Vote for the future

As a third-generation resident of Elmhurst, I've come to appreciate (and often take for granted) the many benefits of living in this community - caring residents, award-winning parks and park district, well-maintained tree-lined streets, strong home values, a vibrant downtown, I could go on and on. But nothing guarantees this lifestyle if we don't continue to invest in our schools.

This not only includes the wonderful teachers but also the infrastructure where the kids spend the majority of their day. Deteriorating buildings and a lack of modern amenities do not reflect the investments we've made in our downtown, streets, park district, library or our individual homes. I urge everyone to vote in favor of the Nov. 6 school referendum to help preserve and ensure the future of the community we all expect but don't always fully appreciate.

New residents who move to Elmhurst from other parts of the country often ask me why so many people who grew up in Elmhurst return and raise their families here. I simply ask them what their decision criteria was -- location, infrastructure, low crime, strong home values and, most importantly, a strong school system. These are the same reasons my grandparents raised a family here, why my parents raised their four children here, why my wife and I chose to raise our four kids here and, hopefully why my children will choose to do the same.

An investment in our schools is an investment in the future of Elmhurst. Please vote yes to the school referendum Nov. 6.

Mike Larson

Elmhurst