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UPLIFTING
What a great article by Thomas March and Darcy Fryer [See “Barack Obama’s confident humility,” IT, Nov. 20]. I really appreciate this kind of uplifting comment and the object,
President-elect Obama. More people would greatly benefit from this sort of
attitude and how much better would be our world if all of us tried to be
inquiring minds and hearts.
Marilyn R. Piland
Springfield
OBAMA AND BEN
Comparing the reasonableness of Obama’s politics to Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy makes perfect sense [See “Barack Obama’s confident humility,” by Thomas March and Darcy R. Fryer, IT, Nov.20]. I have always been inspired by Franklin’s autobiography, and now you have pointed out one of Obama’s more winning qualities, the ability to listen to dissenting views without
feeling threatened. Being able to listen is the first step in working together
to solve problems.
Let’s hope the return to rational thinking catches on beyond the White House. Thank
you for writing this. It is wonderful.
Patricia Markert Aakre
New York, N.Y.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES
David Brunson is right, society seems to have a short memory when gas prices
drop [See “Plug and play: Fun with an electric vehicle in Springfield,” IT, Nov. 13].
I almost hope that they shoot back up for the holidays to keep alternative
energy vehicles on the minds of the car companies and new technology
developers like myself. I own both a 1980 Comuta Car and the partial remains of
one of its older brothers, a 1975 CitiCar. The CitiCar is intended to be a test
vehicle for some alternative drivetrain designs that I have been
working on developing.
My Comuta Car sadly wasn’t on the road during this year’s high gas prices
due to a mechanical problem that I just didn’t have time to repair, but she
will be back on the road when spring rolls around. I can drive to work and
home again for under a quarter — yes under $0.25 per day! I sure can’t do
that in my Chevy Blazer!
Thank you for bringing David’s story to the public’s eye. We need more
promotion through the press like your story to let people know that it is
possible to create these vehicles, they worked in the 1970s and 1980s,
just like they worked back in the early 1900s when one out of every three cars
on the road was electric (the others
were one third steam and one third gasoline powered).
Dave Pyatt
Alliance, Ohio
SAVE WATER AND MONEY
Where has the Illinois Times been on the Hunter Lake debate recently? Surely, you might explore one of the
least expensive methods yet to be aggressively acted upon by the city and that
is usage pricing. Encouraging residents and businesses to reduce their water
use through pricing, low rates for low use, higher rates over a certain limit,
could cost us nothing. Many cities are doing this already and reaping the
benefits. Seattle is one example.
Globally, we are all facing a shrinking water supply as well as a shaky global
economy. What better solution for both than to cut back on our water
consumption and save money at the same time? Simple, inexpensive methods are
already out there and just as we turned toward greener forms of transportation
once the prices went up, so would we look to save on water if it is to our
benefit.
Low water plants could replace high water lawns, discipline in our daily water
use would not be an impossible task with just a little effort and dredging our
current lake would harvest at least 4-5 millions gallons a day increase. The
city is wasting its time and ours in “dredging” up this Hunter Lake debate, instead of tackling the less glamorous, less
expensive task of enlisting and encouraging conservation practices by all of us
in Springfield. The solution lies right in our backyard.
Anne Logue
Springfield
CAREGIVERS MONTH
Today, nearly 44 million Americans are caring for an older family member, and
2.5 million grandparents are raising over 4.5 million grandchildren. However,
most do not think of themselves as caregivers. As our roles change with aging,
illness or unexpected circumstances, we rely upon our family members to provide
care and assist with daily living tasks. Family caregivers and
grandparents/relatives raising grandchildren are providing a much-needed
service to help older family members stay at home for as long as possible and
allowing families to stay intact.
The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland wants to acknowledge our nation’s caregivers during November, National Family Caregivers Month and inform
caregivers and grandparents/relatives raising grandchildren that there are
services available to support them.
These services are available:
Access assistance — assists caregivers in obtaining access to available services and resources
within the community. Counseling — individual counseling, support groups and training provided to caregivers and
families to assist in decision making and problem solving related to their
caregiver roles. Respite service — offers temporary care for the older adult or child in order to provide a brief
period of relief or rest for caregivers.
Legal assistance — this service includes legal advice, education and representation for caregivers
and grandparents raising grandchildren.
The Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland funds Family Caregiver Resource Centers
which serve Cass, Christian, Greene, Jersey, Logan, Macoupin, Mason, Menard,
Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon and Scott counties. To learn more about reaching
services for Caregivers, contact Gloria Plummer, Caregiver Support Program
Field Coordinator, at the Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland.
Caregiving for a family member can be stressful and confusing, but it can also
be a rewarding experience that fosters family closeness. Taking advantage of
available supportive services can ensure a more positive and healthy experience
for the caregiver and care receiver.
Julie Hubbard
Executive director
Area Agency on Aging for Lincolnland, Inc.
Springfield
This article appears in Nov 20-26, 2008.
