Duck story saves lives of two fowl

To the editor: Thank you so much for your recent story about the rescued ruddy duck in DuPage County.

I live in Prospect Heights, across the street from Lake Claire. We always have Canada geese stopping by the lake to drink, rest and eat grass. This past summer, one of the geese was hit by a car and suffered a broken wing. He couldn't fly anymore, so stayed at the lake all season. We saw him interacting with other incoming geese and he seemed healthy.

We called a number of rehabilitation centers and were told we had responsibility for catching the goose. We tried four to five times, but the goose always got away!

Once the cold set in and the lake began to freeze, we began to really worry. Our goose could starve, or worse, be attacked by a wandering coyote. We were very concerned and didn't know what to do. Then your wonderful story appeared in the Herald!

We left word with one of the organizations mentioned, Bird Collision Monitors (www.birdmonitors.net). The next day, Valerie Andrla drove all the way from Bartlett to help us catch our goose! At the same time, we also found and caught an injured mallard that couldn't fly. Once we had both birds safely in crates, we drove them to Flint Creek Wildlife Rehabilitation in Barrington (www.flintcreekwildlife.org) where the animals are now being evaluated.

I cannot tell you how happy I am that I no longer have to look at this poor injured goose sitting alone in the middle of the frozen lake each day!

Stories such as yours are such a welcome change from the "darkness" that permeates the news today. Please continue reporting on the goodness in people.

And, again, congratulations on helping to save two injured animals!

Kathy Preziosi

Prospect Heights

County needs health board

To the editor: There should no longer be a question in anyone's mind about the necessity of creating an independent governing board for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services.

The bureau is in a financial crisis following years of management deficiencies compounded by the recent loss of federal funds. The bureau's financial management problems have been too well documented, too many intelligent and knowledgeable people have concluded that a new oversight board is needed, and our most vulnerable citizens' medical need is too great to be ignored.

Cook County must act immediately to create an independent board of directors for the Bureau of Health to oversee day-to-day operations including hiring, firing, contracts, purchasing and finances.

These directors should be professionals with significant expertise in the management of major health care operations. The role of the Cook County Board of Commissioners should be limited to appropriating adequate funds for the bureau to carry out its mission.

Management decisions must be reserved for the new board and bureau CEO.

No matter how talented and experienced they are, the new governing board will only be as successful as it is allowed to be. Cook County should act immediately to create an accountable and effective independent board for the Cook County Bureau of Health Services.

Lise Valentine

vice president and director of research

The Civic Federation

What a magic day, thanks to many

To the editor: I recently had the honor of taking part in an incredible act of kindness. On Dec. 8, four young cancer patients not only went to see Hannah Montana & the Jonas Brothers perform, but met both of these teen idols at a sold-out concert at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont.

All four of these girls had their wish granted through the Bear Necessities Pediatric Foundation's Small Miracles program. Bear Necessities Volunteer Cheryl Arts sent out an e-mail on Halloween that eventually made its way to Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens. Brad's father's recent battle with cancer, along with his personal experience of having a sick child, prompted him to embrace this wish. The girls and their families attended the concert and a party in the mayor's skybox, and received gifts including a laptop, hard-to-get toys and dolls, video iPods, T-shirts and even a puppy! Their parents also received weekend stays at Indian Lakes Resort.

The day was fabulous. The girls and their families arrived at the Allstate Arena in limousines and were escorted to a meet and greet with the Jonas Brothers. Then they went into the mayor's skybox, where there was plenty of food and drinks.

The show itself did not disappoint. Both performers were incredible onstage, delivering a powerful performance to the sold-out audience of screaming fans! All the girls and their friends and family stood from beginning to end singing, screaming and dancing with the crowd.

But the best part was yet to come. After the show ended, all four girls were escorted to another meet and greet, where they got to meet and take pictures with Hannah Montana herself, Miley Cyrus.

Many thanks to Cheryl Arts and the Bear Necessities Pediatric Foundation, River Grove Mayor Marilynn May for supplying limousines, the great staff at the Allstate Arena, all the many volunteers and givers (you know who you are), and especially to Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens for making this wonderful day come true.

Even Gov. Blagojevich was in a giving spirit when he met the girls and invited them all to stay at the governor's mansion in Springfield.

I urge everyone to support these wonderful foundations and the work they do to support cancer patients and their families.

Rick Weigand, president

Strike At Cancer Foundation, Franklin Park

Conant SADD: Stay sober behind wheel

To the editor: The holiday season is supposed to be a time for family, friends and festivity, but it is unfortunately also a time when there is a tragic jump in the number of alcohol-related highway fatalities.

Conant SADD is joining with other national, state and local highway safety and law enforcement officials to remind everyone this holiday season to always designate a sober driver before each holiday party or event involving alcohol.

Remembering to designate a sober driver before the party begins is just one of several, simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving during the holiday season.

• Never get behind the wheel if you've been drinking.

• If impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member.

• Just stay where you are and sleep it off.

• If you host a party, remind your guests to plan ahead for a designated driver, offer alcohol-free beverages, and make sure all your guests leave with a sober driver.

• "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk." Take the keys and never let a friend leave if you think they will drive while impaired.

Impaired driving is one of America's deadliest problems. Nationally, more than 17,000 people died in alcohol-related highway crashes during 2003. Every 30 minutes, nearly 50 times a day, someone in America dies in an alcohol-related crash. Hundred of thousands more are injured each year. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some point.

Since 1981, every president of the United States has proclaimed December "National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month" to help underscore the public's commitment to preventing impaired driving and promoting the use of designated drivers and sober ride programs.

Driving impaired or riding with someone who is impaired is simply not worth the risk. The consequences are serious and real. Not only do you risk killing yourself or someone else, but the trauma and financial costs of a crash or an arrest for driving while impaired can be significant and not the way you want to spend your holiday season.

So remember this holiday season, if you catch a buzz, catch a ride.

Becky Sulentic

Conant SADD