INVOLVE STAKEHOLDERS
Ward 5 Ald. Lakeisha Purchase needs to involve all stakeholders in working on the ordinance (“Helping the unhoused,” Nov. 27). It doesn’t seem like she is, based on the article. Hopefully that will happen. We need to pull out the roots, not just the weed eating the exposed areas. Listen to the community – they can solve this and other problems.
Aaron McEvoy
Facebook.com/illinoistimes.com
INVOLVE COMMUNITY
For all this effort, the city council could have started a community initiative that could have at least had a pilot program. Instead, we have Band-Aids on deep wounds and a general mistrust.
Reggie Guyton
Facebook.com/illinoistimes.com
GOOD DISCUSSION
During the meeting of Massey Commission on Dec. 16, Sheriff Paula Crouch explained the hiring, training and retention procedures for Sangamon County sheriff’s deputies. There were large numbers of questions from the commissioners for the sheriff, and she answered those questions to the best of her ability. There were also many good comments from the public.
I am praying that there is continuing dialogue among the commissioners, public and the sheriff and that it results in hiring, training and retention practices so that an incident such as Sonya Massey’s murder never happens again.
Vinod Gupta
Springfield
JUSTICE FOR ALL
I take issue with the idea that because Democrats lost the election it means we must revisit our stance on transgenderism (“LGBTQ+ community expresses concerns,” Nov. 14). If 99 out of 100 people believe in curbing the rights of transgender people, we should be standing with the one who does not. Rights are rights. Truth is truth. Transgender people are people first. We have to have the moral fortitude to stand for the vulnerable, always. Otherwise, we are not really Democrats and are not really concerned with the business of justice for all.
Mike Gascoigne
Springfield
WANT TO GET MARRIED?
The board of directors of the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation have approved a proposal whereby the minister will officiate simple and dignified wedding ceremonies for LGBTQ+ couples (members or nonmembers) prior to Jan. 20. These ceremonies will confer the privileges and protections of marriage to the persons involved. The minister will not collect an honorarium nor will there be a fee for the use of the sanctuary.
As a UUA Welcoming Congregation, this is in alignment with our deepest values; additionally, ALUUC is a member of UNITED, Springfield’s coalition of open and affirming congregations and these local congregations are offering the same service. Any couple that is interested should contact Rev. Woulfe ASAP. Rev. Martin Woulfe, minister Anna Sabin, president
SUPPORT LOCAL
A glaring omission exists in the article (“Viper Mine announces closure,” Dec. 5). It is reported individual CWLP electric bills will go down less than 15 cents. We are not told what the cost would be if Springfield continued to buy coal from Viper Mine. I have to wonder what that increased cost would be and if it might be both wise and neighborly to support our neighbors in Elkhart.
John Levalley
TOO GREEDY
Unless the customer realizes the same savings on their electric bill, as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t justify putting all of those people out of work. I just wonder when these corporate entities are going to realize their greed is what’s causing the downfall of the American economy. I wonder how many people realize that corporate profits grew by almost the same amount as the cost of living index. They call it inflation, but who is actually sticking it to who?
Bruce Maher
SUPPORT CAPITALISM
Everybody is all about “capitalism is good” and “let the free market decide” – until it does, and suddenly it’s “buy local,” “support jobs” and socialism talk comes out.
Dan Stevens
This article appears in Springfield Clinic disrupts area health care industry.
