Outside of knowing Joe Paterno was the Penn State coach for like centuries, I only knew his name and never really followed Penn State.

If you ask around, you will find all sorts of Joe Paterno followers. I never was.

I am deeply saddened by his death so soon after the scandal he was linked in.

Sure, I would like every college official who knew about the sexual abuse and dropped the ball to be taken to the carpet. There is a part of me that still wonders if there could not have been a better way and time to bring the scandal in the open. Despite the 85 years he lived, and the many problems he may have had, I wonder how much all of this scandal did to hurry up the time of his death.

I wonder how many who pushed this scandal at this particular time figured that the death of someone was just and good.

Daniel Robert Smyth
Rockford

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

I remember, when I was 10 years old, how I had loved to feed and pet her goats. Also, my mother was one of her few customers. But I never did get sick from drinking that rich (unseparated) and creamy milk.

But just lately, it was reported in The Rock River Times that there’s a Mennonite cow farmer who is having legal troubles with the Wisconsin state authorities because there’s a new law that now prohibits the sale of unpasteurized (raw) milk, and Mr. Jerome Hershberger’s organic foods.

But isn’t this supposed to be a free country with liberty and justice for all? Yes, of course! And Mr. Hershberger’s old-fashioned (religious) farming methods are now in jeopardy!

He was advised that he needs a lawyer, but he has refused to change because he would rather put his faith in God than to trust a court-appointed public defender.

Philip J. Wilson
Rockford

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

He’d probably rather fight his way out of a sackful of wolverines than go up against the Canadian environmentalists who will be right in his face when implementing Western Pipeline Plan B.

Undoubtedly, the Chinese and Canadians can cleverly engineer a pipeline over, under or through the Rockies somehow.

Getting oil to flow over the mountains and onto Chinese tankers will only depend on the rate that Chinese yuan can be pumped into Canadian dollars.

The workers can admire some of the world’s most spectacular scenery, and enjoy wonderful ski resorts during their time off.

It could become one of the world’s greatest feats of engineering, comparable to the Panama Canal or Hoover Dam — or one of the world’s greatest environmental disasters. Canadian citizens will decide.

Our bloviating politicians now decrying the “loss” of 20,000 to 100,000 uncreated jobs still have plenty of other opportunities to help our unemployed CITIZENS.

Why not start a bipartisan mandate to crack down on employers of illegal aliens, and require all federal and state agencies to use E-Verify?

Enforcing existing laws would have zero environmental impact, and zero cost to taxpayers.

Sylvia Pagel
Winnebago, Ill.

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Douglas Campbell
Rockford

From the Feb. 1-7, 2012, issue

Rep. Manzullo is proud of his conservative stand against unions, women’s rights, immigrants, the environment, health care for all, food safety, pensions and public broadcasting, and so on. Rep. Manzullo, along with Rep. Joe Walsh, were the only two Illinois representatives to receive an A+ from the Americans for Prosperity free market organization.

His conservative world view does not match the basis of American democracy. Our democracy is founded on morals opposite of Mr. Manzullo’s. American democracy is one of empathy, citizens caring for each other, both social and personal responsibility. In founding the American democracy, our founders set up the government to protect and empower everyone equally. Today, that protection would include health, environment, Medicare and Social Security. And empowerment begins with a free and equal public education. Our freedom depends upon a commitment to care and act on that care for our fellow citizens. Rep. Manzullo rejects all of this.

Rep. Manzullo believes only in individual responsibility, not social responsibility. His voting record since 1992 shows that he does not think government should help its citizens. The part of government that he wants to cut is not subsidies to corporations or to big oil. He wants to cut all the parts of the government that help people.

He believes there should be no power higher than the market. Government should only spend tax dollars to protect the market and promote market values, but should not regulate it, tax it, protect neither unions nor worker rights, nor protect the environment or create food safety laws. Mr.Manzullo’s world view goes so far as to say government should not do public service. The market has private service industries to do that.

It is these conservative values that led to the economic collapse. Ask yourself if Rep. Manzullo’s world view is accurate, why has the unemployment rate in the 16th Congressional District more than doubled since he took office in 1992?

16th District voters need to decide which world view they want representing them in Washington this November. Do we want someone who is committed to the market at the expense of the people, or do we want someone who is committed to democracy in the American tradition, a tradition of caring about our fellow citizens?

Dan Kenney
DeKalb, Ill.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Union workers are not the only people “you” have put out of work; there are literally millions out of work because of “Illinois” politics (or should I say, Chicago). Anyone in Illinois knows (if this thing “Station” ever happens), not one person that is not a dues-paying union employee will ever have a job there.

