OK to say 'happy holidays'

I'm a Christian. My comment is regarding all the Christians who complain about someone saying "happy holidays." No one is attacking Christmas. "Happy holidays" is a greeting which has been around for a very long time. Burl Ives sang it, Danny Kaye sang it. Why would you want to force your beliefs on someone who is Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Druid, atheist or anything else? Stop taking yourself so seriously and get over it. Happy holidays!

Late real estate taxes

St. Charles County is used to getting our tax bills shortly after Halloween. Ever since the taxes were mailed on postcards by Michelle McBride, we have had nothing but trouble. Send the bill the proper way it is supposed to be sent, in an envelope. It only gets sent out once a year. One or two weeks before it is due is unacceptable.

No fan of McBride

I think it's time that people in St. Charles County wake up and get rid of (County Collector) Michelle McBride. She's trying to dictate to us, and they're the ones that went for the new software. I think it's critical that we decide it's for us, not for her.

Remember at election time

Our St. Charles County assessor and collector have all year to make sure the tax bills are correct and mailed the first of November. The software they received should have been checked out in August or September for any flaws and make a dry run, not waiting until the first of December. I received my tax bills on Dec. 20 and don't have any mortgage holders. As for checking online, how many older people in St. Charles County don't know or have computers? I sure hope people remember (Collector) Michelle McBride's name the next time election comes up. Also, (Assessor Scott) Shipman needs to go, too.

Valuation down, taxes up

I'm calling about our recent personal property and real estate tax bills going up. Even though our valuation goes down, it seems like the (taxes) go up. And the people that get the biggest portion of this money are the school districts. They need to come up with an answer why. They seem to be short on money all the time and yet they keep building new buildings.

Wonderful effort

I read with interest the article, "New business pretty corny," about Randy Jung, who began a small business selling popcorn at a kiosk in South County Centre with plans to do more in future years. This is a wonderful article, and this is just what America is about — not giving up, hanging in there, and even taking up a second career even in the face of a downturn in our economy. People like Randy are to be congratulated and his business should be encouraged. I think it's wonderful and I wish more people would do that and do less complaining, like Opinion Shaper Carl Peterson.