A concerned friend reaches out to “Dear Annie,” worried that political discord is damaging a once-healthy bond. They no longer want to tiptoe around conversations or feel they must compromise their values just to keep the peace.

After a heated board meeting marked by fierce debates and contested votes, Alderman Henry Heck has resigned from the Board of Aldermen. The unexpected departure comes in the wake of Heck finding himself on the losing side of several key decisions.