LDN

About LDN	Letters to the Editor

About LDN
Lincoln Daily News.com 601 Keokuk St. Lincoln, IL 62656 TEL: (217) 732-7443 FAX: (217) 732-9630 Lincoln Daily News publishes daily news about the Lincoln/Logan County area on the Internet at www.lincolndailynews.com. (We are not a print publication.) All subscriptions are free! Content: The articles published in Lincoln Daily News are the result of research, interviews and news releases submitted. Any opinions expressed are those of the writers. Our staff: In the office Managing editor: Jan Youngquist ldneditor@lincolndailynews.com Technician, photo editor, graphic designer: [Click here] Text processing: Mary Krallmann Advertising sales and public relations: Lucky Eichner: ads@lincolndailynews.com Writers [Click here] For employment information, contact us.	Our mission: 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. Corrections: Please contact us by phone, fax, mail or e-mail with any information about mistakes, typos or erroneous information. If the error is in an item that is still in the paper, we will correct it online immediately. Our services: Lincoln Daily News provides daily news, sports, features and commentary on Lincoln, Logan County and the surrounding area. To promote local businesses, we offer display advertisements at very reasonable rates and links to business websites. Call (217) 732-7443 or e-mail ads@lincolndailynews.com. To submit classified ads, click here. "Happy ads" are a special feature to enable our readers to celebrate birthdays, graduations, anniversaries and other good news. Call us for details.

Letters to the Editor
The Lincoln Daily News publishes letters to the editor as they are received. The letters are not edited in content and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lincoln Daily News. Lincoln Daily News requests that writers responding to controversial issues address the issue and refrain from personal attacks. Thank you! . 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.

Thanks from the Lincoln Junior Woman's Club
To the editor: I would like to take this opportunity to thank the citizens of Lincoln and the following Lincoln businesses for their support during our 2002-2003 fund-raiser year, with the generosity of these downtown businesses like Beans & Such, Coffee with Einstein, Franz Express, Guzzardo's Italian Villa, Kathleen's Hallmark, Merle Norman Cosmetics, MKS Jewelers, Prairie Years, Sports Plus, The Tan House. The community is able to receive discounts from these businesses since they helped our club by purchasing one of our LJWC discount cards. It's always appreciated when local and visiting citizens purchase lunch and snacks from our annual concession stand located in the Latham Park during the Art & Balloon Festival. This is a unique privilege for our club since we were the original founders that started the Art Fair. [to top of second column in this letter]	With the community’s generosity of supporting our fund-raisers, we are able to provide many financial donations, along with many activities also need our (lady) power. We were able to provide for our local schools, hospital, police department programs, children's library, Logan County Fair, LCHS senior awards, parks, Oasis center and too many other projects. With a grateful heart our club members and myself would like to say "thank you" for supporting Lincoln Junior Woman's Club. Be looking for our next donation to the Scully Park. Thank you. Angela Getchel President 2002-2003 (posted 6-7-03)

Shoes, a vital element in Civil War
To the editor: In reference to Wednesday LDN article, "Don't miss this fun opportunity": Just a short note to let you know that soldiers who attended the Civil War dances barefoot did so not because they were "poor" but because they had no shoes. This may sound like a foolish statement, but I assure you it is not so. Soldiers had no shoes because they had worn theirs out or because the army (both federal and Confederate) had none to issue. Individual finances had nothing to do with it. One of the reasons the battle of Gettysburg was fought was because it was rumored (falsely) that there was a shoe factory there and the Confederates believed shoes could be obtained for the troops. The Army of Northern Virginia (Lee) diverted from their objective of Harrisburg to Gettysburg to get shoes and other provisions. There they met the Army of the Potomac (Meade) who was shadowing them. The rest, as they say, is history. [to top of second column in this letter]	Interestingly enough, many battles were fought by barefoot soldiers. One of the problems the Confederates had at Gettysburg was the difference in the soils. Their feet were used to the rich dirt of Virginia, not the rocky soil of southern Pennsylvania. Sincerely, Ed Stanfield Sr. Springfield (posted 6-6-03)