It does sound strange that Illinois and Rockford will spend $12 million for the design and build of a train station when the noted cost of the Amtrak train is $60 million. The governor said, “don’t worry about the money”; after all, there is always his ability to raise taxes another 66 2/3 percent. The one thing I don’t think the public understands is the railway (tracks) are owned by CNR; they have the right of way to haul freight, and freight comes first. If you don’t believe that, ride the Amtrak between Detroit and Chicago sometimes. It is just about 283 miles, and it has taken me more than nine hours. Granted, most of that time was spent on a side rail because the freight train had the right of way.

As the movie says, “Build it and they will come.” How many grand schemes have Illinois and Rockford come up with in the last 50 years that have produced or saved jobs? They only tax the people until they have to leave this once-great state and migrate to a “Right to Work State” like Texas.

How much more taxpayers’ money will be spent on the “West Side” before it becomes apparent that the “West Side” of Rockford cannot transform 25 acres into a mixed-use development of homes, offices, stores and restaurants? How many people do you think will build homes there, and I’m sure people will not visit restaurants (after dark).

You say the multimodal station will be a center for various forms of transportation — trains, buses, taxis, bicycles and pedestrians. Wonder why cars were not mentioned, maybe because there isn’t parking taken into consideration. How many people will feel safe parking for any length of time (while taking the train)?

As an over-taxpaying senior citizen of Illinois, I think that if Illinois and Rockford had extra money, it would be more wisely spent fixing the roads in Rockford. (Has the governor ridden on East State Street?) The most tax-earning section of Rockford, more people will use the roads than will ride your fast train, and more people will have jobs.

James C. Davis
Byron, Ill.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Ron Renkoski
Blooming Grove, Wis.

From the Jan. 25-31, 2012, issue

Joseph G. Pittman, M.D.
Rockford

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Neil McLaughlin
Rockton, Ill.

From: Neil <[XXXXXX@XXXXXX].com>
To: <thartley@wcfpd.org>
Sent: Friday, December 9, 2011 7:22 PM
Subject: Work Planned

Mr. Hartley;

An interesting and somewhat troubling work effort has come to my attention. IE the removal of trees from Roland Olson, Pecatonica River and Fuller Memorial Forest Preserves. Removing said trees not only affects wildlife, but also affects air quality. Prairie restoration is given as a reason for said action. One only has to drive Winnebago County, to see the subdivisions and urban sprawl. In 24 years of serving the public, I’ve walked all of the public (and much of the private) lands in Winnebago County. Past leaders with the WCFPD have been responsible and diligent in their handling of taxpayer-supported lands. My hope is that will continue.

Neil McLaughlin
Illinois Department of Natural Resources (retired)

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Josh Price
Ashton, Ill.

From the  Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

The ruling allows corporations to flood nearly unlimited sums into our political process, much of that funding remaining secret. In many cases, it’s impossible to know whether the company whose products you buy donates to candidates or a party with whom you totally disagree. Worse still, while “real” people are limited in the amount they may donate, “corporate people” are subject to virtually no limits, especially when donating to super PACs.

What does this mean to you?

Imagine yourself debating someone. You both put forth arguments, and the best argument wins. Now, imagine that same debate, but with only your opponent allowed a microphone and unlimited loudspeakers. Which argument do you think people will hear?

That’s what Citizens United has done to our politics. Candidates with unlimited funding overpower the media, while the candidate to whom you donated $30 goes virtually unheard. Citizens United has sold our political voice to the highest bidder.

Bill Weiss
Kirkland, Ill.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

Ulysses S. Arn
Ashton, Ill.

From the Jan. 18-24, 2012, issue

There appears to have been no public hearing regarding the tree cutting, and if there was, I do not recall reading any public notice regarding such meeting.

The article indicates that trees involved in the procedure allow for a total clear cutting of native and non-native species.

With all the park-like activities currently allowed within the preserves, they are more accurately described as parks, not preserves.

Apparently, the taxpayers are not receiving full value for their assets, which are being sold at below-market prices. A bundle of firewood costs considerably more than the prices reported as being received for the “biofuels” of $1 to $4/ton. Even wood mulch cannot be purchased at these low prices.

Succession and/or evolution are terms that are used to describe the natural changes that occur within the environment. Yes, past human intervention many times has a profound effect on these naturally-occurring changes, and this is quite possibly one of those times.

It seems as though the word “preserve” has little meaning to those in power.

I had the great honor to work with Ray Schulenberg of the Morton Arboretum, and I believe his response to the bulldozer system of prairie restoration would be frowned upon.

Richard Kanak
Cherry Valley

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

1) If incarceration is a very expensive way to reduce crime, and if it fails to deal with the root problem of criminality, then what options do we have to reduce the cost and why do we not have more programs for rehabilitation and prevention?

2) How does the tax drain $24 to $26 million out of the local economy? Does this money leave the county? I assume it is used to buy food and supplies for the inmates, pay salaries and benefits to employees, provide for utilities and maintenance to county facilities. I believe most of the money remains in our area. It is the distribution of resources that concerns Mr. Kleen, not money being drained away.

