Forest preserve needs reality check

I would like to respond to an article written by Russell Lissau on Oct. 8 concerning the recent disclosure by the Lake County Forest Preserve Board to purchase an additional four parcels of land for more than $10 million.

I realize that Lake County voters approved a $185 million plan to purchase additional forest preserve land in 2008, but here are three facts that they should consider before any additional land purchases:

1. Lake County's unemployment rate is hovering around 10 percent. This is approximately a 36 percent increase since August of 2008.

2. Not-for-profit organizations that provide food, shelter and other services to the unemployed and homeless are seeing record number of requests from Lake County residents looking for assistance.

3. There is no need to purchase land to slow down development since there is very little land that is being developed at this time.

Just because our Lake County Forest Board has our money to spend on additional land should not mean that they should spend it right now.

With so many Lake County families suffering during these hard economic times, I think it would be irresponsible to make any additional land purchases at this time.

Please call your Lake County Forest Preserve Board Member and remind them that our Lake County residents are our most valuable asset and that they should say "no" to any additional land purchases.

Gary L. Ganz

Round Lake