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Public ownership forever
Referring to the recent transfer of land in Lake Forest from Openlands to the Lake County Forest Preserves, Executive Director Ty Kovach said, “Two miles of public shoreline is just amazing in public ownership. This means it will be in public ownership forever. That’s pretty special.” (Emphasis mine)
I’m sure the people of Waukegan, Beach Park and Wadsworth thought it was pretty special when the Waukegan Savanna was purchased 30 years ago. The forest preserves made the same promise of public ownership in perpetuity to them, to all of us, with that purchase.
But evidently some parcels, or some towns, are more important than others. Now the Forest Preserves is seriously considering selling 52 acres of the Waukegan Savanna so the Waukegan Airport can extend a runway to allow a few executives to fly farther nonstop. The ultimate in greed and entitlement at the expense of local residents. From the quiet of grasslands and trees to the roar of jet engines.
I encourage all members of the Forest Preserves board to think about the importance of public ownership of land, and maintaining the trust of their constituents. This is a project that should never have gotten this far.
Susan Zingle, Wadsworth
Black and Brown people excluded again
To the Waukegan Park Board: What an embarrassment to wake up to read the headlines that the golf project was shut down, and it was headlined by saying, “Golf in general has historically excluded Black and Brown people.” It seems as history will now repeat itself, as you are now excluding Black and Brown people yet again by not giving the opportunity for Black and Brown people to play at this venue.
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Imagine reading this headline in 30 years to see how badly it will age.
Who has been the world’s number-one golfer for the majority of the last 25 years? Oh, that’s right, Tiger Woods, a Black man.
Baseball also generally excluded Black and Brown people. Maybe it’s time we got rid of all the baseball fields in this town. Thankfully, we had pioneers like Jackie Robinson to pave the way and break the color barrier. Change has to start somewhere. You either want unity or divide, and it seems to me each of you who voted “no” want divide.
Everybody on the Park Board that made this a racial issue and voted this down just brought those barriers back up. You set us back and divided us once again. We will hear from the outsiders, “Look how Waukegan screwed something up again.” We bring a casino that preys on Black and Brown people to gets taxes so the politicians can have their blood money, but say no to golf.
Each and every one of you who voted “no” should be disgusted with yourself. It’s a very bad look for you, the Park Board and the city of Waukegan.
And don’t give me a financial reason why this wouldn’t work. This facility would have people from Highland Park to Racine, Wisconsin, coming to it. It would get its money back, make revenue and be a job opportunity for many Black and Brown people.
I am absolutely disgusted right now. This board dropped the ball, and will forever have a black eye until each of you is voted out. Do yourselves a favor and resign. Complete. Embarrassment.
Chris Regas, Waukegan
Biden on the way out
After reading about the Biden family’s many scandals, I feel quite certain that Mr. Biden will be maneuvered out of office late this year or early next year by the DNC. The Biden presidency has become a liability to the Democratic Party, as well as to many once-trusted American institutions.
A member of the DNC, Steve Simeonidis, told CNN recently that President Biden should not run for reelection. The Democratic National Committee member explained that Biden’s approval ratings were alarmingly low. He shared that people are looking for a “change candidate” in 2024.
Many of those once-trusted institutions are weary of continuing to have to cover for Biden. According to a 2022 Gallop poll, less than 20% of Americans now have confidence in institutions such as newspapers, the criminal justice system, television news, big business, and less than 8% for Congress.
A recent Associated press poll reports that most Americans, including Democrats, would prefer that Biden not run again.
Political strategists from as far back as the Carter administration are very likely working on an acceptable mechanism to remove Biden and his vice president from office soon.
As one cable news reporter put it concerning the imminent ousting of Biden, “The writing is on the wall.”
Charles Danyus, Round Lake Beach