3) Exactly how much jail construction debt remains to be retired, and how much per year is being applied to that debt? How far are we from paying it off?

4) Which are the “other areas” of the county budget that the jail costs could be “folded into”?

5) How would crime taxes be collected from offenders, especially recidivists? I am guessing that these individuals generally don’t have the resources to pay for the wrongs they have committed. If nonpayment means people are detained longer, then we are increasing our costs?

6) When offenders are out cleaning up or doing community service, who will supervise them? Will the value of their work exceed the supervisor’s salary?

These are questions that need to be debated publicly, and I applaud Michael Kleen for raising the issues.

Loren R. Floto
Rockton, Ill.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

Here are some facts about the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) that need to be clarified:

1. No taxpayer money has been used to run the USPS since 1982. The USPS funds itself through the sales of stamps, other products and services.

2. The No. 1 financial liability to the USPS is a 2006 congressional mandate to pre-fund retiree health care benefits for the next 75 years in a 10-year timetable. No other public agency or private company faces this financial burden. This alone is costing the USPS more than $5 billion a year and accounts for most of the red ink.

Congressional bill H.R. 1351 addresses this pre-funding issue without costing taxpayers a dime. To urge support of this bill, people can call the Capitol Hill switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and, ask to be connected to your representatives office. If H.R. 1351 passes, it will help get the USPS finances in order without the drastic cuts to first class mail.

We also can write our comments on closing the Rockford mail processing facility & mail them to this address by Jan. 21, 2012. This will give the USPS the Rockford area input needed to keep the highly-efficient Rockford facility open. Mail your comments to: Manager of Consumer & Industry Contact, U.S. Postal Service Lakeland District, P.O. Box 5008, Milwaukee, WI , 53201-5008 by Jan. 21, 2012.

D. Patrick Enderle
Roscoe, Ill.

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

Thank you to the hundreds of shoppers who stopped by CherryVale’s Community Gift Wrap area and made donations to our organization. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, thank you so very much for making the first donation of the season to our gift-wrapping fund-raiser!

To all of our wrappers and our gift wrap coordinators, Anne Totenhagen-Johnson and Peg Hanson, you are the best! Thank you for your hours of service.

Area nonprofits had an opportunity to generate much-needed dollars as a result of the generous support of the following, and we thank them all: CherryVale, CBL & Associates, Properties Inc. and staff (special thanks, Mark Peterson and April Carli) and this year’s gift-wrapping sponsors, Burger King (Mark & Christy Malenchik and staff), UAW Local No. 1268 (thanks so much, William Campbell, Mary Scalzitti and Kerrie Haile) and the Illinois Lottery (Tony Seeger and All Terrain Productions, Inc.).

Thank you again to all who made the CherryVale Community Gift Wrap possible and to those who support Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center’s care of terminally-ill individuals and their families.

Carol A. Bennett, Executive Director
Northern Illinois Hospice and Grief Center
Rockford

From the Jan. 11-17, 2012, issue

Pretending he was Teddy Roosevelt, he told a high school class that free enterprise was just a theory that has never worked. Obama has shed any pretense of being pro-American and has fully shown himself to be the Marxist that he is.

Did it ever occur to you to wonder how this country, in its 235 years of existence, has outstripped every other country in the world in terms of quality of life, wealth, standard of living, science, medicine and a whole raft of other areas? All this compared to countries that have been around for thousands of years. It was the free enterprise system, personal freedom, self-governance, and the right to become anything one can achieve. How on earth can this disingenuous socialist (who ostensibly represents us) stand in front of a U.S. audience and claim that government control is the means to success?

This is serious, folks. Vote Republican next November.

Dave Willis
Rockford

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

There are many concerns about making gambling accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week on computers, wireless devices or cell phones. People could gamble at home and lose their house with a click of a mouse!

The age to gamble on the Lottery is 18! Expanding gambling on the Internet could lead to an increase in gambling addiction among teens and adults. A study of American, Canadian and international Internet gamblers found that 42.7 percent could be classified as problem gamblers.

Many poor people and children now have access to computers at home and at school. Internet age verification procedures used by alcohol companies have been ineffective in keeping anyone younger than 21 from going to their websites. Requiring a driver’s license number to gamble online will not prevent teens and computer-savvy individuals from gambling. There are already more than 8,700 people on the self-exclusion list at Illinois casinos, yet many continue to gamble. How will the Lottery be able to keep gambling addicts from gambling online?

How will the Internet Lottery website be secured to protect against credit card and identity theft by criminals and hackers? If the system is hacked, and the information is stolen, will the Lottery be forthright in informing the public?

Internet gambling will be done in isolation and easy to hide. Gamblers could rack up thousands of dollars in debt and cause great harm to individuals, families and society from bankruptcy, crime, family problems and suicide. This is not what voters envisioned when they approved the Lottery to help fund education.

