Merchants, residents understand honors
When Chicago Magazine named La Grange “Best of Chicago” in its August 2009 issue, it simply confirmed what we  already knew about our beloved suburb. The business district is beehive of activity; new restaurants and businesses are opening; and the farmers market is a hit.

We love the fact that our police officers patrol on Segways. La Grange is a happy, prosperous community.

Chicago Magazine chose La Grange for the “Best Downtown,” a distinction not lost on business owners like us. Many of us have banded together to help each other succeed, especially in this economy.

We wanted a central location in a thriving community and since La Grange is also our home it, was an easy choice.

Calling La Grange a “Mayberry for the 21st Century” is a true compliment. We aren’t just business owners, we’re also parents with three young children and strong community values are important. Not only do we want to succeed, but also we feel a real camaraderie with the businesses up and down the street.

The way we see it, we are all in this together and we want the best for them.

Ross and Carissa Bartolomei, owners, Salon Hype

Public option needed in health care reform
So you’re happy with your health insurance and don’t want anything to change? What will you do if you suddenly lose your job? Or your insurance drops your health care providers from its network?

Both those things happened to us.

If you lose your insurance, how will you find a decent plan if you have a pre-existing condition? Will the lack of insurance or savings effectively ration the health care you receive? Please don’t focus just on the present. Your situation can change quickly.

We all need affordable health insurance that provides good coverage.

Since the private insurance industry has been too focused on profits to provide that in the past, we don’t trust it to stand ready to provide that in the future, either. That is why we support a public option.

George and Barbara Drai, Brookfield