Goodbye, AFSCME union hall
To the editor: To the people that kept the union alive even after closure: Thank you. Thank you to the prison union for the donations that helped keep the hall open this long. Many former LDC workers go daily to the union hall, some of us go weekly, others call in for updates. Possibly before the end of the month there will no longer be an AFSCME union hall. The bulletin boards are bare, the numerous battles fought over the years that were heralded when triumphant no longer are visible. There are no local union dues coming in, there is no funding for the rent or utilities. Another piece of the fabric that was part of LDC is unraveling. Another means that we had to keep in touch with each other disappears. Charlie Sanders worked so hard daily for his convictions -- a good, hardworking man with decent morals who was always present "up at the union hall." Thanks, Charlie. Don, Kim, Dan... thanks to you, too, for the time and services that you rendered. [to top of second column in this letter]	Although people growled about union wages, I bet today if those same people could get a union job, they would be glad to pay dues. I know I would. On June 14 at noon at the Madigan South Annex Pavilion we will be having a picnic for former LDC staff/families. It would be great to get EVERYONE together, bring a dish to pass and pictures if you have any. Let's relive some great memories made by some great people. Most of all, let's spend some quality time together. And if you see the people responsible for keeping us open as long as they did, please, encourage them to come. They need a big pat on the back for what they continued to do after closure -- they got us scheduled to reopen! Sherry Jennings San Jose (posted 6-6-03)

Over 25 percent tax increase
To the editor: Who gave Lincoln Park District permission to increase Lincoln, Ill., property owners' taxes by over 25 percent this year? After I examined my latest real-estate tax bills that I received this week and compared each taxing body's individual tax represented on the face of the tax bill to the taxes billed last year, I could clearly see that Lincoln Park District had increased their portion of my tax bill on each of my tax bills by over 25 percent. I believe each of the remaining Lincoln property owners will discover these same results. I became outraged after this latest discovery, because just last year Lincoln Park District knowingly and willfully attempted to renew a $3.5 million bond increase, once again without the public's knowledge or consent. This bond increase was stopped by the tireless efforts of several local activists that obtained more than the required number of signatures to force the bond renewal effort on the ballot so all area voters could decide if they wanted to have this $3,500,000 bond issue renewed. After Lincoln Park District learned that this bond renewal would meet the voters' wrath, they withdrew it from the ballot. They then chose this latest scheme to raise our real-estate taxes by over 25 percent without local taxpayers' knowledge or consent. [to top of second column in this letter]	In light of their actions to perpetrate a fraud on the property owners of Lincoln -- on two separate occasions -- in my opinion, I believe it is time for the citizens of Lincoln to take control of and disband the Lincoln Park District and turn over its assets to the local YMCA. I am not sure of the proper procedure to accomplish this, but I am available to lead the fight if the public so chooses. Would you trust the Lincoln Park District if they were your investment company? Les Van Bibber Lincoln (posted 6-6-03)

Parent appreciates LCHS
To the editor: My son Chris Macrander was one of the many fine students that graduated Lincoln Community High School on Saturday, May 31, 2003. Along with my mother, stepdad, cousin and oldest son, we would like to say to Joyce Hubbard and the rest of the speakers, students included, that that was a fantastic, well-organized ceremony. When the valedictorian spoke you could tell that she was "truly speaking from the heart." And I would also like to say a big, heart-filled thank-you to Annie Evers, Melissa Koning and Mike Andrews for being emotionally supportive of Chris when he needed it. May God keep blessing you all. Debbi G. Thompson (posted 6-5-03)	. 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.

