What's on your mind? Speak Out messages are edited first before appearing in print and online.
Spending unnecessary
I'm calling regarding the article in the Jan. 27 Journal. It is absolutely insane that in Des Plaines, which is struggling on so many fronts, we have not only a mayor, which is obviously a necessary person, to run our community, but a city manager. Now, an assistant to the city manager, whose salaries total well over $200,000. Then we don't have enough money to support Maine West fencing, which, of course, is such a marvelous influence upon our young people. Also, what is going on with West Park? It is a shame to see the total destruction of a once very productive, very active park. It seems unnecessary to be spending money in some of these directions.
Double congrats
Two congratulations are in order. One, of course, for a wonderful local paper, the Journal, for celebrating its 80th anniversary this year. Second for Mr. Thomas Wessell. How wonderful to continue this wonderful legacy of the Wessell family. Therefore, we can always be convinced that we'll have a quality newspaper. How refreshing to not have to read any of the stupidity of Henry the Rooster in an otherwise intelligent column. Thank you.
Says politicians, diapers don't have to be changed
Everyone needs to get out there and vote, but remember, politicians and baby diapers, they are all the same. They don't have to be changed and we know the reason why. Merry Christmas.
Time to end 'free ride'
Glenview pays just under 5 million dollars a year to fund pension plans for village workers. This is obviously an unsustainable amount of money that literally disappears every year from the village treasury with nothing to show in return. Politicians at the state level need to take a close look at how these pensions are being calculated and distributed. If nothing is done about this absurd amount of money disappearing each year, imagine what your tax bill will look like in 5-10 years. The free ride for village workers needs to end now.
Letter 'offensive'
I take offense to language in Murray Gillford's words the editor published Jan. 20th. But what can you expect for someone who endorses Todd Stroger?
Leaf pick-up is over
Hi, I'm calling about all the people calling in about the leaf pick-up program. I don't know, but if you look in your curbside book, there is no more leaf pick-up. There's no reason to call in and compliment it because the program is over. Thanks for your time. Bye.
Ask garden clubbers for ideas
I'd like to thank our wonderful mayor and outstanding alderman, Mr. Walsten, for trying to resuscitate our lovely, at one time, downtown community and all the shopping, theater, etc., etc, that was available. It would be a good idea to definitely concentrate on the landscaping there. Beautify, clean up some of the storefronts. How about asking some of the garden club members for ideas? How about addressing Pesches and Lurvey's, since so much of the community contributes to their businesses? Maybe they can take over some of the contributions to make our downtown area attractive once again. Thank you so much mayor and aldermen.
Now comes the hard part…
Maatta, congratuations on your recent graduation from Elmhurst College with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. You've come a long way and your family is so proud of you. Now to find a full time job. Love Mom, Dad, Paul Jr., Jeremy, Mike and, of course, Logan.
Glad attention being paid to downtown
We are so delighted to hear that some landscaping will be taking place in downtown Des Plaines. The downtown community needs all the help it can get to encourage more shopping development, entertainment, that beautiful theater that is not being utilized to its fullest potential. Please get rid of those wooden boxes that house the phone booths, they look ridiculous. Why not be consistent having the glass side, metal roofs in the train station. Thank you Mr. Walsten for pushing the movement that is taking place down there.
Backing Thompson
I don't care what the judges say about the election. Mark Thompson is still the better man. I voted for him against Rosemary Mulligan. I use to vote for her a lot. I use to always vote for her. But when she went against Mark Thompson, no way. I'm going with Mark Thompson. If you want to win, vote for Mark Thompson. He's a winner. He's still the better man. I told him he's still the better man. I don't care what the results said. Amen. This is David "The Rock" Nelson. Republican judge in the election, David "The Rock" Nelson and I make monster movies, as you know.
Can't afford to pay teachers salaries anymore
I gross $35,000 per year in a manufacturing job. Using simple mathematics, there is not much left after taxes, Social Security and health insurance. On top of this, my real estate taxes are almost $9,000 out of which biggest portion goes to support High School District 207. The teachers are crying that they are not getting paid enough. It must be tough to survive on $100,000 plus salary for nine months of work. Frankly, I can't afford to pay these outrageous salaries any longer.
