Congratulations to the people of La Salle County on finally getting a board for the Forest Preserve District.

The district will be a useful tool, even if it is only used to accept land people wish to donate and preserve. I believe the board will act wisely and be fiscally prudent in these difficult times. How I wish we had an FPD in place while fighting Ameren's plan to chop down miles of trees along the Fox River. We had several folks who were willing to place their land in a conservation easement, but we had no vehicle to do so. Ameren and the ICC could not have gone across land preserved in such a way.

It is a valuable tool because it keeps land from development, even by heirs, if the original owner wants it preserved. What would Cook County be like if no one established forest preserves and kept the lakefront from being privately owned? Thank the vision of Daniel Burnham.

I would absolutely rather have $35 of the $6,000 in taxes I pay annually go to an FPD for preservation, with a board that serves for free, than to pay for another County Board committee's per person and per meeting (and medical coverage) costs.

I am sad it took so long for this board to be appointed. I feel it was cowardly on the part of the board to delay it. It worked out better in the end, though, because we have a real board. Hopefully, this one won't cower before the landowners association. They are bullies who don't let the facts stop them from getting their way.

To Ottawa and Dayton Townships... make sure you vote to keep your township in the FPD in the coming elections. Watch the wording! The opposition will be voting. Make sure YOU do. Serena, get out there and vote to get back in. Dayton was heavily affected by the new power lines. What could an FPD have done for you?

One last thing... The landowners association just hates paying for anything that might benefit someone who lives in a town. I got to wondering about the cost of the sheriff's office. All of us who live in a town pay handsomely for a full time police force, and if someone from the country needs police help while in the city limits, they get it. So, why do we pay for the rural patrols? It should follow that the rural force is paid for by the rural residents. Before all my country friends call me, this is a tongue-in-cheek effort to point out the nonsense of such an argument. So, don't use it. People in towns pay A LOT towards county costs.

I am happy we FINALLY have a FPD and a board to run it.

TWILA YEDNOCK,

Ottawa