Letters to the Editor: D204 needs to lift band restrictions on home-schoolers; Selle’s take on inflation doesn’t reflect real world

D204 needs to lift band restrictions on home-schoolers

When I moved into Indian Prairie School District 204 and found out I couldn’t be a part of the marching band without taking five classes at the high school, I was really upset. I am writing on the behalf of homeschoolers like myself when I say school districts should allow ​u​s to be a part of the marching band without having to take any classes at the school because our parents pay taxes to the district for these extracurricular activities.

By letting homeschoolers be a pa​rt of the marching band with no classes, homeschoolers would broaden their horizons and do what they love without having to waste their days at the school taking classes they have already taken or are taking elsewhere. Schools would gain more talent, which would benefit them by having more people to work with.

Also, when I saw that District 204 had no winter color guard, I was devastated. That is why I say it is of utmost importance that the district create a combined competing winter guard that is open to all, including homeschoolers in the district. This is an important issue because many want the opportunity to perform in the winter after marching band season has ended.

This would be beneficial to both schools and students alike. Students would be able to expand their horizons and do what they love​ and schools would benefit by having more time to show how amazing their color guard is. Making a combined guard would also promote friendship between the different schools and between families in the district.

Katherine Heath, Naperville

Selle’s take on inflation doesn’t reflect real world

I read the Charles Selle column about inflation in the Nov. 10 edition of the Naperville Sun. I found it out of touch with reality.

He makes it sound like inflation has dramatically dropped, which must be news to young homebuyers who face 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages above 6% vs. a rate below 3% when Joe Biden became president. Homes are the single largest investment for most Americans.

Gasoline at my local Costco is up a full 35% in that same time period. That cost affects everything, not just filling up the car but every product we buy.

What planet is he on?

Steve Cushman, Naperville

Council petition challenges ensure candidates can follow the law

Naperville City Council candidate Farid Shabazz was taken off the ballot for the city’s upcoming consolidated general election this April. The decision came through a 2-1 vote from the Municipal Officers Electoral Board at a hearing on Nov. 13. Mayor Scott Wehrli voted no on removing him from the ballot.

Mr. Shabazz’s candidate petition was challenged by three Naperville voters, whose primary issue centered around inconsistencies with his listed name on the petitions he submitted and the fact that he did not file the proper name change affidavit. Voters have a right to know who they are helping to be placed on the ballot, and a candidate who has criminal convictions under his previous name hides that fact from voters.

Mr. Shabazz has stated that he will not appeal this decision.

The other petition in question was that of council candidate Nag Jaiswal. Mr. Jaiswal’s nomination papers show a complete lack of attention to the legal standards all candidates are called upon to follow. His papers speak to a lack of awareness or even respect for the legal procedures to be followed, seeing that this is Mr. Jaiswal’s third attempt to run for office in Naperville.

His hearing has been continued to Dec. 5 so a member of city staff can gather evidence regarding the validity of the signatures on his petition.

As concerned Naperville residents who vote in every election and who do our due diligence on the candidates appearing on our ballot, we felt this was a necessary step in assuring all the candidates on the ballot this April are qualified to run. As the fourth largest city in Illinois with an annual budget of more than $600 million, voters deserve to be able to make their choices from candidates who have shown they are serious about serving Naperville.

Dianne McGuire, Nancy Turner and Mark Urda, Naperville

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