Storm shows how 'global' we can be
To the editor: It's rather sad that it sometimes takes a disaster to bring out a sense of community in people -- to get people relating to one another. In our recent extensive power loss, at least on the 500 block of Lincoln Lane, people left their homes early on. The air conditioning was gone; there was no TV or computer, so it seemed only natural to seek other humans.
I met some people I had not officially met before, though I hate to admit this.
On our block, the east side of the street had already lost power for about 12 hours on Wednesday, the 22nd. Since those on the west side still had electricity, we eventually ran a long extension cord across the street in order to keep our sump pump running.
When another high wind came on Thursday afternoon the 23rd, the west side of the street went out first, so the power sharing was reversed. However, shortly after midnight, those of us on the east side lost power again, and the long, powerless period began.
It definitely wasn't fun, it was worrisome and isolating. However, all disasters seem to have positive aspects. On our block, some folks already had generators and quite a few were able to find and purchase them. What struck me was that the goal was not to make life easier -- the goal appeared from the start to be getting everyone on the block a source of power to prevent flooding.
Our neighbors across the street did not plug in their refrigerator or freezer until everyone nearby had had sufficient "juice" to run a pump.
Our planet is experiencing disastrous times. Why can't we wake up to the fact that we are a global community?
Sherry Schultz
Arlington Heights
Wheeling misses airport approach
To the editor: Chicago Executive Airport is going to miss another great opportunity thanks to Wheeling's power-hungry politicians.
A world-class business aviation developer has expressed interest in building a new multi-million dollar service facility at the airport, interested enough to give the airport a security deposit nine months ago.
However, this developer is growing tired of waiting for the airport to decide who is in charge of the facility, the appointed Airport Board and the aviation professionals who have been running it for years, or the Wheeling politicians and their team of yes-men who seem to think the airport is their personal toy.
In the meantime, other airport business is standing still while local politics plays out yet again.
The village of Wheeling is currently on a witch hunt to remove the current Board Chairman Kevin Dohm, the way they removed me. Neither of us are, or were, willing to kowtow to Wheeling's demands because we know the airport comes first.
The politicians in Wheeling have already proven they have no clue about how to run Chicago Executive Airport.
Now the citizens of Wheeling should know as well that it's time to tell the village to stand to one side and let the aviation professionals do what they do best.
They have a joint meeting scheduled at the Wheeling Village Hall on Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
Bob Dourlain
Wheeling
Try living next to a neighbor's fire pit
To the editor: In response to Ms. Carolyn Clinton's letter for chastising Mr. Dubinski's letter about "Fire Pits."
Picture this: The weather is mild, my bedroom windows are open, I go to bed (10:30 p.m.), and suddenly my house is filled with what smells like burning garbage.
No my house is not on fire -- it's my neighbor's fire pit.
Ms. Clinton, maybe you would change your opinion if it was you.
As for charcoal grills -- not many people grill at 10:30 p.m.
Mrs. C. Swanson
Arlington Heights
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 news paper? 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 it has 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
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 which 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 snail 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
Light 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 churchgoers.
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