The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor:
Aim For The Gold!
Life seemed ideal for my husband Ed and I, recent college graduates; who owned and operated a business.
Five years later, a move to a town with several bars, changed our lives forever. Formerly, a social drinker, the bottle began to own him! He and new friends went to a bar every night after work. Our children (three by now), sadly asked, "Where's Daddy"? They missed him and so did I. Eating supper without him became the norm.
A good businessman, who could at times be kind to his family, was emotionally becoming more like a stranger. There was no physical abuse, but we learned to speak carefully. The most innocent remark could send him spiraling out of control. Wanting to protect friends (and ourselves from embarrassing tirades), we ceased asking anyone to our home, when he was there. Home seemed like a prison.
The children and I kept busy with school and social activities. Underneath though there was always a gnawing loneliness for family "togetherness".
I genuinely needed help, because I wanted to be a better wife and mother. I surrendered my life to a God who loved me and my family. Family life did not reverse. Teen rebellion added to existing problems. It was painful, but Ed agreed for us to get some counseling, and it helped temporarily.
God was patient with me, helping me mature and reach out with compassion. After many years, Ed mellowed and the bottle became unnecessary to him. After almost 45 years of marriage, and before his death, he gave his life to the Lord.
At best, time with family is brief. Aim for the gold!
Shirley George
Macomb
Dear Editor:
I am a subscriber to a daily newspaper and most every day the EDITOR has a column with HIS or HER opinion on some subject, should that right be taken away from the EDITOR-owner of a weekly newspaper?
The owner of local businesses like Riverland and Jack and Jill, who do not sell liquor, are Illinois owned and profits and taxes stay in Illinois and Henderson County, not to Headquarters of a chain business somewhere else.
I believe that you have given enough FREE space to the people who oppose your opinion on liquor sales in Stronghurst.
Wayne E. Lam Sr.
Taxpayer to Henderson County Schools
Dear Editor:
I would like to offer my opinion regarding the topic of allowing the sale of packaged liquor (beer) in the Village of Stronghurst. I work for the Village and from the amount of empty beer cans and bottles I pick up around town it is obvious to me that beer is here and being consumed on a regular basis.
My question is why not let the town benefit from the additional revenue generated by the sale of packaged liquor and the additional grocery items that may be purchased with it?
Is the act of being able to buy beer in town going to cause the buyers to suddenly short circuit and run naked in the streets or something? That is a side effect of too much consumption and again that (consumption) already exists in Stronghurst.
In your letter editor, and forgive me if I misquote you, I've forgiven you or your staff for the times I have been misquoted, you said something as to our parks and streets being paid for without money generated from the sale of packaged liquor. Well I can't speak for all money spent on such things however, a large part of the latest park project came from matching funds from the State and/or Federal level. I would venture to say that some of that money most likely originated from the sale of beer, liquor or was related to them in some way. I once heard it said people who do not smoke or drink should thank someone who does for there would be a lot less government-funded programs if no one did.
In closing, I agree with the letters submitted and printed in the February 22nd edition of the Quill by Mr. Bavery and Mrs. Jarvis. Competition is a good thing and it is time this topic was voted on by Village residents.
Sincerely,
Tony R. Anderson
Stronghurst
Dear Editor:
The Problem Of Alcohol
Although it is important to follow Democratic principals in a town, it is good to see people like Dessa, stand up for what they believe. In today's world the philosophy seems to be, do whatever you want if it feels good. Although there would be additional revenues and a convenience factor if alcohol was instigated in Stronghurst, is it really worth all of the problems it would create? Have you ever had a close friend or a relative killed by a drunk driver? After working with DCFS, you see families which have been destroyed by alcohol. You see many kids who have been severely beaten or neglected because of alcohol. If you have watched COPS, most of the problems seem to be domestic violence or neighbor fights which were brought on because of alcohol.
As they say, if people want to drink they are going to find a way to obtain alcohol. However, when it is not accessible in a town, there will be far fewer problems. Once it gets started, like in Macomb, it seems like every gas station, convenience store or grocery store is selling alcohol, which explains the multitude of problems with students and others. Everyone who drinks wants to be a social drinker. Unfortunately, many end up as alcoholics.
Dessa is not trying to be a dictator but wants people to think before they act. It is all publishers' responsibility to give opinions on relevant issues.
Weyman George
Macomb
Dear Editor:
Vote "Yes" For The Future Of Our Children
The school districts of Carthage, Dallas City and La Harpe will go to the ballots March 21 to decide on converging these 3 high school districts. "Convergence is supported by each board, the regional and state superintendents, and state legislators as a creative solution to our declining enrollment". This statement was taken from information "Convergence Answers" of our areas schools' three districts Committee of Ten members that has been widely distributed in our areas.
We desperately need to have control of our high school students. As of now, our Dallas City school system and us, as taxpayers, are paying tuition for our high school students to attend Nauvoo-Colusa District and have no say at all since we have no board members there at all.
We need to provide the highest quality high school education and financial stability as possible for our children, our grandchildren and communities.
Tax rates will continue to rise whether we converge or not. This way we can decide where this money will go. It will improve the high schools education purposes by expanding curriculum, opportunities and efficiency. This will still allow each district to maintain their present control of their own elementary district.
Vote "YES" for the future of our children.
Joyce Thompson
Lomax
Dear Editor:
Unity for opportunity has been the motto adopted by the Committee of Ten for the convergence effort. This is a fitting theme and truly depicts the vision of the three school boards when they formed this committee.
The effort to converge the three districts into one high school district and three elementary districts has been driven by the need to give our students more opportunities-opportunites that no one district or community on their own can afford to offer. These include expanded curriculum offerings, including in-house vocational courses, more flexible scheduling, and dual credit courses. Also increased extra-curricular activities will be proposed to address enrollment needs.
A converged high school also gives the staff the opportunity to teach at their level of expertise. The convergence also offers each community the opportunity to have equal representation in the high school while maintaining local control over each elementary school.
These positive opportunities should be embraced by each of our communities that have been faced with declining enrollments and funding that has forced cuts.
I believe in these opportunities and would ask voters to support this convergence on March 21.
If you have any questions feel free to attend a Committee for Ten meeting or call a member of the committee or a school board member. They will be happy to discuss the convergence and feel it is important to be an informed voter.
The committee should be commended for their hard work and rewarded with a positive vote on March 21.
Ricky Johnson
Carthage
La Harpe School Board Member
Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to you and the citizens of Henderson County. My husband, Brian Grisham, is running for sheriff as everyone knows.
I would just like to tell you a little about my husband.
Brian is a very intelligent man. He takes pride in whatever he does. He does not show favoritism in anyway. He believes that you do what is right or you suffer the consequences, as my husband has.
The difference is if you learn from them. My husband and I have.
Brian is a small town person and knows what needs to be done. He sits back and watches all the drug activity that is in our area and nothing is being done about it. We have two teenage kids and we worry about other kids in our community.
Brian has lots of good ideas he can bring into the sheriff's department to help bring leadership back for the citizens in Henderson County He is a fair man and will do what it takes to keeps things that way.
Ask anyone who knows him and they will tell you, "Brian is a great guy". He has been the Lomax Fire Chief for five years and has brought back leadership and order to our fire department. He can do the same for our sheriff's department.
I would appreciate your vote on March 21, 2006, for my husband for sheriff. I know he has my vote.
Suzanne Grisham, Lomax, wife of Brian Grisham for Sheriff.,