Letter: Meeting local needs

I wish to address two related topics. First, the understandable desire to reduce redundant government areas. Second, township 708 Mental Health Boards.

While tempting to see townships as merely duplicating existing county government functions, the amount of taxes collected to fund a township is far less than the impact and understanding a local township returns in services to the immediate community. Our Hanover Township agency has its finger on the pulse of the local community far, far better than the Cook or DuPage County boards do.

Hanover Township provides diverse services and meets needs locally for seniors, disadvantaged individuals, those seeking help with property tax issues, those needing food pantry access, and many others. If you cannot drive and need transportation, if you cannot afford school supplies for your child, if you wish to discuss property tax matters, you will find an open ear and willing heart at Hanover Township.

Not that you won't at a county board. However, our Romanian neighbors have a saying, "The neighbor is the first man." Meaning if your house is on fire, friends and relatives will help, but the first bucket of water comes from your neighbor.

Second, I volunteer on the Hanover Township 708 Mental Health Board. We give of our time and such talents as we have to assure that the taxes directed to the board are given the stewardship to ensure the funds are used to benefit Hanover Township residents.

Increasingly, links between mental health and social concerns such as homelessness, substance addiction, crime, domestic and other violence is proven. Services provided by 501(c) 3 organizations funded partially by 708 Boards help local police departments free officers to attend to matters germain to them.

I urge a yes vote to support towns looking to create 708 Mental Health Boards.

Matt Steichmann

Elgin

Plan serves community

The Moving 15 Forward plan at Palatine Elementary School District 15 has been under development for many years and reflects the best thinking to meet our community's expectations.

This plan focuses on addressing the highest-priority educational and school facility needs to safeguard and advance our schools now and into the future. The plan was designed to make sure every student, school, and community the District serves benefits.

Here are the three main areas the plan covers:

• Repair and Restore our 20 schools that average in age of 54 years and make up 1.7M square feet of property;

• Update Learning Spaces; and

• Improve Student Transitions as children move from kindergarten through eighth grade and then on to high school in Districts 211 and 214.

The plan would also bring full-day kindergarten, which will allow more than twice the amount of instructional time for staff to educate our students with varying levels of readiness.

It also welcomes sixth-graders to the junior high to create adolescent-focused middle schools.

As the second largest elementary district in Illinois, District 15 is seeking support from the seven communities we serve all or part of so we are better able to educate and support a uniquely diverse group of over 11,000 learners.

The District is matching dollar for dollar the funds raised by this referendum to pay for the Moving 15 Forward plan. We strongly urge our community to vote yes on Nov. 8. Please look for our referendum question on your ballot.

The time is now to move District 15 forward for our students and our communities.

Scott Boucher

Rolling Meadows