GENESEO—Our beautiful Henry County Courthouse is 129 years old. An architectural study of the building has two major findings: 1) The courthouse is a sound structure that will provide Henry County with decades of use. 2) It requires repairs that are estimated at $2.84 million. Delaying these repairs will increase the cost and will result in further damage to the structure. Using the sales tax to repair the courthouse is an advantage for residents of Henry County.

GENESEO—Henry County is back knocking on the door. For the third time, they are trying to pass a local-option sales tax. This time, it is to repair the courthouse, a building they are responsible to maintain. However, from their obvious neglect, they now wish to transfer this responsibility for the cost of repairs to the shoulders of our local merchants. I trust you will vote no at the polls on Feb. 2.

CAMBRIDGE—When we go to the polls on Feb. 2, we have some very important decisions to consider. One of which is the referendum for a 0.25 percent increase on sales tax, better known to us as “The Henry County Courthouse Renovation Referendum.” My point is that the Henry County Courthouse is very important to Cambridge, and it needs our help! This referendum is the best way to pay for the needed repair work without having to raise property taxes.

GENESEO—On Feb. 2, registered voters in Illinois will have the opportunity to vote in the primary election to select the candidates who most closely represent their values. For the congressional race in the 14th district, Republican voters have a choice between two candidates to challenge the incumbent Democrat Bill Foster. It is a choice between a candidate with profound business and legislative experience and another without. Randy Hultgren is a conservative Republican from Winfield who grew up in his family business, is established in his own business career and has served in elective office since 1994, when he began serving on the Dupage County Board.

GENESEO—Well, this year is another election year with a lot of candidates on the Democratic primary ballot. This primary election is earlier and will be on Feb. 2, so I hope all my Democratic friends remember to get out and vote. Many know me and of my background in the judicial system for the last 35 years, first as a police officer, then as a prosecutor for more than 25 years in private practice. I am not running this year, but I am supporting many of our local Democratic candidates, one of whom is Clarance “Mike” Darrow.

ANDOVER—Seldom do we have need to ponder our responsibilities as a citizen of Henry County, Illinois. Well, we certainly think about it twice a year when we write our check to the county collector for property taxes, but other than that we, like most residents, just take for granted that all is well.  Now however, it is a time to really think about our duty as it pertains to the preservation of the courthouse. It is up to us and each resident to step up and consider what is our responsibility to a courthouse badly in need of repairs.

OSCO—On election day, Feb. 2, a referendum will appear on the Henry County ballot again to create a special sales tax for the purpose of courthouse repairs. Just this past year, the voters rejected this idea by a clear margin. I was one of the “no” votes because I do not trust the Democrat majority on the county board to make fiscally prudent decisions with our tax dollars.

CAMBRIDGE—In his viewpoint letter of 18 January, board member Tom Steele is correct in stating I was the only dissenting board member to oppose the latest sales tax referendum. Going back to April 2009, I again was the only dissenting vote for the sales tax referendum. When the vote was cast, 57 percent of the voters opposed it.

ANDOVER—Once again, the voters of Henry County will be asked to vote for the Public Facilities Sales Tax Referendum, which is being proposed in order to finance the much-needed repairs and restoration to the Henry County Courthouse.

ORION—Please vote “Yes” on the Feb. 2 ballot to approve a .25 percent sales tax increase, from 6.25 percent to 6.5 percent, for repairs to the Henry County Courthouse. The courthouse building has been damaged by the effects of rain, snow, ice, and wind. As roof and third-story window repairs are made to stop further damage, the historic exterior features of the building constructed in 1880 will also be repaired and preserved for another 25 years or more.

ORION—In 1997 we began a new adventure by becoming the proud owners of Orion Pharmacy. Over the 11-plus years of ownership of Orion Pharmacy & Gifts, we gained many friends and acquaintances, friendships we will always treasure.

ORION—At one time, General Motors had an advertising motto for their Chevrolet automobile: “The Heartbeat of America.”In a very real sense, Main Stret Orion’s motto is “The Heartbeat of Orion.” Our town would still be here, and people would be living in it if MSO didn’t exist, but the quality of life wouldn’t be nearly as good.

ORION—It’s time to celebrate! Main Street Orion is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year as an active part of the community. As a member and president of Main Street Orion, I am writing to express my support for the program and I invite all community members to join with us in our celebration this year.

GENESEO—In his Feb. 27 letter, Tom Steele explained his reasons for favoring the proposed county sales tax to make repairs to the Henry County courthouse. Also, he was responding to my letter of Feb. 20 and my reasons for opposing the tax. I will say that I believe Tom is sincere in his letter, however, I must now respond in turn to his letter.

GENESEO—In his February 20 letter to the editor, Bill Preston explained his reasons for opposing a quarter percent increase in the county sales tax to fund repairs to the Henry County courthouse. Mr. Preston is sincere in his opposition, but he is in error concerning many of the facts.