When the federal Wire Act was passed, there were no state Lotteries, and casino gambling was only legal in Nevada. Call your congressman and Senators Durbin and Kirk (202-225-3121) and ask them to contact the Department of Justice for a thorough review and reversal of the opinion on Internet gambling.

Anita Bedell, Executive Director
Illinois Church Action on Alcohol & Addiction Problems
Springfield

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

After eight-and-a half-years of war, 4,487 U.S. troops and another 318 from the U.K. and other allies have died there. Also lost: $800 billion from the U.S. Treasury, around 100,000 Iraqi lives, 4 million Iraqi refugees, and at leasst 31,000 Americans with physical and psychological injuries, many of whom will require long-term care.

What have we learned?

Back in March of 2003, I demonstrated along with a handful of Rockford-area residents, mostly senior citizens, warning that we should not get involved militarily. Ours was a distinctly minority view. Some passing motorists gave us thumbs up while others yelled and flipped us off. President Bush and the Congress paid no heed.

We who advocate for peace, diplomacy and forbearance are relieved about the end of the Iraq war and hope it truly is the end.

But we are still embroiled in the Afghanistan conflict, where most observers give us no chance to win. How much longer does this have to go on? What price do we have to pay before we retreat again? The current totals are 1,859 dead and $487 billion.

What have we learned?

Loren Floto
Rockton, Ill.

From the Jan. 4-10, 2012, issue

Too often, these so-called public servants make a mockery of their elected positions. Voters need to open their eyes and vote the majority of these scoundrels out. Furthermore, it’s ridiculous to say politics is a dirty game that needs to be played dirty. Elected officials who work hard, listen to their constituency and are of at least average intelligence can get things done legitimately. Blagojevich is a common criminal who had the persona to gain the support needed to make it politically. I question the integrity, ethics and sanity of anyone who supported and continues to support this crook after his wrongdoing was fully exposed.

Casting a vote based only on political party, for what group supports a candidate or not and career politicians all need to be stopped. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “In politics, stupidity is not a handicap.” I agree with that, and hence voters need to be the smart ones.

Mike St. Angel
Rockford

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

Hardest decision you ever made!!! Read the article below and tell me you would not want these two —- to be fired; of course, that would be too good for them.

To hell with the sad state of affairs in Illinois: No jobs. No prospects for any other than dozens of maintenance jobs with Chinese windmills (wonder how much that trip cost us poor taxpayers).

Illinois has the distinction of the second state that no corporation will move to, or start up a business. Maybe because of Chicago scum, unions, how many former governors now in prison? If you had any guts, Illinois would be a right-to-work state, and maybe get back to a wonderful place to work and raise a family, like it was before demon-crats sold their souls to the crooked unions. How long can the taxpayers support all the scum that me and all the other taxpayers have to support, while you just keep on spending money you don’t have?

Thank (God) you got rid of the death penalty and gave gays and lesbians the right to marriage.

(excerpts of article included with letter –Associated Press, Dec. 9, 2011)

Man Sentenced to Death in Connecticut Home Invasion

“A jury has condemned a Connecticut man to death for killing a woman and her two daughters in a 2007 attack in their suburban home…

“Hayes was convicted last year of raping and strangling Hawke-Petit and killing the girls. The girls died of smoke inhalation after they were tied to their beds and doused in gasoline before the house was set ablaze. Komisarjevsky was convicted Oct. 13 of the killings and of sexually assaulting Michaela.”

James C. Davis
Byron, Ill.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

We both have had a mega dairy pollute a couple of miles from our homes, and the pollution entered waters of the state. Both events had very public media coverage as the proper authorities were summoned to collect evidence and document the offense to the environment. Her mega dairy had cows, and mine did not. Mine had a ski hill-size of silage leaching.

In Karen’s situation, the legal process made the polluter a convicted felon, and he had to pay the fines that were determined. Since 1996, there have been three different owners of that site, and it has been up for sale again for a while. If a mega dairy is environmentally friendly and sustainable, why the high turnover? Sticking a methane digester on a mega dairy, like an overpriced Band-Aid, will not help 60 percent of the methane that comes off the barns. The liquid volume of the slurry increases, and so does the concentration of ammonia and greenhouse gases. Subsidized scams using taxpayer dollars to acquire methane digesters do not make the operation sustainable.

In my situation, the polluter is being let off the hook as his lawyers deny there was any silage on the site.

The fines are being negotiated away. The only money being paid goes to the polluter’s lawyers. The agency trying to enforce the law gets no money to enforce the regulation that protects the citizens.

Illinois county boards have no local control. If we had it four years ago with the mega dairy being voted down, we wouldn’t be faced with the inevitable battle of industrial livestock operations and the chumps that follow one after the other as they realize the operation they purchased is not sustainable.

