FutureGen, a bold initiative
The “Reporter at Large” essay in the April 2 Illinois Times [see “The questionable future of FutureGen,” by Fletcher Farrar] asks important questions about restarting the FutureGen at
Mattoon project. Let me add two others: If not FutureGen, what? If not now,
when?
Some of the nation’s top technical minds designed and sited FutureGen. Before the project became a
political football, few in the scientific community disputed its technical
merit. If we are serious about closing the gap between rhetoric and tangible
solutions on carbon reduction, there are no other shovel-ready alternatives to
FutureGen. Those who say otherwise either have something else to sell, or are
clinging to the notion that coal can be kept out of the nation’s energy portfolio.
As the State of Illinois’ lead economic development official, my advocacy of restarting FutureGen should
surprise no one. This project will have a profound impact on Illinois. It
brings jobs when we need jobs — up to 1,000 construction jobs that will draw skilled workers from a wide radius
around Coles County. This project is also critical in bringing long-awaited
opportunity to the coal-producing regions of Illinois.
I acknowledge that FutureGen is not simple, inexpensive or failure-proof. But
what better point in history to entertain bold initiatives?
The FutureGen site is purchased. Project preliminaries are nearly complete.
Engineers are at work obtaining necessary permits. If we move now, we will be
at full construction in a matter of months. And, within 10 years, we will have
a proven design for a new fleet of emissions-free electric generating stations.
We can move forward with FutureGen, or we can hope a better concept suddenly
pops out of a genie’s bottle. However, by that time some other nation will have seized the
leadership position in curbing greenhouse gases in the electric power sector.
And we will have squandered the opportunity to utilize an abundant, homegrown
source of energy using breakthrough technology stamped “Made in the USA.”
Warren Ribley
Director Designee
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Springfield
Good stewards
This letter from Illinois Symphony Orchestra board president John Wohlwend came
to Illinois Times on April 29, in response to an April 23 IT news article about the orchestra.
On behalf of the Boards of Advisors and the Board of Directors of the Illinois
Symphony Orchestra, I am writing to express our deep disappointment with your
publication of a one-sided piece last week [see “Modulation at Illinois Symphony Orchestra,” by Dusty Rhodes, IT, April 23]. When approached by your writer for comment, I responded that I would
be able and willing to speak with her following our Board’s meeting on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, she opted to go to press with a
biased and sensationalist story that not only misleads the public, but
distracts from the wonderful music that is being performed for 4,000 students
in Springfield and 1,800 students in Bloomington this week and our season
finale performances this Friday and Saturday [May 1 and 2] that promise to be
an exciting and beautiful collaboration between our Music Director, Karen Deal,
and the top-notch musicians of the ISO.
We are a volunteer-governed organization, as are all orchestras of every size in
this country. As the chair, I have always felt it my responsibility to discuss
and reach consensus with our Board, representing both cities we serve, before
commenting on what are usually confidential and internal matters. We want only
the best for our artistic and administrative employees, so that the end product
— great concerts — can be enjoyed by our communities. This requires many volunteer hours and
financial contributions on all our parts, but we are happy to take the lead so
that the quality of life is sustained and ever improving here in central
Illinois. We believe that music has added so much to our lives, and we want to
be good stewards so that our children will benefit from the joyful experience
of orchestral music. For these reasons, it is all the more disheartening to see
the article of last week.
As I understand it, the group that conducted their survey was not officially
elected by their peers who play regularly in the ISO. We did not receive a copy
of their survey to know what types of questions were being asked, nor the
manner by which they were solicited. Some of our musicians contacted us voicing
objections and stating they had refused to participate in the survey, both
because of how it was handled and some feeling that it was instigated by a
former employee who had been released “for cause” last year.
Nevertheless, we take these matters seriously and asked to meet with the
self-appointed group of musicians, understanding that some were longtime
members of our orchestra. We asked to hear their concerns directly. They told
us that they wanted their comments to be kept confidential, which we have
honored. We had anticipated follow-up meetings, but unfortunately they
rescheduled four different attempts to come together.
