Luster of golden years has been tarnished by taxes
I bought my house in Downers Grove in 1965. We raised four children on my teacher’s salary and many part-time jobs. I retired after teaching 39 years in the Chicago Public Schools, I thought I was ready for the “golden years.”

I had a decent pension that was supposed to pay 80 percent of my medical cost and 0 percent of my wife’s, but then the state legislature cut that down 10 percent the first year when the medical cost jumped. We were looking forward to our 65th birthdays, so that we would qualify for Medicare and a Senior Freeze Real Estate Exemption. Real Estate Taxes never seamed outlandish here in DuPage County, when compared to Cook County, but we got hit with a $326.70 increase in 2004 just before we turned 65, so we applied and received the exemption in 2005. Our first tax bill with the exemption went up $160.

My house must have improved in value, even though I can’t afford any improvements. This last year, the value of our house dropped considerably with the plummeting read estate market, so I was looking forward to a real estate tax decrease. I just got my bill and it is up another $348.42. How can they raise the taxes of a senior citizen with a tax freeze when my house value went down? Since I retired, my taxes went up $1,132.38 in just seven years. That is over 25 percent.

I worked enough part-time jobs to earn over 25 social Security quarters that qualified me for a $220 per month Social Security check, but President Reagan cut a deal with Dan Rostinkowski in the 1980s that eliminated most of the social security benefits for teachers, police and firemen. They called the benefits, that I paid into for years a wind fall. So the Wind Fall Elimination Act cut my $220 to $66. When I turned 65, and qualified for Medicare, they took that away from me and I have to pay them several hundred every year.  With the price of gold now, the “golden years” could use a new name. 
Gregory Lopatka, Downers Grove

Downers Grove needs to rethink tree removals
Is Downers Grove trying to prove that humans are responsible for global warming? No, then why approve/allow the deforestation of our community?

A 100-year oak tree had no value when on previously village-owned property this developer was permitted to install townhouses, that still violate village code. This village insisted upon leveling trees along Lee Avenue because there must be sidewalk installed.

Our Park District took out 5 acres of forest to install a recreation center. Our Park District spent more tax dollars on a streambank stabilization project and removed all evergreens at site in Lyman Woods. They are not “native.” Yet we brag about glacial remains in Lyman Woods. What is “native” to this municipality?

The Park District took out trees in Whitlock Park because we had to move a baseball field, despite overwhelming opposition. This district and the village disregard the resulting water damage that now plagues the adjacent neighborhood.

Finally, the destruction of 40 trees at Barth Pond. What insects are these phantom trouble makers? What safety factors could 40 trees violate, except by the lumberjack felling trees.

Now our Village Council just approved how much money to take out ash trees? A preventative measure? See last month’s Suburban Life Home & Garden insert. Page 2 states there is preventable treatment to save trees from the Emerald Ash Borer at www.treeresearch.org.

Now we’re going to pay $360 million for more storm sewers. How much rainwater can mature trees drink? None if there are no more. None if the storm sewers take all the water away. Contractors score again.

We need a preventable treatment to keep our officials away from trees and chainsaws. You are a continual threat to our community and our quality of life. How can we rid ourselves of this uncontrolled power you wield?

This Daley-like behavior must be contagious. We don’t have an airport you can demolish in the dead of night, but we have a park system which you are slowly devastating right in our backyards.

Your worn-out argument “it’s for the kids” doesn’t cut it. How will you explain this tree-free campaign to the children? We cannot afford your decisions.
Laurel Bowen, Downers Grove

PADS director gives thanks to dedicated volunteers
Volunteers, who work tirelessly to improve our community, are one of the nation’s most valuable resources. During National Volunteer Week — April 27 to May 3 — thousands of these dedicated men, women and young people here in DuPage County will be recognized for their efforts and their commitment to serve others. The week’s theme, "Volunteer to Change the World” reflects the power volunteers have to create positive change in the lives of those they serve.

On behalf of all of us at DuPage PADS, I want to say a special thank you to the many volunteers here in DuPage County who are part of the solution to end homelessness in our communities and (active participants) in the lives of many of our neighbors.

More than 4,000 volunteers make a difference in the lives of more than 1,200 men, women and children who are homeless or living at risk of becoming homeless in DuPage County. Because of the willingness of people who said “yes” to providing food, shelter and support, we continue to provide critical interim overnight housing, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing and support services to move people from homelessness into housing.

Volunteers create a sense of hope and shared responsibility for people’s future. They are the heart and soul of our work and help to bridge the gap between people who are homeless and our communities.

Thank you DuPage PADS Volunteers. Together we are part of the solution to end homelessness in DuPage County.
Carol Simler, executive director, DuPage PADS