Homeowners be aware
Dear Editor,
Homeowner be aware that when IDOT knocks on your door with blueprints detailing a better route 2, run quick, call your lawyer.
They are deceitful in their words. Where once a hand shake and your word was a bond it is no longer.
The state and government are not held accountable for their promises as you and I the taxpayer would be.
When I contacted IDOT they stated that they did not take into account that the current utilities are underground.
Should they not be held accountable to keep them underground?
If you or I sold a house and black mold was discovered under paneling we would be held accountable. Ignorance is no excuse.
But, the same laws do not apply to state and government entities.
I do want to thank Rep, Jerry Mitchell and his assistant Robbin they both worked diligently to try and stop IDOT and ComEd from erecting these poles.
There was no assistance from Governor Pat Quinn. I appealed to him twice with no reply.
I am told it is because Oregon is a Republican stronghold, and there is an incumbent Democratic Governor.
I had faith knowing that “right” was on our side.
Abraham Lincoln said it best “Let us have faith that right makes might, and in that faith, let us, to the end, dare to do our duty as we understand it.” Lincoln’s Cooper Institute Address, February 27, 1860.
Unfortunately I was wrong.
While I realize the $302K additional funds needed to keep the utilities underground is a huge dollar amount and the state of Illinois is “broke,” keep in mind that this project is costing tax payers millions.
When considering the extra amount required, it needs to be taken into account the number of homes that will have poles in place of underground utilities, the decrease in the home owner’s property value, and the view of the poles looking down from the Black Hawk statue.
Thank you for letting me express my opinion — fortunately we still have freedom of speech!
Sue Harrod
Oregon
Legion Post is still alive
Dear Editor,
Although the Polo American Legion Post building is closed and there is a “For Sale” sign out in front, there still are the utility bills to pay as well as taxes to be paid and for some reason your memberships are not being renewed.
The American Legion Post # 83 is not I repeat, not closed.
When the building is sold the post will still hold its meetings, they may be in a different location but they will be held.
The post still needs to have you pay your dues.
As I have said before when you pay your dues, $23.25 goes to national headquarters, leaving the post with $16.75.
We need that portion from your dues along with your fellow legionnaires to honor our post debts.
With the passing of our finance officer Richard Ford, I was given the task of the finance officer.
In that regard you may send your dues to the Adjutant, Richard A. Jacks at 601 E. Oregon St., Polo.
The post is still alive, let’s keep it that way.
If you do not keep your membership active the post could become non-active which means that any monies that the post has would revert to the national headquarters, we would also lose the cannon at the north end of town, let’s keep the post alive by paying your dues.
Thank you,
Richard A. Jacks
Polo
Adjutant
American Legion # 83
New school position is overkill
Dear Editor,
How easy it is to swallow “a perfect storm financially” as quoted from Oregon Superintendent Bill Mattingly in the Feb. 25 issue of the Oregon Republican Reporter and Dixon Telegraph.
Mr. Mattingly said that staff reductions in the district should be considered.
What he believes should be considered for teachers I believe should be considered for administrators, also.
Yet, the school board approved a new administrative position last week.
In an incredible play here, we see a headline (Reporter) about how this new administrative post will save the district $100,000-plus.
Come on now. Thankfully, the reporter posted the superintendent’s salaries so readers can see that a good part of the projected savings will be the result of the gargantuan salary of a superintendent being retired.
But then, the replacement superintendent salary is close on the retiree’s heels, plus one more administrator waits in the wing.
The small district has itself a new assistant superintendent, really.
Only the title is different: director of student assessment and technology, etc., a slight deviation from the present assistant superintendent’s duties.
The board has bought into it.
It should be remembered that teachers, principals, and superintendents have undergraduate credit hours in precisely what the new director’s job entails.
Among other things, the new position is overkill, a time-hog, shows lack of confidence in teacher professionalism, and is expensive.
Consider also, that the Regional Office of Education does extend parallel services to the schools.
I could believe in Mr. Mattingly if instead he had said, “Here is $200,000 we can save the district. We’re going to eliminate these administrative redundancies, hang onto our teachers, strive for fewer interrupted student attendance days, have as a goal smaller classes, higher educational goals, and fewer drop-outs.”
It could have been a “perfect student triumph.”
Fran Ayars
Dixon
