Journal & Topics Newspapers

Just call our 24-hour hotline at 299-1500, or go to our webpage at www.journal-topics.com/speakout.html 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.

Leaders in unknown territory regarding casino

Speak out. Well let's just do that. This is Edie from the Villas, and my message is to our city leaders who are so impressed with the casino possibility. There is a great price to pay for this and it won't be Mr. Bluhm's. It will be the people of Des Plaines who will suffer. Not one person on the City Council truly knows about the impact of what casinos can do to an area. I do know, as I lived in Vegas and worked in the casinos. It's not the problem gamblers, as that is a small part of it. Casinos bring crime such as prostitution, vandalism, drunk drivers and every community in Vegas does not want them in their neighborhoods because of it. I have e-mailed many aldermen on the subject, and not to my surprise their ears are closed. A casino will consume this town. I think the people deserve to know the truth. Would love for you to invite Mr. Bluhm for some of my questions at a near future council meeting before you sell this city down the drain. You are all in unknown territory here and I for one would challenge anyone who thinks otherwise.

Enjoys reading about the rooster

Go rooster go! Keep the rooster in Des Plaines. This is very entertaining. Every week I read the Speak Outs and look for someone to talk about the rooster. I just learned that he has a name, Henry! Hello Henry...where are going this week?

Does Des Plaines really want a casino?

East St. Louis, Rock Island, Metropolis...Des Plaines? Does Des Plaines really want to add itself to the list of Illinois' devastated casino towns? I think not. Peter.

Hardly no one cared about woman being hit

Last week my neighbor was riding her bicycle and was hit by a woman in a pick-up truck at the corner of Oakton and White Street and no one stopped to help her (except for the woman who hit her). This is not only disturbing and sickening, it's down right embarrassing to be called a human being if you were one of those people who saw this happen and didn’t stop. What kind of human being are you? It gets worse. When the police showed up, no ticket was issued and no help was offered, not even "are you alright?" The female police officer who will remain nameless in this article never offered any help including even a ride home. She showed no remorse whatsoever. I will be filing a formal complaint with the police department over this incident. Words can't describe how upset I feel especially from a fellow cyclist who commutes 40 miles a work a day on my own bicycle. If there is anything good to come out of this it was that the lady who hit her did pay for a new bike and helmet.

Candidate up to his old tricks

Well, Dan Seals is up to his old tricks again. First he had the radical group moveon.org make phone calls for him. Then he had the DNC send out attack pieces in the mail, and now he has another radical group called "Patriot Majority Midwest" do mailing on his behalf. Does anybody actually know who Dan Seals is? He seems to have a lot of radical associates. Mark Kirk has earned the support of the families of the 10th District.

(Ed. Note: No need to be upset. Kirk beat Seals in the Nov. 4 10th District election).

God help our country

A sad day For America: With the election of Barack Hussein Obama, we have now entered into the final phase of the downfall of America as we know it. Because of our Liberal attitude of opening our arms to the minority of us, we now have empowered the very minority that will destroy us. To elect a man that has terrorist acquaintances, a Muslim name, and anti-American friends and confidants is an aberration or "Obama-nation" if you will. Your new president, "not mine", will mystify you into believing he is a god and then will quickly deceive you. "God help the country that we love".

Can candidates take all unspent campaign funds?

Do all the candidates have the option to take their unspent campaign funds as ordinary income? Obama raised over $660,000 as an example. Did he spend it all? What about McCain's left over war chest?

We're going to need some help

God help us now that Obama won. We are going to need it.

Will Obama name Stroger to cabinet post?

Will the president-elect name Todd Stroger to a position in the cabinet? Anything to get him out of Cook County.

Many of the town's problems caused by mayor

To Acting Mayor Ludvigsen: You state that scare tactics are what turned residents away from voting for "Home Rule" in Prospect Heights. You are right that the residents don't trust you and they have cause for concern. First of all, you were not elected to office and I didn't vote for you. You were handed that title and I believe I haven't seen any progress to this point. I am not one of the dinosaurs or cave dwellers or some other name that you like to call people that don't agree with you. I began attending council meetings to learn what is going on in our city. I am highly offended how you treat us residents, people on the council and how you avoid questions or go through an angry tantrums if someone doesn't agree with you. We have not had closure on the fire, the arena snafu, or the townhome debacle. Everything has been a secret and there has not been any transparency ever offered. If you want to be a leader, you need to bring the council together and stop the bitter fights. Often times the fights are started by you. You still have an opportunity to turn around. Turn on the light bulb and think of other alternate ideas. We don't need Home Rule to fix our roads.

Who would give them any more power?

How in the world would the citizens of Prospect Hts. vote to pass Home Rule when the city council is so divided on so many issues and Mayor Ludvigsen has such a superior attitude? The city council cannot agree on anything and the mayor is just downright rude. Who in their right mind would give them any more power?

His actions failed to attract anyone

Dan Seals ran one of the dirtiest campaigns in recent history. He seemed to have many high school and college-aged students involved in his campaign, which of course is a good thing. However, what lesson did he teach these young students? To use attack ads to defeat your opponent? I know politics is a rough game, but teaching our youth how to destroy your opponent with false accusations should not be part of the "involved" process.

Did not like endorsement

Your endorsement of Dan Seals was a joke. Dan Seals has run nothing but negative advertisements comparing Mark Kirk to George Bush. It does not matter that Kirk votes against him on more than 50% of key votes according to Roll Call. It does not matter that Politico named him one of 10 standout centrists. In contrast, the great majority of Kirk's advertisements have been positive, with the one notable exception being the GE Capital advertisement. However, this is not near as insulting as you not mentioning Mark Kirk's real reason for voting against the bill for equal pay for women. The reason the law would have benefited the trial lawyers was that it gave lawyers the right to use you in a class action lawsuit even if you do not want to be used. I personally do not want to be involved in a lawsuit without my knowledge. The equal pay for women part of the bill was an earmark to try to get the bill to pass. Lastly, your comments about Dan Seals being "green" and lowering our reliance on foreign oil make it sound like Mark is weak in these areas. He is not. The League of Conservation Voters has given him a higher rating than Obama or McCain. He has been endorsed by them, as well as by the Sierra Club. Kirk has also been a leader on alternative energy, which he has proved through the Apollo Energy Independence Act. Next time, I hope you research your facts better before you make an endorsement.

(Ed. Note: We did. Kirk won. You won. You should be happy).

Very fearful of Obama presidency

I recently submitted to Speak Out a summation of the fears I have of an Obama presidency. The Journal did not print it. I am aghast and incredulous that more than half of my fellow Americans are foolish enough to vote for arguably the most socialistic candidate ever, and for the most powerful position in the country. I am stunned that a predicted 40% of voters, many Republicans and Independents, will stay home because they do not feel good voting for John McCain. While I am not a strong supporter of John McCain (but I do feel that Sarah Palin is brilliant and admirable), any differences I have would be put aside in an effort to keep Obama from winning. The Democrats already have complete command of this state, including at the local level where I live. Illinois will help see to it that they have the presidency as well.

Editorial is not local news

Dear Journal & Topics Newspapers: Your Morgenthaler editorial opinion has now appeared for three days on the "My Earthlink" web page labeled as "Local News" (for Elmhurst, Illinois). What is clearly, and one sided, an editorial certainly has no place under a column labeled "Local (or any other) News". I do not know how to communicate my opinion in this regard to the My Earthlink webpage, but I would appreciate your passing this comment on to it. Thank you. Ralph.

Does anyone remember little candy store?

In response to looking for memories of Des Plaines: When we were growing up, does anyone remember the little candy store near South Park (Arndt Park now) and the very old, crabby owners? Boy, you could get a bagful of candy (like hot dog gum and flying saucers, wax lips, candy cigarettes) for hardly anything, because it all was just a penny. So a lot of us who were at the Little League games would go there instead of getting candy at the concession stand, except for those frozen Milky Way bars. How about fireworks at Lake Opeka? What a crowd there would be. Who could forget the carnivals on Oakton and Lee streets. In our neighborhood, Santa Claus drove around in his convertible on Christmas Eve handing stockings out to everyone. Some may remember the grade school fun fairs and the big thing was to win goldfish, which never lasted very long. Does anyone remember the Good Humor man coming around Maple School at afternoon recess? We could buy ice cream and Wahoo bars if we had money. No restrictions there. You know this could never happen now in today's society. Spending the evening at the Oasis Drive-In to catch the latest movies and play outside before the movie started. Spending summer mornings at the park making crafts, playing ping pong, board games, all kinds of things, and it didn't cost, and if it did, it was hardly anything. You didn't sign up, you just went there and had fun. I remember swimming at Iroquois pool every summer day, and it was so crowded you could barely move in the water. Now, there is hardly anyone ever there. Those were great times, and I'm glad I could share some of those memories, and am looking forward to seeing what others have to say.

Should not be so critical of President Bush

So many people hate president Bush, but why? The only reason he sent troops to Iraq was to help the people there, to reach out and protect another country. You don't see France or the U.K. defending a totally different culture, do you? Everything else is just rumors and lies. The poor man only has a few months left, and everybody is cheering him out. Okay people, let's try not to be so critical. We just want something to complain about. You really need to think about that.

Makes no sense to build station in flood area

I was a long-time resident of Des Plaines. Why would they build a police building in a flood area? That doesn't make sense. I lived there from 1967 to 2005. Wish you would all think it over first. Thanks, Little.

(Ed. Note: What area are you referring to?)

You want English? Go to Britain

This is a message to the person who gets upset everywhere he/she goes because everybody speaks a language other than English. I would like to suggest moving to Great Britain. There's a lot of English going on over there. Based on your logic, you should be happy "on the train, the stores, the streets" when you hear people complain in *dramatic pause*...English.

