Don't forget: honor the vet

Dear Editor: 

The past vision of the Mayor of Chicago and his present vision to expand libraries within each community isn't a manipulative political move to justify more taxes. I hope that within each library, past and future, each community sets aside an area for World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Gulf Wars veterans. Have programs for video, audio, and personal biographies preserved within library walls. Have our own neighbors within the community boundaries give their stories.

            Streets, buildings, and statues have become memorials to the fallen soldiers in the past. But we forget why unless memorials are placed somewhere for future generations of kids to read the true story.

            The street signs, buildings, and statues become resting places for tired feet for birds rather than the hearts of kids to emulate during a lifetime.

            The bridges across Millennium and Grant Parks would be great places to have plaques honoring each fallen soldier by community name within each sidewalk as one walks.

            John Joseph Rak

            Bridgeport

 

Bridgeport not a food desert 

Dear Editor:

While I appreciate and agree with the efforts to put a new grocery store in the vacant space, I take exception to the article calling Bridgeport a food desert.

In the Nov. 2 edition of the Gazette, there was mention of Bridgeport not having a full-service grocery store since the Jewel on 31st and Halsted closed in September. The article mentioned the Egg Store and CVS as the only options for residents who could/would not leave the area to shop, stating specifically that there was nowhere to purchase meat.

This is absolutely false. This article failed to mention that Halsted Foods, a CertiSaver Supermarket, is located at 34th and Halsted, just three blocks away from the site of the former Jewel. This store has a good selection of quality meat, a deli, bread, produce, and a variety of ethnic selections, in addition to having very reasonable prices (often less expensive than Jewel).

How was this not mentioned in the article? Why are all the residents being "forced" to leave the neighborhood to get groceries? Either they don't know about the store on 34th and Halsted, or, more likely, they choose to shop at Jewel instead. Either learn about your neighborhood's options or stop complaining.


Sincerely,

Christina Buending
Bridgeport Resident

 

Time for peddlers to return 

Dear Editor:

"Food deserts" are areas of the city where it is hard to find healthy food. This problem was solved thousands of years ago with traveling peddlers.

            The unemployed or underemployed could become fruit and vegetable vendors. Again, this would be nothing new. Where there are no jobs, people will create them.

            The government can help by staying out of the way. If the government feels compelled to meddle, they could contribute by offering free or really cheap peddlers' licenses.

            If peddlers make money, stores selling the wares the peddlers sell will follow. That's the way it usually is.

James Reyes

 

Seniors need help 

Dear Editor, 

Catholic Charities issues annual policy papers, and this year’s document, Honor Your Father and Mother, draws on our experience of assisting 300,000 seniors annually.

            What we learned in preparing the document surprised us, and sometimes shocked us.

            Although seniors comprise 12% percent of the U.S. population, people 65 and older accounted for 16% of suicide deaths in 2004.

            People 50 and older who entered treatment for heroin abuse rose from 7,000 to 27,000 between 1992 and 2002.

            Nationally, 2.4 million grandparents report that they are responsible for grandchildren who are living with them.

            Nationally, between one and two million seniors are victims of elder abuse.

            In Illinois, 44% of elderly homeowners and renters pay more than 50% of their incomes for housing costs.

            For individuals 65 to 74, health care represents 30.6% of potential spending. That number is 52.5% for retirees 75 and older.

            By 2030, Alzheimer’s disease alone will cost Medicare $400 billion annually, nearly the amount of the total current Medicare budget.

            As Catholic Charities celebrates 90 years of serving people, we call upon everyone who learned values, knowledge, and skills from older people to assist us in serving seniors, particularly those living in poverty. Volunteer your time to enrich the lives of those who are alone. Financially support programs that address seniors’ needs. Communicate with your elected officials in support of policies that help the elderly. Regard elders with dignity and understanding.

            One of the hallmarks of a civilized society is how we treat our elders. We must all recognize the issues and join in solutions.

Sincerely,

Rev. Michael M. Boland
Administrator
President and CEO
Catholic Charities