LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

From the October 9 Progress:

To the editor,

Thanks are in order to the O’Fallon High School boys soccer program, its players, coaches and alumni and to current, former OTHS teachers and administrators, and friends who contributed to a recent soccer “night” in my name.

The years have passed quickly since the first boys varsity season in 1977, but the winning tradition continues.

Appreciation also goes to the Progress for publishing a photo of this old coach receiving a jacket from Assistant Principal Rick Bickel during halftime of the Panthers’ 1-0 victory over Alton Marquette.

“Voellinger Honored” was an appropriate caption for someone who felt flattered and fortunate.

Art Voellinger
OTHS English teacher-coach
1965-69; 1976-2002

From the October 2 Progress:

To the editor,

The article last week regarding Moye Elementary School's new Lunch Fitness Program was accurate and informative but unfortunately, not timely. Since the original meeting on 09/11/08, many positive strides have been made. OFallon District 90 representatives, including Dr. Gibson as well as parents and teachers have met as an advisory committee.

We have had frank and open dialogue and have already implemented a few well received changes.

As with many new programs, guidelines are established but are often “tweaked” along the way. With these efforts, the entire district will benefit and hopefully some challenges the other schools may have faced will be fixed from the start.

I have the utmost confidence in our continued meetings for the same successes.

Sincerely,

Julie Jones-Kloeckner
O’Fallon

To the editor,

I am responding to a letter (to the editor printed in the Belleville News-Democrat) that was posted September 15, 2008 regarding Charles "Chas" J. Shaffer.

My son placed duty, honor country, mission before self, the same way his father, and grandfather did before him.

The individual stated that the loss of my son's leg would not have happened if we had accepted defeat because the terrorist would not moved to Iraq. I believe he is correct. Instead we would be fighting the terrorist within our own streets, our homes, our country.

Yes, our country, as this family, have always placed country before self. The writer would be then hiding behind military members like my son along with the hundreds of honorable military members from our area.

Chas honored not only himself, he honored every true American by his sacrifice. His drive towards mission is nothing less than admirable. To keep terrorist at bay and away from our shores.

It is very apparent that the writer does not have any idea what places men such as the Shaffer's above those who chose to throw stones. I encourage your freedom of speech that three generations of Shaffer's have fought to preserve.

If you take offense to my blunt words I am not sorry. Please leave our country and do not throw stones on the way out at those who place duty, honor, mission, country above themselves.

Today, Chas stated again he wants to recover quickly and return to active duty. That is courage that those who throw stones can't understand and they just don't get it. God bless America, God bless our military and those who served before them.

Chip Shaffer
Hope For Heroes
O'Fallon

To the editor:

I wanted to follow-up on the article “Moye Parents Complain Fitness Program Interferes with Recess.” Since meeting with Dr. Gibson and the other District 90 representatives, we have had significant improvements in the lunch fitness program at Moye.

I was part of the committee working on the fitness program concerns. Dr. Gibson was very open to our concerns, and since the meeting the children have been given 20 minutes of lunch fitness with 10 minutes of free recess on the weeks that they are scheduled for lunch fitness.

My quote regarding organization was slightly out of context in your article. My concern was that there was a ratio of one fitness instructor to 50 students. With such a ratio, strict organization was a must in order for the program to be successful. It is nearly an impossible task to have one adult organize any activity with 50 children who have just eaten lunch and want to burn off energy from being in the classroom all day.

I proposed that the ratio of fitness aides to students needed to be more manageable for the program to be successful and suggested that the ratio be similar to a normal classroom of about 25 students to 1 fitness aide. I proposed this to Dr. Koehl who recognized the concern and agreed to improve the ratio to about 25 to 1.

Dr. Koehl presented the proposal to the school board at the September 16 meeting. The board approved the hiring of more aides to make the groups more manageable. Activities will be much more interactive for the kids with these smaller groups. It's difficult to have a single soccer game with 25 kids on each team but very manageable to have a game with 12 on a side.

I think the walk and talk was an activity that was easily supervised for the small number of aides. The hiring of these extra aides opens up so many more activities and opportunities for the children. I commend Dr. Gibson for taking our concerns regarding the lack of free recess and allowing a time for the kids to just run around after completing their fitness activities.