Teachers put in way more hours
This is in response to the person who stood up for teachers. I have a daughter who is a high school math teacher who does not teach in the Maine Township district. She is currently going for her second Masters degree in math. Do you know how much that costs? This is money spent from their own pocket. To say that teachers have summers off, get high salaries, work from 8-3 is absolutely crazy. Look into the life of a teacher. Most school districts have them there one hour before classes start and they cannot leave for one hour until after classes end. That is a nine-hour day just for teaching. What about all the lesson plans, grading papers, entering grades, dealing with students after hours, dealing with the parents after hours? What about the teachers that teach summer school, are coaches, go to and actually lead seminars, etc.? You think that is easy work?
We did this to ourselves
I'm 89-years-old. This Depression we brought upon ourselves. During WWII, I worked at a defensive plant and we made our own defensive weapons. We did not send them overseas and there were more jobs and more money available at that time. I just want to say that we brought this Depression upon ourselves.
Now's not the time
I just want to thank the library board president for shooting down the idea, $70,000 for six computers and a couple pieces of furniture. What is wrong with the library board staff, over there? The director and the staff need to realize that the economy is extremely cruel right now. It's not the time to spend $70,000 on that.
Cheerleading article was great
This is Karen. I just want to leave Bobby Chilver a thank you, thank you, thank you for the beautiful article that he put together for the St. Viator cheerleaders. We are leaving for downstate today and I just wanted to call you guys and thank you very much for everything.
How ethical is that?
This is in regard to the leaking of a closed doors city hall meeting. Question, how ethical is it to be doing things behind closed doors? Are you doing it because you know the citizens don't want it? Or you wouldn't be sneaking around doing it behind closed doors.
Pay one but not the other?
How can we afford to beautify Des Plaines but we can't afford to pay our teachers? What is wrong with this picture?
Henry spooked
Henry the Rooster saw his shadow. Scared the feathers off him.
Gotta learn to laugh
Why are all the Speak Outs negative? If everybody was happy, no one would care! LOL, people.
Shoveling is common courtesy
I am saddened to find people that live by schools are too lazy to shovel. Is it that hard this is a safety issue? Have a little common courtesy, people.
Games can fund H20
Let the casino pay for Des Plaines water bills.
Windmills are the answer
I am writing in response to the not-so-brilliant "Windmills aren't the answer, nuclear is". Yikes. I fear for you and your offspring. Nuclear energy is not a sustainable energy. It creates dangerous waste that will remain lethal for countless generations after us. A radioactive spill has the potential to cause harm to people and the environment for centuries. Please understand that there is no safe way to deal with the waste that nuclear energy leaves behind, and I don't want to have to explain to my grandchildren why we chose to go that route when we knew the dangers. On the other hand, wind power and solar power will not have a negative impact on the environment...unless you are a diva and think that a gentle "wooshing" is an offensive sound. If properly designed and maintained a wind turbine is a beautiful and safe addition to our landscape. Both solar power and wind power can have a steep cost upfront, but the long-term benefits are priceless. Have you ever heard the saying, "think before you speak"? Well how about "think before you Speak Out!"
Let them pay us back
We are all aware of the massive financial burdens placed on local municipalities because of "jackpot pension" plans for police, firemen and city workers. Major steps need to be taken to correct this overwhelming problem for all taxpayers. One solution is to have all city retirees use their "jackpot" to pay 100% of their own health care benefits. We taxpayers can no longer afford to pay for their often early, and luxurious retirements.
Why call?
Mind your own business: I can't believe you would call 911 about a mariachi band. It probably was the Des Plaines whiner.
Watched plow, wondered
It seems interesting to watch the little snow vehicles on the sidewalk in Des Plaines in this last snowstorm. I live in a condo in the downtown area and have noticed some sidewalks are done by this vehicle, and others are not. I have actually seen the snow removal vehicle do one business, go out in the street, around another business, and the back on the sidewalk for the next business.
