Noteworthy achievement

The Union County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 30 announced the resolution of a longstanding financial issue.

The board authorized the transfer of $313,000 from the county's general fund to the liability insurance, or tort, fund.

The amount that was transferred represented the final payment of funds which previously had been borrowed to cover deficit spending. The inter-fund loan obligations totalled $1.2 million.

Through creative and aggressive action, the county was able to retire this obligation – and the issue was resolved a full year ahead of originally scheduled plans.

This is good news for Union County. County officials are to be commended for their action on this matter.

<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Learning about the real world</strong></span>

Finances also figured prominently in a program which was presented recently at Anna Junior High School.

The University of Illinois Extension program, called "Welcome to the Real World!," shared valuable information about money management and finances with 8th grade students from Anna and Jonesboro.

All of us likely could benefit from such a program. Those who helped to present "Welcome to the Real World!" to our young people deserve praise.