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Letters

  • Letter to the Editor

    Editor:
    On the Religion page of the Jan. 26, edition of The Leader-Union, the Rev. Kurt Simon has written another scholarly article.
    The passage he refers to in Luke 14:25-26 has always confounded and disturbed me. How does “hating your family” square with the loving Jesus I was taught. Another similarly confusing text is in Matthew 10:34, where Jesus is quoted as saying, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” This seems to be at odds with his name of the Prince of Peace.

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  • Enough is enough!

    Editor:
    When is enough enough?
    When is Gov. Pat Quinn going to stop trying to balance the budget on the backs of the elderly and disabled people of Fayette County?
    First, he was trying to close our prison, then our agronomy center and now the human services office. I urge you to contact your representatives in Springfield.
    I think people in Springfield think that the people in Fayette County are dumb.
    And if nothing else works to stop the governor, remember him and the other politicians when you're in the voting booth.

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  • Neil Clark explains vote on tax levy

    Editor's Note: Vandalia Alderman Neil Clark read this letter at Monday's city council meeting. He also submitted it as a letter to the editor.
    Editor:
    This city council will vote tonight to approve or disapprove a tax levy for the city for the fiscal year of 2011.
    On Nov. 21, at 6:30 p.m., the council held a public meeting to discuss the tax levy for the 2011 fiscal year. The auditor for the city, Dale Timmermann, was present to be questioned and to answer questions regarding the proposed tax levy.

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  • Shoe box project makes difference for children

    Editor:
    Because of the amazing generosity of the residents of Fayette and Montgomery counties, Operation Christmas Child  was able to send 1,512 shoe boxes  filled with gifts to children  living in war-torn countries, areas of extreme poverty or nations affected by natural disasters.
    No one could tell that the world is going through tough economic times. The generosity of these residents came through once again.

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  • Say thanks to police officers for all they do

    Editor:
    It’s Thanksgiving and it seems an appropriate time to say “thank you” to the Vandalia Police Department.
    Leaving Vandalia to take a friend home this fall (after eating beans and cornbread at the Grande Levée), my car stalled. It was dark and I panicked – not remembering even how to turn my emergency lights on. I flashed my flashlight to be seen by passing motorists, and I called 911.

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  • Younger people must help our senior citizens

    Editor:
    I am writing to encourage people to help seniors more in Fayette County.
    Most of the seniors are very polite and knowledgeable. The are part of what Tom Brokaw called “The Greatest Generation” because they lived through the Great Depression and World War II.
    They all have something to offer. They can give good advice.
    But most feel lonely and in despair – especially around the holidays.

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  • Letter to the Editor

    Editor:
    Is it true that the work programs were taken away from the prisoners at Vandalia Correctional Center? The prisoners are supposed to be there for rehabilitation. It seems that a good work ethic would be a good part of that rehabilitation. My guess is that the prisoners would be more content, easier to handle and sure to learn many things if the work programs were put into place.

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  • Too many regulations hurt volunteer efforts

    Editor:
    I'm writing in response to an article in Panzi Blackwell's column about not being able to make apple butter at the Golden  Years Club anymore.
    There are still some people in Fayette County making apple butter.
    It's very unfair, in my opinion.
    The county said that one reason is that the copper kettle, which  gives the apple butter its flavor, could give people copper poisoning. It hasn't in the last 300 to 400 years.

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  • Letter to the Editor

    Editor:

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  • Teachers seek support on pension benefits

    Editor,
    I am writing on behalf of my fellow teachers and retired teachers. We are deeply concerned that our pension benefits may be in serious peril.
    Within the next few days, our legislators will be debating changes to the teachers’ retirement system. As many of you may know, our pension plan was already altered last year.
    The changes increased Illinois teachers’ retirement age to 67 for any teacher hired after Jan. 1 of this year. Illinois now has the oldest retirement age of any state in the country.

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