The democratic process of which we are so proud produces so-called political leaders whose primary interest is trying to get re-elected without the conceptual leadership skills that we have had in the past.

I have read with interest the opinions written by Alderman Michele Skryd and by columnist Jim Kapsa, as well as news articles by Cari Brokamp. I am afraid that I have to agree with Skryd and Kapsa and state that another solution should have been found to avoid layoffs.

While attending my sons’ eighth-grade graduation ceremony, I realized that many of the parents and guests don’t understand common courtesy or rules. Perhaps you could cut this out, study it and keep it in your wallet for future reference.

We need to increase our domestic oil production and lessen our reliance on dangerous foreign sources. Energy conservation alone doesn’t solve our energy needs; it just postpones it for a short while. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would help since it would be one of the largest oil fields discovered in the world in the last 40 years.

In the May 1 letters to the editor, Bob Larson (Republican candidate for DuPage County Board, 6th District) stated federal law and military regulations forbid the wearing of a military uniform by a former military service member at a political event when speaking and expressing political views.

Front-page headlines nationwide recently reported on a nationally representative study showing that more than one in four teen girls has a sexually transmitted infection. The infection rates were one in four for whites and Hispanics and higher for blacks.

Some of your readers may recall that in 2007 the Illinois General Assembly prohibited ComEd and Ameren (the two major electric utilities) from raising their rates.

There have been several occasions during my 13-year tenure as president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County’s Board of Commissioners when public and private agencies have turned to the district to satisfy their land needs. The most recent such request comes from the Canadian National Railway Co., which desires to purchase approximately 1 acre at Pratt’s Wayne Woods Forest Preserve in Wayne as part of its planned acquisition of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern rail lines.

Recently, a concerned citizen wrote a letter regarding a report presented by a group of consultants, High Schools That Work, who were hired by the J.S. Morton High School Board of Education to provide input for the improvement of instruction in the district.

State officials, what in the world is going on with Illinois veterans’ homes? Why does Illinois rate last in the care of veterans?

The mayor of Chicago has again just raised his water rates to the suburbs who have to buy water from Chicago.

Many individuals and businesses display signs and banners supporting our troops. I am heartened by the outpouring of public support for our troops no matter what your view or opinion of the war.

Every decent American should have viewed the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war on March 19 with shame and revulsion.

On Feb. 5, 2008, the voters of DuPage County delivered a wake-up call to the DuPage GOP. I am honored to have been chosen by those same voters to represent the Republican Party on the ballot for County Board District 6.

I read Kathy Abbate’s letter to the editor recently and am reminded of a quote from a movie: “Politics is perception.” I read her impassioned pleas for the right to free speech and agree with her.