Letters

Editor,
A serious side effect of the COVID-19 virus is the filling of our hospitals, so that others needing a bed cannot find one.
Recently, my husband experienced severe abdominal pain and shortness of breath.
Our local ER made many calls to hospitals for a medical-surgical bed for him. They were full because of the virus.
Eventually, a bed was found, where he underwent two procedures and is recovering
Please be a good neighbor. Wear a mask, stay out of crowds, etc.  You know the drill. Stay well.
Sally Miller

Editor,
The Farmers’ Market held on July 11 was not the first for Vandalia.
Ritta Craycroft, Katherine Brown, Virginia Mabry and I successfully put one together for Vandalia Main Street.
It was held on Saturday every week in the city parking lot.
I hope the new market on July 11 was a success and the beginning of a new venture for Vandalia.
Carole White
Vandalia

Editor,
I had an interesting night recently that involved the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and St. Elmo Police and Fire Departments.
I am a legal medical marijuana patient in Illinois. I have had ALS for 19 years, well beyond the 2-5-year life expectancy. I use a power wheelchair and my speech is hard to understand.
As of Jan. 1, it is legal to grow small amounts of marijuana for medical patients under certain conditions. I have met those conditions.

Editor,
A big thank you and tip of the cap goes to Cassie Beesley and the entire Bicentennial Celebration committee, city of Vandalia administration, the Vandalia community and the particiants for making the Bicentennial Celebration a huge success.
Mark and Mary Miller
Mark II and Brooke File-Miller

Editor,
A “yes” vote on the school sales tax may sound like a reasonable notion if you thought no further than the here and now.
It could take some of the burden off property owners, but for how long? Only one school in Fayette County has publically announced that it would lower property taxes if passed by the voters.
If all districts were on board for lowering property taxes, realistically, could the reduced property taxes last?

Editor,
A “yes” vote on the school sales tax may sound like a reasonable notion if you thought no further than the here and now.
It could take some of the burden off property owners, but for how long? Only one school in Fayette County has publically announced that it would lower property taxes if passed by the voters.
If all districts were on board for lowering property taxes, realistically, could the reduced property taxes last?

Editor,
A little over three years ago, I began a project to purchase a stone to mark the graves of 18 people who were placed in unmarked graves when the Vandalia Mausoleum was torn down in 1975. I am happy to report that the stone is now in place and will be dedicated at 10 a.m. this Thursday.

Editor,
The debate on Thursday evening for the candidates running for office was not always fair.
Like the one between Brian Stout and Jason Plummer, who are running for state senate.
Brian was asked to speak first each time. They should have taken turns. Brian should have had the right for a rebuttal, but he did not get to.
Anyone running for office and to be at a debate should talk about what they hope to do for the area they are running in, not call his opponent names and spread lies, as Plummer did to Stout.

Editor,
Brownstown High School graduate Floyd Jordan (‘54) had always looked forward to his own class reunion. Somewhere in the mid- to late 1970’s, Floyd worked to include all Brownstown Alumni in a school wide reunion.
With the help of many dedicated volunteers, the Brownstown Alumni Reunion has been a staple for those who have attended Brownstown High School, with graduates returning year after year for the Brownstown Alumni Reunion held in July.

Editor,
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes. This phrase holds true today as it did over 200 years ago. Since this phrase was first used, our lifespan has more than doubled, which is good, but Illinois residents pay the second-highest property taxes in the country, which is very bad.
If you are a homeowner, you know from past tax bills that property taxes are a certainty to keep rising in the future, putting more financial burden on you and your lifestyle.