Tuesday, Jul. 07, 2009

Letters 7/7

Good for whom?

After your article about St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern versus the Caseyville Rifle and Pistol Club, one can only question Kern's inability time and time again to govern fairly and without prejudice. It is quite apparent that his lack of knowledge in governing and overseeing of tax funds is his greatest achievement to date.

The statement that he made is that spending $100,000 of taxpayers' money is a good investment. A good investment for whom? Surely not the taxpayers of St. Clair County. The only good investment was to line the pockets of another law firm. To add insult to injury, his Einstein theory of insanity approach will cost the residents of this county another $80,000 to pay the gun club's legal fees.

If Kern is so hellbent on closing the club, perhaps he can take a pay cut along with all the appointed and elected officials in the county to help offset his stupidity in this needless pursuit of a land grab and power trip.

Kevin Sheridan

Fairview Heights

Not the same force

Concerning the gun club versus Scott Air Force Base: It appears the Army Air Corps that shot the Nazis out of the sky in World War II is not the same as today's Air Force, which St. Clair County Board Chairman Mark Kern claims is afraid of a stray bullet from a gun club.

Chuck Yeager, Tooey Spaatz and Curtis LeMay, etc., would not be proud of today's Air Force. They have become a bunch of pansies.

Steve Lannert

Belleville

Connected in faith

I was struck by two letters recently. On June 2, Anne Harter moved me with her passionate defense of the Rev. Roger Karban. It is difficult to understand why such a well-regarded scriptural scholar would be discredited in the fashion the Belleville Diocese has done. It was a very insensitive thing to do to someone as devoted as Karban.

I hope Harter and her fellow Catholics go and be in community with each other and be in prayer with Karban. Her obvious admiration for Karban inspires me to attend one of his sessions.

The very next day, Kelly Casey wrote a wonderful letter reminding readers of quotes from Gandhi, Thomas Jefferson, and the best, from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Faith that stands on authority is not faith."

The common thread was because they both obviously love the church, there are wounds that need healing. A quote I enjoy is, "Don't let your religion get in the way of your faith." I hope all of us believe that Jesus wants us to search our hearts, to challenge ourselves and speak truth to power.

When I read letters such as these, I am hopeful. Sad at first, but inspired by their faith, I will pray for them both. Love God and love each other. He'll take care of the rest.

Dennis M. Gilbert

Waterloo

An inspiration to all

My own disability of epileptic seizures has caused me a lot of grief, sorrow and disappointment, but when I know and see someone in much worse condition, I do stand back in awe. A young teen whom I've known since his baby years, Ryan (Manso) Zajac, developed MD some years back. It's taken away so much of his childhood. He still seems to be so strong except for the wheelchair.

And now Ryan has come down with scoliosis. It's a deformity that takes away from his spine's normal growth. He will have a surgery to have a rod put in to help the proper curve of his spine. It'll also relieve pressure off other organs.

What this young boy has gone through, and will go through, I've never once heard him talk about it. He always has this smirky little smile on his cute face. His fast-powered wheelchair helps him get around town.

Ryan never seems to have a problem around others. It always helps me to worry less about myself.

They'll always be some people worse off than me, but thanks to Ryan's doctors and the MD group, they'll always be some strong-willed people like Ryan.

Ryan, his mom and dad, and family members will always be in my prayers.

Wally Platz

Fairmont City

Don't deny access

Access to health care affects everyone and is a matter of life or death. Any politician who blocks development of the best, most affordable health care solution for all Americans might as well forget running for office again.

We voters are watching. We are tired of burying loved ones denied medical treatment, and we will not tolerate heartless leaders controlled by lobbyists anymore.

Lynn Croxton

Belleville

Hat tip to police

I am a teacher at St. Clare School in O'Fallon. On May 28, I was planning on taking the fifth graders to eat lunch at McDonald's on Highway 50. We were walking from school, and I was worried about crossing Highway 50 at Lincoln.

I called the O'Fallon Police Department and officer Kirk Hancock returned my call. He asked what time we would be crossing, and he was there to safely escort all of us. After we had lunch he was waiting to get us back over. It gave me peace of mind to get more than 40 children across the street.

I wanted to thank him publicly and the police departments of this area. We are lucky to have them and they do a wonderful job.

Donna Riley

Belleville

Glad for positive reports

I like the color photos you include with some articles. They give me a lift. But can you add some more positive reports on people in general, similar to "The Popcorn Man?"

It is so good to know everyone is not doomed to grow old and become useless or bedfast, senile or lazy. There are lots more people, healthy and keeping busy, and many who don't let the mind- controlling news and TV sitcoms, negative movies, etc., depress them or try to control their lives.

I'm fed up with all the fear factors and negative hypes, and disgusted with ads for all the sex, drugs, and promotion of things children and young adults seem to want to do or try because movie stars on TV shows seem to promote it. Too much negative knowledge can destroy and mislead too many to do things that could end up a big problem and destroy someone's future.

We need responsible and caring families, not unwed mothers (especially ones still in school) and not the deadbeat dads who seem to just want to have another notch on their belt. The statistics for abortions and children for adoption are proof that sex is out of control.

I'm no expert on solving problems, but the press and entertainment systems can help by stopping the ads and shows, movies, etc., that promote the things that do get children's attention.

Thank you for the excellent photos and coverage on the Centreville police officer who allegedly was killed by the young man who should have been in jail instead on the streets. Thank you also for the story of that unjust outcome. The public needs to know the true facts.

Elizabeth Hettick

East Carondelet