Lords Park Zoo is important part of Elgin

My grandfather told me one of the reasons he came to Elgin was because of the very Beautiful Lords Park. I grew up going to Lords Park almost daily as a kid in nice weather.

I learned to ice skate on the lagoon. As an adolescent and teen, Lords Park was the place to go for fun with my friends. We'd bring a sack lunch and spend the day.

I took my little brother there ever since he was old enough to sit in my bike basket. I remember the old zoo. I remember the snake pit. Lords Park is a great place for family fun and education. I always take out of town guests to our parks and tell of my memories growing up here in Elgin. Some of the children today will never have the opportunity to see a real live bison or elk up close if they can't see it here. They will read about it in school. They may see a picture, but that's all.

It's all about cutbacks again. I'd like to know the exact amount of money that's going into all that cement being poured downtown into many huge flower, tree containing receptacles with big trucks standing around, motors running, lots of men workers standing around just visiting.

Oh, how I long for Marie Yearman back! A trusted councilman who watched the Elgin taxpayers' money closely!

Thank you, Elgin Daily Herald, for reporting that neither Elgin Mayor Ed Schock nor City Manager Sean Stegall could be reached for comment! Speaks volumes to Elgin's taxpaying citizens.

I personally don't want to see cement. I'd rather watch the animals at the zoo. Far more interesting. Elginites, speak up, be counted! It's your town, and your money!

Verna Homewood

Elgin