Time to look beyond our own backyards

I see NIMBY is alive and well in the Northwest suburbs. But how "well" can that be? With NIMBY'S head buried in the sand, weighted down with misinformation, the status quo will remain the same.

For those of you not aware, there is a pressing need for housing of mentally ill people in the Northwest suburbs.

In Arlington Heights alone, there are several hundred of these individuals who deserve and desire adequate housing for themselves. These unfortunate individuals have their mental disorders under control with appropriate medications. But where can they live?

Parents may be dead or aging and other siblings/relatives may have family obligations of their own. Where can these individuals find suitable housing? Not in Arlington Heights!

The proposed plan for the Boeger apartments has requests for several variations which need the approval of the Village of Arlington Heights. One of them concerns the number of parking spaces at the facility. It seems doubtful that all, if any, of the residents would have private cars. Thirty spaces should be adequate. Why so much consternation over this issue?

As to complaints of nearby residents about non-notification of meetings held by the DAVERI group/THRESHOLDS, I believe the legal requirements for notification were fulfilled. If residents so notified failed to read those letters and did not attend the meetings, THEY did not fulfill their obligations as citizens.

This is not a perfect site; nothing ever is. However, mentally ill people who have their disorders well controlled will be willing to put up with some minor problems. Transportation difficulties can be worked out and the traffic involved with the day-care center close by would be tolerable to those who just desire a place to call their own.

As to the view from their window, that is the least of the problems bothering the mentally ill.

Maybe it is time for residents of Arlington Heights to "trade places" with the mentally ill and ask themselves, "Is our attitude the correct one? How would I feel if one of my own became mentally ill? What would I do then?" It could happen, you know!

Patricia D. Herrmann

Arlington Heights