not been accompanied by action. Quinn has neithe rproduced his own plan nor rounded up votes for other plans and, quite frankly, I’m getting fed up. Further clouding the issue are claims by House Speaker Michael Madigan that suburban and downstate school districts are receiving a “…

The following is a letter to the editor from Geneva Public Library District Director Matt Teske.   In response to Mr. Moffat’s recent statements, I felt that I needed to explain the rationale for the Library’s actions. In the event that Mr. Moffat is elected to both governmental bodies, I felt it best to know the possible outcomes sooner rather than later. No one wants the Library to be placed in a position where hasty and perhaps incorrect decisions are made. I was already aware of the question being raised in regard to Mr. Moffat’s candidacy for the Park Board and School Board and was …

Editor's note: This is a letter to the editor from Geneva resident Andrea Cladis in response to Jeff Ward's column published Jan. 17. Mr. Jeff Ward: Thank you for making me a Patch news headline. Thank you for chastising my letter to the editor. Thank you for demonstrating to my students that bullying is ambient outside of the classroom, as well. And most importantly, thank you for so graciously proving my point that disdain for America is perpetuated by a far-left mentality. The progressive model of education requires that students take courses to address the challenges of bullying in our …

The following is a letter to the editor from Geneva resident Andrea Cladis. In response to the recent news surrounding stipulations of student recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance at Mill Creek Elementary School in Geneva, I just have one question, “What is so wrong about teaching our children to respect the country they live in and to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed and fought earnestly for our liberties?” As a college graduate who is near completion of post-graduate studies in education leading to the acquisition of licensure in English and French, I have spent the past two years…

Editor's note: This is a letter to the editor endorsing Corrine Pierog. She faces Jim Oberweis in the Nov. 6 General Election. To the editor, I have the pleasure of knowing Corrine Pierog, a candidate for the Illinois Senate in the 25th District, and heartily endorse her for that position. Corrine offers a fresh new alternative to the usual list of political candidates. Her experience working with nonprofit organizations has taught her about being a prudent money manager when funds are limited, a much needed trait to bring to Springfield. Her experiences as a current member of the St. Charles…

Dear Editor: I am writing to encourage people in the Illinois Senate District 25 to vote for Corinne Pierog. Corinne is a resident of St. Charles and on the St. Charles School Board. She also is a local businesswoman—she is the founder and president of Sustainable Leadership Solutions, a consulting company that advises nonprofits and government agencies on fundraising, management, economic development and executive transitioning. As a school board member, Corinne of course is an advocate for our schools, but as a businesswoman, she also knows what it’s like to start up a business. She …

To the Editor: On Nov. 6, Illinois voters will vote on a proposal to amend the Illinois Constitution. This proposal would amend the constitution to require a three-fifths majority vote of each chamber of the Illinois General Assembly, as well as the governing bodies of any unit of local government, school district or pension or retirement system in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system. The League of Women Voters of Illinois opposes this proposal and urges voters to vote no. The league’s opposition is unrelated to the pension issues the proposal raises but …

It has been a full year now since my family and I ventured out to the East Coast so I could undergo major surgery. It was a very tough decision to go ahead and have this surgery, but it in my mind proves out to be the correct one. In the past year I have more than understood the value of having a good family, having good friends, and living in the great community of Geneva. The decision 28 years ago for my wife Nancy and I to raise our family in Geneva was one of the best decisions of our lives. From the long list of people that have sent cards with their thoughts and prayers, to the many …

To the Editor: As a parent of an autistic son, it’s hard to find a state legislator, who is willing to understand the issues that special needs parents face on a daily basis and has the experience to provide solutions on how to help families, not continue to live in a state, which is ranked near the bottom in the nation, in providing education and services to people with Developmental Disabilities. I first met Corinne Pierog, when she ran against John Milner for State Senate in 2008. As a parent advocate for my son, on things related to autism, what I immediately noticed and liked about her, …

Dear Editor, I believe the sun is shone brightly last Tuesday morning because of what happened at the Geneva School Board meeting on Jan. 9. You weren't there? No problem, the entire meeting is on the city of Geneva's website and is being replayed at 4 p.m. every day. It is only an hour long. The Geneva website is  http://www.geneva.il.us/channel10.htm Thanks to the city staff for posting the meeting. I believe it is also replayed on Comcast Channel 10. You want a copy of the information on the poster board? No problem, just send a quick e-mail to Tataxfacts@sbcglobal.net. I will send you a …

To the Editor: At Monday's Geneva School District Board meeting, the 2011 tax levy was presented and a resolution was passed considering the amounts needed to be levied for the tax year 2011. The entire presentation is linked below, but here are the highlights: The tax levy consists of the following elements: EAV—the equalized assessment value of all tax paying property in the school district. In 2010 the EAV decreased 4.5 percent, it is estimated that it will decrease another 3.0 percent for 2011. EAV started dropping in 2009 and will continue to drop for at least another three years. New …

To the Editor: Nate was born on June 5, 2005. One week later, we found out he had Down Syndrome and embarked on a journey that would lead us down many unexpected pathways. In November 2008, Nathan had his adenoids removed, and he developed a severe neck/airway infection requiring a tracheostomy to be placed on Dec. 22, 2008. He did well and on June 29, 2009, his tracheostomy tube was removed. One week and one day after Nate's tracheostomy tube was removed, July 7, he was diagnosed with ALL (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia B Cell). With the Down Syndrome, history of a trach, and now cancer …

To the Editor: There he goes again … From Chris Lauzen’s statement as reported in the Nov. 4 Daily Herald and other news outlets, “… the numbers in Geneva’s own budget say all that must be said. Page 13 ofthe 2011-12 budget shows a 7.4 percent increase from the 2010-11 budget. Frankly, this could not be more clear.” Actually, Mr. Lauzen, the budget numbers are clear; if only you were able to understand how municipal budgets are developed and reported. Please accept the following facts as a courtesy to you and those who have tried to mislead: Fact: Page 13 of the City of Geneva’s 2011-12 …

To the Residents of Geneva: Tonight, Monday, Nov. 7, the Geneva City Council will be voting to pass the final proposal to legalize fire pits and outdoor fireplaces. There is much that we can do to protect ourselves from recreational wood smoke exposure, but you must be willing to speak out on behalf of your basic human rights and challenge your city's council and officials to stay the course and retain the current ban on open burning. Demand that an education and awareness program for the public be developed before such a critical final decision is made. Ask council members why they have …

ln response to Kevin Burns’ "condemnation" of my analysis of the contradiction between his hypothetical pledge to submit a zero-growth budget at the county and his actual recent approval of a 7.4 percent increase in his city’s 2011-2012 budget, l believe that most people believe the adage that “actions speak louder than words.”  The single most important number out of volumes of budget proposals is the 7.4 percent increase (at least twice the cost of living), found on Page 13 of the Geneva City Budget, “Budget Totals: The proposed Budget for FY 2011-12, including all expenditures and …