Talk of the County

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Updated: May 2, 2011 4:45AM

Dr. Keller

I have known and worked professionally with Dr. Keller for more than 20 years. This man has been nothing but a godsend and a blessing to all his patients from his days at St. Therese Hospital until last Wednesday. What a shame that a drug-addicted, scourge on society found a loophole in the process, manipulated the system and managed to destroy over 20 years of good work and community service Dr. Keller has done for all the citizens of Lake County and beyond. It’s nice to know his parents are continuing in his wake with their lawsuit.

‘For the kids’

There’s plenty of teachers in Lake County making $100,000 — or more. Check your school district’s salary schedule when they publish it in the legal notices. When you find out how many are making that six-figure salary, remember that the next referendum when it’s “for the kids.”

Death penalty

Does anybody know why Gov. Quinn is taking so long to make a decision on the death penalty? I do. He’s trying to figure out how many votes he will lose if he abolishes the death penalty. Does anybody think he’s doing this because he is a great humanitarian? The only thing that matters in Illinois is votes and money, business as usual. After his last tax increase, I don’t think he will have to worry about another term as governor.

Look to Wisconsin

Why is it that our government only knows how to raise taxes when they mess up their budgets? Illinois needs to look at what Scott Walker is doing. You waste our money like it is yours. Keep our town safe, clean our streets and do things to make money. Stop taxing us. We have no more money for you to blow. If you cannot balance a budget, get out.

Assorted riff-raff

Why is it when I see the union protests in all these state capitols, it is not only union workers. I also notice there are many others, too. I’m talking about the socialists of America, the anarchists of America, Communist Party of America and assorted other riff-raff. If these government employees accept the support of these anti-American subversives, then I demand my right to not bargain with them collectively or otherwise. When will the American people see that the AFL-CIO, SEIU and the rest are no better than pirates.

Federal employees

I hope people see the major differences between public employees at the federal level and public workers at the state level, such as the Wisconsin teachers. Here are just two of those differences: Federal workers don’t have collecting bargaining for wages and benefits, and yet they’re doing pretty darn well. Federal workers pay twice as much for their health insurance as the Wisconsin teachers are being asked to pay in Wisconsin. In my experience, most federal employees understand what the “service” means in their description as civil service employees. The “service” idea doesn’t seem all that important to the Wisconsin teachers.

Occupancy rates

How many “first steps” has Waukegan taken so far? The Karcher Hotel “overhaul” will probably end up like the other hotel down the block at the corner of Sheridan Road and Washington Street. So many promises and “overhauls” just to sit virtually empty! Another “overhaul” was the Genesee Theatre which hasn’t revitalized downtown Waukegan. What about the old YMCA building by the Waukegan Library? People are just clamoring to live there, too! Seems like the only thing that’s occupied is the fairly new jail!

Coming up short

I see where the village of Antioch is coming up short on their budget. I think they need to spend more to get us out of this mess. I feel by spending more money on an indoor water park or maybe expand Lake Michigan water for the village project would help save money. It’s not their money, so why not raise the tax on our utilities more, like they just got done doing or dream up some other schemes to get more money out of us.

Obstructing sidewalks

Don’t people realize that it is against the law to park so that your vehicle obstructs the right of way to pedestrians? It’s dangerous to have kids walk out in the street to catch a bus or whatever because someone blocks the sidewalk with their car. Some people just think they own the sidewalk.

Political survival

As a true and tried politician, President Obama cannot very well go against the unions if he is to survive, politically. He depends on the unions’ support for millions of campaign dollars and for large blocks of votes. With the possible exception of Mr. Obama and the Democrats, Americans believe unions have outlived their importance and would inevitably bankrupt the U.S.

Blizzard budget

This is to the person complaining that Waukegan spent $346,000 on the 2011 blizzard while the surrounding communities spent less: Did you even stop to think that Waukegan is the biggest city in Lake County and has more roads to plow than the surrounding communities? The more roads you have, the more it costs.

Baby Dems

What is with the 14 baby Democrats running out of Wisconsin to hide in Illinois so they wouldn’t have to vote? Would you expect to be paid if you ran out on your boss and from your duties? I wouldn’t. They made me sick and any self-respecting Democrat should feel the same way and not vote for them the next time they are up for election. That whole party consists of thugs and babies! Vote them out!