The unofficial committee that conducted an unofficial survey of the music
director has not shared the text of the survey questions, the names of all
musicians polled (and we understand several are not regular members of our
orchestra and may have not even played under our conductor), or made it a
priority to meet with a group of the Board’s busy volunteer directors.
As a matter of course, there has always been a mechanism in place for musicians
to elect representatives who would meet regularly with members of our
management. The musicians have not exercised that option in several years,
although we have always been happy to honor that communication avenue.
Fortunately, we often do hear praise or concerns directly from individual
players, since most of the commuting players are housed in private homes during
performance weeks and have developed close relationships with many of our
volunteers and trustees.
Without question, we love our musicians — they bring a high level of artistry and commitment to their work. Moreover, we
are very happy with our music director, who is not only responsible for the
increasing level of quality of the ISO by virtue of her ability to attract and
hire excellent musicians, but who also brings a package of other skills that
have helped the organization flow smoothly when we have had to cut costs and
staffing from time to time to keep our budget balanced. The increase in
audience numbers and the consistency of our season programming are testament to
her excellence on the podium. Like any other employee, she welcomes
constructive feedback in an appropriate manner. Regrettably, your paper has
opted for sensationalism over dedicated journalism in this matter.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express thanks to the loyal
audiences and supporters of the ISO, without whom there would be no orchestra
and no part-time employment for our musicians.
John Wohlwend
Illinois Symphony Orchestra board president
Bloomington
Rochester fire fight
The Rochester community has unwittingly let the Volunteer Rochester Firefighters
and EMTs down. We were so hoping for the community’s support with a “no” vote during the April 7 election. However, I choose to believe, a “yes” vote was what the community believed we wanted.
Unfortunately, disgruntled past members of the department purposefully used to
their advantage the community’s indifference and, for lack of a better term, ignorance to advance their own
personal agenda. They successfully misdirected issues, while disguising their
own self-serving motives.
The disgruntled ex-members chose to abandon this community once. They walked off
the job, not able to cope with adversity. They left, hoping the department
could not and would not function without them. Yet now they impersonate and
represent themselves as spokespersons of the Rochester Fire Protection
District. Their attempts to undermine the current board, and to sabotage the
workings of the Rochester Fire Protection District, however, have been
unsuccessful. They have fabricated, exaggerated and misrepresented issues to
further their agenda, all the while playing on the community’s fears and insecurities.
While it appears they have gained momentum with their minute success, I have
strong faith that the Rochester community will better educate itself in time
for the next election.
That being said, rest assured, it is business as usual at the firehouse. We are
on-call 24/7, ready and willing to serve our much-loved community in its
greatest times of need.
Cindy G. Cannon
Firefighter/EMT
Rochester
Restaurant tax alternatives
We are writing out of great concern. These days it seems like when there is talk
about raising more money for federal, state or city funds, soon to follow is an
assault on small business owners, especially restaurant operators.
We recently learned about the city tax hikes being introduced by an individual
representing another field, in order to generate business for them while taking
from others. We understand the need to keep up our infrastructure, but what we
don’t understand is why when there is a need it falls solely on the shoulders of
restaurant operators like ourselves. We simply can’t afford to carry the burden anymore, but will be more than willing to share the
burden. We would like to offer an alternative.
Why is it OK to target and raise taxes on customers of restaurants only? It’s not. See what has happened in other communities that have done the same.
Customers do not support those businesses whose taxes are higher than the other
guy’s. There are many empty storefronts and the neighborhoods are littered with
abandoned buildings. The communities have gone down so far it will take much
more money and many more years to save them. Instead of just targeting one
sector of the community, let’s address a community problem as a community. Raise taxes across the board. This
way you don’t have to raise taxes so much, because many more are taking on the burden. This
way one area of the community isn’t being discriminated against. Everyone shares the burden, which results in a
smaller burden.
Other options are to get more aggressive on attracting more businesses to the
area. The North End medical district is a prime example. We’ve invested in the North End, but it is like pulling teeth to get anyone to talk
about working with us to revive the community and to get the ball rolling on
the medical district.
Mike Monseur
John Leskovisek
Owners, J&M Family Fun and Food, Inc.
Springfield
This article appears in Apr 30 – May 6, 2009.
