Keep cops, ditch assistant manager
The state of Illinois is discussing eliminating the office of lieutenant governor. I think that the village of Brookfield should also do the same thing in regards to the assistant manager’s position.
Before our present manager was hired, the village of Brookfield got along great without an assistant manager and the money the village has thrown away since his position was created was a big waste.
My question is: What was his qualification for that job? There is talk that two police officers may be laid off unless an agreement can be made. I, for one, think that the village would be better served by keeping the two officers on the force and eliminating the position of assistant manager.
Ted Schwartz
Brookfield
Thanks for thinking of us
I just felt I needed to publicly say how touched my family is by the outpouring of support of our Brookfield, Riverside neighbors and the many other friends from Hauser Jr. High, Riverside-Brookfield High School, and Grace Lutheran Church of LaGrange.
You have all shown us what it means to be a good neighbor, and I will be forever grateful. If you have done anything to help my family in these past months, no matter how small it might seem, I want you to know we really appreciates it.
Kevin Duffy
Brookfield
More filming could bring more cash
I would like to suggest to the village of Riverside that they consider the creation of a film and television office.
The Don Johnson-produced TV movie In the Company of Darkness had several exterior scenes shot here, and part of The Lake House, starring Keanu Reeves, was shot here also. There, of course, may be others.
But not nearly enough. I’ve heard the arguments about the inconvenience to residents, with filming disrupting access to businesses and parking. But I feel they are more than outweighed by the potential revenue generated by the production companies that would be using our village and, also, by the simple promotion of the town.
As a resident of Riverside for the better part of my, almost, 59 years, I believe the village is one of the most picturesque suburbs in the Chicago metropolitan area. This should be embraced by the residents, not rejected. Right now, the village should be looking all the possible revenue sources it can.
And to those who object on the grounds that police and fire would be overtaxed, I believe that would exist for only a short time. The income from, admittedly, quasi-regular shooting here would enable the village to eventually hire more policemen and firefighters.
To the people that would object to the downtown or other areas of Riverside being blocked off and their daily routine disrupted, I would say there are many alternative routes available to go to the downtown area of RB. And if you can’t drive, why can’t you walk?
Riverside is too great a cultural resource for it to be squandered.
Stephen Marcus
Riverside
Mandate bike helmets for kids
Illinois has an opportunity to make its youngest citizens dramatically safer this year if a bill now making its way through the General Assembly becomes law. By requiring that children and adolescents wear bicycle helmets when riding around town, Illinois can join 21 other states in protecting kids against head injury resulting from bicycle accidents.
Last summer, an 11-year-old neighbor was struck by a car while riding his bicycle at the end of our block. He was taken to Loyola University Trauma Center where he underwent many tests and a prolonged period of observation. Fortunately, he recovered from his concussion. If he had been wearing a bicycle helmet, he probably would not have been as severely injured.
In 2008, over 276,000 children suffered a non-fatal bicycle-related injury. Riding without a bicycle helmet significantly increases the risk of sustaining a head injury in the event of a crash. Non-helmeted riders are 14 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than helmeted riders.
Bicycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85 percent, and it is estimated that 75 percent of all bicycle-related fatalities among children could be prevented with a bicycle helmet.
Bicycle helmets are currently mandated in only five Illinois communities. While encouraging, these local laws protect only a few thousand children. It’s time to extend this wise policy throughout our entire state. Our children are counting on us.
Karen Judy Foley, M.D.
Riverside
Ed. Note: Karen Judy is the pediatric program director, vice chair of education at Loyola University Medical Center.