Gubernatorial perks

The governor in Wisconsin has given millions to the businessmen and rich in his state. The union is willing to sacrifice raises and have to pay more for benefits. They are not willing to give up the right to bargaining and should fight for that right. I do not hear of the governor making any sacrifices for himself at all. It costs the taxpayers a huge amount of money to put him up in the mansion every year. Maybe he should have to pay his own living expenses like everyone else. Maybe the way he gets raises and benefits should be changed.

Crazy drivers

There are a lot of crazy drivers on Sheridan Road. Get up earlier so you do not have to go over 50 miles per hour to get to work on time. Stop being a bully on the road, and stop tailgating people because you are not responsible enough to get up early enough to get to work on time. Stop talking on your cell phones. Stop putting on makeup. Stop arguing with other people in car. You are better off being late than being dead or killing someone with your bad driving habits. I say everyone take down license numbers and report these people.

Early retirement

Why should government employees retire at 55 and I cannot? What is wrong with this picture? Write your letters soon. Wake up, America.

Cheap water

To the individual that said “hooray” for the new water system for the 11 communities. Many of those 11 communities already have the infrastructure in place, i.e., pipes running to their homes, so residents only pay for the water they use and the assessments charged by the community for the pipes that connect the water to their home. For communities that don’t already have the infrastructure, it will not just cost $40 a month. Your community will have to pay to have the infrastructure installed to get the water to your community, which you will pay for in your tax bill. But, you will also have to pay for the pipes from the ditch line to your home, plus a monthly fee for the water you use. For those that have problems getting ample water from your well, it is far less expensive to drill deeper to tap into the water supply than to get Lake Michigan water!

Learning curve

I recently heard a teacher complaining about the students today. “They are terrible. They are angry and feel they are entitled,” the teacher said. Gee, wonder where they learned that?

High-speed rail

The Interstate Highway System was built during the Eisenhower administration. Imagine if the state of Wisconsin said that they did not need highways, the little two-lane roads were working just fine. This is exactly what the states of Wisconsin and Florida are doing with high-speed rail. Last fall, Wisconsin Gov. Walker killed an $810 billion federally funded high-speed rail project, forcing the Transportation Department to pull its funding. Walker’s decision killed 130,000 expected jobs and forced the Spanish company Talgo to close its Milwaukee factory and layoff its 40-person staff.

Saved a life

I read Judy Masterson’s column of Feb. 26 about Dr. Keller. For a long period of time, I had no insurance. HealthReach Clinic and Dr. Keller saved my life and kept taking care of me until I was able to get my Social Security disability and Medicare. Their service to me was absolutely outstanding. He should be very proud and people should be very proud of what Dr. Keller did for the community.

Pension complaints

To all the people who complain about fire and police pensions, why don’t you complain about the carpenters’ or pipefitters’ or the electricians’ pensions? Or better yet, why don’t you complain about the state legislators who are not willing to take any kind of concession or pay cut for them or in their pension?

WWJD?

I’d like to ask the Republicans: What would Jesus cut?

Malfeasance

Malfeasance is wrongdoing, especially by a public official. Why can’t we hang that charge on some of our politicians for the costly mistakes they have made while in public office — borrowing money, taking taxpayers into terrible debt while spending promiscuously and wrongfully — especially after they promised to do so many wonderful things for the citizens they represent? That is lying.

Move him out

There was a lot of talk about moving out of Illinois when Gov. Quinn and the Democrats raised the income tax. Wouldn’t it be a lot easier for everyone if Gov. Quinn would move and we just stay? Toni Preckwinkle, the new Cook County Board president, would make a great replacement. She has demanded department heads to cut their budgets and gotten the Todd Stroger sales tax repealed, all in just a few weeks.

Talking cabbies

Waukegan is going to start cracking down on handheld cell phone use in the city and fining $50 at least. I hope that applies to taxicab drivers. I was just driving and almost got hit by a cab driver talking on the phone. They are some of the most reckless people in town.