We welcome letters, but please include your full
name, address, and daytime telephone number. We edit all letters for libel,
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Times, P.O. Box 5256, Springfield, IL 62705;
fax 217-753-3958; e-mail editor@illinoistimes.com. RODNEY MILLER’S LEGACY Dusty Rhodes’ tribute to Sgt. Rodney Miller was
excellent [“One of the good guys,” May 18]. Recognizing that
column space, especially in a weekly medium, is very coveted, I suspect
that there were more glamorous, tantalizing or controversial stories that
could have been told. But, setting aside personal agendas, Rhodes chose to
commit her space as a forum for poignant insight of an outstanding family
man, law-enforcement officer, and friend. Now that he has gone, those that knew him will only
have memories to draw upon. And now, thanks to Rhodes and the editorial
staff, Rodney Miller’s legacy is further enhanced in a most fitting
manner. Thank you for a job well done. G.D. Stone Springfield EMPHASIZE PREVENTION INSTEAD The article “The profit prescription”
[Bruce Rushton, May 11] did an excellent job of covering the increasing
revenues, profits, new buildings, and number of physicians for local
hospitals. These are all beneficial to the community, and there’s
nothing wrong in making a profit. The article noted that many people’s medical needs
go unmet because of a lack of health insurance, and this may be true. A more important question might be “Are
patients being helped back to a high level of health, or have they merely
been given a high-cost, quick-fix of drugs and surgery that usually only
treats the symptoms but not does not cure the disease?” Is it money well spent? Wouldn’t money be
better spent on preventive nutrition and lifestyle education? If someone
wants to eat junk food all day and have a steak for dinner, should the rest
of us have to chip in for [his] $30,000 open-heart surgery? I say no.
Let’s bring back the caring independent family doctor and do away
with the profit-oriented corporate hospital. Bill Wellington Springfield FIX HOUSES, THEN ATTRACT INVESTORS They need to clean up the surrounding neighborhood
before they can do anything to the Pillsbury factory site [R.L. Nave,
“Gather around the mill,” May 11]. I lived in that neighborhood
for 12 years in the early ’90s. My house faced the factory. The road
in front of my house was not even considered a road; it is a pathway. Our
public-works supervisor told me that. I was trying to get the asphalt in front of my house
replaced because it sank with the old sewer system they have in that
neighborhood. It took me three years before I got that new asphalt in front
of my house. Now I have been out of that neighborhood for four
years. I sold my house dirt cheap just so I could get out of the depleted
neighborhood. Renters are moving in, homeowners moving out. Now I drive by
there, and my house is boarded up along, with plenty of other homes that
are boarded up. I guess my house fits right in now. So tell me how are they going to put anything at the
site of Pillsbury factory until they clean up the neighborhood? By the way,
the increase on our [City Water, Light & Power] bill was for the
upgrade of our sewer system in this city. Like I said, I lived in that
neighborhood for 12 years and never once saw any upgrade of our sewer
system, so I wonder where all the extra money is going. The roads actually sink into the ground. Public works
shows up, cuts a big hole, and patches it. I am sure the out-of-town
contractors think this city is a joke. All they have to do is look down the
first street and see all the [poorly maintained] houses and yards. What
business will want to come to that area? LaDonna McClanahan Springfield BLOOD FOR OIL A thought on the Bush presidency: “Where are the boys of the old
brigade?” Where have they all gone? They’re smashed on the old oil rig Where sand fleas gnaw their bones. In recognition of his services to humanity, the
English World War I poet, Siegfried Sassoon, V.C. William Bernard Risse Morrisonville WHERE IN THE WORLD IS FLICKS? Where is Marc Sigoloff? Did he leave town? His
video-review column is sorely missed. Marc’s dry sense of humor and
witticisms [were among] your best features. I encourage all of your readers
to write you. Bring back Marc Sigoloff. Chris Neff Jacksonville
What happened to your arts-and-entertainment writer
Marc Sigoloff? How come he’s only done one article in the past month?
I thought he had a weekly column, and I look forward to them. I come on
your Web site to read them, and I don’t understand why they have
tapered off to next to nothing. Is he on vacation? Or will another come out
tomorrow? Jim Martins Phoenix, Ariz. Editor’s note: Sigoloff’s column will
resume next month. DID YOU FORGET THE ARMY?
In the issue of May 18, a letter was printed that
recommended that the churches get together and help with shelter for the
homeless. There is one: God bless the Salvation Army. Oh, but I forgot that
every time they try to get a bigger place, the local residents say
“anywhere but here.” So leaving the homeless to sleep in front
of the library, in store doorways, in parks and other open-air venues is
more appropriate than a well-run, organized shelter. If you want to help
the homeless, then stay out of the way of the ones trying earnestly to
help. Patrick Johnopolos Springfield CORRECTION The name of treasurer candidate Christine Radogno was
misspelled last week [R.L. Nave, “The hype,” May 18]. Illinois Times apologizes for
the error.
This article appears in May 18-24, 2006.
