Letters to the editor

By Steve Fairbanks, Peoria, IL In his “Straight Talk” column in the March issue of the Community Word, Roger Monroe chided a Peoria County Board member for a “blistering personal attack” on a fellow board member. He also accused the board member of “grandstanding.” Monroe then goes on to call the U.S. Speaker of...
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by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL Does anybody remember what John F. Kennedy, our first Catholic president, said to those concerned that the Vatican would be dictating U.S. policy? “I believe in an America,” he said, “where no Catholic prelate would tell the President — should he be Catholic — how to act.” Well,...
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by Diane Vespa, Peoria, IL Although I cannot vote for Rachael Parker in a Democratic primary, I still very much support her in her bid for County Board. As I lobbied aggressively for changes within District 150 (School Board), Rachael Parker was one of the few board members who addressed regularly the concerns of parents and...
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By Jim Perez Communications Director Rachael Parker for County Board With the Feb. 2 primary a few days away, voters are being left in the dark about the political backdoor dealings that are manipulating the Peoria County Board races to help the status quo remain in power. In the 1st District, Bonnie Hester didn’t want to...
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by Ed Klein, Peoria, IL How many of you, watching the recent TV news, reading about town hall meetings, rallies and other far right-sponsored gatherings, wonder at the angry, hate-filled rhetoric, outright lies, gross misrepresentations and irrational, screaming outbursts? Get government out of our healthcare system! Don’t let government get between us...
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by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL The late Nixon speechwriter who took credit for Spiro Agnew’s “nattering nabobs of negativism,” William Saffire (who critics accused of trumpeting various Clinton scandals that were never borne out by facts), is described in recent obituaries: “He started grabbing bits of information and wrapping them in the tightest...
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by Dolores Klein, Peoria, IL State Representative Lou Lang recently spoke at a celebration of Women’s Equality Day, a national recognition of the addition in 1920 to the U.S. constitution of the 19th Amendment. He is dedicated to the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, which was passed during the Nixon Administration, supported by...
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by Jehan Gordon, IL State Representative, 92nd District On June 5, utility giant Ameren requested that the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) allow a $226 million increase in their delivery rate. Ameren’s request comes just a few months after a $160 million rate hike. Their latest request would cost the average AmerenCILCO customer an additional $64...
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by Dolores M. Klein, Peoria, IL The murder of Dr. Tiller and the President’s speech at Notre Dame have ratcheted up the controversy over Roe/Wade and the issue of abortion rights. The language employed is an important element in the national discussion. When I hear the invoking of slavery and the term Holocaust continuously...
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by Jody Pitcher, Peoria 9-12 Project On Tuesday June 9th the Vice Chair of the Republican National Committee, Jan Larimer, held a town hall meeting at the Embassy Suites in East Peoria, Il. Many conservatives were in attendance hoping to see a new push from the GOP toward conservative values and principles. Jan...
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