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| The Daily Herald 12/27/2001 |
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Debate resurfaces
Besides football, no local issue seemed to stir up the community more than the right to cheer for the Redskin mascot.
The debate was renewed in earnest in February, when some school board members considered retiring the Redskin Mascot.
An outpouring of support by community members forced a public hearing on the issue in April. A few days later, on April 19, the board decided in a 4-3 vote to keep the mascot.
The Illinois Native American Bar Association, however, trumped the board's action by filing a lawsuit in November in federal court, arguing the mascot is unconstitutional.
Jerry Hartley, who retired in June after spending seven years as Unit District 158's superintendent, openly objected to the mascot. He said he's not surprised that six months after his departure the issue is still being debated.
"It's just something that's not going to die so long as they continue with the Redskin mascot," Hartley said.
As far as the players are concerned, this was just the latest chapter in a long-running debate.
"It's been happening ever since we werein about seventh grade," Berndt said.
Kahl, a staunch supporter of the mascot, hasn't given up the fight just yet and feels the majority of Huntley residents still strongly support it.
"We all hope that the school board fights this issue and takes them to court," he said.
"I've got hopes that maybe the well-to-do businessmen will kick in some money to fight it."