Publications & Sites 
The readers take over
Pat Lenhoff
Updated: May 27, 2012 8:11AM
Today, readers take the wheel with commentary about some stories we’ve discussed as well as new territory unexplored.
First up is a short but sweet note from John Heinz, Director of Public Works for the village of Libertyville. You may remember that John and the PW department, were featured in the latest “Have you Met?” column not long ago. He sent me this: “Just wanted to say a big thanks for working with me to raise the level of understanding for Public Works. I have already gotten numerous comments on it from my friends in Vernon Hills and Libertyville. I will be interested to see how your readers respond.” Here’s hoping that most of us got a much better view and a greater appreciation of the wide scope of responsibilities shouldered by local Public Works departments.
Reader Dave Turnbaugh had this to say about my recent ruminations regarding golf courses, and the now-defunct Fort Sheridan one in particular: “Fort Sheridan should have been left alone. The developers had grand ideas of an upscale course to help them sell units. Thankfully the Forest Preserve is too careful to spend tax money with the likelihood of huge losses. My friend is a double amputee from Vietnam and played the old course for cheap. Now the course is ripped out for years, to no one’s benefit.
A side story: after it was torn out, the developer of the Towne of Fort Sheridan was allowed to store dirt and debris on the property. At the end of the project, the developer failed/refused to remove the piles. I think it ended up in court.”
I guess one aspect of the golf course I had not given thought to until Dave’s email was the access by veterans to play golf at a reasonable rate at Fort Sheridan. Which leads me to another potential topic: discounted rates for veterans? Do we have courses that do that? If not, should we? Think about it and let me know.
Finally, the column about the likelihood of change coming to the teaching profession spurred readers to write in. My friend and long-time, long-distance, now retired teacher Deb Tully wrote: “I did agree with most of your editorial. However, no one ever mentions the parents’ role in supporting the educational process at home. A very touchy subject, as well as politically incorrect in many arenas.”
Regular reader Gavin Muldowney had this to say: “My children had the same teacher, good for my daughter but bad for my son. She was good at pointing out problems but when asked for solutions, had no ideas. In my view, this was someone who was ‘mailing it in’ for years. The good news for future students is that she is retiring this year. Regarding compensation, our district is running at a several million dollar deficit. My friend teaches at my children’s school, he said last summer the district wanted teachers to open the last year of their contract, and his comment in response being ‘why would we do that and give up what we have collectively bargained?’ My point to him was that teachers have averaged over 7 percent in raises the past 10 years, while most folks I know are making much less than they did 5 years ago.” No simple solutions here.
Send email to Pat Lenhoff at: viewfromv@yahoo.com
