Monday, Jul. 13, 2009

Sound-off 7/13

Back off, Big Brother

Belleville officials are acting like the Gestapo. How can they come into a home, rented or owned, to inspect it without a justifiable reason? Inspections should be done only when the residence changes renters, not with five days' notice required in the city's new ordinance. The city is aware when the residency changes because it receives the requests to turn the utilities off and on.

Ruse for ordinance

Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert should look at Treasurer Jerry Turner's records, and he would know who owns rental property in town. Turner sends the trash and sewer bills with the owner's address and name to the owners every month. The new landlord registration ordinance is just another way for Belleville to collect money and force more people out of town.

The winner in weeds

If an award is ever presented to a specific area with the highest weeds, I would like to nominate Pontoon Beach. They are very deserving.

Shoes required

Whatever happened to the rule, "No shoes, no shirt, no service?" At the Columbia Public Library, you are required to wear a shirt but apparently shoes are not required. I just saw a lady check out several books, and she was barefoot. Certainly this must violate some type of health code. The library should be a little more diligent about who they let in. But then again, shouldn't people check themselves before they go out in public?

Overdose of coverage

Is there anything else going on except for the Michael Jackson story? How many hours do we have to endure this? He was only a human being, not God. With all the other important things going on, can't the media find something else to cover?

One person's junk ...

I keep seeing ads in the paper for businesses wanting to by "junk" gold. Isn't that an oxymoron? When does gold ever become junk? And if it is junk, why would someone want to buy it? You would have to have lived in a cave for a long time to not know that gold is selling for more than $900 an ounce.

Lifestyle checkup

The more I hear about the need for universal health care, the more I notice the number of obese people everywhere. Just watch the parade of extra pounds going in and out of Wal-Mart, or notice those riding motorized carts instead of walking. Obesity causes more health problems than any other lifestyle choice. We need personal healthcare savings accounts to motivate people to push themselves away from the table.

Not the same parish

The people of St. Augustine Church in Belleville have worshipped with the Rev. Stan Konieczny and have loved him. And now at 53 years old, a smart Polish man is sent to Waterloo with an African administrator, and he is being replaced by a 27-year-old from Africa. I am furious about this.

Better with diversity

I think it is great that the Illinois and Missouri Departments of Transportation are trying to use women and minority companies for the Mississippi Bridge project. They should be applauded for providing the opportunity to level the playing field.

Themselves to blame

People re-elect the same county and state leaders, term after term, and then continue to complain about them. Why do they continue to vote the same people into office?

No-phone zone

Bravo to Skip Lawrence. His recent letter was right on. It has been proven that the part of the brain used for safe driving is the same part of the brain that lets a person carry on a conversation. Therefore, people cannot do both, safely, at the same time. Please put those phones down.

Let down in storm

O'Fallon failed its residents in the aftermath of the tornado because of some supposed liability issues. Look at how well Shiloh helped its residents. O'Fallon's priority is a new sports complex, not helping its residents.

Primer on elections

I wish the News-Democrat would publish an article on how residents can run for the state legislature. It is time for every state legislator to be replaced. Maybe if the average citizen knew how to run for office, we could find some really good candidates. The ones who are in office now have to go.

The enemy is us

Have you ever had the feeling there is something very basic wrong in this country? If you were out on the Fourth of July, it was there displayed before you. All the stores, restaurants and many businesses were open so that people could go about their business. This shows no regard for the birth of our nation. No one would even close their businesses or stop working so they would have time to reflect on the birth of our country or to be thankful for freedoms we have.

Fairview's problem

This is in response to Fairview Heights Alderwoman Pat Baeske's letter July 5. The mistakes she hinted at happened because the City Council has difficulty overturning the Plan Commission. These court actions were due to the City Council's decision, not what the commission recommended. Baeske shouldn't think she is a crusader because she is the problem. She was well aware of these laws long before the city attorney said anything.

Grateful to McCall

I want to thank Centreville Township Supervisor Curtis McCall for cutting the grass for the seniors. We appreciate it.

No to grass cutting

I agree with the News-Democrat's view that Centreville Township should not be out cutting private lawns.

Smokers have rights

Someone recently called in to complain about smoking at Memorial Hospital in Belleville. I am a smoker, and I am going to continue to smoke. Many of these non-smoking laws impede my rights. People who want to smoke will continue to do so, no matter what the location. I was recently at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Belleville and the security staff tried to run me off a public street for smoking. However, as guards for the hospital, they do not have the authority or power to run me out of a public area.

Will pay for service

Isn't there a service station remaining in the area that still offers full service and can pump gas for senior citizens?

Follow the money

When will Belleville City Hall become proactive? Where is the economic development? Mayor Mark Eckert gave himself and the aldermen a big raise after Mike Malloy, the economic development director, left. Is this the reason we do not have money for an economic developer? Do the math. A $5,000 yearly increase, multiplied by 16 aldermen, plus Eckert's raise equals Mike Malloy's salary. It is time for a change.

Gun club welcomed

As a retired senior military officer who resides in St. Clair County, I can assure you that the accessibility of the Caseyville Rifle and Pistol Club range to Scott Air Force Base personnel will help to increase their marksmanship by providing a place for off-duty practice. This would be a positive factor in selecting Scott as a command center. No aircraft has ever been, nor will ever be, damaged by target practice on a gun range.

Too many fireworks

What happened to fireworks only being set off on the Fourth of July? We began to notice fireworks going off around June 22 until well past the Fourth. What happened to the laws?

Yield the right of way

The person who complained about getting behind slow-moving farm vehicles should not live in the country if he doesn't like being slowed by them. The farmer and his equipment were there first. Without the farmers and their equipment, what does the caller think he's going to eat for food? Does he think food grows in the grocery store? If he doesn't like living in the country, he should do us both a favor and move to the city.

Quality comes first

When Belleville area stores provide sweet corn that is the quality of Keller's, I will start shopping at those stores. But presently there is no comparison. We go out of our way to patronize Keller Farms because of the quality, not because we don't want to do business with a local merchant.

Eckert oversteps

It appears that Belleville Mayor Mark Eckert is the one who does not get it with regard to the roadside vendors of farm-fresh vegetables and other products. His argument is that he is protecting businesses that already exist in Belleville. However, that is not the purpose of government. The purpose of government is to protect the interests of the residents and the city. I hope he comes to his senses soon.

In case of fire

Belleville police need to step up their enforcement of the "no parking, fire zone" signs on Gettysburg Avenue. There was a fire recently right off Gettysburg, cars were parked in the fire zone up and down the street. The illegally parked cars were not even ticketed. They really need to step up enforcement of this.

About-face for Cruez

Lydia Cruez's letter of June 24 shows that she has reversed her previous position. While on the City Council, and before her election upset, she was critical of the two Fairview Heights directors mentioned in the letter. She seems to have a lapse of memory about the facts. First of all, those directors were not required to live in the city; second, the mayor may fire the directors at any time, but aldermen only have say in termination of directors during their reappointments. Last, new developers and businesses are interested in competent individuals being in charge.

No to more parking

I disagree with St. Matthew's Church expanding its parking lot in Ogle's subdivision. Church leaders planning on removing several houses and trees to expand their parking lot. They already have several exits to the church. This is a subdivision, not a church parking lot. The last thing we need here is more concrete poured in the middle of the subdivision. The church needs to relocate so this subdivision can go back to being a single-family subdivision.

Drive with care

Drivers on Green Mount Road, please slow down. The speed limit is 45 mph. Stop driving on the shoulder, and slow down, a lot of people are turning into their subdivision. There have already been multiple accidents on this road.