We’re still being scammed by con man

Each day, each tweet seems as if will qualify as the “last straw” of believability from Donald Trump. But the latest one producing all of the media time definitely qualities.

President Obama, like him or not (and I did), is much too smart to act illegally, and no one who would and should know, has the needed paperwork for an ordered wiretap. In addition, each of the accusations made by Donald Trump, beginning with the original anti-Obama birther movement and continuing throughout the election process and to this day, have been found to be “alternative facts.” Why take up time with this one? The members of Congress who treat this wiretapping tweet as viable, are showing a degree of unreality similar to that of their leader.

The real danger and perhaps the plan, is to distract the easily distractible media with nonsense while Paul Ryan and his cronies “deconstruct” regulations (oversight) in place to protect our environment, the health and well-being, finances, and public education of the American people. We, the People, continue to be scammed by an incompetent con man, who is being duped by advisers whose plans will undo the protections we rely on and expect as Americans.

Carol Honeywell

Wheaton

Vote for open space and clean water

I grew up swimming and fishing in the Fox River and Blackberry Creek while in grade school, at least until the polio scare came around. And later, as a teen, when boating and skiing, we had to deal with pollution. Fortunately, the Fox River is much cleaner now.

Few resources are as primary to our survival as clean water. Protecting watershed lands now is much cheaper than cleaning up polluted water later. On April 4, the Forest Preserve District of Kane County is asking voters to support a $50 million bond referendum to be paid off in 20 years. About 80 percent of the bond will be spent on acquiring more forest preserve land and 20 percent on new trails, providing more public access, and restoration of wildlife habitat.

Our homes, driveways, roads and parking lots, have created more impervious surfaces. Preserving open space for the future allows the stormwater to soak into the ground and be cleansed as nature intended. We need to remember that forest preserves not only provide recreational opportunities, they also help ensure a clean water supply and control the effects of stormwater runoff.

This referendum comes at a time when homeowners will already see their taxes go down from paying off previous bonds and refinancing — a total tax reduction of $102 per year. Supporting this referendum will cost less than $1.83 a month for a home valued at $250,000. That means if this new open space referendum passes, everyone still will see their taxes go down, while also preserving an additional 2,000 acres of protected open space and watersheds for families and future generations.

Please join me April 4 and vote “yes” to help our Forest Preserve District acquire more critical open space in Kane County and help keep our water clean.

Nancy Hopp

Aurora

Town hall ‘protests’ beneath our dignity

The phony, dysfunctional “protests” that are sweeping the nation are getting old. In Chicago, healthcare is unaffordable, public schools are failing, violent crime has skyrocketed, and the business climate is hostile. New solutions to combat our problems are not only welcome, they’re vitally essential. (For the record, more “revenue” is not a solution. How the money is spent is what matters.)

What agitators are doing at Republican town hall events across the country is not adding to this dialogue though. My congressman, Peter Roskam, has always been accessible and approachable, and to suggest otherwise is simply not true. Looks like he’s sensible enough not to put his head into a wood chipper though, and I understand him and other legislators who won’t submit themselves to be a photo op for hostile groups who appear disinterested in advancing an honest discourse.

The rash of obnoxious and rude behavior in our streets and at our town hall meetings is beneath our nation’s dignity. These protests don’t accomplish a single goal other than to throw a collective, organized temper tantrum.

The very real problems we face will only get resolved when quality solutions are implemented. Period. The choice is up to you. Do you want to spend your time painting posters and pitching a fit or will you offer to engage with our representatives (in all levels of public office) in constructive ways to solve our shared problems?

Mary Plunkett

Wheaton

Township candidate will continue to grow

We have an important election coming up this April, one that is often overlooked by voters. It is not covered by the nightly news, difficult to obtain information on the candidates, and seemingly not impactful to our everyday lives.

This perception of not impactful couldn’t be further from the truth and I believe it has an equal impact if not greater. If you’re like me and get the paper daily, then you know a lot happens in our immediate community and this election is important.

In an effort to overcome these hurdles I am writing to those who live in the Rutland Township I would like to tell you about one candidate I have a great deal of respect for. I have known Thomas Ray Eaton for a few years now, and have been impressed with his passion for local politics and his involvement in the community.

Ray’s experience adds great value to our township and he is a true statesman concerned about the future and proper growth of our community. His passion and his desire to bring improvements and understanding into our local government will make a tremendous difference and impact in the Rutland Township for years to come.

Ray is a driven husband and father, a leader, who continues to improve himself to be the best trustee that he can be for our community. Since his appointment to trustee he has already started to make a difference, and I believe his past experience will add great value to our township as we continue to grow. As a resident in the Rutland Township I am proud to support Ray and trust that he is the right candidate for the job. I hope you will join me April 4 in supporting Ray for township trustee.

Joseph J. Nowosielski II

Pingree Grove

Revisionist text distorts history

I read with revulsion the proposed change to the “American Studies” curriculum in the Elgin High School district. Here is a sample of what will be our children’s first in-depth exposure to our American Heritage and culture: “White Americans have been reluctant to yield to nonwhite Americans a full and equal place in the social, economic, and political life of the nation. Over time the principal targets of that prejudice have been African Americans, Native Americans, Asian-Americans, and Hispanic Americans. The white male dominated power structure has also been slow to recognize the claims of women to an equal place in American society.”

This revisionist trash might be appropriate as a proposition to a PhD. candidate armed with knowledge to refute it, but not for impressionable children. We parents did not cede the formation of our children’s values and morals to teachers. The political editorial component of our children’s education should be left to their parents, many of whom are vastly more qualified to instruct their children in American heritage and culture.

Dan Dowd

Long Grove