No matter how one felt about her politically, no one in Palatine could deny that Rita Mullins, former mayor, was a visible presence. Her somewhat flamboyant attire could never be missed at the local parades, most notably the Fourth of July extravaganza.  Her brightly colored hats were seen for miles. And her disarming smile as well.

As a Palatine resident I would see Rita at the Kirk School Craft Show, where she asked me if she could try one of my recently purchased bake sale chocolate chip cookies! She would be grocery shopping at the Jewel on Plum Grove, bargain clothes browsing at Anne's Boutique, where she would be involved with shopping and talking on her cell phone and chatting with staff and customers.

And quite possibly the new mayor is just as visible. But I may have missed him, where we all knew Rita. I attend a local bank's holiday party and Rita would be there, in a vibrant red outfit, greeting and reminiscing with the guests. She could be seen at local eating establishments with family and friends. Or getting a cup of coffee at Norma's Coffee Corner on her way to a meeting.

This letter isn't about endorsing her political views or even saying I voted for her.  It is simply to say, after all the years she served as Palatine's mayor, she was someone we became accustomed to seeing, and in a community like ours, that is a comforting and welcoming phenomenon.

Barbara Kohn

Palatine