Village did not charge for
Moving Wall police escort

I wish to set the record straight regarding the village’s involvement in the Moving Wall, a Vietnam veterans memorial, recently hosted by Alexander Bradley Burns American Legion Post 80.

I have received several comments from misinformed, albeit well-intentioned, folks about my as well as the village’s overall support for this event. Last week, the Reporter/Progress published a letter to the editor espousing some of this misinformation, again probably unintentionally so.

The village of Downers Grove did not and will not charge Alexander Bradley Burns American Legion Post 80 a fee for police services to support the arrival of the Moving Wall in Downers Grove. The fee in question relates to a preliminary cost estimate for overtime police services (traffic detail) needed to safely guard a proposed route that was scuttled for a more expeditious path through Downers Grove to the American Legion hall.

The village of Downers Grove, myself included, fully supported this endeavor, and village staff worked diligently behind the scenes to assist our partners at Post 80. Application fees were waived — pursuant to our fee waiver policies, which allow the waiver of certain fees for nonprofit organizations — and logistical and promotional support was provided by the village, at no cost to the American Legion.

In fact, Post 80 Cmdr. Woody Kawaters thanked the village for its support and assistance on the project in his remarks made at the opening ceremonies Oct. 2.

I hope this accurate message reaches members of the veterans community who may have received erroneous information regarding the final outcome of what was an otherwise dignified and honorable tribute to our heroic Vietnam veterans.

Mayor Ron Sandack, village of Downers Grove
 

Performing arts grants
should be continued

We urge you to oppose a complete suspension of all Downers Grove community grants that support local community performance events. We understand the Downers Grove village budget for 2010 has a serious shortfall, but please join us in seeking to provide some continued funding rather than no village funding for these activities next year. Village grant funding enables many community groups to provide affordable, high-quality entertainment.

Arts groups and events have a very positive impact on the community, making it a better place in which to live and work. Local concerts, plays and the other performance events provide enjoyment and relaxation for residents of Downers Grove and surrounding communities without a need to travel to Chicago. Participants in local arts events are likely to dine in Downers Grove restaurants before and after events, and out-of-town artists stay in Downers Grove hotels.

The great benefits to our community's leisure activities and image provided by the performance groups supported by the Downers Grove Community Grants are reflected in the recent CNN Money.com recognition of Downers Grove as the fifth best place to retire. Please make sure that any short-term reduction in village support for these performance groups does not drastically affect their abilities to provide these benefits in the future. Withdrawal of all village funding now could have a devastating impact on many local arts groups.

Thank you for your consideration of our views.

Robert Bahrey, Senior Suburban Orchestra president; Patricia Camalliere, Downers Grove Choral Society; Susan Crowther, Downers Grove Choral Society president; Dan D’Andrea, Senior Suburban Orchestra music director; Mim Eichmann, Midwest Ballet Theatre artistic director/founder; Gordon and Nancy Goodman, Downers Grove Concert Association; Alison Henderson, New World Repertory Theater; Marilyn Ludwig, Grove Players; Mary and Tom Sisul; Jim Stahulak, Downers Grove Arts Council president; Joyce Tumea, Grove Players, PriMerry Players, DG Music Club, DG Arts Council, DG Writers Workshop; Tony Tumea, West Towns Chorus, Grove Players, PriMerry Players, DG Music Club, DG Arts Council; Ellen Webb, Downers Grove Concert Association president; Marilyn Wilgocki, Village Voices director/founder, Downers Grove Music Club president