A recent survey by TimesNewspapers found that Morton was among a list of seven communities in Woodford, Peoria and Tazewell counties not in compliance with the state’s new Freedom of Information Act.

Only four public bodies were in compliance. That is a dismal record. (Click here for full story)

If a Tazewell County sheriff’s deputy’s sworn duty is to protect and serve the citizens of the county, and instead he uses on-duty time to carry out personal business, that is one offense that should justify firing that employee. That is common sense, right?

If a video shows corrections officers using what many felt was excessive force in controlling a female prisoner — a prisoner that was half the size of the male officers — they should be disciplined for their actions. That is common sense, right?

Back-to-school shopping may leave families waiting a little later than normal to get all their supplies bought, but if they do so, they will reap the benefits.

Beginning Friday and ending Aug. 15, the state of Illinois will forego its 5 percent portion of sales tax on back-to-school supplies. Local portions of sales tax still will be collected for those 10 days.

Children always come first — it is a theme that seems to have faded amid a statewide financial crisis. Budget cuts throughout the state have impacted a variety of children’s programs — whether they are for education, financial assistance or even physical care.

What can we take from the annual state-of-the-village speech?

In its fifth year, the mayor’s state-of-the-village speech is still disregarded by the silent majority of Mortonites. For many, it is in one ear and out the other. Some people talk about the mayor having his own agenda. But, each year, this 40-minute speech is jam packed with information.

It’s doubtful that many people stop to think about where they are spending their money, but they should.

Several years ago, a new Morton pool seemed like a pipe dream. Particularly after the construction of Five Points in Washington, which has an indoor pool, the focus of many residents strayed from outdoor to indoor.

The former Morton pool was outdated, and a bit of an eyesore. But, to some Mortonites, a new outdoor pool took a backseat to the idea of an indoor recreational complex, including a pool.

They throw their own party. They support their own cause. And, they expect nothing in return.

Saturday’s weather was not conducive for gardening. But, it really did not matter for volunteers working on Morton’s new community garden. For them, gardening is a hobby.

Some were intern Master Gardeners, others were just there to help. But, the final product will do more than satisfy the cravings of a soil savant.

“We ought to be very careful when we hire non-faculty coaches. For me, this is beyond what’s legal. It is about what is best for the kids.”
- Morton District 709 school board president Tom Neeley regarding the school board’s preference to hire only faculty members as coaches. June 2008

The aforementioned quote made in June 2008 by then school board member Tom Neeley, who is now president of the District 709 school board, is still relevant to him, as well as the board’s policy.

Author John Abrams said, quite correctly, “If the people who make the decisions are the people who will also bear the consequences of those decisions, perhaps better decisions will result.”

But, when the decisions are being made by our governmental leaders, consequences too often are the last thing on their minds.

If your household’s census form is still laying on a table with other mail, it is time to fill it out.

Some Mortonites even received reminder postcards recently to return the necessary paperwork, which is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.

The strengths of the Morton High School math team may rely on the team-based events. But, it will take a combination of individual knowledge and collaborative teamwork to be successful, said math team coach Lucas Allen.

Think of this scenario — Tazewell County without an agricultural background.

Ten years ago, this thought may have never crossed our minds.

In a county like Tazewell, this would be surprising, particularly because the area is flush with fields and farms. This county was built within a farming framework. And, it still has a major agricultural presence.

So what could cause its demise? Simply put, a lack of interest among youth.

Now that the temperatures have turned moderate and the snow has disappeared, litter is again highly visible in Morton.

The word “tax” is often considered a bad word in politics and among citizens. Cancer is to health as tax is to politics. Tax is an evil word.

It is not shocking that residents were against a 0.25 percent sales tax increase, which the village board approved Monday night, within commercial regions in Morton to support a more than a $400,000 improvement campaign throughout the village’s shopping districts.

Veteran Dick Ruffini approached the Morton Village Board Monday night in hopes of gathering support from the village to undertake a veterans’ memorial project.

“Where is the veterans’ park here in Morton?” Ruffini asked. “There (are) none.”

It may seem a little confusing why Morton donated $10,000 toward the sponsorship of the March Madness Experience.

As of Jan. 1, names of youth 17 years of age, or younger, will no longer be printed in this publication’s arrest reports and police news.

It is not part of a policy change within this newsroom. Instead, it was a change at the state level that seemed to catch newsrooms off guard throughout Illinois.

A proposed $16.8 million elementary school improvement project for District 709 is finally hitting the minds of residents who will weigh in on the options to close Jefferson School and move students to the high school or disperse them among remaining elementary schools.