You are either for the mega dairy, or against it. There is no such thing as neutral when you know there is someone out there who will be the first hit with the pollution. To be neutral is to be insensitive to the demise of someone else, in the name of economic development.

Susan Turner
Warren, Ill.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

The holy birth happened in a town where Joseph and Mary were strangers. Yet, Jesus’ birth was welcomed by angels, shepherds and Wise Men. Their presence and gifts must have provided “lights” of support for the family that soon after would relocate, not returning home where relatives could help with their child.

For families that are uprooted, when one or both parents are “moved” to the court system, one “light” of hope for the children involved is CASA. Volunteer advocates care about the children, know them, learn their needs, and consult with the people in their lives. Advocates then compile their information for the judge who will make determinations on best placement for the children.

Is there anyone who could use your friendship this year? Could you provide a break for someone taking care of little ones? Drop off a plate of cookies? Could you spend 20 or 30 minutes in conversation with a person who is lonely? If you can donate more time, would you consider advocating for children who are in the court system?

In this season that celebrates families, CASA appreciates its advocates and benefactors, may all have a brighter, friendlier Christmas because of kindnesses both given and received.

Judy Truckenbrod
CASA Board of Directors
Lee County

P.S. – The Lee County CASA Bowl-a-thon will be Sunday, Jan. 29 at Plum Hollow Lanes. Join us for a fun afternoon.

From the Dec. 28, 2011-Jan. 3, 2012, issue

I’ve never seen such a gaggle of tax-money sucking boneheads running for president — with Ron Paul standing head and shoulders above them all as the only one who actually knows what he’s doing and what our country and Constitution are all about. He has a record in Congress of realistically and absolutely supporting our country and U.S. Constitution and national independence and getting us out of no-win foreign and war entanglements that are dragging America down into an abyss of no return. The obvious solution is to put people like Ron Paul in office, and band together as true Americans into everyday patriotic action organizations like The John Birch Society (JBS.org) and work 365 days a year regularly for the preservation of our country and Christian Western Civilization NOW, while we still can, and restore the economy to boot. GET ACTIVE!

Ed Nemechek
Landers, Calif.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

Joe Zingher
Gurnee, Ill.

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

Beverly Davies
Rockford

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

Familiar old sayings are often appropriate and in the case of 2011 at Beloit Regional Hospice, these phrases are right on target. The organization has responded to a record number of requests for service for hospice, Transitions and grief support.

• In July, the hospice program peaked at a census of 94 patients served in a day — 20 patients more than projected for that time frame.

• The Transitions program has increased the number of individuals facing life-limiting illness receiving support by more than 20 percent this year.

• Our Grief Support program continues to serve anyone in the area who has suffered a loss through death. In 2011, our service to youth expanded with 17 grief support groups meeting in 13 area schools.

Beloit Regional Hospice also faces the addition of increased hospice competition to our area. Competition is a natural occurrence, and we continue to believe that families deserve a choice in all areas of health care. Beloit Regional Hospice (BRH) has been committed to serving the stateline communities since 1982, and we believe that the personal attention and quality of care we deliver distinguishes us from our competitors. All hospice organizations in the United States face the challenge of planning for cuts to the Medicare hospice benefit that will reduce reimbursement up to 14 percent over the next three years. BRH remains committed to serving all who need our care, regardless of ability to pay.

2011 also marked the first change in leadership in more than 10 years at Beloit Regional Hospice. This letter introduces the new executive director, Mary Anne Miller, to our organization and to the community. The BRH leadership looks forward to new opportunities and to working with our community partners to continue to provide the highest quality end-of-life care.

So, while changes have kept coming our way, and we know that they will continue, we are prepared to face the future one day at a time. Please consider a monetary gift to support our mission and to support those who are facing the challenges of serious illness and coping with loss.

Mary Anne Miller
Executive Director
Bonnie Wetter
Board President
Beloit Regional Hospice

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

The Obama-staffed National Labor Relations Board is holding up the construction of a new Boeing plant in North Carolina, again thousands of jobs, because the unions do not want new factories in right-to-work states. These jobs will likely end up in China if an agreement is not reached.

This smooth politician held a news conference to announce that he was cutting $4 billion out of the government budget. The previous 10 months his administration increased the deficit by another trillion dollars. This was 250 times what he proposed cutting from his budget.

He accuses Congress of putting re-election ahead of our nation, and yet his every action is designed to assure his re-election. He cannot possibly run on his record, so he must continue his blame game.

Now, he says he needs another term to complete his work. The damage caused in one term is already more than we can stand.

