Journal & Topics Media Group

Speak Out!


Speak Out

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The following Speak Out! messages appear in January 25-26, 2023 editions of the Journal & Topics.

Take Down Decor

People. Christmas is over. Take down your decorations. I’m going to go steal all the baby Jesus until they’re down. I’ll return them after. Haha.

Our Condolences

I’m just writing to give my condolences to the family of Justyce Broadway Williams. When I heard the news about the shooting I was shocked and saddened to hear. Sixteen is too young of an age to pass away. As a town let’s send our blessings.

Take Care Of Flags

Hi, this is Rick. I think there should be a monitor, or somebody, looking at the American flags around town. The American flag near McDonalds on Oakton Street has been hanging on one link and is in rags for the last two weeks now. I called corporate. I went in to see the manager. Nothing has been done. There are also sorts of flags that are ripped and torn. This is very disrespectful to our American flag. Something should be done about it. A lot of people fought and died to protect that flag. It should be flown in total respect. Thank you.

Lost A Good One

With regards to the Niles police whistleblower documents. Either way, the village of Niles lost a good police commander and we wish him well. Good luck, Nick.

Hope For Pickleball

There sure is a lot of enthusiasm for senior citizens to learn pickleball. Our taxes are choking us. When the smoke clears, let’s hope there’s pickleball left to play.

Icons Of DP

Hi, this is Ralph from Des Plaines. I’ve been a 50-year resident here. I just want to know what is happening with the Barnaby’s Pizza on Wolf and Touhy Avenue? We can’t lose another icon of Des Plaines. We still have the Choo Choo, Mr. Pup, Des Plaines Theater, all these great places. People remember places like Jake’s Pizza, back when it was on Walnut and Lee Street and then it moved over to Algonquin Road near Kruses gas station. These are icons of Des Plaines. I’m so happy for Des Plaines Theatre, but what’s going on with Barnaby’s Pizza? We need it back. I just want to say thank you to all the people.

What’s Going There?

This is for Speak Out. As a longtime resident of Mount Prospect, I read with interest Todd Wessell’s Dec. 28 “Off the Record” column. I’m curious about the Mount Prospect Village Board’s approval of the construction of buildings, totalling 1.7 million square feet on the former United Airlines complex on Dempster. Are those buildings to be used by the village itself or is a private buyer involved? If you do not know the answer, is the information available via a Freedom of Information Act request to the village?

(Ed. Note: When the dust settles, those new buildings, or high-powered “data centers”, will provide shelter for a massive array of computer systems and telecommunications equipment serving the needs of the internet.)

No Worries

Hey, Todd. This is one of your old friends, Rich. We missed you at the class reunion this year. Where were you this time around? Could have taken some pictures of your old friends and put them in the paper. Listen, man, it’s okay. I still read your paper.

Pleased In Niles

Hi, I’d just like to leave a nice “ata-boy” to the Niles Family Fitness Center, especially their lifeguard. Went to a birthday party this past week. I’d definitely go again.

‘The Cave Inn’

I remember long before it became “Cafe la Cave” when it was called “The Cave Inn”. I had my first encounter with steak diane there. I also remember the winter that was so bad (sometime between 1970 and 1974) when the snow was so abundant that their overhead portico — shaped like the entrance to a cave — collapsed from the weight of the snow.

No Hate Here

Maybe Onesti should distinguish between “free speech” and “hate” speech. Seems to me he equates these terms. As a resident of Des Plaines, I support the theater but I don’t support these hate groups. Do your research, Ron.

More Oversight?

This just doesn’t fit. The folks actively planning to protest the anti-LGBTQ seminar at the Des Plaines Theatre are all gun violence prevention activists. How sad that the man can’t just admit that he needs more oversight of who rents the theater.

Dig Deeper

There has been a lot in the press about hate mail and threats of violence. None of the stories picked up by the press have mentioned the makeup of participants in the group that was scheduled to appear at the Des Plaines Theatre, but was later canceled. Among those were allegedly representatives of The Proud Boys and White Power organizations. The press needs to investigate further to reveal what this is actually about.

Congrats, Stephens

Congrats to Mr. Brad Stephens, the type of leadership we need in Illinois.

(Ed. Note: This message is referring to Rosemont mayor and State Rep. Brad Stephens, R-20th, recent appointment as an Illinois Assistant House Minority Leader.)

Where’s Video

I want to see that video. Haha, I’ll bet since not saying more about the “victim” or road rage it’s because the reader will conclude more about his character. Not old or a woman, or they would have said so. Probably some loud mouth aggressive young man that harassed this guy to the point of altercation. Sounds like nothing being turned into something after a dude can’t take a punch.

(Ed. Note: This message is in reference to a story posted on journal-topics.com on Friday, Jan. 20.)

Not So Easy

To the person who thinks it will be “easy” to solve the Methodist Campground’s flooding issues: please provide us with a comprehensive benefit/cost analysis of the project you casually proposed. Taxpayers will certainly be interested in knowing the feasibility of what would likely be a multi-million-dollar project with ongoing maintenance requirements ($) benefiting just a handful of campground residents. And, of course, all this is contingent on clearing many federal and state hurdles. As we all know, the devil is in the details.

Too Much

I love watching the NFL but question their advertising of both TV shows and movies. Reason being they are all too violent and send a bad message to the inner city youth, just look at all the violence in the big cities and suburbs, it can all be directly related by the TV and movies, way too graphic.

Wait, What?

Up to 25 trespassers entered the shuttered Lattof YMCA? So many questions. The report added that it is unknown if the damage was recent or done months or years ago. How many trespassers did the police catch and arrest? Were they adults or teens? Is there a ring of vandals on the loose? Were they stealing equipment? Does the YMCA seriously not know what is inside their building? They never check on it? Why didn’t they auction off the equipment years ago? They apparently locked the doors three years ago and walked away? Amazing.

Says Do Better

Regarding Des Plaines alderman term limits. What’s going on with the Des Plaines mayor? First he wants to eliminate term limits for aldermen and then he flip flops to wanting them for people that have already had the post. Apparently he’s concerned about his ability to push his agenda should a previous alderman get elected again. We need the best and most experienced people who care about their wards to be aldermen, not just anybody. Right now we have the mayor’s friends as aldermen. Let’s do better in April.

Disappointed In DP

Agree or disagree with Awake Illinois, I’m disappointed in the stance the city of Des Plaines and the theater operator have taken to cancel the event in February. The cowering and falling away due to a small but vocal minority is truly telling. The city and operator would rather side with the intolerant than support the constitution and its First Amendment. Not only that but now that the event is off potential business that those attending would have brought to Des Plaines is not possible. This was a rather easy decision to me, tell that small vocal minority to pound sand. Des Plaines stands with the First Amendment and those who have fought to protect it.

Will Miss La Cave

Cafe La Cave will certainly be missed. Thank you for the many years of great food, fun and friendship you’ve given us for those 46 years. We wish your family many years to come of nothing but health and fun, it’s time to relax. Dick Sayad.

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