Letter to the Community

Thank You to Glenbard West Community

Glen Ellyn Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted to Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.

Dear Glenbard West High School community,  Once again the community came through!  Because of the generosity of the people in the Glenbard West community all 85 ELL (English Language Learners) received a brand new beautiful Glenbard West hooded sweatshirt for the seventh consecutive year. The appreciation displayed by the students assured me once again that this project is worthwhile. ELL students have unique challenges at home and school and by receiving this gift they feel pride and they feel valued. It is surprising to them that people they do not know would want to do something nice for them. You helped make a difference in someone’s life. Thank You!  Patti Denney Glenbard West High School ELL Community Liaison

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Editor's Corner

Editor's Picks: Motivational Reading for the New Year

A list of books that are my personal favorites for inspiring and motivating me.

While I am the Local Editor for Glen Ellyn Patch full-time, I’m also a practitioner of yoga. Through my yoga practice, I’ve learned that the obstacles I face on my mat are very similar to those I face in daily life. The yoga doesn’t end once I roll that mat up. Yoga and life have taught me that life is about choices and in any moment I have a choice at how I see things and react. Attitude is everything, as the saying goes. As we head into a New Year, I thought I’d share some of the books that I’ve read, which have made a positive impact in my life or which have offered me inspiration.  Have a favorite book that you feel has been helpful in motivating you to achieve your goals? Share them in comments. Before I share my list, let me share …

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Letter to the Editor: Dan Bailey for DuPage County Board, District 4

Glen Ellyn Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Submit letters to the editor to Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com

Glen Ellyn Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor emailed to Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ A man of and for the people, candidate Dan Bailey deserves to serve District 4 constituents on the DuPage County Board. A registered nurse, former railroad engineer, and dedicated activist, Bailey will work conscientiously to rein in excessive spending (including out-size compensation of County Board members for part-time work); increase governmental efficiency, openness, and accountability; eliminate insider contract deals; diversify and improve transportation options; protect and improve our environment; streamline the delivery and fairness…

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Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Leslie Coolidge Understands Fiscal Responsibility

Glen Ellyn Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Please send letter to local editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.

Glen Ellyn Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor emailed to Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ Letter to the Editor: Why has Peter Roskam refused to debate his challenger, Leslie Coolidge for the IL 6th congressional seat? Perhaps he can’t defend his record. A record of extreme ideology and partisan gridlock that was harmful to our economic recovery. A record of putting pledges to lobbyists (Grover Norquist) above duty to constituents.  Peter Roskam voted twice for the “Ryan Budget”. A draconian budget which cuts necessary programs, including veterans’ benefits and FEMA. A budget that expands corporate welfare for Super PAC …

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Letter to the Editor: Reasons to Vote for Peter Roskam

Glen Ellyn Patch welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be submitted to Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com.

Glen Ellyn Patch accepts and publishes letters to the editor e-mailed to Local Editor Mary Ann Lopez at maryl@patch.com. Please note in subject lines the message is a Letter to the Editor. ------------ I LIKE CONGRESSMAN PETER ROSKAM! I like Peter because he is such a likeable man, and he gets my vote.  He has earned it! He is a younger man who has made his mark during his two terms as Congressman. That's why I like Peter Roskam.  It is vitally important that he be reelected to the office of United States Congressman. John Oldenburger Wheaton

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Jeff Ward: How to Scare Your Boyfriend Without Using a Shotgun

I may be a gender traitor, but I don't want to get shot, either!

Every now and then, the magnitude of an event in one of our 22 happy Friday Patch suburbs makes me sit up and take notice. And let me tell you, when the fine folks in Downers Grove set out to pique my interest, they go all in. Let’s just say, were I an inhabitant of that fine municipality and my wife, girlfriend, or maybe even my sister, asked me to do the dishes, people would say they’d never seen an old guy move that fast. I’d be practicing my best “yes dears” 24/7. Vickie D. Podruzek, 43, currently faces charges of aggravated domestic battery and aggravated battery with a firearm and may ultimately be charged with attempted murder. DuPage County Judge Elizabeth Sexton set her bail at $1 million. If she does manage to post bond, Podruzek…

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Jeff Ward: Lord, Save Us From Do-Gooder Politicians

I don't know what's worse: Pollyanna altruists, career politicians or "citizen" candidates.

