Thumbs up to 19-year-old Sugar Grove resident Richard Williams, who started a special-needs Scouting group with the help of his father, Sean. The Aurora-based group – named Venturing Crew 88 – has been active since September and helps those with special needs learn important life skills, such as how to use public transportation and how to manage money. Williams, who was nearly 15 when he learned he had autism, is to be commended for his work in helping organize Venturing Crew 88. The teen is president of the group. His dad is crew adviser.

Thumbs down because only two people filed for the three open seats on the Kaneland School District 302 board. When it comes to local elections – in this case, the April 9 consolidated election – the number of candidates who file nominating petitions to run can be excitingly high or lamentably low. Case in point, seven candidates ran for four open seats on the District 302 board in 2011, which gave residents plenty of options. That just won't be the case for the upcoming consolidated election, unless a number of residents file to run as write-in candidates by Feb. 7. We encourage viable district residents to consider running as write-ins and hope voters in District 302 will have choices when they vote April 9.