The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Dear Editor,
As a newcomer to the area, I have been listening to the conversations concerning the Raritan Bank situation.
I really think it is time to quit the "bad-mouthing" of the bank and its officers.
The bank has admitted its responsibility and has complied with the rules, so I think the matter has been resolved.
The mistake the bank and its officers made was certainly not intended for the benefit of the bank.
They were trying to give some of their customers "the benefit of the doubt" during hard times.
A lapse of judgement perhaps, but certainly not the greed and power intent of an "Enron" situation.
To my knowledge the bank is still solvent and the officers are still our neighbors and friends doing the best job they can. Let's give them a break.
Bill Towns
Stronghurst
Dear Editor:
Recycling is working in Illinois. Our efforts are keeping more than 5 million tons of useful materials out of landfills each year.
We are now recycling 35 percent of our waste from our homes, businesses, and schools, up from only 9 percent ten years ago.
2,400 Illinois businesses now exist to collect, sort, and re-manufacture products from our recyclable material.
These businesses employ over 56,000 Illinois residents.
Besides reducing the need for landfills, recycling in Illinois saves the equivalent of 53 million trees each year and also eliminates 131,000 tons of air pollution and 21,500 tons of water pollution.
Using recycled material also saves enough energy to heat and light 578,000 Illinois homes.
While we have made tremendous progress in Illinois, a 35% recycling level means that 65% of our waste is still being wasted.
Eighteen billion pounds of resources are still thrown away each year.
November 15th is America Recycles Day - a day to rededicate ourselves to recycling.
Our commitment to recycling helps to conserve resources and preserve the environment for future generations.
Gary Mielke, President
Illinois Recycling Assoc.
Dear Editor,
Hello, my name is James McClanahan. I live in San Antonio Texas. I have many family members living there and ,well, I used to live there myself many years ago.
My Grandmothers name is Beth Glenn. She lived on what is known as the Whiteman homestead.
Where my cousin Vince Whiteman lives with his family. My brother, Glenn McClanahan lives just up the road with his family.
Down the road my cousin Shirley Kane lives with her family.
Well, I went through a tough time these past two years, I had leukemia and went through all that is involved with that.
My Aunt Mildred Anderson called me when I was in the hospital on a regular basis with out fail.
I understand there were many people there that I was on their prayer list. I don't even know them but they prayed for me anyway.
I want to tell them how much I appreciated them, and that I felt everyone of those prayers.
I am living proof that miracles can and do happen.
I am in complete remission and thanks to a bone morrow transplant from my sister, I very sure I am going to stay that way.
Thanks for going on line.
James McClanahan
San Antonio, Texas
Importance of Being Genuine
Dear Editor
As they say, there are two things one should never discuss: religion and politics.
After writing several letters about religion and not getting shot, maybe it is safe to write one about politics.
Although Clinton took credit for everything and blame for nothing, in my opinion he was at the right place at the right time in the 1990's.
The Reaganomics of the Reagan and Bush Sr. administrations, plus innovative ideas of Republican Congressmen, and the work of Republican appointed Fed Chairman Greenspan, laid the groundwork for a robust economy.
Of course, help from Treasury Secretary Rubin and other Democrats was also instrumental in having a prosperous era.
Clinton is a very intelligent person and he realized that presiding according to the way the wind is blowing is the way to gain public popularity.
This is not bad by any means because the American people, as a whole, are generally right.
However, it does involve jumping back and forth over the fence and when Republican Congressmen come up with good, popular ideas, incorporating them into your own program.
On the other hand, Reagan had a very consistent philosophy on running our country and you knew where he would stand on basically every issue, even when it was not the most popular.
Bush Sr. was not as consistent and he finally gave in to the Democrats and raised taxes, after promising not to do so. Many would say this was the reason he lost the election to Clinton in 1992.
However, he had the dignity to step aside from politics for 8 years and let Clinton do his thing.
Remember the economy was starting to go down hill when Clinton's tenure ended.
After the Clinton-Gore administration did virtually nothing to stop terrorism, George Bush Jr. is left with some huge world problems (as well as economy problems).
He realizes that maniacs like Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein will only get more powerful and thus, we have to take some action.
In the meantime, it is not helpful to have Clinton and Gore both undermining his gutsy efforts. What really takes the cake is when Democratic Senators go to Iraq and undermine our President!
In my opinion, Billy Graham is as genuine a human being as you could find. He practices what he preaches by living his true Christian character.
Of course, even Billy has human short comings. In some peoples' opinion, Clinton is as genuine as a million dollar bill, whereas George W. Bush is considerable more genuine. We are fortunate to have Sen. Donahue and Rep. Myers as our local, relatively genuine politicians.
Since we were all created in God's own image, He expects us all to be as genuine as humanly possible. Most of us have a considerable way to go.
Weyman George
Macomb