La Grange Theater should not get village funding
I applaud the members of the La Grange Village Board who oppose giving $1.7 million of public funds to the private owners of the La Grange Theater. Entrenched politicians and “staff” pressure these courageous board members to go along with their wishes.

These same “staffs” perpetuate their existence and employment by encouraging such give-away projects. The citizens of La Grange stand behind this opposition. I encourage these opposition board members to call the question to break off negotiations with the theater owners. The citizens of La Grange are intelligent people; citizens need to know for future election decisions the individuals that support this type of activity.

In an era of Netflix, Redbox, on-demand home movies and in-home movie theaters, the real solution to the La Grange Theater’s economic problems may be a wrecking ball. The solution is definitely not public funding of a private enterprise.

Citizens facing foreclosure, rising property taxes and decreasing property values should not have to tolerate misuse of public funds.
Jim Boo, La Grange

We need to know where our leaders are from
Our Constitution states that our president must be born in the United States. John McCain was not born here. If our leaders know these rules, not one came forward to say so.

I sent this type of letter to a newspaper but it was never printed; we need to learn some rules about our country.
Clara Kupczak, North Riverside
EDITOR’S NOTE: John McCain was born in the Panama Canal zone, which was controlled by the United States at the time of his birth.

TIF funding is not the right way to help save theater

I see by the paper the La Grange Village Board is debating whether to approve tax increment financing funds for the La Grange Theater.

We were in business for more than 40 years in Hinsdale, and when we needed money for remodeling, expansion, etc., we went to the bank for a loan. One of the functions of a bank is making business loans, isn’t it?

Why should the taxpayers of La Grange subsidize the owners of the theater? A TIF freezes the assessed valuation of a property for up to 23 years, which affects all the tax districts — schools, parks, library, fire, township, etc. The theater owners, like millions of other small businesses do, should get a bank loan for their improvements and not expect La Grange taxpayers to provide the funding with a TIF.
Dolores Cizek, Countryside

Flood still does damage to homes and people
While no one was physically hurt in Westchester, I respectfully invite police Lt. Stephen Stabosz to drive our streets and see what flood waters can do to the possessions of the hard-working people of Westchester. There is great emotional pain and stress when a community suffers flooding.

While I am fortunate that more damage was not done to my property in the recent rain, we have suffered the inconvenience of being at the mercy of insurance companies and (the Federal Emergency Management Agency). Our home has been forever changed.  While a foot of water does not compare to homes being washed away in a hurricane, or to homes being totally flooded, flood waters change your quality of life.

I lost valuable possessions in the recent rain. Yes, my insurance company will reimburse and pay for damages. Yes, I will wait a long time for an adjuster to come to my home. Yes, we are under great stress.

And, finally, to Mr. Russell, public works foreman in La Grange, and Mr. Patrick Ryan, the public works director in Berwyn, I invite you both to tour your village on garbage pickup day and call the water-soaked belongings out on the curbs of your residents’ homes “little incidents.”

We know the people who work for our community work hard and are, for the most part, good at their jobs. The recent rain was not caused by you. No one is attacking you for trying to do a good job serving the towns you serve. A little compassion in the written and reported word would be welcome.
Margaret Tassione, Westchester

Mom says thank you for handicapped-accessible swing
I am writing on behalf of my disabled daughter and all the other children in the Brookfield area to thank you very much for completing the process of getting a handicapped-accessible swing put up in one of our village parks.

It’s a wonderful and necessary addition to one of our village parks, over at Candy Cane (Park). I know Lindsay and many other children will enjoy having it for many years to come. Thank you for responding to the needs of the village citizens.
Diane Hettasch, Brookfield

Funding theater deemed ‘beyond the norm’
Anyone watching the Aug. 28 La Grange Village Board workshop meeting on funding the La Grange Theater, I think, saw a real example of the old boy system and special interest. I give credit to the couple of members who tried to call it as it is.

To fund this project with out taxpayer dollars is beyond the norm. Quality of life was mentioned, but I think the welfare of the residents is more important. Facade loans were mentioned, but village records show a loan already used for some purpose. How often should anyone come to the same trough?

No matter what you call it, TIF funds or general funds, it is all the same money. La Grange taxpayer money and its use should not be taken lightly, as in the use of $42,000 to paint a railroad bridge that does not belong to us.

The village shows a debt of nearly $8.7 million dating back to 1988. If our board goes ahead with this project, you will know the old boy system and all the special interests are well and thriving. Make your voice know.
Merrill Fowler, La Grange