It’s depressing. After seven years of covering innumerable elections and dealing with countless politicians, my prognosis for the political process, while not quite terminal, is bleak. The folks who shouldn’t think of running on their best day always do—and frequently win—while those who would make good candidates either aren’t stupid enough to run or succumb to vast stupidity along the way. Just to be clear, we’re only talking about those political positions which actually pay a decent salary. So we can immediately cross off anyone who serves on school, park and fire boards, aldermen, mayors and county board members from our list. Because when it comes to those low- or no-paying ultra-local gigs, you get a mix of people who run on ego and…

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Gregoir

7:09 am on Friday, February 24, 2012

We can definitely agree on one thing, John - we both want the United States to succeed. I'm skeptical that we can spend our way back to prosperity, though. As for "righties" wanting to tear down the government to get elected - that's not a right vs. left thing. The incumbent is always going to tell you how great things are going and the opponent will always tell you we're on a collision course …   more ›

Jeff Ward: What We Can All Learn From Shaun Wild's Death

If we look inside ourselves, we can take something away from this senseless act.

This kind of thing happens on Patch all the time. Combine a hint of anonymity with some touchy topics and that thin veneer of civilization can drop faster than those congressional approval ratings. I’d even considered sponsoring a contest to see if any reader could actually come up with an epithet that hasn’t already been hurled my way, but I believe it’s all been said. In the end, I let it go because it’s something I’ve come to expect. But two complete strangers sitting together in a bar? That one baffles me. We’ve all heard the disturbing news reports detailing the circumstance surrounding the murder of 24-year-old Naperville second-grade teacher Shaun Wild at 1 a.m. on Feb. 4 at a Naperville night club. And the truly tragic irony is …

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Brad Griffin

11:26 am on Friday, February 17, 2012

That info is not accurate. The 2 men shook hands several minutes before their conversation escalated and Hayes never patted Olaska on the back.   more ›

Jeff Ward: I'm Stunned at What Teachers Have to Put Up With, for Very Little Pay

I just don't understand all the animosity directed at teachers these days!

I still don’t get it! Back in December I lamented the fact that teachers, school bus drivers, daycare workers and the folks with whom we charge our children in general don’t get paid nearly enough for their excellent efforts. Though I haven’t really tackled the teacher topic directly (until now), in addition to the dismissive comments coming out of that column, it would seem that whenever the subject of educators arises, the educators always come out on the short end of the stick. Trust me, I can clearly recall all of Sister Camilla’s shouting, and I still have those deep yardstick imprints on my back, but that single, bad Catholic-school experience hasn’t soured my attitude toward teachers. In fact, I’m still friends with some of those St…

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Bart

4:53 pm on Tuesday, May 1, 2012

My guess is your union pension will survive longer than my social security   more ›

Jeff Ward: How To Make Your New Year's Workout Resolution Last

It's the time of year when the dreaded New Year's resolutioners infest gyms everywhere!

You barely claw your way through the ever-expanding holiday season by clinging to the promise of Jan. 2, and then it gets worse. Much worse! Because the first month of every year brings out a life form those of us with long-term gym memberships fear even more than Michelle Bachmann. Yes! We’re talking about the dreaded New Year’s Resolutioner, or as a good friend likes to call ‘em, “the six weekers,” because 90 percent of them will disappear by Valentines Day, never to be heard from again. Completely clueless and armed with utterly unrealistic expectations, they descend upon Patchland health clubs like locusts with the sole intent of making the rest of our workout lives miserable. Though they desperately try to hide it, any athlete who can…

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Jeff Ward

11:16 am on Saturday, January 7, 2012

Jack, Tell you what! One good week of reasonable exercise every other day and you get a shot of Bushmills as a reward! Jeff   more ›