Thumbs up: In both the public and private sectors, employees have been forced in recent years to stretch themselves thin in a difficult economy.

Oftentimes it becomes clear that doing more with less is easier said than done, and creative solutions are required to avert major problems.

That is why we are heartened to see the village of North Aurora take steps toward creating a volunteer force that can assist the village’s police department in the case of emergencies or manpower shortages at special events, such as North Aurora Days.