Just call our 24-hour hotline at 299-1500, or go to our website at www.journal-topics.com to state what is on your mind concerning an issue you consider to be significant, and we'll publish it. If you would like to state your opinion about anything, feel free to do so. Just make sure your message is brief, to the point and within the limits of good taste and acceptable to readers of a family newspaper.

When a man was a real man

This is from the real man. I hear they passed a law that says you can't smoke in Illinois. Back in my day, back in 1972 when a man was a man, we could smoke anywhere we wanted to. We could smoke right there in the gas station. You could walk around the hospital smoking a cigarette. The lady at the deli smoked a cigarette while she sliced out ham. That was the day when a man was a real man, back in '72.

(Ed. Note Perhaps that was when a man was a man. He could also now be a real dead man.)

This war is a huge mistake

As a Vietnam veteran I still can't convince myself of all my friends and buddies that were killed in the Vietnam War that it was worth it and yet my president can tell me today as 4,000 Americans have been killed in the Iraq War that this is justified. This war has turned out to be a war against what we can be proud of. First off, you're never proud of a war, not in my eyes anyhow. And if you feel proud of this war how come your aren't on the front lines? History will show this is one of the greatest mistakes America ever made. Bring your son and daughter home while you still can.

Different laws for city-owned vehicles?

Some time ago I received a traffic ticket from the City of Des Plaines for no front license plate on my car. I promptly installed the missing front plate and paid the fine. Today, however, Friday, May 2, at approximately 2:15 p.m., I observed two white four-door sedan autos with City of Des Plaines logos clearly marked on their respective front doors traveling southbound on Graceland Avenue just clear of the downtown railroad crossings with no front license plates. Are there different laws for city-owned vehicles?

Learning English not cruel and inhuman

According to the last item in Wednesday, Apr. 23 Speak Out, someone actually thinks it's "cruel and inhuman to expect Hispanic residents to learn English". Was it cruel and inhuman to expect other people who came from Germany, France, Poland, etc. to learn to speak English? They had no additional help, nothing was written in their language. There was no "Press 3" for Italian on the telephones. What is cruel and inhuman about learning English? There are free classes at the Library, tapes available, etc. Our school systems are suffering with all the ESL classes. Enough already, this is America we speak English here.

Cops should not have killed cougar

Chicago police recently killed a cougar out of pure panic. It was not bothering anyone, so they should have left it alone and called the zoo to have it tranquilized and taken to a sanctuary.

Local YMCA used to be more helpful

From anonymous: I don't know when the Lattof YMCA article was published, but on the subject, I want to say I was a member for some 14 years at Lattof during the late 80's and early 90's. It was one of my favorite places to be in my whole life. For the past three years, I've been watching the fee and even talked with the director a while ago about a more flexible, less exclusionary pricing menu, mainly because I can't even afford to join anymore given the one high membership fee. The director told me that the YMCA was in part trying to prevent people from coming "in and just taking a shower" for a daily rate. Moreover, for decades, the YMCA was the one place people could go and be included for a low, low fee. In fact, after my father was released from the military after the Korean War, the Irving Park YMCA really helped him out until he found a job again. Ah, for the good old days when the YMCA was here to help, instead of turning a profit for the corporation. It makes me sad to think that I might not ever be able to join again.

Maybe I ate the rooster

I was wondering if that rooster that appears in Speak Out every once in a while was ever found. I was having some fried chicken the other day and it just didnít taste right. So now I am beginning to think, was it bad chicken, or might it have been that rooster?

(Ed. Note: Well, if you did you now have something to crow about).

Time to solidify residency

Read my lips: "Vote Des Plaines residency now". Time to drive a binding referendum down their throats and set the final stage for residency forever for the department heads. Nobody is going to be "grandfathered". Nobody is going to be "exempt". Everybody is going to be fired and re-hired. Everybody is going to be a Des Plaines resident. Enough with the immature "catch-me-if-you-can" mindless, senseless waste of time and money. You don't "get it", it's not for you, it's for us.

Why do cops leave cars running?

Why do Des Plaines police officers leave their squad cars running while getting lunch? Gas prices are approaching $4 a gallon and my taxes are paying for it. I witnessed the officer in Dominick's on Elmhurst Road (which is in Mt. Prospect) waiting for his food order with his Des Plaines owned vehicle running. Also, how about supporting Des Plaines businesses like our fearless leaders tell U.S. the citizens of Des Plaines to?

Spotted employees standing around

I contacted your paper on requesting an investigation of the Des Plaines Public Works employees in the 700 block of Lee Street. There was a water main break. One worker was working and six others were standing there just watching holding up the light poles and chatting with a Des Plaines police officer. I am a tax-paying citizen of Des Plaines and this is how my tax dollars are being spent? You published an article with a photo of the hole in the street and your entire article was related to the water main break. I was calling about the six employees standing around for hours doing absolutely nothing and the Journal turned it around by showing how good the Public Works Dept. seems.

