Positive reflections on tumblers' 60th

This month marks the 60th anniversary of the creation of the Jesse White Tumbling Team. It is hard to believe it has been 60 years. Back in 1959, I saw the need for someone to step up and provide a positive alternative for at-risk children.

Over the last 60 years, more than 18,000 young men and women have performed with the Jesse White Tumbling Team. Many of these young men and women needed guidance and tough love. It is why I always insisted on enforcing strict rules designed to keep them out of trouble and in school getting good grades.

Now more than ever, the world needs positive role models who extend a helping hand to young people in need. This is what I have tried to do throughout my life. It is our responsibility as adults to do all we can to help give young people the best possible chance to mature into productive and responsible citizens.

When I try to measure the impact of the Jesse White Tumbling Team, I think of all the kids who have turned out to become outstanding citizens who are making a positive difference in society.

The Jesse White Tumbling Team is still going strong. This year we have 225 young men and women performing on the team - many of whom are enrolled in college.

I could not have done this alone. So many people helped along the way. I will never forget them. In fact, the 60th anniversary of the Jesse White Tumbling Team is a reflection and recognition of the positive impact so many good people have had on my life - from my youth all the way up to today.

Jesse White

Illinois Secretary of State

Troubling tactics

We love Elk Grove Village. We have been here for 36 years. We attended the tree lighting on Friday, Nov. 29. The music, lights and fireworks were wonderful. I was just disappointed that it turned into a political forum regarding term limits, with a truck advertising voting for them and Mayor Johnson talking against them and Tim Burns, and saying Santa Claus has no term limits - we don't need them either.

This was not the time or place for this, and using a comparison to Santa Claus in front of an audience of many young children was totally inappropriate.

This summer I signed a petition for term limits. I do not think that our current trustees or mayor are doing a bad job, I just firmly believe in term limits in all offices.

Yet, I have received a mailer questioning if I knew what I was signing when I signed the petition, and much more disturbing, a few nights ago, a person came to our door searching for the people whose names and addresses were on that petition. He not only asked us again if we understood what we were signing, but asked if we remembered when and where we signed it. We did. Then, he proceeded to ask us to try to identify the man who collected our signature, showing us photos as if we had to identify mug shots.

If our mayor and trustees have stooped to this, then combined with his remarks at the tree lighting and having the leader of the campaign to oppose the term limits be someone who directly benefits from this since her company has the contract for the concerts, I no longer would cast my vote in the upcoming election for any of the incumbents and hope to see other new people on our ballot.

Sandra Jedrzejewski

Elk Grove Village

An appalling offer

It was appalling to read that Donald Trump Jr. is offering a free copy of his book to any person who can send in a video of how they "triggered" a liberal over the holidays. I know that he really wants to get that book sold. The Republican National Committee already used $100,000 dollars of their members' money to buy copies of his book so that the book could end up on the bestsellers list.

However, the suggestion to try to get someone upset over their political beliefs could lead to some disasters. I have already seen families and friends torn apart because of their political leanings. To be asked to purposely try to irritate people because of their opinions and then video that person can lead to some dangerous consequences.

I am hoping that this season when I get together with my Republican, Democratic, Independent. Left, Right and Center friends, we will find that what unites us is more important than what separates us. That we can find some common ground if we listen to one another, try to see the others' points of view. Aim for some peace in our relationships this season.

Susan Merle Hoerauf

Prospect Heights