Animal control facility greatly improved
To the editor: Pat O'Neill, our new Logan County Board member and chairman of the animal control committee, deserves a round of applause for a job well done. Although he was appointed to chair a committee that got the most heat and least glory, he has shown creativity in problem solving and most of all the drive and desire to do what he has been elected and selected to do as a board member. I have written letters in the past and voiced numerous concerns over the county's handling of animal control but, folks, we have a winner in Pat O'Neill. The man was serious when he said he was trying. He has been thoughtful, fair and honest in all of his dealings, whether it be [with] the employees, public, constituents, press, or the abused or homeless animals he is trying to serve and protect. He is creative in his thinking on how the shelter should be run and financed. He is not afraid to ask questions, and we all know how difficult that can be at times, to seek fair and just solutions. I was at Animal Control today and was astonished to find cars in the lot, the door propped open as a welcome and puppies playing in a cage in the shade in the front. There was a medium-size dog sitting, almost like a statue, in the corner of the office. There were two men in the office. One was on the phone when I walked in, and he looked up and acknowledged that I was there by a brief smile and then back to his business on the phone. When he finished his conversation and finished writing his notes, he stood up and looked at the cage and said, matter-of-factly, "What's the story with this cat?" It was then I realized that my story was unimportant -- it was his at seeing yet another woeful face looking up at him for help, kindness and understanding. [to top of second column in this letter]	In short, I was impressed by the professionalism displayed by the employees at the animal control facility and believe it is due to the changes employed by Pat O'Neill. In closing, I was pleasantly surprised by the changes since I was last at the facility in December. I know it's a tough, dirty and mostly thankless job, and I take my hat off to the people who can do this type of honorable work. I know that Pat is working tirelessly in his goal to bring and keep this facility up to and exceeding existing standards. The community needs to do its part as well. SPAY and NEUTER your pets. Encourage friends and co-workers to do the same. Did I mention SPAY and NEUTER your pets? Report abuse of animals. This includes the infamous barn cats who are usually treated with no better judgment than furry mouse traps. Support your Animal Control and volunteer if you can. Pedigree is OK, but nothing can put as much love in your life than the critter you adopt that will know and appreciate a much better life. Most of all, go out and see for yourself what changes have been made, and bring home something to enrich your life. Sincerely, Mary Rousey (posted 5-31-03)

Relay For Life a success
To the editor: As co-chairs of this year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Logan County, we would like to thank Lincoln Daily News for the coverage of our relay. We would like to sincerely thank residents of this community for their generosity and support. Sixty teams participated in this year's event, raising over $61,000. We had over 100 survivors participate in the survivor lap, even with the rainy weather. The top team was Cutler Hammer-Eaton Ethel's Angels 3, captain Karen Lovelace; second-place team, "Angels All Around" Lessen family, captain Susan Gehlbach; third place, MII Boomerangs, captain Donna Miles. The top individuals were Terry Dyer, Carmen Zurkamer and Fran Petersen. We also want to extend a special thanks to the many Relay For Life volunteers who worked to make this event a success. The Relay For Life committee did an outstanding job of helping with the event. Committee members are Joye Anderson, Marilyn Armbrust, Diane Blaum, Ethel Buchanan, Lisa Curcuru, Jim Drew, Dick Eimer, Susan Gehlbach, Karen Hargis, Shirley Hayes, Emily Kohl, Judy Medaris, Donna Miles, Donna Miller, Kaye Paris, Bill Post, Wally and Nancy Reese, Marlin Roos, Jackie Sullivan, Gerardo and Vivian Valdes. [to top of second column in this letter]	We also appreciate the generosity of this year's corporate sponsors. Gold sponsors: CEFCU, Family Medical Center, Lincolnland Communications/Cingular, Wal-Mart, Lincoln Christian College and Seminary. Silver sponsors are Cutler Hammer-Eaton, Country Insurance, Graue Inc., Logan County Farm Bureau, Logan County Paramedics Assoc., Quality Glass & Glazing, Joe Hackett Music 4U DJ Service, Union Planters Bank, Jack and Marilyn Wombacher. Bronze sponsors: AmerenCILCO, Graue Pharmacy, Logan County Bank, Manning & McQuellon, MII Industries, Papa John's Pizza, and State Bank. Thanks to Lincoln Christian College and Seminary for the use of their beautiful facility, and their cooperation made our relay a success! Sincerely, Kathy Blaum and Mary Ellen Martin, co-chairs American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Logan County (posted 5-31-03)
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