Spread the green
It might be interesting to note that the funds for the Illinois Municipal
Electric Agency’s “green” building comes from all of their coal-powered utility plants [see “Springfield’s first certified green building,” IT, Jan. 22]. How about passing the “green” on to their customers and getting some alternative energy plants?
Jan Mier
Chatham
Brilliant and eco-friendly
What an amazing job on this project [see”Springfield’s first certified green building,” IT, Jan. 22]! Obviously,
incredible effort has been put forth to create all of the brilliant,
eco-friendly details for this building. I applaud all who gave their
creative and innovative ideas to help create this building. What an
inspiration! Now, I hope everyone will follow your “LEED.”
Congratulations IMEA!
Stephanie Groen
Palos Park
Good investment
The economy is confusing these days, but investing in employee wellness makes
good business sense.
Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion in medical expenses and
$225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses per year. But research
shows that employers can save $16 for every $1 they spend on health and
wellness.
That’s why the American Heart Association is proud to recognize the first companies
in our area to earn the Start! Fit Friendly Company designation. Memorial
Health System, H.D. Smith, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Jacksonville and
Karmak, Inc. of Carlinville each earned the Gold Award, while FitClub garnered
the Platinum Award and the Worksite and Community Fitness innovation awards.
Start! Fit Friendly Companies are judged on three criteria: physical activities
that are encouraged on site; nutritional education and healthy food options
that are available; and the general culture of health promoted at the
workplace.
Companies that do not yet meet the criteria can use our free Start! Walking
Program to begin their journey to become “Fit Friendly.” Start! Walking kits are provided courtesy of Memorial Heart and Vascular
Institute at Memorial Medical Center, the local Start! sponsor.
Upcoming Start! events in Springfield include National Start! Walking Day on
April 8 and the Springfield Start! Heart Walk on May 2. For more information, visit www.heart.org/start, or call (217) 698-3838 ext. 3.
Tammy Gillette, corporate events director
American Heart Association
Springfield
Cult of personality
In the 25 or so years I have been following politics in the United States I have
never before seen media coverage of an individual (Barack Obama) that borders
so much on promoting a “cult of personality.” It never fails to amaze me how foolishly we elect the leaders of this country.
We end up electing someone with virtually no experience in government to lead
us out of the worst financial disaster in our country’s history. Keep in mind that this disaster has not yet run its full course.
Still the media paint a picture of President Obama as a great savior before he
has even executed one of his duly sworn duties. He has not merited the
consideration of greatness bestowed on past presidents because he hasn’t even completed one month in office.
Joe Bialek
Cleveland, Ohio
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2009.