Should've known casino was coming
Re: Forced Out By Casino. Don't hand me that not-enough-time sob story. Unless you live under a rock, you've known for months you were going to have to move your business. Leases get canceled all the time - don't come crying for a bailout when it happens.
Not sure how short city is
What's this I hear? The city of Des Plaines laid off another 38 employees because of a $2-1/2 million deficit in the budget and now we hear that a million and a half was just "found"? Presumably that means there's only a million dollar deficit. How in the world did the finance director receive an award for this budget? We don't know how short the budget actually is and yet council is approving additional taxes and the layoffs.
Follow rules and cams are gone
If everybody obeyed the rules of the road the "red light cameras" wouldn't be an issue. So what's the problem?
Remember others in need
We're lucky to have pantry: Sometimes we don't know what went on in their lives. Also be mindful of the less fortunate. Thank you volunteers at the Des Plaines food pantry. Rooster man.
Health coverage good enough for lawmakers?
I sure hope that when this health insurance program becomes effective that all of the Congressmen and women in Washington, D.C., will be a part of it, because if it's good enough coverage for the rest of us, it should be good enough for them, otherwise, go back to the beginning and start all over.
Fees cost more than usage
Can someone explain ComEd to me. My electric bill is 36.03. 16.15 was for electric use and 19.88 in fees. Does this make sense? Who is watching these people? Who can I write to? My fees were more than my usage.
Plenty of empty spaces already
I'm very unhappy to discover that Des Plaines decided to purchase Sims bowling alley. What's the point of buying it and tearing it down? There is no need for parking and there is nothing that makes sense from a development standpoint for some time. There are already plenty of empty condos and empty storefronts in downtown Des Plaines. Any redevelopment would only add to that.
Where's accountability over Sims buy?
Absolutely absurd that our city government went ahead and bought Sims bowling alley. You raise our taxes and then you go into the real estate business? Where is the accountability with DP taxpayers? None. Just a free-wheeling city council and city manager. Unbelievable. Remember these folks at election time. Aldermen Patti Haugeberg (1st Ward), John Robinson (2nd), Jean Higgason (4th), James Brookman (5th), and Mark Walsten (6th) voted in favor of the deal.
Statue for Henry
I think the city should build a statue of Henry the Rooster in the parking lot after they spend 100K to tear down Sims Bowl. We need to honor those city officials and aldermen who have been "chicken" to do the right things for the people of Des Plaines over the years.
Easy cleanup
I was reading the Police Blotter in Wednesday's paper where a man was charged with criminal damage to property. He didn't use a permanent marker or paint. The man used a washable orange marker and a piece of chocolate to write on a wall and window. The key point is both are cleanable with soap and water. Are we now a police state where we have no freedom of expression? America, wake up.
Side-by-side comparison
Looking over the comparison of suburbs, from the insert into the Des Plaines Journal last year, why does Des Plaines employ so many more employees than Mt. Prospect? Also, why is our budget so much larger than Mt. Prospect? The city needs to make changes. We cannot afford to increase taxes to support your large budget. Plus, Mt. Prospect's downtown looks so much better than our ghost town. Buying Sims is not the answer. This will only create more problems. And, the city does not need more problems.
Questions alderman's vote
Shame on you, Ald. Walsten, for voting to acquire Sims. You are head of the Deep Green Commission and I can think of few things less sustainable than sending a functional building to the landfill to create a parking lot.
Layoffs, then buy…why?
Wait a minute...you're telling me the city went ahead and purchased Sims Bowl after raising our taxes and laying off 30-40 city employees? LOL! The mayor and aldermen would never let that craziness happen...they did?
Hopes property was appraised
The Journal states in its Jan. 22 article on the city's purchase of Sims property that the asking price of the property was $4M three years ago. Asking price is one thing, selling price another. Did the city have the property professionally appraised prior to purchasing it? One would think that it would be their responsibility to do so considering their past track record regarding property purchases, i.e. the proposed fire station location on south Lee Street which now sits vacant and off the tax rolls.
