Don’t
count us in
Dear Editor:
I write to correct inaccurate information
found in a letter to the editor in the January 16 edition of the Illinois
Times. The letter incorrectly states that Sojourn plans to participate in
a march in connection with a group called the Illinois Citizens Against Abuse
& Brutality.
Sojourn is not affiliated with this
organization in any manner. Sojourn does not endorse nor support their actions
and no Sojourn representatives are participating in this march.
We would also like to clearly state
that we are proud of our positive relationship with the Springfield Police Department.
Through our collaboration with the Springfield Police Department, hundreds of
victims of domestic violence are served each year. We greatly appreciate all
of the efforts of the Springfield Police Department as we work together, facing
this serious community problem.
Sincerely,
Tami Silverman
Executive Director
Sojourn Shelter & Services, Inc.
Library’s plea for support
Dear Editor:
As President of the Lincoln Library
Board of Trustees, I write on behalf of myself and my fellow trustees to clarify
the issues concerning recent proposals to balance the library’s budget for the
coming fiscal year. The proposal to close the library’s three branches and relocate
them in District 186 schools has been set aside. After several meetings, school
and library officials could see no way to address the problems of space and
security which would arise as a result of this relocation idea. The citizens
of Springfield have made it clear that this is not a plan they embrace.
This board is wrestling with ways
to maintain the level of library services currently offered. That level of service
is one of high quality, but it is not keeping pace with other libraries in Illinois
of similar size. The reason for this discrepancy is that for nearly ten years
the library’s revenues have been eroded by the way our portion of the property
tax is calculated. In 1993 the library received 29 cents for every $100 in assessed
valuation. In 2001 we received just 17 cents. Springfield spends on average
$26 per capita for library service, the second lowest in Illinois compared to
other cities our size. Champaign spends $58, Peoria $39, Decatur, $37.
The board is studying ways to raise
revenue through grants, donations and service fees, but is reluctant to charge
for services that would disenfranchise those library users who benefit from
them the most. After thoughtfully reviewing, line by line, the budget which
we as a board are required to submit to the City Council, many items have been
reduced. Cuts have been made in staff and money for computers and other equipment.
The library will offer Sunday hours October through April rather than September
through May. Even after what we feel are significant reductions, the library
still faces a deficit of nearly $220,000. Additional cuts will jeopardize the
quality of public library service in our community. Changes in library services
should be improvements, not regressions.
I would like to thank those citizens
who came forward during the discussion of branch closings. They helped make
the public aware of the problems the library faces. But these problems go beyond
whether one location or another remains open. The issue is what kind of library
service our community will support. If you believe that the library ranks as
one of the most important city services I urge you to call your alderman and
urge him or her to find the means to adequately fund those services. Those wishing
to hear the library’s budget may attend the City Council’s Finance Committee
meeting on January 23 at 5 p.m. Opinions can be expressed on February 11 at
the City Council’s Finance Committee meeting, again at 5 p.m., to finalize the
entire budget which will go to the City Council for approval at their meeting
on February 18 at 6 p.m. These meetings are open to the public. It is time for
the citizens of Springfield to show how much they value their public library.
Sincerely,
Linda Kopecky
President
Lincoln Library Board of Trustees
Church should clean up its
own backyard
Dear Editor,
I read your piece on Sr. Beth Murphy’s
peace mission [“Back From Iraq,” January 16]. Sr. Murphy’s impressions of Iraq
treated the reader to a healthy portion of the fruits of Saddam Hussein’s labor
of propaganda.
It is oversimplification, at best,
for Sister to assume that the U.S. government or this President is hell bent
on war. I also found it an insult to my intelligence for Sister to suggest that
there are bigger and badder dictators and human rights violators than Saddam
Hussein. The facts are that this dictator, Sister, expelled the U.N. inspectors
in 1997 and used chemical warfare on his own people. He may not be the biggest
villain in the world but he is certainly among the craziest. And this, Sister,
makes him more dangerous than some of the so called “bigger dictators.”
