Sarto should recall who elected him

This letter is in regard to Carpentersville Village President Bill Sarto's Aug. 30 comments in Fence Post.

Sarto doesn't think the proposed ordinance to impound vehicles of drivers without a license or without insurance, is not for safety, but to target Hispanics.

Well, Sarto is wrong. The proposal does not mention race, but would get all people out of cars and trucks who are breaking the law and putting other people in danger.

Obviously, Sarto has never been hit by a driver with no insurance or lost a loved one to someone who didn't have a license.

These people should not be allowed behind the wheel of a vehicle. It's not my fault that most of these people might be Hispanic.

So I find it disturbing that he doesn't see this as a safety issue. Maybe the money brought in by this could go to some good use -- like for the police department or road improvements.

As for Sarto's stance on the illegal immigrants, it would be nice to see him stick up for the legal citizens of Carpentersville and maybe try to do something about it. It seems he'd rather be just like the federal government and do nothing. Turn your head the other way.

If enough village leaders would get together, maybe change can happen. But to do nothing is a disservice to the legal residents of Carpentersville.

Sarto was elected by the people for the people, not illegal people.

I find it scary that Sarto and many other politicians really don't understand the word "illegal."

Chris Schnackel

Carpentersville

Shouldn't pay for transit not used

Hooray for members of the Illinois House who voted down a tripling of the mass transit sales tax in the collar counties.

Let's hope they stick to their guns and shoot down a threatened attempt at another tax hike.

Suburban residents can find better uses for their money than sending it to a regional transit system almost none of them use.

Steve Stanek

McHenry

Honor those who protect us daily

On the sixth anniversary of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, we need to honor all those who lost their lives on that day and remember all those who ensure our freedoms on a daily basis.

There was a true spirit of patriotism and a feeling of love of country right after 9/11. Today, that spirit is not there.

We do not see as many American flags being flown. We do not thank our first responders as much as we did then.

And the men and women who put on the uniform of the United States need to be honored and thanked on a daily basis.

The spirit that lived in all of us in this country has faded away, the spirit that caused us to bring cookies to the local firehouse just to say thanks or put the American flag on the front door with pride. That yellow ribbon on your car has now faded.

We can never forget what happened that day. We can never forget those brave men and women who every day go out and risk their lives to ensure the freedoms we hold so dear.

Eric Schuller

President

Operation

Homefront Illinois

Willowbrook

Why shouldn't law be enforced?

I have a driver's license, auto insurance, and I do not drink and drive.

If it takes larger fees for individuals to get their vehicles returned after violating the law, I am all for it. I don't see how anyone could be against this.

When people get behind the wheel without a driver's license or insurance or after drinking, they are making a decision to violate the law.

I do not understand how enforcing our laws can be called racism. Enforcing our laws helps to protect the safety of everyone, regardless of race.

Apparently, what Carpentersville has been doing hasn't been working.

Reading the Daily Herald's police reports section pertaining to Carpentersville, one roadside safety check at one intersection resulted in one DUI, 12 driving without a license, 19 with no insurance, five driving on a suspended license and one driving on a revoked license.

This is a group of people we should crack down on.

I agree that the role of local government is to solve problems and these individuals are a problem.

Maybe with stiffer penalties, they will decide not to get behind the wheel and endanger everyone else.

Ronald R. Kowalski

Carpentersville

License enforcement is about road safety

In response to Carpenters-ville Village President Bill Sarto's letter, yes, it is about safety when people drive illegally on our highways.

Driving without a driver's license, without insurance or under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal.

If it takes a hard deterrent, so be it. They shouldn't be driving.

This is happening all over the country, not just in one place or state. The government and leaders of this country are dragging their feet on illegal immigration because of money and power.

Something has to be done about this as soon as possible. It's costing us tons of money that could be used for our citizens in need in this country.

Why don't our leaders and officials understand the word illegal? They should be working to keep our citizens and highways safe from unlawful drivers.

John Fernandes

Hampshire

Sarto's responses lame and insulting

Bill Sarto's recent letter is probably his lamest attempt yet to defend not enforcing or enacting laws in Carpenters-ville so Hispanics won't feel targeted.

I couldn't care less what ethnic group reasonable law enforcement targets or inconveniences.

Let me tell you about my neighborhood. I don't like seeing three to four families crammed into one house, sending 10 children to my neighborhood schools on a "single-family home" tax payment.

I don't like 20 bags of garbage being stacked out in front of numerous houses in my neighborhood every garbage day, because not all of it fits into the bins provided to each house by the village.

I don't like the constant noise pollution, which has gone largely unpunished and runs rampant on the streets of the east side.

I don't like abiding by laws that many of my neighbors continually ignore, like not parking over the sidewalks or in the streets or buying vehicle stickers.

I do not have any patience for anybody who hops behind the wheel without a driver's license and insurance.

I don't care who they are. They are taking somebody else's life and property into their hands every single day they break these laws.

Have you been hit by somebody with no driver's license and no insurance? I have. It is quite costly.

My father's vehicle was totaled on the way to work by somebody driving on a suspended license and with no insurance.

Sure, we all have uninsured motorist coverage, but why is the onus on the legally licensed driver to look out for those without a license or insurance?

Why should legal drivers have to be put in harm's way by those who simply cannot be bothered to follow the law?

Other towns have already passed laws similar to this one. Other towns are already practicing code enforcement in an effort to keep their villages looking and running sharp.

Sarto's unwillingness to enforce or enact laws to protect citizens of this village is insufferable, but his need to play the race card at every turn is insulting.

Carolyn Gowins

Carpentersville