Letters policy
We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity.
Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
COURAGEOUS VICTIMS MADE REDPATH PAY
Michael Redpath’s behavior is neither unusual nor rare [Bruce Rushton, “Predator,” Dec. 8]. The fact that law enforcement, prosecutors and judges failed on numerous occasions to hold him accountable for his crimes is also distressingly common. And it is not unusual that a repeat sex offender and batterer is part of a respected, community-minded family. What is rare is that Connie Steinhoff, Barbara Black, “Yvonne” and her mother, Rita, and “Crystal” and her mother, “Doreen,” refused to be intimidated by this predator and called his behavior for what it was: rape. Fear of how the criminal justice system will respond understandably keeps most victims from ever reporting rape.
Sgt. Tim Young and assistant State’s Attorney Sheryl Essenburg proved to be the exceptions in Redpath’s cases. They believed the victims and sought justice. Even their efforts landed short of the sentences Michael Redpath deserves for his heinous, serial, sex-offending behavior. When the criminal justice system does not hold rapists accountable, today’s victims live in fear and tomorrow’s victims learn not to trust the system. Distinguishing itself from other local media, Illinois Times took an important and bold step in providing such extensive, investigative coverage of this case, particularly of the experience of the victims involved.
Public disclosure and discussion of rape and battery give hope to rape victims who must be believed by their families, their communities and the criminal justice system. Polly Poskin Executive Director Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault Springfield
THANKS FOR REDPATH STORY
I read your story about Michael Redpath, and I commend you for getting the truth out. Others and I feel more should have been done. We all think that the state’s attorney’s offices should be held accountable as well. And all involved allowing him to get break after break should lose their jobs immediately. Thanks again, and keep up the great work. Joe Feagans Springfield
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
Your article concerning Michael Redpath is indeed a horror story of justice delayed with the consequence of denying justice and leaving at large a social menace. It
is hard to believe that family influence has not played a part, even if it is only indirectly. However, there is a flip side to this story that needs to be considered. There are those who have been wrongfully accused. They do not always have a way of exonerating themselves and now must live in the pillory that Megan’s Law has created.
Because the legal system, in response to public concerns, is quick to react to accusations of child sexual abuse, it is relatively easy to frame a man especially. This is not widespread, but it is a means some women have used in unfriendly divorce cases. It is hard for a man to prove his innocence if his wife claims that he has abused his young children. Very young children can be questioned in such a way that they will agree to most anything. Ideas can be planted, especially by a parent who seems to be important to the child’s well-being or who is the most rewarding. In one case I know of, the children were pressured until they cried. Their crying was interpreted not as reaction to the interview itself but to the recollection of traumatic experiences. All cases where young children are interviewed should be videotaped. If this is impossible, a verbatim record should be kept so that a later evaluation of the questions and answers can be made. A recollected report by emotionally involved questioners is a danger to justice. Child sexual abuse is a terrible thing. Perpetrators should be rendered harmless in some way, but vigilante attacks and opportunistic accusations are terrible in their own way. They can be cruelly destructive not only to the person wrongfully accused but also to the children whose emotions are invalidated. Sally Robinson Springfield
AAUW SAYS THANKS FOR SUPPORT
This month the American Association of University Women turned a page in its nearly 100-year history in Springfield. Instead of the traditional holiday house tour, AAUW members honored our commitment to raising funds for scholarships for women by hosting dinners in their homes, followed by an elegant champagne dessert reception at the Pasfield House. The AAUW Educational Foundation provides fellowships and grants totaling $3.5 million dollars annually to women who are pursuing advanced degrees. Ten women in Illinois are among those so honored this year. The AAUW’s Springfield Branch supports four scholarships for women at the University of Illinois at Springfield and one at St. John’s College. These scholarships are specifically designated for women who are returning to school. I’d like to thank Tony Leone, proprietor of the Pasfield House, for his hospitality and support. Thanks to those in the community who have faithfully supported the holiday house tour through the years and to AAUW members and friends who wholeheartedly embraced this new venture in support of education and equity for women and girls. Kathy Klemens President American Association of University Women Springfield Branch
THE GOVERNOR WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS
In January 2005, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources laid off 84 employees due to a lack of funds. Two of the employees, Olga Aranzubia of Herrin and I, were employed by DNR’s Abandoned Land Mine Reclamation Division. This division is 100 percent funded by a federal grant and had no reduction in funding by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining. At the time of the layoff, Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered that the two employees be hired back — a paraplegic man who had to give up his state-purchased wheelchair when he lost his job and a second employee who is blind. The two disabled employees were paid by the state’s general-revenue fund. Days after that announcement, Blagojevich, speaking in Edwardsville, said he had just learned about my case. I have cerebral palsy and use a walker. On Feb. 16, the day the governor gave his state budget address, I met with him one on one on the third floor of the Capitol. After [I left] a detailed packet of information in his office, he walked up to me, and we shook hands. I handed him a packet of material titled “Governor Blagojevich, my family and I need your help at the Department of Natural Resources.” As I handed him the packet, the governor looked at the cover page and asked, “What do you want? Do you want a job?” I told the governor, “I have a job, and I just want my job back.”