One idea worth a lot
Remember a few years ago when there was a Speak Out urging scientists to develop a method to harness lightning as a source of electricity (instead of spending their time inventing new frozen desserts)? Guess what? One organization is hosting a challenge where the person with the best idea for making lightning an alternative energy source gets a prize of $30,000---just for the idea. That would get you a lot of Choco Tacos!
Who's footing the bill?
Good morning, Des Plaines. We are in the gutter. We don't need to spend money on things we do not need. Like buying the Sims bowling alley. And how about the Des Plaines Park District - a digital sign for $60,000 - please. How are we paying for that? Increasing our taxes or increasing how much we pay for a class? On top of that we are giving six months severance to the city manager that makes too much money already.
Complainer helped chase away smokers
To: Chase away the smokers. I'm sure these people smoking outside the bar would be much more comfortable smoking inside the bar, but since that is now illegal, most smoke outdoors. So because you where complaining about smoking indoors they now smoke outdoors.
Worthy of appointment
Father Gene Dyer of St. Mary's Church is a warm inspirational leader. The cardinal should appoint him to be a bishop.
Thank you for standing up
Re: The Exec Session bruhaha over Sims Bowl. Congrats to my alderman, Matt Bogusz, who opines that too much information is cloaked in executive session. The only things to be discussed there are personnel reviews, pending litigation and property purchases for the city's public needs; not purchases of property to turn over to developers. Congrats to him, too, for voting against the Sims purchase; like we need to own more empty real estate. Kudos also to Todd Wessell and this paper for reporting information of vital interest to DP. The Constitution gives broad privileges to the Fourth Estate lest they become the Fifth Column. This paper gladly shoulders that responsibility with gusto. Keep it up.
Nuclear waste all over the place
I appreciate the person who pointed out (Speak Out, Feb. 5) that France, while generating 80% of their power from nuclear technology, also reprocesses its nuclear waste. I had no idea. However, my point (Speak Out, Jan. 15) was that any conversation about nuclear energy should include a conversation about nuclear waste. My research (I did not know this) shows that while reprocessing can potentially recover up to 95% of the remaining uranium and plutonium (deadly poison that lasts 25,000 years), France is considered the most successful reprocessor although it only recycles 28% of their yearly fuel use, 7% in France and 21% in Russia. So the facts are deadly nuclear waste is being shipped all over Europe and not all of France's nuclear waste is being reused. Meanwhile, nuclear waste is still being accumulated and stored all over the United States while we wait for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership, announced in February 2006, starts up as an international effort to reprocess fuel in a manner making nuclear proliferation unfeasible. Again, I appreciate the remarks and hope to keep this conversation going. Thanks. Speak Out!
Maximum cash to city
While the section along River Road near the casino gets widened to accommodate traffic, lets not forget to add a few red light cameras to the intersections nearby the casino as well. A great way to maximize the city's haul of the loot. And, improve safety to the area, too.
Communication lacking
I agree with others, that Jason Bajor should not have received any severance or insurance benefits. He might have known how to do the job, but he did not communicate well with the people.
Supposed to be a swamp
Tear down the entire downtown. It is ugly. There are no stores where most people want to shop. Make it one big swamp, as nature intended it to be. Let the Choo Choo move to Park Ridge.
Go get 'em
Good luck to the new city manager, Jason Slowinski. I would like to see the attitude of "not while I'm in charge" to all of the department heads. Hold them all accountable and responsible. Your job will become easier, and most respected.
Pulling for Holyfield
Former boxer during the 70's, 80's and 90's, I want to say that Evander Holyfield is fighting to regain his title, I believe it is the WEO, Feb. 20, Evander Holyfield is fighting Francois Botha. That's right, he's from Africa. Holyfield is going to win. I think he's going to knock him out in the 7th, 8th round. I believe that's for the WEO title. Evander, Feb. 20, see it. This is David "The Rock" Nelson.
If you haven't exercised your right to FREE SPEECH lately, the Journal & Topics Newspapers is offering you that opportunity now. If you would like to state your opinion about anything, feel free to do so. Just make sure that your message is brief, to the point and within limits of good taste acceptable to readers of a family newspaper. Oh yes, if you have a tip about an interesting news item, please let us know! Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online. Enter your message: