What's on your mind? Speak Out messages are edited first before appearing in print and online.
Air controllers need to check their clocks once in a while
New runway noise: It seems that the air controllers are not aware of the "quiet time". Please tell me why they are allowed to land the low flying planes starting at 6:30 a.m. and sometimes starting at 6:45 a.m. They land every 2 to 3 minutes. Are they fined? Perhaps they need a new clock.
Speak Out provides great opportunities
I'm calling about one of the comments that was made in Speak Out. I am also a good Catholic person who was also raised in a good Catholic education. I think the Speak Out is giving people the opportunity to say what's on their minds, which could be constructive if something is done about what they're whining about. What happens? Do they get results?
Should have a license to be a parent
This is justice? There was a 17-year-old caught damaging property. It is his father who should be sued not the city. This is shameful behavior. I guess you need a license to own a dog or a car, but to be a responsible parent---well...
What's harm in having pollution study?
As a resident of Park Ridge I am concerned because my children walk to and from school every day under the airplane pollution. And it was not this way when we moved here. Even if I didn't live around here, I would certainly be concerned about the effects of people living near the airports. What harm would it do to have a study done? The money is not coming out of your pocket. I have certainly paid enough taxes on both my family's income and my property in my lifetime to demand proper and fair treatment and protection from my government. I am sure my money has funded many studies done by the EPA that has nothing to do personally with my family and me. I think it is only fair and proper to give this matter some serious consideration.
Could have had more Speak Outs
I am referring to a column in last Friday's paper. You had a long, long column about someone who had a problem. I counted the words in this column and there were 632. There could have been at least five other Speak Outs printed in the space that you gave Harry W. Have a lovely day, this is Bob of the 3rd ward.
Should consider restoring Des Plaines Theater
What a shame for those living in downtown Des Plaines in the condominiums not to have the Des Plaines Theatre or a wide range of entertainment available. Arlington Hts. is surrounded by shopping areas, their theatre and lovely restaurants, etc. Please city council, wake up and restore the Des Plaines Theatre so that it can be used accordingly.
Palatine facilities are beautiful
What a wonderful job Palatine has done with their municipal building and park district headquarters. It's clean, clean and clean. What a wonderful opportunity for some people from Des Plaines to do something. It is beautiful and Palatine should be commended.
Certain problems need to be addressed
Thank you Journal & Topics for allowing residents to place their opinions in your paper. I would like to call attention to the community and some serious things that have been happening at the Prairie Lakes Park. On Sunday, I have seen children running around, writing on the walls, and causing people to stumble over them. This needs to be addressed.
Mural idea in garage is absurd
I am reading the Journal about the art committee from the Des Plaines Public Library wanting to put a mural and new lighting in the parking garage. That is the most absurd waste of money I have heard of and I think that it is time that the library board becomes accountable to us the taxpayer.
They exist to pick the best players
This comment is in regards to the Speak Out in the Feb. 20 paper about Maine West basketball. The person said that if your mom doesn't pay for all of the extras, camps, etc. your kids won't get to play and they feel it's unfair. Maybe the child who does not attend the camps has not refined their skills enough to play. I feel that Maine West basketball, as any other sport, is there to pick and choose the best of the people so I think you must look a little deeper than that.
Think it's time to nationalize banks
I think it's about time we nationalize the banks because they haven't listened to us before and they sure don't look like they're doing that now. We gave them all that tax money for a bailout and what do they do? They do nothing for you. They're doing it for themselves. They're not watching the guy in the trailer park. They could care less. The rich are the rich and the poor are the poor.
Noticed few people stop at corner
I would like to give my two cents worth. There is no stopping at the Stop signs at Walnut, Lee, and Jeanette in Des Plaines. Believe me very, very, very, very few drivers stop at Walnut and Jeanette going west. They just roll through. Many read the Stop sign as "Floor It."
Says park district does a magnificent job
We'd like to say a special thank you to our wonderful Des Plaines Park Dist. Not only during the blooming season were the flowers and the shrubbery are so well done and so well maintained, but also during the winter when the appropriate paths are shoveled, plowed, etc. We think it is an absolutely magnificent idea that Des Plaines Park Dist. takes over the Des Plaines Theater and downtown Des Plaines. Congratulations to the Des Plaines Park Dist. for always being an area that we can be proud of.
Very little entertainment downtown
I'm calling about the Speak Out about the Des Plaines Theater. It's funny how Des Plaines wanted to spend all that money on Metropolitan Square and there's very little entertainment.
Study candidates' qualifications very closely
Here we are once again ready to vote. Just how much do we know about the person you are voting for? A person knocks at the door and asks you to vote for him. We must ask ourselves whom is this person and what is this person saying? It is our duty to find out about this candidate. Everyone thinks that they should get elected. But are they for the taxpayers or for themselves. Please learn more about these people before you give them the keys to the city. The town meeting was held just the other night. The subject of Redspeed cameras came up. They were in such a rush to pass the contract. It seems that these cameras will cause more accidents. People need to look into this plan.
Appreciates hearing from our local candidates
I want to thank you for sponsoring the "meet the candidates debate" Wednesday night in Des Plaines. The best thing about being a resident of Des Plaines is interacting with the wonderful cast of characters we have living here. It was fun to see and hear them all.
Way of avoiding those election yard signs
How about for the next local election all of the candidates who plan to spend money on yard signs instead take the money and donate it to either the Salvation Army, Untied Way or the Food Pantry. What a concept. The candidates would now be judged on their qualifications and accomplishments not on how much money they spent on yard signs. The local agencies would benefit and none of us would have to look at all of those unsightly election signs.
Sorry I didn't write message myself
Having read a Speak Out column of Mar. 20 about someone's heart in terrible trouble, I want to say I could not agree with the writer more. I could have written the message myself and am sorry that I didn't. You're right about everything.
She was right about Open Meetings violation
Kim Biederman was right. Mayor Callero did violate the Open Meetings Act. Thank you Trustee Biederman for making sure our government stops breaking the law.
A new mayor candidate in Niles
Way to go Joe Mahoney, IHSA state debate champ! Mahoney for mayor. Caroline Brewer, Niles.
Notre Dame student crowned champ
Congratulations to Joe Mahoney ‘09 (grandson of former Niles Trustee James A. Mahoney Jr.) of Notre Dame High School who was recently crowned IHSA Congressional Debate state champion. This is the first IHSA championship for Notre Dame since the 2004 baseball team, and the first individual championship for a "Don" in some 15 years. As captain, Mr. Mahoney's leadership has been unmatched at our school, as he has been particularly instrumental in promoting the "good news at Notre Dame" through victories at the local, state, and national levels. Congratulations again Joe. Perhaps Niles officials running for office could learn a thing or two from you. The Notre Dame High School Family.
Look at candidates whole life history first
Regardless of whom you support for mayor of Park Ridge or any other city, you should remember that character is an issue. Mayors should be free of fatal character flaws such as marijuana abuse, drinking while driving, mental cruelty, spousal abuse, child abuse, and lack of family values. Be sure to look at your candidates' whole life history before making your choice.
He was a big supporter of program
Jim Lange will also be remembered for his enthusiastic support of the M-NASR Buddy Baseball program. He acted as coach, cheerleader and positive force for all participants and players. We all hope he continues to come out to "play".
He helped everyone who participated
You forgot the great job Jim did as a coach in the Buddy Baseball program here in PR last spring. He was an inspiration to all as he helped every one of our kids participate to the best of their abilities.
Time to kick out the Daley team
It's very tough when the Terrance Brunner report points out that Daley moved on the Park Ridge City Council, back then to force the community out of SOC and into ONCC. The same goes for the cities of Bensenville and Elk Grove Village in the take over from SOC to ONCC. However, Bensenville has stayed strong in their fight. It's time for a change. Bring back the voice of the people in all three communities and kick out the Daley support team members.
Claim they have no voice in Springfield, Washington
We are now living under one of the most active runways over the city of Park Ridge. We have no voice in Springfield as well as in Washington. We have seen past aldermen who cut and ran from SOC to Mayor Daley's ONCC. We have seen another community have its gut torn out all for the benefit of O'Hare expansion and greed.
Already enough car traffic Uptown
Don't think we need more business in Target Area 4. There's already enough traffic Uptown.
Some input on funeral home situation
There is another important piece of information that should be mentioned with respect to the planned funeral home in Arlington Hts. SCI, the owner of the cemetery and Lauterberg-Oehler, asked for and was granted a variance in 2001 to expand the chapel already existing on the cemetery grounds to include a funeral home. The chapel is in the middle of the grounds and hundreds of feet away from any residences.
Who's footing bill for free movie?
Mulder has got to go. Picking up seniors at the senior center to go to a movie for free. And then on to early voting at the township center. Who's footing the bill for this? The village? Give us all a break.
Doubts he ever rubber stamped anything
Who's bailing out the taxpayer on local school boards? It's someone who examines every expense thoroughly, works hard, and is not beholden to union wishes. It's people like School District 15 board member Tim Millar. I have had the pleasure of knowing Tim for the past five years, and I know he's passionate about keeping our schools at the high-performing level they are at now, while at the same time asking tough questions about every expenditure. I doubt Tim has ever "rubber stamped" anything in his life. He is one of those people who thoroughly examine investments to eliminate needless risk and expense. I find it amusing some candidates say that the board shouldn't be poking around trying to run every department and asking so many questions. Are you kidding? In every business, departments sometimes make unwise spending decisions and some investments don't return much. In District 15, who is representing the taxpayer at meetings to question it? Vote for the person who's looking out for you, vote for Tim Millar.
Wonder who Rita Mullins is backing
Who is Mullins backing for the four open seats on School District 15's school board?
53 will come very close to some homes
Highway 53 extension---the road to ever-lower home prices. But not for those promoting it. Easy for Lake County commissioners to ask us to vote for the extension of Route 53 through our neighborhoods. None of those who pushed the referendum through live in view of it. Their home values and lives would not be affected by it. Ask your district Lake County commissioner if they voted for the 53 extension to run through your neighborhood and if anyone will be able to see 53 from their home. How close will 53 come to lowering your home values forever? Not all communities can see the big strip of vacant land close to their homes that shows just how close 53 will be. In some communities, the path it will take through your neighborhood will be hidden by woods. Go to http://maps.google.com/ and enter Hawley and Southport Mundelein IL and click satellite to get a look at just how close 53 comes to homes as it cuts apart a subdivision. Then go to http://lakecountyil.gov/route53 and download the map.
Go ahead and use intersection yourself
In regards to the person who doesn't think it is necessary in spending $500,000 to have a traffic light at Lee & Perry in Des Plaines, has this person tried to exit Perry going east crossing Lee by car or walking? This is a very dangerous section and one that desperately needs a traffic light. It is not only for the people leaving Market Square, it is for the people who live here and have to face this problem day after day. There have already been accidents here and I hate to think that someday it will be a situation where someone is seriously hurt.
Reasons solid to keep ambulance fee
Let's go over this one more time. The fees charged for ambulance service come from your insurance company. Your insurance premium has a cost for ambulance service already included. Even if Des Plaines does not charge for ambulance service, your premium will still include a charge for ambulance service. That is because virtually everywhere else will charge you. When Des Plaines charges you for ambulance service you pass the fee to your insurance company. That is how some of the money you have already paid in your premium comes back to your community for services. Now if the cost is more than what your insurance company or Medicare will pay the city is legally obliged to ask you for the additional money. But, how diligently they pursue those additional funds is entirely at their discretion. We can all agree that our elected officials do not want to burden the citizens with additional costs. But, to eliminate a chance to recoup some of your money spent on insurance would be an even greater disservice. Think about this, and I believe you will agree. Keep the fee, manage it with respect for the citizens, and continue to provide one of the most respected and active ambulance services in the Northwest suburbs. Respectfully submitted.
His opponents clearly opposed to new TIFs
A recent submission to Speak Out contained a misleading statement concerning the aldermanic race in the 1st ward. The statement read, "Just think, if Fregetto gets in, we will no longer have to worry about people voting 7 to 1 for billboards and irresponsible bankrupt TIFs, new multimillion-dollar fire stations and police stations." There are two problems with this assertion. First, some readers might infer that Gene Fregetto's opponents support new TIF districts, a new fire station, and the immediate construction of a new police station. In fact, I have explicitly stated I am opposed to all new TIF districts, I have not been convinced we need another fire station, and I feel the new police station must be delayed until the economic situation improves. Secondly, a reader could conclude that Fregetto is opposed to new TIF districts and new police and fire stations. He has indicated that he is open to the creation of an additional TIF district, his position on the fire station is unclear, and he shares my opinion that a new police station is necessary but should be delayed. Michael Basone.
What if Moroccan was flying over U.S.?
I wonder, if an innocent Moroccan citizen was flying over America with an airplane full of drugs, what is going to be his sentence? I think I know the answer; he'll be in Guantanamo where even his family can't see him, or know what the charges are.
Horses a big part of Des Plaines
I have lived in Des Plaines my entire life, over 40 years. There have always been horses in Des Plaines. The forest preserve has been along the tollway with riding trails long before the tollway was even built. The horses are a big part of Des Plaines along the north side and it is a beautiful sight seeing the horses run and be ridden by their riders. Why do you think they belong in Barrington?
If horses need cleaner air, move
To the person who commented about the horses along the tollway. Breathing problems? We probably all have breathing problems being so close to the tollway and O'Hare. We do choose to live here. Maybe you should check your breathing and if you want fresher air you can move to Barrington.
Parent teaching child a hard lesson
To the parent who reported stolen property in the possession of his or her child, I wanted to say what a strong example of honesty and responsible citizenship you are setting for your boy. It must have been a difficult thing to do and your boy will learn a hard lesson. I offer to you my sympathy and support for how you are parenting your child, choosing to let him face the consequences of his actions. I have every reason to believe your son will eventually grow up to be a fine man after this because of the example you are setting now. Thank you from a fellow citizen.
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