Can Lyons prohibit fishing from Riverwalk?
Let’s face it. Watching people have fun is an enjoyable pastime.
Walking along the river and conversing with fishermen, young and old, under the historic Hoffman Tower, was always one of the high points of my summer walks. And, along the way, I have come to know that the dedicated fishermen are responsible for a good part of cleaning up the riverfront and carefully monitoring the progress of fresh-water aquatic life all along the river.
Now, I’m told, the Village of Lyons has just recently passed an ordinance making it unlawful to throw in a line and a bobber along its newly created “Riverwalk,” which includes the area just under the Hoffman Tower.
I have two thoughts about this. I’m thinking the Village of Lyons’ claim over Cook County riverfront property is specious and unenforceable. And as well, I’m thinking, the very idea that an attempt to limit the public’s recreational access to the riverfront smells of some sort of unholy alliance with nearby developers who want to advertise an “unfettered” view of the river.
I smell something fishy. And it doesn’t come from the anglers’ minnow-buckets. I’m hoping readers will weigh-in on this particular issue.
David Moreau, Riverside
Developer shows respect for neighbors
Given how vocal I have been about the teardown craze in Riverside, I think it only fair to give credit where credit is due. Mike Foley of Mill Bridge Development proves that demolition and new construction can be done in a responsible manner.
When Mr. Foley purchased the property at the corner of Downing and Southcote roads, he made it a point to knock on every door up and down the street.
He introduced himself, showed us his drawings, answered our questions and listened to our concerns. Throughout the project, he has been onsite and available to address any new issues.
During the months that his crew has been at work, there has not been a single day that their equipment or vehicles have rendered the sidewalk impassible. Moreover, it appears that they sweep the sidewalk clean at the end of most workdays. The protective fence around the worksite is sturdy and secure. No construction debris has fallen outside the site and all of it has been disposed of through approved construction dumpsters.
I believe that Mr. Foley took my concern for my children’s safety traveling to and from school seriously. Thanks to his precautions, I am at ease walking with them past his site several times each day.
Mr. Foley’s consideration for the neighbors will reap rewards for his company and the family moving into the community for whom he has served as ambassador.
Mary Centorcelli, Riverside
Hall appointment a mix of good, bad news
In all bad there is some good.
The village board of Brookfield has just appointed Trustee C.P. Hall (“PEP stalwart Hall tabbed as trustee, NEWS, May 25) to fill the vacancy created when Mike Garvey resigned as trustee to assume the role of village president.
C.P. Hall ran for village trustee in 1989 and was defeated. He then acted as trustee from 1991-99 on the PEP dominated, do-nothing village board. C.P. ran for trustee in 2001 and was by far the lowest vote-getter. This was perhaps due to his putting door hangers on homes in his home precinct (Riverside Township Precinct 16) directing voters to the wrong polling place. Duh!
Now the good part. Readers of local newspapers will not have to try and decipher what C.P. is trying to say in his letters to the editor. It is doubtful that he will write letters criticizing his own PEP-dominated village board. But then, who knows?
Wil Brennan, Brookfield
It’s time for action to improve Brookfield
I wrote a letter to all the newspapers a couple of weeks ago, that the pedestrian walk bridge over Salt Creek should be replaced now, before somebody gets killed walking in the street (“Why no action on Salt Creek bridge?” LETTERS, June 1). Nothing has been done yet! If they can’t get a grant, they do have the cash to pay for the bridge replacement now. The village property on Fairview Avenue was sold in April and the village received $350,000. The bridge would cost about $175,000 or less. A grant may fund it all or may partially fund it but the village would still have money left over for other improvements.
Also, the old Cadillac dealership property is now owned by the village since November 2004. The village only paid $10,000 or less in legal fees and paperwork to obtain the property. The village should sell it to a developer and get some business in the village and continue to clean up Ogden Avenue. The property could bring $2.5 million or more.
Also there is still over $7 million in surplus cash in the water and garbage funds. The village does have money to do many more improvements and make our village an even greater place to live, work and raise a family. All I read is “The hunt is on to find $400,000 for improvements” or “Village searches to find money in the next budget.”
It’s time for action, let’s not continue to talk things to death. Forget the “gloom and doom” attitudes and make this village prosper again.
Bill Russ, Brookfield
Officials should follow laws on Buresh property
In your May 25 issue about the Lobster House property (“Roadblock for Buresh plan, NEWS) it was printed, “but Skurkis appears to be alone in that opinion, at least among neighbors to the 31st Street site.”
I don’t think so. My understanding of the Lobster House property battle is that Mr. David Skurkis’ position is that village officials should do the legal thing.
I am a neighbor. I have gone to some of the meetings. I also believe village officials should operate legally. I would easily believe most of Brookfield’s citizens hold this belief.
Unfortunately, I think people often times settle for less than what they are due because they are afraid of a worse mess. Maybe it is time for Brookfield to lead the way by demanding things be legal. Maybe the people of Brookfield have already started.
Dr. Jacqueline Solfronk, Brookfield
