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The Lincoln Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are received.
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Lincoln Daily News.com
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Lincoln, IL 62656

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The mission of Lincoln Daily News is to tell the stories of Logan County in a contemporaneous manner, with lively writing and a predilection for simple truth fairly told. Lincoln Daily News seeks a relationship with the good people of Logan County that is honest, neighborly and never patronizing. Lincoln Daily News presents news within a full context that contributes to understanding. Lincoln Daily News is more interested in the marketplace of ideas than the competition of personalities. Without shrinking from the bold delivery of unvarnished fact, Lincoln Daily News operates from the premise that God's creatures deserve the presumption of right motive. Lincoln Daily News eschews malice and cynicism; it approaches every person with dignity and every subject with equanimity. In short, Lincoln Daily News informs, stimulates and entertains.

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ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com

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Citizen demands judicial reform

7-19-02

Dear Editor:

I am a citizen of Illinois, where Gov. Ryan has imposed a moratorium on the death penalty and the ISP Crime Lab is coming under attack. An example of the problem in Illinois is the conviction of Julie Rea Harper. Julie is a Ph.D. candidate at Indiana University, with no criminal background, who has been wrongly convicted of murdering her son, Joel Kirkpatrick.

Because police chose Julie as the only suspect, there were many problems with the investigation. The intruder who killed Joel and attacked Julie was never seriously investigated; nor did investigators attempt to thoroughly collect evidence. Rumors were taken as fact; evidence that could have excluded her was ignored; Joel’s own words (regarding fear for his life — documented in official reports) were "lost"; the star prosecution/only character witness against Julie was her ex-husband. (Check www.justiceforjulieandjoel.org, public records, and www.abcnews.com (20/20) for more info.)

I don’t know Julie, but I believe her to be innocent. If she could be convicted simply because she was there, any of us could be as easily convicted. Because these problems exist in all states, we must contact our elected officials and DEMAND the system be fixed. Remind them that they work for us.

Shelly Stropes

Marshall, Ill.


LDC sold out? Did Don Moss ‘Lobbyist,’ the governor and some senators make a deal?

7-16-02

To the editor:

Don Moss’ letter in July 11, 2002, Tribune states, "The article suggests that we advocates who have been fighting for the closure of LDC are all somehow tied to state government." He goes on to say, "Nothing is farther from the truth."

Celeste Garrett was correct in her article that Moss and government are joined at the hip.

I have in my hands a memo from Don Moss & Associates dated 06-11-02 to DM & A Clients.

Memo states:

Re: URGENT ACTION NEEDED THIS MORNING!

Quote: "The Governor asked Don to meet with him this morning and urged everyone’s help in defeating the override of motion #74" (to keep LDC open).

Don goes on to say he told the governor that we were already working the Senate to close LDC.

Memo goes on to say, "The Governor said that he would consider supporting the COLA if we can get LDC closed."

The parents of LDC residents want only the best for our loved ones, who are some of the most fragile in our state.

Don Moss "Lobbyist," the governor and some senators made a deal. This had nothing to do with the safety of the severely disabled.

I am sure this memo was not meant to get into the hands of the voters, much less we parents whose daughter lives at LDC.

Larry Bruns

Taylorville

Editor’s note: Don Moss is United Cerebral Palsy of Illinois executive director and a state lobbyist for companies that seek to move funding away from state-operated facilities toward community services.


LDC closure

7-13-02

To the editor:

What is happening at LDC is an atrocity. People are in utter turmoil; rules and protocol are changed to fit the plan of closing.

It is NOT in the best interest of the residents. One elderly man fell and broke his pelvis, and in less than a week they were shipping him to Howe. The man has a history of bone problems, he has had two hip replacements, but the Davidsmeyer can’t wait for the pain to lessen or P.T. to be effective.

Residents there that don’t want to move are being drugged with Ativan so they won’t be a problem to move. They are also being lied to — told that they are "going to a doctor’s appointment," etc. ... just to get them in the vehicle and on their way to placement. HOW UNETHICAL IS THAT?!?!?! 

Is this how you want your loved one or yourself treated? Where are the rights that we have strived to enforce for so long?

Thank you, Don Todd, Dan Senters and Charlie Sanders. You have done your best for LDC!

Thank you, Judge Behle, for being a decent HUMAN with values and morals. 

Sherry Jennings

San Jose

 


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Please send your letters by e-mail to ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com or by U.S. postal mail to:

Letters to the Editor
Lincoln Daily News
601 Keokuk St.
Lincoln, IL  62656

Letters must include the writer's name, telephone number, mailing address and/or e-mail address (we will not publish address or phone number information). Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to edit letters to reduce their size or to correct obvious errors. Lincoln Daily News reserves the right to reject any letter for any reason. Lincoln Daily News will publish as many acceptable letters as space allows. 


 

 

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Letters to the Editor