I also want to thank Dr. Koehl and the school board for improving the opportunities for our children by hiring more aides. The fitness program can be a great thing. The kids all need activity, and there is a great opportunity for the kids to participate in games they never would at home. You just don't see a big kickball game in the neighborhood anymore.

The walk and talk program has been put temporarily on hold. It will probably be reintroduced as an optional choice for the kids that don't necessarily like the other activities. Thank you to District 90 for listening to our concerns and being so proactive in making timely improvements. Thank you also to Mr. Keller, Mrs. Calhoun, and Mrs. Eiskant for the countless hours of work that they have put into this program. I also commend the three fitness aides at Moye who are working hard to make this a great program for the kids.

Kirsten Reynolds
O’Fallon

To the editor,

Our heartfelt thanks to the emergency response teams from O’Fallon and the surrounding communities for their immediate and thorough response to our real life episode of “Without a Trace.”

A friend of our family in South Carolina, who is mentally challenged and severely diabetic (and whose toes were amputated this summer), came to us on Saturday night because he was receiving inadequate health care there. He was under the excellent care of physician’s assistant Marc Boyer of Family Physicians. However, it takes some time for someone in Gary’s condition to be stabilized.

Gary went for a one-block walk at 6 p.m. Tuesday and we began looking for him almost immediately. At dark, I called the O’Fallon police and within 15 minutes of being notified of the disappearance, an office was on-site taking a detailed report and picture.

We expected police patrol to keep their eyes open for Gary. Their response was amazing - beyond any of our expectations.

In addition to contacting emergency response teams, hospitals and other police departments, several officers, using night vision goggles and dogs, conducted a vicinity search. They canvassed all the open businesses in the area. Before shift change, the original officers called to give an update and inform us the case was being continued with the day shift.

At daybreak, Police Chief John Betten was joined by Fire Chief Brent Saunders in our driveway, where they compared GPS coordinates and called in a helicopter search party. The sheriff arrived; K-9 units from Swansea and Springfield were called for; and more than 40 searchers from surrounding communities set up the command post in O’Fallon’s newest fire truck.

Within four hours, Chief Betten told us that our friend had been located in Barnes Jewish Hospital in St. Louis. Someone had picked him up and noted he was sick and disoriented - result; hospital. Somehow, he got on a bus, went to the Metro, and wound up at Barnes Jewish Hospital. We are so thankful for the outcome of the day’s events. Gary remains in the hospital at this time with medically supervised stabilization.

We are grateful for the concern and caring provided by O’Fallon Methodist Church, friends, neighbors and volunteer searchers, including those in city and county service. Even Aldermen John West and Ed True and Mayor Graham followed up with us - They all say they were just doing their jobs, but we say that is small town values where leaders put their community first over their own self-interests. And it is more than comforting to know that when there is a need, O’Fallon responds.

Robert and Tempie Lyons
O’Fallon

From the September 25 Progress:

To the editor,

The O’Fallon Woman’s Club, Inc. would like to thank the following businesses for their generous contributions to our 2008 Hope Chest Project:
AMW Clothing & Sports; Becky’s Carpet’s; Cardinal Wiping Cloth, Casa Azteca, Creative Clay, Curtain Call II, Garden Salon & Spa, John’s Premium Car Wash, Nirvana, Sam’s/Wal-Mart, Schwarz Furniture, Stepping Stones Photography, Steven Mueller Florist, Target, Texas Roadhouse, Three Sister’s Crafts & Gifts, Trees n Trends and Wood Bakery. These merchants serve our community well with their continuous support of our organization and others like ours. We would also like to announce the winners of our Hope Chest Raffle. In addition to the Hope Chest prize, we had ten additional prizes to award. The winners were as follows:
First Prize - M. Jarrell
Second Prize - Marilyn Wiest
Third Prize - Dana Faust
Fourth Prize - Dennis Elson
Fifth Prize - Greg Boyer
Sixth Prize - G. Keniley
Seventh Prize - Tony Sandheinrich
Eighth Prize - Jim Joseph
Ninth Prize - Jeremy Wells
Tenth Prize - Maxine Winter
Eleventh Prize - Haney
This project has been a tradition for our Club for decades now. Each year members donate monies to purchase a chest and fill it with household items. The proceeds from this year’s Hope Chest project will benefit the children’s section of the O’Fallon Public Library.