Why is my son being punished?

I am a Hispanic woman and when I went to school in Des Plaines, they had no ESL classes, so that made me want to learn the language faster. I took the time to show my son English and guess what? I found out a week before school what his schedule was going to be. Unfortunately I work so what they were offering me I could not do. So I asked Ôwhat about the afternoon kinder classes' and they told me that there were no afternoon English classes. So I had to hire a baby sister, pay money for him to go to school and for someone to watch him. At that point I felt like if my son was being punished for knowing the language. Don't take me wrong I have nothing against kids or people who don't know the language, but now we teach an entire day of school in Spanish? I just don't understand why they would learn English if everything is made so easy for them? So I ask you why is my son being punished?

Catholic schools offer better education

Education is important. Our Lady of Destiny Catholic School has been around for a long time, and we are getting less and less students each year. Today, we are under 200. There are a bunch of kind, smart, and amazing kids here, and they all love it, because they get a chance to know their teachers better, and therefore have a better chance of understanding the things they are being taught. You also should know that Catholic schools give a better education than public schools do. It may cost you a bit, but it's worth what it gives your child for the rest of their lives.

Harper should stay focused on original mission

Sounds like Harper needs to stay focused on the mission of being a community college and not on becoming a four-year public university financed by property taxpayers.

Need to thank those who volunteer

Well, we have seen the usual thanks for our Special Events Commission over and over again and wonder at times if they are thanking themselves. Let's give thanks to the many volunteers in this city who are never mentioned and give their time silently for no recognition other than just being generous good Samaritans. Thanks to all of you out there for your time.

They will not run in election

Rooster will run in election, Will not: No my little buddy. I discussed this with him over a plate of corn. Nor is Henry the Rooster political. We just live normal lives in Des Plaines. He is my best buddy and friend. Thank you.

(Ed. Note: OK. Whatever you say).

Not all homes on city's south side soundproofed

This is in response to the man who asked "Do we get windows too"? First of all, don't say that all the houses on the south side of Des Plaines (River & Touhy) have been soundproofed because that is not true. We have five blocks right off of River and Touhy that have not been soundproofed and my house alone is under a direct flight path for take-offs. I have planes coming in over 90 decibels from 6 a.m. to as late as midnight, less than one minute apart, flying directly over my house. These planes have turned our siding black from the jet fumes, they have damaged our driveways from the horrifying vibrating of these planes, they have cracked my neighbor's windows, plus they are doing damage to our foundations from the constant vibrating of these 90+ decibel planes. The O'Hare Noise Commission, our alderman, our mayor, the FAA are very well aware of what is going on and they do absolutely nothing about it. We were told that there was a meeting at the Fountain Blue regarding the airport about 3 or 4 years ago and that no residents turned up. I told our old alderman that we were never notified about any such meeting, none of this area, so how could we attend? The reason we weren't notified is because they didn't want us there so they can all give Mayor Daley what he wants and none of the residents could be against it. I don't understand all these residents, even the ones who got their houses soundproofed, that they didn't want to fight against this. Do they not realize that they are like prisoners in their own homes now? That they can't enjoy their houses unless you want to be outside and then have to listen to this horrifying noise. Don't they realize the damage that is being done to their property from these planes? Don't they realize that their property value has dropped dramatically with these planes? Would you want to buy a house with planes flying over them? Would you want to buy a house with this horrifying noise? Even when the planes take off from another runway, we still hear this horrifying vibrating noise through the neighborhood. Don't they understand that the City of Chicago just pacified all of them by soundproofing their houses so they could get what they want? What has our alderman done? What has our mayor done? Absolutely nothing. We all worked very hard for the houses we live in just to have the City of Chicago come in and ruin this entire area. We all need help from what has happened, but do you think we will get it? If you think yes you are badly mistaken. The newspaper doesn't even help us probably because they don't want to publish Speak Outs that would cause problems in Des Plaines. If he prints this one I will surely be surprised.

What's going on with River Road building?

What is up with the 595 S. River Road Building where construction has stopped since early July? I read in the Journal that the mayor was going to meet with the person who is building. Shame on all of you at City Hall for letting this be constructed in the first place. Any news on that supposed meeting with the mayor? I have not seen anything further concerning this matter.

They're beginning to look like Wall Street

A lot of kids today are living above their means and expecting their parents to pay for their mistakes. This "me generation" is getting old. The only "entitlement" that a person has is to work hard for what you want and be responsible for your own actions. Instead they expect to be bailed out when they get in above their heads due to their own doing. Wake up "me generation" and smell the coffee. Gee this sounds like Wall Street...nice roll model don't you think.

Hope Riverwalk not place for problems

The Riverwalk is a new home for gangs and graffiti. Hope I'm wrong since I suppose it's too late to stop the progress it has made so far.

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