Sorry to see that restaurant closed

It was a sad day in Des Plaines when David's Bistro closed. Chef David is extremely talented and his restaurant was the best (maybe the only) gourmet restaurant in town. I am sorry to see David's Bistro leave. I am hoping it will resurface somewhere else in the Northwest suburbs where David can enjoy the success he deserves. I sure hope so.

Giving them a pay raise is a crime

Elk Grove needs to rethink the proposed higher salaries for village officials. The incompetence of our employees is well known and giving them a raise is a crime.

No one paying attention to stop sign

In case the city of Des Plaines wants to save some money they can take out the stop sign at Koehler and Howard and re-use it somewhere else because nobody is using it where it's at.

Bush told truth and leave Brittany alone

In regards to:
"President Bush told the truth", if we leave Iraq, there will be peace in the world. Wake up people. I fear for this country if we pull out soon. Bush did not lie. Saddam had WMDs and had plenty of time to dispose of them. Stop believing the media. And for God's sake leave Brittany Spears alone. We could care less. Media will be the death of U.S. So, where did you get your information from? The media probably? And why is your information correct and people with opposing views are not?

What gives with former eatery site?

Just wondering if anybody knows what's going on with the former Old Time Ribs restaurant site in Des Plaines? It was odd enough how the owner closed up shop a few years ago, but the space hasn't been touched since. The sign is still up, the promotions are still in the windows, and even that tree that was growing in the dining room was still there last I saw. Does anyone know the story here?

Must put garbage in the tub

"Excuse Me!" I do recall what is in the contract for garbage pick up. You can have excess garbage picked up as long as it is placed along side the "enamored tubs." However, garbage is not to be picked up "unless" it is in the "enamored tubs, or accompanied with the "enamored tubs". There is nothing that can be done about the Campground flooding. It has been flooding in that manor since the glaciers melted. It's called "nature." As far as the people going through foreclosure...you bit off more than you can chew...you signed a contract. You pay up what you signed for, not the banks, not the government, not the legal citizens.

Give deeper thought to street lighting

Why is Des Plaines replacing street lighting that was installed only about 10 years ago? This is ridiculous. And if we are replacing it, why are we using the same kind we used in Metropolitan Square? The lighting there was chosen to match the new architecture of the buildings. A better look would be like Des Plaines' lighting before the 1940s. These lamps are identical to those that North Shore communities like Evanston and Lake Forest have installed to complement their similarly beautiful historic downtowns. If we want to make our downtown look better, we should seek to emulate these upper-class communities and also look at integrating state signage, and reducing the other confusing visual clutter of different signs. And why change them now when the city is starting to look at redeveloping Miner Street (hopefully with that historic image in mind)?

Seems like he favors developers

Who is running this city and do they really care? Des Plaines Community Development Director Conlan proposes everything favorable for the developers. Who are you representing? The citizens?

Residency in Des Plaines all but dead

There must be a hungry list of potential directors knocking on Des Plaines doors. Residency is all but dead, thanks to you.

Would like to see some improvements

Hi. I am a life long resident of Des Plaines and a loyal Journal reader. I want to ask the Journal a favor. I live down the street from your facility on Graceland (the Webford/Laurel Avenue area). Can the Journal please spruce up the building you house? It is a beautiful historic building (I believe once the old Post Office) and could really be a beautiful landmark. It looks to me that the building needs new windows and other touch ups including professional landscaping. Can this be done? It would be a wonderful addition to our city. Thanks so much for the consideration.

(Ed. Note: We have been for the last month. All window trimming is being painted and plans are in the works to landscape the property. You'll notice major improvements in the next few months. Thanks for the call).

What does race have to do with it?

With Obama and his minister I think what it boils down to is why is a preacher preaching about racism in America? He should be preaching about the Bible and the word of God and not that he thinks blacks are being mistreated or that he thinks the U.S. government is against black people. People go to church to learn about God and Jesus. What does race have to do with it?

Being gay not a lifestyle option

This is in response to Pat of Prospect Hts. who responded to my Speak Out after my car was vandalized obviously due to the fact that I am gay. Pat, thanks so much for your support. You are obviously a good person and I appreciate your kind comments. Pat, the only thing that I would like to tell you is that being gay is not a lifestyle option. We do not choose to be gay. We are born this way. There is no way that I would have ever chosen to be part of a community that so many people hate. It is just the way that the good Lord made us despite what many born again Christians profess. Thanks, Pat.

