Baldermann matter does not reflect RB greatness
The recent Jack Baldermann situation at Riverside-Brookfield High School has developed a disturbing trend.

Critics of Mr. Baldermann have attempted to trivialize the accomplishments of the school in an attempt to discredit him. This characterization is unfair to our outstanding school. The purpose of this letter is not to defend Mr. Baldermann — it is to remind the community how blessed we are to have such a quality school.

Examine the recent accomplishments at RB. Our graduation rate has increased from 89 percent to consistently above 97 percent. This means about 25 more students per year are earning their diploma. Much has been made of the push to include students in the AP program, which has landed the district on the Newsweek list of top schools during the last three years.

If you believe testing data does not define a school, examine the programs developed at RB. The school has partnered with the Brookfield Zoo to create an interdisciplinary program called the “School of Environmental Education.” The SEE team has traveled to New Orleans to help with Katrina cleanup for the past two years. Hundreds of RB students, faculty and community members have participated in the “Day of Service” volunteering to help throughout our communities. The Ecology Club has sponsored many work days to clean up local forest preserves.

This school has been successful because of a wonderful faculty, talented student body and supportive community coupled with a powerful vision from the Board of Education and administration.
Troy Gobble, RB science department chair, North Riverside

Cook County residents got scammed on sales tax vote
We got scammed. I was there for the vote to repeal the 1 percent increase in the Cook County sales tax. It failed on a 10-7 vote. The same commissioners who voted at midnight Feb. 29 to make us the county with the highest sales tax in the country voted against the resolution sponsored by commissioner Tony Peraica to repeal it. 

I started going down to the budget hearings in December 2007. I made the majority of the meetings in January and February, including the infamous night of Feb. 29. The meeting room was packed with union hospital workers for every meeting, chanting, “save our jobs!” Now, let’s be very clear about this: No one was going to lose their jobs.

This tax increase is about adding 2,000 new jobs to an already bloated Cook County payroll of 23,000. Remember, that’s the number that Todd Stroger campaigned on to reduce to 21,000. The union hospital workers came early, packed the room, and most average-Joe taxpayers were left standing in the hallways on the fifth floor of the county building with no way to get into the meetings to have their voices heard. That was the first part of the scam. Now here’s the second part:

For all of December and January, commissioners Sufferedin and Maldanado steadfastly stated they could not support a sales tax increase as it would hit the poorest of the poor hardest. In fact, while running in the Democratic primary, Sufferedin stated he was “standing up to Todd Stroger” and essentially blocking the sales tax increase.

Now, the business community was strongly against this regressive tax, but it seemed there were nine commissioners, on record, stating their opposition to it. Is a business owner expected to take time out of their business day to go down to a meeting that they can’t get into, to oppose a tax that nine commissioners are opposed to, to have their voice not heard anyway?

I was there; we got scammed. Shame on you, Commissioner Sufferedin, for switching your vote at the 11th hour and for failing Cook County taxpayers. Thanks goes out to Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica, who always looks out for the taxpayer, fought tooth and nail against this and almost saved Cook County from furthering its image of being the most corrupt and inept county in America.
Michael J. Slinkman, Countryside

Lyons supports proposed EJ&E railway purchase
At its June 2008 regular board meeting, the village of Lyons Board of Trustees voted unanimously to support the proposed Canadian National Railway’s purchase of the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern Railway Co. rail line.  

The CN purchase of the EJ&E would reduce congestion not just within Chicago, but within many suburban communities, as many as 60 total. Beyond the economic benefit for the city of Chicago, communities like Lyons benefit through less road congestion.

This would allow local commerce to move more freely and quickly.

Increasing efficiency also means fewer idling trains that would otherwise be wasting fuel. Since freight trains emit one-third less pollution than trucks carrying comparable cargo, the proposal is environmentally responsible. 

While some communities would see more rail traffic run through their communities, many more areas would see decreases in rail traffic. The benefits associated with CN’s acquisition of the EJ&E are numerous. The Surface Transportation Board should recognize this and approve the deal.
David Visk, village president, Lyons