Rolland O. Westra
Rockford

From the Dec. 21-27, 2011, issue

If you have a sense that the government now considers the people to be “the enemy,” you must be paying attention. A Dec. 10 story at NaturalNews.com says federal agents demanded the identification of persons keeping food stores at a Mormon-owned cannery in Tennessee. We know that in April, federal agents tricked an Amish farmer in Pennsylvania into selling them raw milk, after he refused for months, and arrested him. In California, feds have dumped vast pounds of unpasteurized cheeses, without any recompense to the family business. The guess is that big dairy interests don’t want these people cutting into their market.

Come to the Northern IL Tea Party Thursday, Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. meeting, where you can speak your piece about what is going on in this nation. The venue, this month only, is Rockton Township Offices, 1315 N. Blackhawk, just north of Taylor Freezer. All are welcome. Questions, call (815) 277-1144.

Jane Carrell
Coordinator, Northern IL Tea Party
Roscoe

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

This means that everyone needs to vote for this project on www.refresheverything.com/ruraloaks beginning today through Dec. 31.

We only have the month of December to accumulate as many votes as possible to win And, you don’t have to be from Rockford, Ill. … anyone can vote with a Facebook account!

To help with this project, you could also:

1. Inform your neighborhood residents to vote (in any format you have available: Facebook, newsletter, e-mail, etc.)

2. Distribute an e-mail notification as a reminder to vote

3. Pass out fliers

4. Send out regular e-mail blasts

5. Make a poster and place it at your business

These are just a few ideas that I have. If you have other ideas or would like to assist on this project, please contact me.

I have updated a color flier for you to distribute.

Thank you for your support in advance.

Dominick Squicciarini
President,
North Highland Square
Neighborhood Association
Rockford

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

The Laurent House on Spring Brook Road was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, acknowledged to be America’s greatest architect. Its original owners still live in the house, but soon must move to an assisted living facility.

The house must be auctioned off this week. So, a campaign to raise funds to acquire the house so that it can be preserved took on new urgency.

Small and large contributions began to flow in. Good samaritans, leaders and average people set aside their differences and took action; that is, they actually wrote checks or pledged dollars to help preserve a priceless and irreplaceable asset.

Let’s hope the campaign is successful. But regardless of the outcome, we all benefited because we talked with each other about saving something important, and we took action to make our collective future better.

That’s precisely the kind of Rockford we all want to be part of.

Don Bissell
Friends of Ziock Organizer
Rockford

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

Teachers belong to one of the, if not the, most corrupt unions in the United States. The unions demand and get outrageous raises, perks that the normal taxpayers (that still have a job) don’t get. Who do you think pays for those raises and perks so the union bosses can funnel their dues into payback to the crooked political (demon-cats)? Why can’t the union bosses use the teacher union dues to help the teachers feed, clothe and nurture children? I suppose you don’t own property; if you did, you would be seeing the value going down and taxes going up, and you would be paying those teacher unions.

I agree police and firefighters have a tough job; I couldn’t or wouldn’t want to do it.

They both belong to a union that demands and gets raises and perks normal taxpayers (that still have jobs) don’t get. Who do you think pays for these raises and perks?

Financial institutions didn’t take advantage of people’s dreams. People decided they could have it all and bought homes they couldn’t afford and could never possibly pay for. This was pushed by crooked politicians (do Barney Frank, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter come to mind?).

You don’t have a clue about “bad debt”; study and learn what “bad debt” is.

I wonder who this lone citizen is (Obama, maybe).

If you think President Bush abused power, how about Obama, [former House speaker Nancy] Pelosi, and [Sen. Harry] Reid? How about Obamacare? Wonder whom you voted for or if you voted in the last election?

Absence of civil debate and the spirit of compromise!!!

Union bosses — Let’s get those SOBs, and they can all go to H—.

Rational people don’t occupy private property, defecate, rape and try to shut down American institutions, American corporations. The very things that made this country great. You are not roaring, you are just proving what a bunch of rich people (financed by the socialists, fascists and communists) can do without any outrage from Obama, and the major (little three) news networks.

James C. Davis
Byron

From the Dec. 14-20, 2011, issue

Kera Ward
Rockford

From the Dec. 7-13, 2011, issue

With you, our friends, we are making progress — every day! We are increasing life expectancies, delivering healthy babies, improving the health and quality of life to one in five of our community members. Your gift now will have an even greater impact as we respond to the challenges in serving a growing number of patients. Last year, Crusader cared for 43,535 individual patients and provided a staggering 180,781 visits.

During this past year, we implemented new programs:

• Opened a fourth location, the new Crusader Community Health Loves Park on Sept. 6, 2011 — providing more than 1,500 visits during the first month of service

• Coordinated with Rosecrance/Janet Wattles for a pilot behavioral health project

• Coordinated with Remedies, an on-site certified drug and alcohol abuse counselor to benefit our patients

• Providing restorative dental care for Rockford Public School children that are referred for treatment

As we approach our 40th year, we anticipate that many challenges and opportunities are in our future. Community Health Centers, with bi-partisan support, have been identified as part of the solution for health care reform. The community health center model is being recognized as having the ability to manage patients with multiple health care needs. Our model places an emphasis on the coordination and comprehensiveness of care, along with the use of key quality improvement practices. This care model has the ability to reduce costs to health systems by decreasing inappropriate emergency room use.