The governor told me that he was going to attempt to get more funding for DNR. I said, “With all due respect, governor, my position is 100 percent federally funded — it does not involve the state general fund.” The governor then asked if my telephone number was included in the material. I told him yes. As of today, he has yet to call. At the time of the layoff, when the governor reinstated two other disabled employees, he was quoted saying, “Yes, these are tough times and we have to make tough decisions, but that has to be balanced with compassion and common sense.” The governor added, “You can’t look at everything in terms of dollars and cents.”
My case is before the Illinois Civil Service Commission. I am representing myself. The cost of representing myself is not cheap — issuing subpoenas for witnesses and records and paying for round-trip mileage for each witness and copies of documents for the hearing has now added up to several hundred dollars. Just days before Christmas, our family has now experienced our own “lack of funds.”
Thanks, Governor. Doug Schnell Taylorville
MAYBE THEY NEED GAS MASKS
How can the anti-smoking group proposing the ban force whomever enforces the ban to endure evil tobacco smoke? After all, isn’t that the reason — health issues — they’re supporting a ban? How can a group demanding this ban be so health-conscious but so callous about the enforcers? Obviously when a violator is spotted, the enforcer will be forced to put his or her life on the line to issue a ticket. The violator will have to be smoking at the time to incur a violation. Jeff Davis Dawson
We welcome letters, but please include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel, length and clarity.
Send letters to: Letters, Illinois Times. P.O. Box 5256. Springfield, Illinois 62705. Fax: (217) 753-3958. E-mail: editor@illinoistimes.com
COURAGEOUS VICTIMS MADE REDPATH PAY
Michael Redpath’s behavior is neither unusual nor rare [Bruce Rushton, “Predator,” Dec. 8]. The fact that law enforcement, prosecutors and judges failed on numerous occasions to hold him accountable for his crimes is also distressingly common. And it is not unusual that a repeat sex offender and batterer is part of a respected, community-minded family. What is rare is that Connie Steinhoff, Barbara Black, “Yvonne” and her mother, Rita, and “Crystal” and her mother, “Doreen,” refused to be intimidated by this predator and called his behavior for what it was: rape. Fear of how the criminal justice system will respond understandably keeps most victims from ever reporting rape.
Sgt. Tim Young and assistant State’s Attorney Sheryl Essenburg proved to be the exceptions in Redpath’s cases. They believed the victims and sought justice. Even their efforts landed short of the sentences Michael Redpath deserves for his heinous, serial, sex-offending behavior. When the criminal justice system does not hold rapists accountable, today’s victims live in fear and tomorrow’s victims learn not to trust the system. Distinguishing itself from other local media, Illinois Times took an important and bold step in providing such extensive, investigative coverage of this case, particularly of the experience of the victims involved.
Public disclosure and discussion of rape and battery give hope to rape victims who must be believed by their families, their communities and the criminal justice system. Polly Poskin Executive Director Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault Springfield
THANKS FOR REDPATH STORY
I read your story about Michael Redpath, and I commend you for getting the truth out. Others and I feel more should have been done. We all think that the state’s attorney’s offices should be held accountable as well. And all involved allowing him to get break after break should lose their jobs immediately. Thanks again, and keep up the great work. Joe Feagans Springfield
THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY
Your article concerning Michael Redpath is indeed a horror story of justice delayed with the consequence of denying justice and leaving at large a social menace. It
is hard to believe that family influence has not played a part, even if it is only indirectly. However, there is a flip side to this story that needs to be considered. There are those who have been wrongfully accused. They do not always have a way of exonerating themselves and now must live in the pillory that Megan’s Law has created.