Ways to maneuver around traffic jams

Frustrated homeowner, I understand your frustration but don't necessarily agree with your ideas for traffic control. Have you ever been to an event at the Allstate Arena or attended a show at the Rosemont Theater or Convention Center? Do you realize that the stadium can hold up to 20,000 for DePaul and Rush football games, 18,000 for Wolves hockey, and not to mention all of the various concerts? Now that is a lot of cars. There are only four exits from the parking lot and only one of those has a light (Mannheim & Lunt). It would take hours for those people to try and drive out on their own. I'm sure people don't care about them (the attendees) since they're driving home from a long day at work, but if you were one of the attendees the complaint would be about how long it took you to get out of the parking lot. You yourself suggested your own solution to the problem is an alternate route. Upcoming events are usually in the paper or you can check online so the area can be avoided ahead of time. Another thing to keep in mind is that sporting events have seasons and usually follow patterns for home games. Take hockey for instance. The season is typically from September to April and home games are on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Maybe this would help you maneuver around the traffic.

Is theater still showing movies?

Just curious about what's up with the DP Theater. Now it seems they are not even showing Indian movies. Does the Journal have any info? I'd still love to see it restored, as the DP Preservation Society has dreamed for a long time. Tearing it down, along with all the buildings on Miner St., as has been suggested, would not give any better access/visibility to Metropolitan Square, as there are condos and a parking garage that would still obstruct the view. Concerned DP Citizen.

Leave YOTI property alone

I think it is wrong that the village is trying to acquire Ye Old Town Inn and other properties to develop condominiums. I understand with eminent domain proceedings that the village can seize property and develop it for the good of the community, and I have seen this done in other areas for things like public transportation and railroads, but just to build more condos? The current private owners of these properties should have some rights. They should be able to keep their properties and develop them on their own as they see fit.

My garbage pick-up is great

Citizens of Des Plaines: I have Waste Management as my garbage pick up and they are fantastic. My cans are put down exactly where I set them. Time for the city to review their contract with ARC.

Questions about garbage

The refuse collection in Des Plaines has only gotten worse. In addition to the "carts" this week we had several large (under 50 lbs.) bags at the curb. They were not picked up on our scheduled day. After calling ARC twice, they day they should have been picked up and the following day, we were told that all of our garbage had to be in the "cart" to be picked up. When we told the woman we have had additional garbage for the last several weeks that has been picked up she said it was done as a courtesy. Imagine that! They are picking up my garbage, which I pay for them to do and it's as a courtesy to me when I have more then the "cart" will hold. If you look at the City of Des Plaines website there is no maximum number of garbage recepticles only weight/size limits. So Des Plaines government my question is, now that we have these uniform "carts" to beautify the neighborhoods, do we start stacking up the additional garbage we may have from week to week in our yards and begin stinking up the neighborhood? Something needs to be done with ARC their service just keeps getting worse.

'No spitting' will prevent flooding

How to prevent Des Plaines flooding: Outlaw spitting on the streets and sidewalks.

Residency a joke

Here is a "joke" to liven things up: Upholding and executing residency requirements for Des Plaines department heads chosen by referendum.

Parks need to clean-up bathroom

Hello, I wanted to inform the people of Des Plaines of the lack of responsibility of the Park District. When I first moved here I began walking outdoors at the Prairie Lakes Park. It is a nice track but that miniature golf place is dirty. Every time I use the bathroom at Mountain View Mines there is a puddle of urine on the floor of the men's bathroom. There has not been soap in those bathrooms for over a year. I was disgusted this weekend when they had the door open and I saw how dirty it was inside the building. I guess your tax dollars can build a new sled hill but can't get soap in a bathroom?

Building an eyesore

Shame on Sysco for placing such an ugly building on Wolf Road after tearing down a nice one story brick and light manufacturing building that was set back from the street with big trees. The other two commercial buildings across the street, although old, blended nicely with the homes that are adjacent to them.
Shame on the architects that situated the new building with an unbroken wall along Wolf that is now a terrible eyesore. Why not put the office part of the building fronting onto Wolf instead of placing them at the back of the building? At least the wall would be broken up by windows.
Shame on the City Council for ever approving such a large three story warehouse with no aesthetical features to redeem itself.
Shame on Jean Higgason for allowing something like that to be built in her ward. Why isn't she looking out for her constituents and their property values? There is already enough noise generated by Sysco in the building that is set all the way back on Wieboldt Dr. As well at the truck traffic that is wearing down the asphalt at the entrance to the plant. I can't imagine that such a horrible building, with the trucks and their back-up warning beeps going at 3 a.m. will improve any home values that back up onto that property, as well as the constant drone of fans for the cooling system causing people to lose sleep when the windows are open.

Question about real estate taxes

Hey Des Plaines/Cook County: With property values falling or staying the same how come real estate taxes don't do the same?

Property needs sprucing up

Could some city official please do something about the Schimka property on the corner of Thacker and First Avenue? Certainly they make enough money to keep their property up and to replace that horrible fence.

Join 'global community'

This is to all the residents in Des Plaines grumbling about the library purchasing books for non-English speaking Hispanics. Get over it already. My parents both immigrated to the U.S. and would have welcomed books in the library in their native language. Our country is a melting pot and we should do everything possible to welcome our new Americans. I think the real issue is that we do not require our children to learn two or three languages like other countries. Get with the times and join the global community.