Your indictment of Israel as having
a bad record of human rights is also oversimplification and sounds strikingly
similar to some of same opinions that some of our Catholic brethren had in pre-war
Germany when Hitler was persecuting the Jews.
To you Sister, I would offer the
following advice so often heard among those who tout peace: Think globally but
act locally. Perhaps you could start by bringing peace to many of us unsettled
Catholics who wonder about priests who have molested our children or the dioceses
that have concealed this fact for years. Or perhaps you could start in your
convents where many of your fellow nuns have acted in an emotionally abusive
or verbally abusive manner against students. If need be, Sister, I can provide
you with a good example of this situation. Sister, be careful the “beam” in
your eye is blinding you from a mess in your own backyard.
Please withhold my name as my children
go to Catholic school. However, you can provide this name to Sister if she desires
to know this author.
Name withheld by request
Wake up and smell this coffee
Hello,
Recently I read that Iraq is reputed
to have 11 percent of the world’s oil reserves. This is second to Saudi Arabia,
which has 25 percent.
In these days people may be thinking
about energy conservation–we are, after all, on the brink of war.
If you are one of those people who
like their morning coffee, and there are many of us, you may wish to consider
the following.
When you arrive at your favorite
coffee emporium, think about asking that vendor whether they would consider
serving coffee made from fair trade/shade grown coffee farms. Every pound of
fair trade/shade grown coffee sold in the USA or other places means that an
independent small farmer benefits and is able to maintain a family hopefully
without resorting to coca growing. Since much if not all fair trade coffee is
organically grown, the use of petroleum-based poisons is much reduced.
Not all fair trade coffee is shade
grown. Shade grown coffee is done in conjunction with conditions which allow
for wildlife habitat. This is becoming a serious problem world wide since destruction
of wildlife habitat continues to accompany large commercial agribusinesses.
Ed Gutierrez-Perry
Pleasant Plains
Frazier’s family is a class act
Dear Editor,
The article written by Renatta Frazier’s
son, Kourtney Mitchell, impressed me [“Town Without Pity,” January 2]. He was
able to articulate his perspective on the situation and to give insight as to
how this injustice has impacted his life. It is obvious that this is a strong
family that has found additional strength throughout the years in spite of what
the media and the city have put them through. I am sure that the citizens of
Springfield have not heard the last of this situation. And I am confident that
when it is all said and done, the Frazier/Mitchell family will come out victorious.
Sincerely,
Margarette A. Davis
Anarchists against sensationalism
Dear Editor:
A dear friend of mine often
reminds me that few people in this world do things exclusively for altruistic
reasons. As much as I hate to admit it, the Illinois Times’ “Trading
Spaces” article [January 16] merely strengthens his case. While I am not big
on labeling people this or that, the “when anarchists get angry” line is an
inaccurate portrayal of the issues at hand. There are enough generally misconceived
stereotypes regarding anarchism. The folks at the Illinois Times should
focus more on substance than sensationalism. This was a missed opportunity to
shed some real positive light on the undertakings of both Spaces–and the stress
involved with trying to maintain any community center. Marc Sanson and the folks
at 830 South College have worked tirelessly for many months to bring people
in the community together. The folks on State Street are also trying to make
a positive difference in their community. Perhaps the time has come for two
things: 1) the Illinois Times moves away from sensationalizing sensitive
issues, and 2) representatives from both Spaces sit down and discuss reuniting
their efforts in the spirit of the various causes both are championing.
Jason Perry
Springfield
SWF likes baptisms, hates personal
ads
To the editor:
I
loved your article on the baptisms at the Sangamon County Jail [“prison Uprising,”
January 9]. Now, when are you going to do something about those “Personals”
ads?
Dee Snyder
Springfield
This article appears in Jun 19-25, 2003.
