Editorials

As the above editorial indicates, Caring and Sharing has done many good things for needy residents of Fayette County. But it's not alone.

Many other acts of charity and many holiday activities have been performed by other local groups.

It's a characteristic of our community that we've grown to expect. The people of Vandalia – and all of Fayette County, for that matter – are a very giving lot. It's one quality that makes this a special place to live.

This week, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas, we are reminded of the importance of that giving spirit.

The fact that the community of St. Elmo is pretty evenly split on the issue of liquor sales was evidenced by the referendum vote on the issue in April 2005. At that election, liquor sales were returned after an absence of more than 60 years in a 244-240 vote.

Sadly, such a division on the issue both on the city council and among city residents continues about 20 months later.

Its often a thankless job, attending numerous meetings, doing research, getting feedback from constituents and making decisions that affect the populace. But fortunately, we have people who are willing to represent us in local government and on the various bodies overseeing our taxing entities.

One such individual is Dean Black, who has stepped down after serving on the Fayette County Board as a representative of the St. Elmo area for nine years and as chairman of the board for half a decade.

As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?

Most of us could tick off a substantial list of things that are near and dear to us. And when we consider the plight of others around the world, we undoubtedly have ample reason to be grateful. Here are a few:

Our family (which is a source of support and love through the good times and the bad).

Our community (which, thanks to the commitment of many of our leaders and business owners, is growing and moving forward).