Rooney's tactics a disappointment

To the editor: I read with interest Nadia Malik's "New accusations over airport" article in today's issue of the Daily Herald regarding Mark Mr. Rooney's pressure tactics.

We are also having issues with Rooney's tactics. We have a copy of a Sept. 20, 2007, letter written by him to Steven M. Bylina Jr., general superintendent of Cook County Forest Preserve, asking him for 11.4 acres of forest preserve land for "use and maintenance" by the "property owner to the north" of the parcel (which just happens to be the Westin Hotel). Apparently, with the unveiling of the Cooper's Hawk Restaurant and Winery, additional parking will be needed.

No notice was given to the "property owners to the south"; their concerns were not deemed important for Mr. Rooney to consider. He wants to "improve" this ever-shrinking bit of wilderness, sanctuary to a multitude of birds and animals by building stagnant water detention ponds and parking lots.

Forest preservation was once considered a sacred trust to pass on to future generations; now it's up for grabs to the highest bidder.

We expected Wheeling to have better ethics.

Barbara Wroblewski

Wheeling