Journal & Topics Media Group | Serving Chicago's Great Northwest Suburbs

By Journal Staff | on October 15, 2022

The following Speak Out! messages appear in October 12-13, 2022 editions of the Journal & Topics.

This is Don. I would like to thank the Maine West High School Athletic Department and Athletic Boosters for the fantastic reception that they gave my fellow veterans and myself at the Sept. 30 football game in Des Plaines. The players and staff lined up in two facing columns, the veterans walked through the center of them. Players and staff thanked us and a young boy who is a Junior Warriors player was very thrilled to greet us. Students unfolded a very large American flag on the field. The Maine West band did a great job playing the national anthem and the crowd applauded us. Fantastic show of Americanism.

If a DPJT reporter were to go to Ballard and Rand Road and park at the Belleau Wood exhibit, then walk across to the north side of Ballard (walking past a fire hydrant in the process), on the walking path, about 40 paces to the east, the reporter would see a little swamp that has formed on the walking path this year. It was not there last year. There is a large pool of water just to the north of this spot on the walking path. There is also a wet spot at a point a little higher up in elevation, closer to the shoulder of the road. So is a broken pipe that feeds the fire hydrant the cause of this new “wetland”? If so, how many thousands of gallons of water have been lost, and who is paying for this water? We rely on the intrepid reporter from the DPJT to find out for sure.

May we have a point/counterpoint on why or not we need to change the Illinois constitution this election? Seen very little one way or another. Also, an editorial: Pro/con, would be helpful setting forth why there is such a compelling need to make such a major change. Thank you.

Biden is taking care of everyone else, but the American people. Shame on the mayor for allowing migrants to come to Des Plaines. Send them to Lightfoot and Pritzker’s homes.

It doesn’t matter what the team sport is. When players on a .500 team start talking about how many games are left to be played and how much talent they have in the locker room, bet against them. I do. And the White Sox did pretty good for me this year. Pretty, pretty good. Here’s another hot tip: When they’re playing teams from another conference in big games, always bet against the Big Ten. Always. You may lose now and then but in the long haul, it’s a golden goose.

Whatever happened to cycling etiquette? Walking the forest preserve trails or even the sidewalk is very hazardous when bicycles are around. I was taught to yell out “on your left” or “on your right” or get a bell and ring it when I was going to pass by walkers. Very very few people do that anymore. In fact, that courtesy seems to be nonexistent nowadays. Instead, people prefer to just whiz by you like you have eyes in the back of your head. A little courtesy goes a long way.

No Moylan. I did not ask for a sign. I do not want your sign. No Moylan, keep your trash off my property.

To those who detest the legacy of Christopher Columbus, why would the holiday be observed by them? On another topic, the street from Waukegan Road to Nordica Avenue, Niles, behind HMart & King Spa, at times, has become a racetrack, especially on weekends.

A great debate on WGN last night between Gov. Pritzker and Bailey, the farm boy. He ate him up and spit him out. He had the answers and the rich boy just used the usual talking points and false statements and slander tactics. A fresh face and ideas are needed in Springfield, bring on the farm boy.

Right-wingers are letting their hatred of immigrants blind them to a tremendous opportunity. The asylum seekers now in Des Plaines are law-abiding families who fled corrupt-socialist Venezuela. Recall how, years ago, thousands and thousands of people fled Cuba, and their strident dislike of communism led them to be standard-bearers of the red-meat-eating GOP. These Venezuelans could become Republicans (though I hope they’re smarter than that). But the right-wingers’ hate is making them too stupid to see their opportunity. Why don’t the Republicans welcome these good people, who have actually followed the law and filed their paperwork so they can legally come here to work and thrive? Hate has made them stupid.

The mayor of Des Plaines said the state of Illinois is handling the matter. Who funds the state, guess who? The taxpayer. We are paying for it.

Would you like your children to be able to play soccer or lacrosse or other sports year-round without having to drive far from Park Ridge? Maybe your children want to play hockey for fun in a house league without the extra commitment of travel hockey. Or do you just want to be able to walk indoors protected from the weather 12 months of the year? So many new options will be available if we vote “Yes” for the Oakton development referendum this November. It’s good for our health and our property values and worth the investment. The funds generated by the improved Oakton facilities will help to maintain and improve recreation facilities districtwide. Please visit our website for other advantages and information. yesprpd.org. Gary M.

I may be an old “fuddy-duddy” observer but do kids either walk, bike or take the bus anymore to grade school or high school? I know a small percentage still do walk, but the majority must be driven by protective limo parents and grandparents. There is a traffic jam at Hersey High School and the many local grade schools every morning and afternoon. I remember riding my bike or walking to and from school in the old days and enjoying it and staying in shape. Also, the kids are of course all “Honor Roll” students according to the bumper stickers but it would really surprise me based on their casual dress. Maybe public schools should take a look at the parochial school dress code for boys and girls and you may understand why they grade out superior to their public school counterparts at all levels.

Hi, I have a quick question for the village of Mount Prospect. Do you guys know about energy efficiency? Why do the department heads and all the bosses over there drive big gas guzzling SUVs instead of a smart car or a Chevy Volt? And why do they take those vehicles home at the taxpayers’ expense? It doesn’t make sense. It’s not fair to the taxpayers.

Why does the downtown post office have a sewer smell?

I would like to send a special shout out and thank you to Maine Township’s Assessor’s Office. It has always been very helpful with my appeals of my property tax. Thank you for all the work you do. This is how a government office should work, helping the people of the community. Thank you.

Hello, I’m calling up to offer a simple answer from the Wednesday, Sept. 28 Journal. The answer to my question about the Romano’s and Kmart situation, why they can’t reverse it. Okay, my question now is why can’t they use Maine West High School? There’s a lot more room. They have weekends and it would avoid a traffic jam on Center Street like they do at Romano’s. Thank you. Bye, bye.

Our thoughts and prayers go to the families in Florida affected by the devastation, those that lost loved ones, as well as pets. My main concern is the comment by the vice president of the United States, Kamala Harris, stating that we should go first for black and brown people when we rescue. That’s wrong. It does not work that way and I hope that never gets approved. First come, first serve. Thank you.

Some neighbors let us park in their parking lot with all the construction that is going on here on Washington Street. They are very neighborly and we appreciate it. Thank you.

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