Kenosha speaks up: Letters to the editor for the week of Jan. 2, 2026
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Our weekly round-up of letters published in the Kenosha News.
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Rob Reiner’s death is heartbreaking—and deeply instructive. Known to many as “Meathead” from *All in the Family*, Reiner grew into a humanist who championed civil rights, early childhood development, and policies that put compassion into law. Through films like *Being Charlie*—a love letter to his son struggling with addiction—he showed evidence and empathy belong together.
His tragic death also reminds us of a painful truth: families are often most vulnerable to harm from those they love most, especially when serious mental illness and addiction go untreated. Parricide is rare, but when it occurs, it often involves an adult child with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or substance use, living under the same roof. Love is essential—but love alone is not treatment.
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While sitting in my parlor, I heard a sudden rattle at the mailbox door. I got up to check the commotion and found an envelope addressed to me. I thought it was a holiday greeting, but it was just my property tax bill.
When I checked, I saw Kenosha Unified taxes had jumped by over 20%. I stepped back, stunned, wondering why. With less headcount and buildings, I assumed they incurred way less expenses.
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I would like to thank everyone from Kenosha and the surrounding area who donated non-perishable food items of nearly one thousand pounds and cash and checks totaling over $1,300 to my 20th annual food drive for the Shalom Center on Dec. 20.
A very special thank you to the Palmen Auto Group for the use of their van the day of the drive. Also, a special shout out to Joe Waligora for helping me out for the past several years of my food drive. A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, and thanks again to everyone for your giving spirit.
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Before Bob Tierney and Sabrina Landry were elected to the Kenosha Unified School District Board, agenda review meetings were held privately by the superintendent with one or two board members, outside the view of the public. By contrast, Racine Unified holds its agenda review meetings openly, allowing community members to see how decisions are shaped before votes are taken.
Several KUSD board members supported changing this practice to bring greater transparency to Kenosha Unified. Yolanda Santos Adams opposed that change, stating her concern was the added cost of holding public meetings. That argument is difficult to accept. The cost of transparency is minimal, and the value to public trust is significant.
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Rob Reiner’s death is heartbreaking—and deeply instructive. Known to many as “Meathead” from *All in the Family*, Reiner grew into a humanist who championed civil rights, early childhood development, and policies that put compassion into law. Through films like *Being Charlie*—a love letter to his son struggling with addiction—he showed evidence and empathy belong together.
His tragic death also reminds us of a painful truth: families are often most vulnerable to harm from those they love most, especially when serious mental illness and addiction go untreated. Parricide is rare, but when it occurs, it often involves an adult child with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders or substance use, living under the same roof. Love is essential—but love alone is not treatment.
While sitting in my parlor, I heard a sudden rattle at the mailbox door. I got up to check the commotion and found an envelope addressed to me. I thought it was a holiday greeting, but it was just my property tax bill.
When I checked, I saw Kenosha Unified taxes had jumped by over 20%. I stepped back, stunned, wondering why. With less headcount and buildings, I assumed they incurred way less expenses.
I would like to thank everyone from Kenosha and the surrounding area who donated non-perishable food items of nearly one thousand pounds and cash and checks totaling over $1,300 to my 20th annual food drive for the Shalom Center on Dec. 20.
A very special thank you to the Palmen Auto Group for the use of their van the day of the drive. Also, a special shout out to Joe Waligora for helping me out for the past several years of my food drive. A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year, and thanks again to everyone for your giving spirit.
Before Bob Tierney and Sabrina Landry were elected to the Kenosha Unified School District Board, agenda review meetings were held privately by the superintendent with one or two board members, outside the view of the public. By contrast, Racine Unified holds its agenda review meetings openly, allowing community members to see how decisions are shaped before votes are taken.
Several KUSD board members supported changing this practice to bring greater transparency to Kenosha Unified. Yolanda Santos Adams opposed that change, stating her concern was the added cost of holding public meetings. That argument is difficult to accept. The cost of transparency is minimal, and the value to public trust is significant.
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