Because the legal system, in response to public concerns, is quick to react to accusations of child sexual abuse, it is relatively easy to frame a man especially. This is not widespread, but it is a means some women have used in unfriendly divorce cases. It is hard for a man to prove his innocence if his wife claims that he has abused his young children. Very young children can be questioned in such a way that they will agree to most anything. Ideas can be planted, especially by a parent who seems to be important to the child’s well-being or who is the most rewarding. In one case I know of, the children were pressured until they cried. Their crying was interpreted not as reaction to the interview itself but to the recollection of traumatic experiences. All cases where young children are interviewed should be videotaped. If this is impossible, a verbatim record should be kept so that a later evaluation of the questions and answers can be made. A recollected report by emotionally involved questioners is a danger to justice. Child sexual abuse is a terrible thing. Perpetrators should be rendered harmless in some way, but vigilante attacks and opportunistic accusations are terrible in their own way. They can be cruelly destructive not only to the person wrongfully accused but also to the children whose emotions are invalidated. Sally Robinson Springfield
AAUW SAYS THANKS FOR SUPPORT
This month the American Association of University Women turned a page in its nearly 100-year history in Springfield. Instead of the traditional holiday house tour, AAUW members honored our commitment to raising funds for scholarships for women by hosting dinners in their homes, followed by an elegant champagne dessert reception at the Pasfield House. The AAUW Educational Foundation provides fellowships and grants totaling $3.5 million dollars annually to women who are pursuing advanced degrees. Ten women in Illinois are among those so honored this year. The AAUW’s Springfield Branch supports four scholarships for women at the University of Illinois at Springfield and one at St. John’s College. These scholarships are specifically designated for women who are returning to school. I’d like to thank Tony Leone, proprietor of the Pasfield House, for his hospitality and support. Thanks to those in the community who have faithfully supported the holiday house tour through the years and to AAUW members and friends who wholeheartedly embraced this new venture in support of education and equity for women and girls. Kathy Klemens President American Association of University Women Springfield Branch
THE GOVERNOR WHO STOLE CHRISTMAS
In January 2005, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources laid off 84 employees due to a lack of funds. Two of the employees, Olga Aranzubia of Herrin and I, were employed by DNR’s Abandoned Land Mine Reclamation Division. This division is 100 percent funded by a federal grant and had no reduction in funding by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining. At the time of the layoff, Gov. Rod Blagojevich ordered that the two employees be hired back — a paraplegic man who had to give up his state-purchased wheelchair when he lost his job and a second employee who is blind. The two disabled employees were paid by the state’s general-revenue fund. Days after that announcement, Blagojevich, speaking in Edwardsville, said he had just learned about my case. I have cerebral palsy and use a walker. On Feb. 16, the day the governor gave his state budget address, I met with him one on one on the third floor of the Capitol. After [I left] a detailed packet of information in his office, he walked up to me, and we shook hands. I handed him a packet of material titled “Governor Blagojevich, my family and I need your help at the Department of Natural Resources.” As I handed him the packet, the governor looked at the cover page and asked, “What do you want? Do you want a job?” I told the governor, “I have a job, and I just want my job back.”
The governor told me that he was going to attempt to get more funding for DNR. I said, “With all due respect, governor, my position is 100 percent federally funded — it does not involve the state general fund.” The governor then asked if my telephone number was included in the material. I told him yes. As of today, he has yet to call. At the time of the layoff, when the governor reinstated two other disabled employees, he was quoted saying, “Yes, these are tough times and we have to make tough decisions, but that has to be balanced with compassion and common sense.” The governor added, “You can’t look at everything in terms of dollars and cents.”
My case is before the Illinois Civil Service Commission. I am representing myself. The cost of representing myself is not cheap — issuing subpoenas for witnesses and records and paying for round-trip mileage for each witness and copies of documents for the hearing has now added up to several hundred dollars. Just days before Christmas, our family has now experienced our own “lack of funds.”
Thanks, Governor. Doug Schnell Taylorville
MAYBE THEY NEED GAS MASKS
How can the anti-smoking group proposing the ban force whomever enforces the ban to endure evil tobacco smoke? After all, isn’t that the reason — health issues — they’re supporting a ban? How can a group demanding this ban be so health-conscious but so callous about the enforcers? Obviously when a violator is spotted, the enforcer will be forced to put his or her life on the line to issue a ticket. The violator will have to be smoking at the time to incur a violation. Jeff Davis Dawson
