New Brookfield Library hardly needed
Is the most pressing civic issue facing Brookfield today a lack of space within our library? Hardly.
I enjoy the resources provided by the library, and I appreciate the service of its employees and volunteers. Yet my car ride to the library requires the passing of empty storefronts in Brookfield’s so-called “business district,” dodging endless potholes in our streets and seeing young people with nowhere to go.
Given the millions it will cost Brookfield taxpayers to build a new, unneeded library, couldn’t this adminstration find better things to invest in? How about attracting new businesses to Brookfield like the former administration of Bill Russ did with CVS? Or building more youth-driven projects like that the skate park at Elhert Park? How about paving our Third World-like alleyways?
I visit the library often. However, it has not once
felt “overcrowded” as Jonathan Platt, president of the Brookfield Public Library Board of Trustees, suggested on these pages. The library is fine just the way it is. It is the rest of Brookfield the Garvey adminstration should worry about.
Dan O’Connell
Brookfield
Our vet memorials are neglected
This past summer I was concerned with the overall care and the unkempt appearance of our veterans memorials. The “laissez faire” attitude is an insult to those who sacrificed, as well as the friends and families of those honored. At the Circle, the weeds 3- to 4-feet high, uncut grass and toppled lights were testimony. I would say that this is a “memorial malfunction.”
But one wonders why this insolence is also apparent at the newly built memorial at Grand and Sunnyside? Vandalism has been apparent there for many, many months. Where is the outrage? Was the service to our country all done in vain? The sentiment is more than just “knocking over tombstones in a cemetery” as were Mayor Garvey’s recent comments.
I am sure that village officials, trustees, and the people of Brookfield have driven past the memorials. Some have passed by on their bikes and some have walked obviously unaware of what is happening to our village. I am seeing symptoms of things starting to fall apart. Veterans Day is fast approaching and the usual politicians will be there.
While reading this letter, if you feel somewhat agreeable, raise your hand. Do I see at least one?
Jane Harps
Brookfield
D103 should support a Smith Park referendum
The District 103 school board has an opportunity right now to show the community it represents that it actually cares about the children in the district and the people in the Village of Lyons. There are many people in the Village of Lyons who are very upset about selling Smith Park to developers. The Village of Lyons does not need any more housing of any kind. We need commercial development and businesses, not townhomes.
The school board, as a taxing body, can vote on a resolution at a special board meeting, to put a question on the Feb. 5, 2008 ballot-a binding referendum question, which would leave the fate of Smith Park up to the people who actually own Smith Park, you and me, the taxpayers.
I attended the school board meeting at Edison School on Monday, Oct. 29. This issue was brought up in the public comment portion of the meeting. Joanne Schaffer, who is a school board member, said this was a Village of Lyons issue not a school board issue because the school board is not political.
The school district board is elected the same way the mayor and trustees are. They spend more money than the Village of Lyons in their budget. So why wouldn’t they try to give the parents of the children they are representing an opportunity to cast a vote on the fate of Smith Park? Any public park is owned by all of the people of that town or village, not by the politicians.
It is a very sad day when you can’t count on any of our elected officials.
Bob Jonak
Lyons
Telethon 2007 was a success
The Board of Trustees of the Riverside-Brookfield Educational Foundation would like to express their gratitude to the over 100 people who participated in the foundation’s recent Telethon 2007, held on Oct. 13. Whether you were behind the scenes, in front of the cameras or made a pledge, your efforts helped the foundation raise over $30,000, which will be used for educational grants and scholarships for students, faculty, and staff at Riverside-Brookfield High School. We extend thanks also to our generous corporate sponsors and individuals and businesses for their support.
Grants will be awarded in the spring following a review of the grant applications by the foundation trustees.
JoAnne Kosey
President, Riverside-Brookfield
Educational Foundation board