With empathy, I read Neighbor Fencepost contributor Barbara Ann Kohn's complaints (Nov. 11) about the discomfort and expense she and her family are experiencing because of this season's proliferation of skunks in her Palatine neighborhood. But, as vexing as the skunk problems of Palatine might be, they are nothing when compared to the other type of Illinois skunks holding elective office at the federal, state, county and (in many cases) local levels. The misfeasance, malfeasance and nonfeasance of this latter species of skunk is costing all of us a lot more on a daily basis than Palatine's critters ever will. Worse, we can't just make a phone call to engage someone to eradicate or relocate them.
Charles F. Falk
Schaumburg