Mayor must demand respectful meetings

I realize the village board is under a tremendous amount of pressure to make decisions for our community. Listening to residents' feedback on specific topics can sometimes be daunting, especially when there is a "hot" topic since people from both sides will be expressing their opinion.

This is what is great about our democratic society and should continue.

What troubles me is when control and respect are lost in these meetings. In the 02/23/09 Lake Zurich Board meeting, people made inappropriate comments about individuals and groups of people who had no involvement in the agenda item being discussed, and I can only speculate why this behavior was allowed to continue.

Mayor Tolomei has a responsibility to ensure control and respect is instilled in these meetings at all times. Personal attacks should never be permitted. I implore you to handle these meetings in a professional manner, even during difficult times, and lead by a positive example.

In addition, with an election around the corner, political grandstanding, whether positive or negative or by candidates or residents, should not be permitted.

As residents, we should also keep this in mind and take responsibility for our own actions and at least be able to have respect for each other's differences!

Stephanie Halen

Lake Zurich