Your gift this year will help us focus on system improvements that will enhance clinical care reform. The community health center model is being recognized as having the ability to manage patients with multiple health care needs. Our model places an emphasis on the coordination and comprehensiveness of care, along with the use of key quality improvement practices. This care model has the ability to reduce costs to health systems by decreasing inappropriate emergency room use.

Your gift this year will help us focus on system improvements that will enhance clinical care and will lead to improved health outcomes. This initiative will provide cost-effective care for at-risk patients with quality results. We are leading the way by improving the health status of our most vulnerable community members. Please give today! Your contribution will truly make a difference!

Rebecca Cook Kendall, President, Crusader Community Health Foundation and Gordon Eggers Jr., President & CEO, Crusader Community Health

From the Dec. 7-13, 2011, issue

It is time to rid ourselves of such history-ignoring, out-of-touch-with-reality, power-mad politicians, ousting them from power, and never let them in office again.

Harold Bob Jones
Blair, Okla.

From the Dec. 7-13, 2011, issue

It’s about time some of our representatives got off the one-way street and analyze what’s really happening on the other road. It must be very obvious they are doing the job that the American people are paying and striving for. Just keep the rich much richer while the middle class with all their hard-earned tax money squandered on Wall Street and Washington and then expecting the middle class to pay for all the mistakes they made. What kind of a game is that?

I don’t think they know if they’re afoot or horseback!

Joseph Coniglio
Rockford

From the Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2011, issue

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program provides advocacy to children who are removed from their home through no fault of their own. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children, to make sure they don’t get lost in the overburdened legal and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For many abused children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives.

During this season of giving thanks, while you are reflecting on the many blessings that have been bestowed on you and your family, consider those children that are less fortunate. Consider donating to CASA or becoming a CASA volunteer.

For additional information on CASA, please visit our website at www.CASALeeCarroll.com, www.casaleecarroll.com or call our office at 815/288-1901.

Lisa Hardcastle
CASA Board Member, Ogle County

From the Nov. 30-Dec. 6, 2011, issue

Judging from their waves and honks, passing motorists outraged over government inaction, joblessness and the economy seem to know why we’re there. Folks may not understand what Occupy is about, but virtually everyone knows someone who is unemployed, foreclosed or whose mortgage is underwater through no fault of their own. Virtually everyone realizes that earnings for the bottom 99 percent of Americans have shrunk or stagnated over the past 30 years while the top 1 percent enjoyed a nearly 300 percent increase, that 400 individuals control more wealth than the bottom 150,000,000.

A few motorists have shouted “Get a job!” However, contrary to media misinformation, most of us are employed. I’m 58 and have worked since I was 13. Sure, some are unemployed, but so, too, are many Americans.

Claims that Occupy is a liberal movement are also false. Occupy is non-partisan. We’re Democrats, Republicans, Libertarians and just about everything else, all gathered to shed light on and help reverse the political and financial failures that allowed America’s government and prosperity to flow away from the middle class to the top 1 percent.

Occupy is an effort worth honking for.

Bill Weiss
Kirkland, Ill.

From the Nov. 23-29, 2011, issue

Mr. Campbell doesn’t understand (immigration). There is legal, and there is illegal.

This Great Nation was founded on legal immigration. I don’t think there is anyone in the country who objects to legal immigration. Open the flood gates, how stupid. The American taxpayer (the ones who still have jobs) cannot support the illegals who occupy this country, medical, food, schools, etc. Can you or Mr. Campbell imagine what would happen if flood gates were opened? The United States would be another Mexico or worse.

I take offense to Mr. Campbell calling Thanksgiving (“Turkey Day”). This is one day Americans should give thanks to God they were born and live in the greatest country God ever made.

James C. Davis
Byron

From the Nov. 23-29, 2011, issue

Phases that he states start with bondage to courage, then liberty, then abundance, to complacency, to apathy, to dependence and back again to bondage. These phases seem painfully familiar to the history of our country. We’ve become apathetic, as evidenced by our low voter turnout, even in the face of so many of our military making the supreme sacrifice to defend our right to govern ourselves. Dependency also seems too prevalent when one thinks of so many on unemployment and welfare voting for those that promise them even more. Also, we have an ever-increasing growth of federal employees almost certain to vote for those that promise even more government.

Must we end up way too soon in bondage again?

Michael A. Smith
Rockford

From the Nov. 23-29, 2011, issue

When I see teachers who feed, clothe and nurture children in their charge get treated by society without the respect and funding they deserve.

This is why I occupy.

