Attack on local historian appalling
I, my wife Penelope, and my office were appalled at hearing of Chris Stach’s injuries resulting from the recent attack on him (“Brookfield historian Stach hurt in LaGrange robbery,” News, April 5). I always hope that this type of incident will not occur anywhere, let alone in our area.
We look forward to the feature articles Chris prepares for the newspapers, and appreciate his interest in local history.
We hope for Chris’ complete and speedy recovery, as he is truly a respected person and revered in our community.
Paul and Penelope Straka
Brookfield
Newspapers failed taxpayers on D208
Of course, we must applaud, rejoice and celebrate all of the good things that are happening because the Riverside-Brookfield High School referendum passed. We know that RB has overspent on the salaries of our teachers and our administrators, at 20 percent more than the state average.
All of these sports facilities need heat, light, air conditioning, higher insurance rates, monitoring of the activities and maintenance. None of these “improvements” will impact our test scores, but Baldermann will make it work, no matter what it costs. …
Who promoted “improvements” at a cost of only $92 million? Who did this to us?
The three local newspapers did it, by supporting each and every tax increase referendums including the sales tax increase. Isn’t it the role of any newspaper (especially local papers) to mind the store for the readers?
How could any newspaper support those boondoggles? You have failed us.
Frank Drazan
Brookfield
That was one ****-uva headline
Imagine our surprise when we saw a picture of our 5-year-old daughter on the front page of your March 29 issue. As parents we were excited and grateful that the dance classes at the village hall were receiving much-deserved recognition.
It was only after a few minutes that we were confronted with having to explain the play on words in the overhead caption to our kids.
Why would the editorial staff choose this word play on “helluva,” especially when it concerns little kids. As everyone knows, we have enough things going against us as parents, and I would hope that the town newspaper, in the future, would be a little more careful with what they deem as “cute” or “funny.”
Trust me when I tell you that they will be learning how to use inappropriate language soon enough. We don’t need any help from the newspaper.
Dennis Meehan
Brookfield
Letters important part of local paper
I think the Landmark is a stimulating newspaper. I sometimes wonder what makes an article newsworthy enough to make the front page.
Then I browse over to the Opinion page. Even though I don’t always agree, I do respect the editor’s opinion. Many times I have mumbled back at the view in disagreement. Then again it is a significant part of the paper.
Recently, the readers have discussed “letter writing.” I hope that they don’t put the skids on this section. I feel that it is a necessary part of the paper.
For many years, there have been letters on just about everything. For example, the “town crier” Michael Towner complained about everything from funding streets to board vacations.
C.P. Hall the Third complained about everything from ambulance fees to repainting the police department walls.
My friend Larry T. Ketchmark wrote consistently about Cathy Edwards’ poor judgment in spending and her inability to properly handle her position as recreation director.
Then as years moved on, Mr. Ketchmark’s berating, eyebrow-raising letters subsided, probably because of his son’s political aspirations to be Brookfield’s top dog.
Get the picture? Now all of them are trustees.
Now here’s what the Landmark can do. First, cancel the section altogether. But this would diminish our freedom of speech. Or the editor could insist on only embellished back-patting letters, where everything is copasetic and we would all become political bobble heads. I call that damage control.
Or the editor could continue this section and everyone and anyone is welcome to ventilate. I’m OK with this as long as the writers leave out “rumor has it” or “I have heard.”
Some people call letter writing political bickering or political posturing. I suppose it is, if that connotation is used.
Maybe I’m wrong, but have we become a four-legged form of government here, with one party in control of all four legs? I think that it is better to not slip into the comfort zone, paying attention to what is going on in our own village. Keep a heads-up.
Jane Harps
Brookfield