Thank you,
Susan Wobbe
Hope Chest Committee Chair
O’Fallon Woman’s Club, Inc.

From the September 18 Progress:

To the editor,
Last night I attended the meeting of the Community Development Committee at City Hall as a member of UCM, and a resident of O'Fallon. The first order of business was Rock Springs Estates Mobile Home Park and the leases offered to residents now living there. I was so proud of my city as our representatives asked the hard questions of the owners of Rock Springs LLC.
I have no problem with the apartment development, but a very grave problem with the recent treatment of current residents. What I heard last night reassured me that there will be time and thought given to the best alternative housing for residents. These residents appreciate our fine schools, churches, and the proximity to Scott Air Force Base. They are reluctant to move to another city or state. It is a compliment to O'Fallon that residents are willing to engage in order to preserve what they believe is an excellent life style.

Margaret Andrasko
O’Fallon

From the September 11 Progress:

To the editor,
A message for Mr. Behnken:
Joe Behnken, in regards to the article in the O'Fallon Progress. With all due respect, people move to and live in O'Fallon because of its great school district. I find your comments ridiculous and immature. Simply put, if you don't like the taxes move somewhere else.

Todd Vitek
O’Fallon

To the editor,
I think it is wonderful that O’Fallon Township High School soccer coach Jason Turkington is having a “night” to honor former coach Art Vollinger, who started the soccer program at OTHS and also coached at OTHS for 21 years.

I think his record of 313-84-43 says what kind of a coach he was. I can also say from my experiences with the program, he always placed his players first in any decision that he made for the soccer program.

I think it would be great if all of Art’s former players would mark Thursday, Sept. 18 on their calendar and attend this soccer game at OTHS to show their appreciation.

Wilmer Knewitz
Okawville, Ill.

To the editor, St. Clair county residents, need to give careful consideration to the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (PTELL). The implementation would go a long way to solve our property tax problems.

I don't know, but this (PTELL) looks pretty good to me. In 1994, it was implemented by state statute in Cook. PTELL became law to slow the growth of revenues to taxing districts when property values and assessments are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. Doesn't this sound like St. Clair County to you? I am not surprised that we continue to have the same tax and governance problems as one of the most corrupt counties in the State, Cook County.

In addition to the aforementioned five collar counties, PTELL has been put on county referendums in 37 counties, and has passed in 28 (75%) of the 37 counties. Therefore, there is currently 43 of 102 (42%) of the counties in the state that enjoy property tax extension limitations.

If the county board permits the referendum to implement PTELL in St. Clair County, it is sure to pass.

Let's get right to the point, if PTELL was implemented in 2002, how much would it have saved you in property taxes?

If you live in O'Fallon Township, City of O'Fallon, School Districts 203 and 90, your tax rate for the past five years was around $7.54. If your home had an Equalized Assessed Value of $100,000 (market value $300,000) in 2002, it currently has an assessed value of $147,000 due to the multiplier.

Therefore, your taxes went from $7,540 to $11,084 a 47% increase. If PTELL was in place during the period in question, your taxes today would be $8,633 as opposed to $11,084. (A 14.50% increase).

How does PTELL limit property taxes collected? Like the current Assessment Statutes, it is actually quite simple. Your local taxing body cannot raise taxes on existing real estate in excess of the difference in the CPI index (inflation) or five percent, whichever is less. The taxing bodies will get the full benefit of additional taxes due to new capital projects and property coming back on the tax rolls from expired TIF districts.

What happens if: - Unfunded state and federal mandates drive the cost of education over inflation? The taxing district can ask for a tax increase with a referendum.

- The school wants to build a new school, stadium (say $2.3 million) or "theatre and fine arts center" (whatever that is)? The taxing district can ask for a tax increase with a referendum.

Anytime the schools or other taxing districts want more money, they can always ask for it. If the voters agree they need more money - the voters will give it the them. What's more fair than that?

Joe Behnken CPA
Vice President and Financial Analyst
OurTaxMoney.org

From the September 4 Progress:

To the editor,
The development plan submitted by the American Communities has covered every aspect except one; the residents of Rock Springs. One sentence was used to address the residents. The city director was quoted by the Belleville News-Democrat, "Rock Springs Residents will be relocated." He did not state where we are to be "relocated."

