Another bad spot for Olympic events

The latest news on the Olympic equestrian facilities, as reported by Mick Zawislak, is very frustrating to those of us trying to preserve our forest preserves. While it would be great to have the Olympics nearby, it's clearly ridiculous -- and unnecessary -- to put it in such an inappropriate place.

Mr. Zawislak noted that the original plan, plunking the horse facilities down in Lakewood Forest Preserve "... drew opposition from some residents and environmental groups ..."

It seems the solution from Chicago's 2016 Olympic organizers is to move the event to Raven Glen Forest Preserve. Obviously, building hundreds of acres of stadiums, paddocks and other equestrian infrastructure at a different forest preserve doesn't solve the problem, and I can report that both the residents and environmental groups, including Sierra Club, are still strongly opposed to a Raven Glen Forest Preserve Olympics.

I suppose that the International Olympic Committee's charter, "... to encourage and support a responsible concern for environmental issues ..." doesn't matter when politics are in play. And our elected leaders are oblivious to the fact that our forest preserves were purchased, and are now supported, by its citizens to preserve and restore natural areas.

Abbott Laboratories has a strong hand in this process. If the Lake County Board and Abbott Laboratories are so interested in attracting the Olympics, then put it on Abbott land or some other non-forest preserve place in the county. Our opposition to these bad proposals won't end until Olympic planners use some common sense.

Larry Marvet

conservation chair

Sierra Club Woods

& Wetlands Group

Buffalo Grove

Daily Herald shows compassion