When I see police and firemen stretched to their limits that endanger themselves and those they seek to protect.

This is why I occupy.

When I see financial institutions take advantage of people’s dreams of homeownership, only to destroy those dreams by methods of robo-signing and illegal foreclosures.

This is why I occupy.

When I see the above institutions try to pass off this “bad debt” to the FDIC.

This is why I occupy.

When one lone citizen, zealous and cruel, can make us fear to speak against it.

This is why I occupy.

When I have waited after eight years of Bush’s abuse of power, now to have one malicious and racist group take hold of our country’s purse strings.

This is why I occupy.

When the absence of civil debate and the spirit of compromise is no longer the norm.

This is why I occupy.

Too long, we the people of rational ideas and compassion for our fellow men, have been silent. We now roar.

Christy Gutowski
Rockford

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue

Beverly Davies
Rockford

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue

Harris cites a report published by the Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate Change (NIPCC). This group and report should not be taken seriously in climate change science. Rather than earning a scientific reputation, the NIPCC instead changed its name in 2007 to appear to be legitimate. The NIPCC’s name is nearly identical to that of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the world’s leading authority on scientific analysis of climate change. The IPCC is currently reviewing a draft United Nations report on three years of research concluding that human-made climate change has increased the frequency of extreme weather events. This is exactly the opposite of what Tom Harris argues.

If we must choose which organization’s report to trust, we should choose the Intergovernental Panel on Climate Change, not Tom Harris’s organization. The IPCC has earned its reputation through commitment to scientific integrity. Tom Harris’s group thinks all it needs to achieve similar legitimacy is to name itself after the IPCC.

Nick Poggioli
Leaf River, Ill.

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue

Craig G. Campbell
Rockford

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue

Marx would and should be proud of his rabble rousing, miscreant offspring who make up the OWS movement.

Ulysses S. Arn
Ashton, Ill.

From the Nov. 16-22, 2011, issue

It is the worst kind of urban sprawl. It removes an attractive, shady green space and plants concrete. It paves over existing productive cropland and plants highways. All this destruction for a 3-mile expansion from two to four lanes. The price tag is over $20 million, so that amounts to $7 million per mile. Such a deal. The benefit? Suburban residents may be able to drive home faster from their jobs in Rockford. Some say it boosts economic development, but do we truly need an extension of strip malls and sports bars along Route 2? It is a sad, destructive waste of money when so many bridges and highways need to be repaired.

Michael Griffith
Rockford

From the Nov. 9-15, 2011, issue

Eileen King and Mary Gubbe Lee,
Co-chairmen of the MIAW Committee
Rosecrance Berry Center

From the Nov. 9-15, 2011, issue

Without bludgeoning the court system to death, I testify that the public defender mentioned handled the stress with the grace of a seasoned soldier, setting the foundation for those alike to follow.

Mary Watson
Rockford

From the Nov. 9-15, 2011, issue

However, the truth is they are not feeding the world, they are starving it. The U.S. produces about 90 million metric tons of soybeans every year, and according to www.indianasoybean.com, 98 percent, or 88.2 million metric tons, is used to feed CAFO animals. Soy is an excellent source of protein. We are feeding protein to animals to get protein.

Every year, about 10 billion CAFO animals are slaughtered. Their combined weight is about 38.4 million metric tons. Compare that to the amount of soybeans the animals are fed. It’s like putting $88 in the bank, and when you want to withdraw it, they give you $38. And I didn’t even take into account the 60 percent of corn, or 7.5 billion bushels, used to feed these animals.

The last time you saw news coverage of food relief efforts, did you see meat, milk and eggs being handed out to starving people? We got along without them before they were invented, and there weren’t as many obese people. The bottom line is this — we can feed a whole lot more people with the grain we produce than we can with the meat. We don’t need CAFOs.

William Wilson
Jeffersonville, Ind.

From the Nov. 9-15, 2011, issue

The Nongovernmental International Panel on Climate report (www.nipccreport.com) released on Aug. 29, concluded “… the data revealed there have not been any significant warming-induced increases in extreme weather events.” The report showed that this was the case whether the phenomenon being studied was precipitation, floods, drought, storms, hurricanes, fire or other weather-related events.

Canadian extreme weather expert Dr. Madhav L. Khandekar explains that extreme weather events are occurring today with about the same frequency as they did during the 1945-1977 global cooling period.

The National Climate Data Center website reveals that, with the exception of most precipitation in 24 hours, no statewide extreme weather records have been set in Illinois during the past three decades.

Highest temperature — 1954

Lowest temperature — 1900

Most precipitation in 24 hours — 1996

Most snowfall in 24 hours — 1900

Greatest snow depth — 1900 & 1979

Tom Harris
Executive Director
International Climate Science Coalition (ICSC)
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

From the Nov. 2-8, 2011, issue