Letter writer made wrong assumptions about sign
The June 25 edition of the Westmont Progress included a letter to the editor from John Skocilich of Westmont commenting on the “One Nation, One Flag, One Language” sign in front of one of the Westmont fire stations.

John made certain assumptions about the Westmont Fire Department that unfairly criticized the department’s behavior and fire chief. The main complaint in John's letter was the “one language” statement and John suggested the Westmont Fire Department may be racially biased, limit their response to English speaking households and may employ discriminatory hiring practices.

The Westmont Fire Department has responded on three occasions to homes on my block, including my own, and in each situation their professionalism was outstanding. Their fire safety programs for children are exemplary and their willingness to get involved in the Westmont community do not support Mr. Skocilich's criticism. I am proud to call Westmont home and secure in the knowledge that both our fire and police departments are among the best in Illinois.

Because America is a “melting pot” and has opened its doors to the world, does that mandate the Westmont Fire Department should have to hire individuals to interpret every non-English speaking individual that should request an emergency response?

As a taxpayer, I am not willing to pay for that expense and believe that both your comments are unwarranted.

For the record, “One Flag” does refer to the “stars and stripes,” not the Confederate Flag. English is both the “official and unofficial” language of the United States of America. I am tired of pressing “one” for English and do not understand why certain individuals feel the need to cater to every first and second generation immigrant that comes to America because of problems or a lack of opportunities in their homeland. If you are not a naturalized American, and you want to live in this country, embrace our culture and traditions, obey our laws and become a citizen. And yes John, learn our language ... it’s called English.
F. Lee Smith, Westmont

People who come to U.S. should embrace ‘our’ values
Noted the letter about the sign in the June 25 Reporter/Progress letter section regarding “One Nation, One Flag, One Language” fire station sign in Westmont
We are all immigrants to these United States. The only difference is that when the people came here many years ago, they came to embrace our standards, our traditions, our values and, yes, our language. 

Now people want to make the United States over into their traditions, and we who have been citizens here are to be politically correct and agree that they can wipe out our way of life, replace it with theirs and just transplant their nations here and live better. 

I welcome anyone who wants to come here and live to better themselves, but they need to embrace our way of life — not theirs. What other country would put up with that kind of drastic change without saying “get out?”
Pat Korns, Westmont

Park District facility rental policy deemed ‘outrageous’
I have been a taxpaying resident of Downers Grove for more than 35 years and was very surprised by my recent contact with the Downers Grove Park District.

I was seeking a facility to use for my large family gathering at the holidays and first went to the Recreation Center on Belmont (yes, the one which was never voter approved and which was rejected by voters in an advisory referendum). I needed a facility for 40-45 people with a kitchen. I was told that I could rent a room and then was asked if I was going to use the district’s caterer or not, as no other cooking was allowed. Well, yes, I wanted to cook, or at least reheat, some of my family’s traditional foods.
I couldn’t do this, as policy allows only catering from the district’s caterer.

It was then suggested that I check out Lincoln Center facilities. So, off to Lincoln Center I went. The auditorium is available for rental at $75 per hour on Sundays, and a nice kitchen is available for an additional $25 per hour. That’s $100 per hour for something my 35 years of taxes supposedly has been paying for.

Don’t know about other families, but mine would have gathered at the holidays to the tune of about $1,000, just for the facility. Outrageous.
John Katzfey, Downers Grove

Fire Department here to protect all residents
I must respond to the letter to the editor by John Skocilich. How dare you imply that our fire department would not respond to any emergency call for help. These are the people, that run into a burning building, to save anyone who might be trapped inside, even the likes of you.

Who are you to impune the integrity of our fire chief, Frank Trout, a man that wore the uniform of our country, under the American flag, and was wounded in an effort to have the likes of you to spout your inane thoughts. I wonder why those who have never done anything in the way of public service sometimes attempt to demean those who so admirably serve all of us.

I am told those words on the sign were uttered by our 26th president Teddy Roosevelt.
Edward Richard, Westmont

Writer defends Westmont fire station sign message
Mr. Skocilich, from the sound of his letter, has not been in this country very long. One of the things that he should learn about the history of this country is that we are “One Nation.”

A group of malcontents some time ago didn’t believe this and thought they could start their own country, and failed. The United States has only “One Flag.” That group mentioned had a flag, but it was not a U.S. flag. Many flags have been flown here at different times, and in different places, but none were flags of the United States.

As for “One Language,” would he expect to go to Bolivia, Belgium or Serbia and expect the people of that country to understand him or speak English for him? If you want to live in this country, and want to be able to function, you must learn the language. If you cannot communicate you have a very severe handicap.
J William Halfpenny, Westmont

Westmont should spray more for mosquitoes
When it comes to spraying for mosquitoes, why doesn’t Westmont spray in the alleys instead of front lawns? The back yards are where the most shrubbery is. We also have water puddles in the alleys. I’m not bothered as much in my front yard, but they sure attack in the back yard.
Lois Gentile, Westmont

Westmont Fire Station sign is right on target
 sdj.I wish to offer a vote of support for Westmont's fire station sign, “One Nation, One Flag, One Language.”

A polyglot nation cannot unite against oppression.  A common language, even if spoken with an accent, is to be wished for. Those with an accent are to be commended and welcomed with open arms. They are trying to be one with us. It is a scare tactic and a red herring to say that support of “one language” means anti-accent.
Oliver Bishop, Westmont

Accents fine, but English is the official U.S. language
My response to John Skocilich’s letter in the June 25 Reporter/Progress is God bless the fire station for advertising that sign.

One language is right. Last time I checked, this was America, and English was the official language of this country. Just as Italian is the official language of Italy, Greek for Greece, Chinese for China and so forth.

I have no arguments that this country is based upon immigrants. However, to live in this country, you should speak the language. There are no issues with those that speak English with an accent ... just as long as they speak English. I would not decide to move myself to another country without learning their language. Nor would I expect that country to cater to me and my English-speaking tongue.

And yes, if you happen to call the fire department with an emergency, you better be able be able to speak English if you want help.

I do not like having to go anywhere in my own country and having to deal with someone that hardly speaks English. It’s frustrating.
Jennifer Schweiger, Big Rock