Plenty of cheap winter fun to be had

I am writing in response to the editorial entitled "It's time to focus on needs, not wants."

I agree that with the economy in the state it is, money needs to be spent efficiently instead of carelessly. Most people have taken to this by clutching onto their money tightly, and not spending great amounts on nice things. It seems as though village services are becoming one of those "nice things" that need not be invested in. Residents of Arlington Heights suggested that the village cut back on firefighters, sculptures and celebrations in order to solve budget problems. The article failed to explain why citizens would suggest cutting back on firefighters. I agree that money cannot be spent frivolously on expensive sculptures and celebrations; however, spending money to support the safety of the town is a necessity, not a want.

The article also later states that since luxuries our community normally provides us will not always be available, we will "have to spend a little more time with the TV and other things to do while sitting at home." Just because the community cannot provide us with activities does not mean that there are not other things one can do to have fun. There are cheap things to do during the winter, such as sledding, ice skating at the local pond, or having a snowball fight. We have been spoiled so much by what our community normally provides us that we have no idea what to do with ourselves when those privileges are taken away. There are alternatives to sitting on the couch all day, even in an economic recession.

Katie Gall

St. Charles