Rock Springs is one of the last remaining affordable housing communities left in O'Fallon. If this development is approved, where are we to be moved to? I question why so many improvements are being required to build this development, yet American Communities has not improved the quality of life for its residents.

The only handicap accessible feature the community owns is my wheelchair ramp which I had help building from family and friends. Yet they will be required now to provide handicap accessibility for the townhouse project. I question why that is not already developed for Rock Springs.

One final word. We know we are of a different economic background, but we have lived as friends and family in this community. I can tell you how this community that they wish to rip apart came together for one individual. I have fought to regain my independence after I was in a severe car accident in November of last year. My family and neighbors have stood beside me during my recovery.

I now stand beside them to fight for what's right for our families. Our children have the same rights to go to good schools and have a good education as the other children. What right does anyone have to take that away from them? I hope that all of you will see beyond the fancy building and higher taxes into the lives of those your choices are effecting.

Lillie Baugh
O’Fallon

To the editor,
My granddaughter Ella Bugger/Fultz ran for the princess of O’Fallon because of her hard work and the hard work of her family and friends, she did win.

There was not even a picture of these kids in the Progress. The only recognition they got was one sentence in the full page article about Miss O’Fallon. In the previous weeks paper all seven kids got a postage stamp size picture while the queen candidates got five or six full page articles. I am not begrudging the queen candidates any recognition because they work very hard and deserve any press they get but so do these little children.

These seven little kids worked their hearts out selling tickets just to have the honor of becoming a prince or princess of O’Fallon. I know for a fact that the Progress photographer was at the parade and the coronation in the park for the prince and princess and he did take pictures. In fact, Albert Scrivner, the prince, was not feeling well but stayed to have his picture taken in spite of it.

The O’Fallon Women’s Club works hard year every year on this contest and do a wonderful job. All of the money they make goes to the Children’s Library here in O’Fallon. Many of the O’Fallon merchants donate items to make their raffle a success. Why is there no praise for such a worthy organization or the contest they run so well?

I know that between the princess and prince together they raised over $3,600 and this does not include what the other kids brought in. This is a lot of hard work for these kids. I know that my granddaughter went door to door on some really hot days selling tickets and the Progress couldn’t even see fit to place a picture or even a small article in the paper giving these kids some praise. It is a sad state of affairs when our hometown paper can dedicate a half page to the police blotter and not two inches to these seven little children. What has become of hometown pride?

When my kids were small there were always pictures of the children’s parade and the winners were listed in the paper. Most people in O’Fallon don’t even know there is a children’s parade. Why is there no press coverage on this event that promotes youth participation? We always hear about the bad things that our youth do but why not about the hard work some of these kids and their families do decorating bikes, making costumes and building small floats?

I would personally like to thank Harriet Baker, the Women’s Club and the O’Fallon Rotary for their hard work. Maybe the Progress doesn’t appreciate your hard work but I know that my granddaughter Ella and I do.

Judy Bugger
O’Fallon

From the August 28 Progress:

To the editor,
Todd Moeller’s gift of life to Charles Degroot (Page 1 of last week’s Progress) highlights the fact that more kidneys are donated by living donors than after death. As Mark Raeber’s excellent article reports, lives of both donor and recipient are enhanced.

Today, living donation is possible also for liver and lung, although kidney donation is far and away the more common. Even though “altruistic donation” to relatives, friends, even strangers is growing, there will never be enough organs to meet the need, and thousands of people die each year waiting…and waiting.

That’s one reason several programs to reduce end-stage kidney failure have been started by Mid-America Transplant Services, the federally-designated non-profit coordinator of donation throughout southern Illinois, eastern and southern Missouri, and northeastern Arkansas. MTS works with all hospitals in the area.

High blood pressure and diabetes are two common factors in kidney failure, so Mid-America started innovative work to tackle those two health issues, enlisting the cooperation of others in the metropolitan area. Better to save a kidney than replace it!

You can find out more about donation be calling Mid-America Transplant Services at (314) 735-8200 or going on line: www.mts-stl.org. In Illinois, you can be sure your organs will be donated after death if you sign up on the new “First Person Consent” registry at www.ilsos.gov/organdonorregister.

