Mt. Prospect storm response first rate

To the editor: On Aug. 23, our area was ravaged by a severe storm with damaging winds. The rainfall was extreme and tornado-like winds toppled trees, taking wires with them as they fell.

In the aftermath, streets were impassible, there was much flooding, homes and businesses were left without electricity. I was fortunate to have retained power but know many residents who were without.

Thanks to the outstanding efforts of Mike Janonis, Public Works and the entire village staff, our town was promptly returned to great condition. I know this was accomplished through long hours of hard work. Their concern for the residents and business owners was very sincere and the entire cleanup was handled very professionally.

I'm confident that I speak for all residents as I offer thanks and praise to our village and Public Works for a job well done!

Bennett P. Trapani

Mount Prospect

Unwanted smoke is a terrible burden

To the editor: As a baby, child and adult I was around smokers practically all the time. I have resented smoking all my life, but had no choice hut to grin and bear it. Both of my parents were smokers, both had terrible lung problems and died gasping for air. I loved them dearly and wouldn't wish that kind of death on anyone.

Many years ago, we changed our inside wood-burning fireplace to gas because the fumes were terrible to breathe. I support the idea to ban outside, wood-burning fireplaces.

Our homes are too close to allow someone to burn in their backyard. No one should have to breathe the smoke that comes from an outside fireplace. Ban them!

A special bravo to Ken Dubinski who has taken up the cause to allow us to breathe clean air!

Rosemary Glaubitz

Elk Grove Village

Support growing for fireplace bans

To the editor: From the many supportive responses that I have received since my letter appeared (Aug 13) on seeking a ban on all outside, wood burning fireplaces/fire pits that cause unnecessary and unneeded air pollution and is harmful to our health, I encourage people to contact their elected officials.

Also, a writer asked where more information can be attained about negative effects of wood-burning emissions: http://burningissues.org/car-www/index.html.

Local communities and the state are in the midst of an air pollution and health disaster that is being felt in many states. The particulates (PM2.5) in the emissions from outside and inside wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits enter the lungs of all who happen to be in the area, even with all the doors and windows closed.

As L. Backus and E. Backus wrote at burningissues.org, a neighbor who burns wood, and thus deprives other neighbors their right to breathe fresh air, is committing environmental terrorism.

Wood smoke is heavier than air and does not rise and disappear. These emissions can be trapped near the ground and drift along the ground into our yard, home and our lungs. Wood-burning releases many air pollutants: chlorinated dioxin; carbon monoxide; methane; volatile organic compounds; nitrogen oxides; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; and fine particulate matter.

Supporting a prohibition on outside, wood-burning fireplaces, fire pits, outside wood boilers, chimineas and burn barrels in our communities and throughout the State of Illinois is an easy, cost-free and pro-active way to save our air and prevent health problems.

Also, prohibit new construction of inside wood-burning fireplaces.

The State of Illinois should also pay the cost (up to 50 percent or a maximum dollar amount) to those who voluntarily covert their inside wood-burning fireplace to gas or electric.

To add your name and address to the Supporters List, e-mail me at breathe.healthy.air@gmail.com or mail to P.O. Box 861, Elk Grove Village, IL 60009.

Together, we can end the unneeded and unnecessary air pollution and negative health effects of these noxious, poisonous and harmful emissions before it's too late for the environment...and us!

Kenneth D. Dubinski

Elk Grove Village

Village should ban outdoor stoves, too

To the editor: I commend Kenneth D. Dubinski from Elk Grove Village on his letter referring to a ban on outdoor wood burning stoves. When this first came about in our town I could not believe that they approved the use of such devices.

Back in 2004, I called to the village and fire department to log my complaint, as I felt this violated my right to open my windows and doors during nice weather. It was also difficult to take walks at night and not breathe the smoky fumes emitted into the air.

If Elk Grove Village is so committed to approve a smoking ban in all public places for undeniable health reasons, shouldn't they reconsider the same for wood burning stoves?

Pat Janiga

Elk Grove Village

Light is needed for church traffic

To the editor: I am writing in regard to the traffic jams that are created on Barrington Road when Willow Creek Church services let out, and South Barrington police who are directing traffic for the benefit of the church goers.

On Sunday, Aug. 26, the traffic was backed up southbound from the church parking lot entrance to Algonquin Road, with two lanes of traffic most of the way.

Two police officers not in uniform, with a police car, (were) standing directing traffic. There was another officer, not in uniform, manning the traffic control box at the corner of Barrington Road and Mundhank Road. Traffic was equally backed up going north on Barrington Road.

I assume the police are being paid by Willow Creek Church and are not in uniform for that reason. I had a conversation some months ago with a South Barrington police lieutenant regarding this problem and was told, in a belligerent manner, if I didn't like it to go a different way.

I think there should be a traffic light installed on Barrington Road and the church parking lot entrance that would be green all the time except when church services are letting out. Then it should be programmed with the traffic lights at Mundhank and Algonquin roads to ensure a smooth traffic flow with no need for police direction.

Don Carle

Hoffman Estates

Apostrophe usage is actually correct

To the editor: In response to Missy Rubino's rant about the proper use of an apostrophe (Neighbor Fence Post, Sept. 3) I am compelled to offer some useful information.

Certainly, as a father of a new kindergartner, I find children's exposure to misplaced punctuation a concern. Is it, however, justifiable to vilify "every one" of the educators at Stevenson and the entire editorial staff at a major newspaper? This is, of course, assuming that Rubino is correct … which she is not.

In fact, the very word "apostrophe" comes from the Greek word meaning elision, or "turning away." Its earliest use was for the omission of letters or numbers as it is still used today in '07.

Its whimsical use behind a heart symbol is an accepted practice as the actual letters, L-O-V-E, are dropped.

Stevenson's attempt to welcome nervous children and families should not be mitigated in spite of perceived inaccuracies. How ironic that Shakespeare's first use of the apostrophe, as in "Love's Labour Lost," has apparently been on Rubino.

Next time she should brush up on linguistics history and perhaps spew her venom toward real problems, like those darn exclamation points!

Tom Bleasdale

Arlington Heights