PEP getting VIP message on improvements
It appears that the PEP Party is finally coming to their senses. The much-needed capital improvements are coming to fruition. Another section of Brookfield will have new streets along with a replacement of an antiquated water main system.
Aren’t we all pleased and anxious to have these beneficial developments to our community?
Years ago, when the Russ administration was in, the PEP Party did not support any of the proposed plans on the premise that there was no comprehensive plan, no support of the issuance of bonds and no plan for the repayment of debt.
Remember there was 30 years of neglect. The asphalt on the streets was so worn that the gravel base was showing through, not to mention the cracked and leaking water mains. After a ran, our streets looked like the chain of lakes. What on earth were they thinking?
Abe Lincoln said that politics is the art of doing the possible. Regardless of what the opposition says, it was the Russ administration who made it possible and got the ball rolling. Before President Garvey and the new manager, Riccardo Ginex, snap their suspenders with pride, not everything is hunky dory.
I have counted at least 23 stumps that were left after tree removal. They look like some petrified mass in our parkways.
Through President Garvey’s chain of commands, Public Works had a lot of layoffs, because the administration said there was not enough money in the budget. These were not plum jobs, but merely jobs needed by hard-working people just trying to support their family.
Maybe the extra savings from these layoffs was … the $5,000 stipend given to Riccardo Ginex so that he can drive his pretty blue Lincoln back and forth to Downers Grove.
Maybe the taxpayers could save some money and invite him to live in Brookfield. Then again, maybe we don’t have any housing worthy enough.
Jane Harps
Brookfield
Jane Harps is a former Brookfield village trustee.
Attack letters shouldn’t be encouraged
I am disappointed with The Landmark for publishing such a vituperative letter attacking Frank Drazan. (“Face it, voters have spoken on RBHS,” Letters, April 19th).
I believe that these mean-spirited letters should not be encouraged, and I don’t believe Mr. Drazan deserves this type of abuse for merely exercising his right to an opposing point of view.
Donald Farnham
Riverside
RBHS tax victory not exactly a mandate
When I was a student we were taught a concept called “sportsmanship.” It dictated that the winner didn’t berate the loser. Apparently Donald Spatny missed that lesson (“Face it, voters have spoken on RBHS,” Letters, April 19)
As Mr. Spatny presumes to speak on behalf of the majority of his community, Riverside, it might surprise him to learn just how small that majority actually is. Although the referendum passed by 762 votes, the margin in Riverside was only 124 out of 2,464 votes cast. Precinct 1 (the First Division, near the Swim Club, plus the area west of First Avenue) defeated it by four votes out of 240.
The entire area south of the tracks passed it by a margin of seven votes out of 437 cast. Precinct 14 (Blythe School) rejected it 117-115. In Mr. Drazan’s precinct in Brookfield, 193 votes were cast, and the measure passed by 11.
This is hardly the “mandate” it was made out to be, especially since only about 8,000 out of 18,000 registered voters in the school district bothered to vote. But you don’t have to believe me or any of Mr. Drazan’s 3,688 “few, pathetic pals” who voted no. The results are available at Voterinfonet.com.
As to “misrepresented numbers” we know that, despite all the denials, there’ll be another tax increase referendum to operate the larger facilities. Even the Landmark said so. It’s right there on the page opposite Mr. Spatny’s letter.
Of course, we won’t know what the real numbers are until we open our tax bills in the fall. But even then, Mr. Spatny won’t know. From his prior letters we know he rents an apartment. He doesn’t even get a tax bill.
Norbert W. Heuel
Riverside
Attack letter ‘disturbing’ in newspaper
I always thought that opinion letters to the editor of a newspaper were subject to being edited or not published if they contained excessive vitriol or personal attacks on other private citizens. Apparently, I was wrong (“Face it, voters have spoken on RBHS,” Letters, April 19).
On April 12 Mr. Drazan wrote and criticized the local newspapers, including the Landmark, for their role in the passage of the RBHS referendum. No editorial comment followed his letter. Instead, a week later you published Mr. Spatny’s disturbing personal attack on Mr. Drazan.
Mr. Drazan is 85 years old. Over the past 35 years he and a very few select others have consistently badgered the school board and administration to adopt the reforms which have made RB the improved school it is today.
That’s called “community service,” regardless of whether you agree with his opinion. You certainly won’t encourage anyone else’s participation or opinion if they figure that disagreeing with your stance will earn them only personal disparagement in the local press.
Mr. Drazan is a private citizen, not a public figure. You should not have published Mr. Spatny’s snide personal commentary.
Last year the Landmark won a journalism award. This year they should take it away from you.
Terence M. Heuel
Riverside
Recycling easiest way to preserve the environment
Congratulations to the Village of Riverside government for their continued support of recycling and the recent distribution of an additional recycling bin accompanied by an informative brochure.
Recycling is effortless and the easiest thing we can do to help preserve the environment for future generations, and we can do it without even leaving our homes. How simple is that?
Unfortunately when I drive through the village on my errands, I notice an extraordinary amount of clean cardboard, large boxes and other clean items haphazardly discarded in the garbage cans; this is also true of glass jars, metal and tin cans.
Many times, these are very large items which take up a lot of room in landfill areas, not to mention the trees or other natural resources necessary to manufacture these items. In most cases, I am sure these items are discarded without thought.
Having long ago passed the half-century mark, I am more interested in preserving our area for future generations other than for myself. With a little more effort and thought, we can all make a big difference. Think … Recycle!
Jan Cegielski
Riverside