Is donation a good idea? If in doubt, ask Todd or Charles!

Richard Ellerbrake,
Chairman
Mid-America Transplant Services

To the editor,
I was impressed with the organization and the spirit of Rock Springs Citizens and church members at the Planning and Zoning Commission last week. They raised many good points about what our city's priorities are.

I was dismayed to go to our O'Fallon Planning and Zoning Department's webpage and read the Project Report and staff recommendations. The staff had recommendations such as using vinyl fencing instead of wood and dying concrete blocks with a compatible building color instead of painting them. These recommendations are not bad. However, no where in the Project Report or staff recommendations was any mention made of the low income people who live at Rock Springs Estates. Are they at all a consideration for the City of O'Fallon or are they merely disposable?

The City needs to ask many more questions and make many more recommendations before approving this proposal.

Jerre Dudley
O'Fallon

To the editor,
Whether it is true or not, I've heard many people say that O'Fallon only cares about the wealthier families.

There has been a recent proposal from the owner of the Rock Springs mobile home park to turn the area into luxury townhomes.

Many of the citizens that live in that area of the Rock Springs mobile home park are lower income families, which also include elderly and disabled. These people will not be able to pay the price of the rent in these townhomes.

It is certainly not affordable housing for low income families.

If O'fallon is truly concerned about these most vulnerable residents, this is their chance to do what is fair and just.

I wonder where the citizens will go if the Rock Springs mobile home park is shut down?

The city of O'Fallon needs to make a sincere effort to make sure the citizens of Rock Springs have a fair relocation package. I think the future outcome of this proposal is a good moral test for our city to do the right thing!

Cindy Hoef
O’Fallon

To the editor,
The proposal by American Communities to redevelop Rock Springs Estates Mobile Home Park into luxury townhomes gives the City of O'Fallon an opportunity to show its real loyalities.

Many allegations regarding the ethics of American Communities were made by tenants at Rock Springs Estates at the Planning and Zoning Commission last week. Particularly bothersome were the pictures that were presented showing the mobile home park also owned by American Communities.

After uprooting tenants from their homes a year ago, this property in Caseyville was left abandoned with eyesores such as a burned out trailer and a large pile of garbage.

By the City of O'Fallon's own admission, American Communities had numerous code violations including leaving abandoned trailers at the park and electrical boxes with live wires exposed on lots that once had mobile homes.

Is this the kind of company that our city wants to do business with? Considering American Communities' past negligance and the many allegations made about their business practices, can they be trusted to give a fair relocation package to our fellow citizens who live at Rock Springs?

Will they pose future problems for our city as they close the mobile home park and build the townhome development? Will they even build the townhomes after they uproot people from their homes at Rock Springs?

Before approving the redevelopment plan, the City of O'Fallon needs to be sure that all the questions and allegations that have been raised are sufficiently addressed.

The City should slow down the process for approving this plan and show that its loyality is first and formost to our citizens and not an out-of-state company with questionable ethics.

Michael Lampe
O'Fallon

To the editor,
How does O'Fallon want to be seen?

Whether it is true or not, I've heard many times that the City of O'Fallon only cares about its wealthier people. Now the city has a golden opportunity to show that this is not the case.

A proposal to redevelop Rock Springs Mobile Home Park into luxury town homes has been submitted by the owner of the park. Rock Springs Estates is a place to live for many of our O'Fallon families and lower income residents who cannot afford the more expensive housing in O'Fallon.

If the mobile home park is shut down where will these O'Fallon citizens go? The luxury town homes are certainly out of their price range.

The City of O'Fallon needs to make a sincere effort at making sure that a fair relocation package is guaranteed to the people who live at Rock Springs Estates before any rezoning decisions are made.

I want my city to be seen as a city that cares for ALL of its citizens.

Jennifer Vogt
O’Fallon

The O'Fallon Progress welcomes the opinions of its readers. Letters to the Editor may be submitted to ofprogress@bnd.com. Please limit word count to 470 or 12 column inches. The O'Fallon Progress reserves the right to edit letters for length, grammar, and libelous content.
Letters must include name, address and daytime phone number of author. The name and city of residence of the author will be published.