Letters to the editor reflect the opinions of our readers and are not necessarily the opinions of the editorial staff of the Mason County Democrat. To submit your own letter click on submissions.
9/30/2009
I wish to comment about a thoughtful, considerate, and helpful gentleman I found in San Jose Saturday afternoon, September 12.
I was on my way to a wedding at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church on 3600 E, but did not know exactly where that was. I passed 3800 and 3950 so knew I had somehow missed 3600E, so I drove on into San Jose to ask at Casey’s. This gentleman heard me ask about directions and spoke up. Instead of telling me to back track, he said “follow me and I will lead you there”. He said he had difficulty hearing, name was Reed and that was his red car over there to follow.
San Jose can be proud of that citizen. He so graciously responded to help. Thank you, Sir! The wedding and reception were very well planned - lovely and enjoyed by all.
I thought it strange the 3600E road or the Lutheran Church did not seem to be marked on Route 136 with signs.
Respectfully,
An Old Mrs. Atwater
9/30/2009
Dear Editor:
As a South Carolina author of ten published books, I had the pleasure of spending the week of September 14-18 at New Central Elementary School in Havana. The PTO engaged me to work with the four fourth grade classes for the week and to read poems to other classes. Students had a chance to hear poems, discuss the writing/publishing process, and write. Much of the writing involved numerous starter activities in which they learned several different ways to help get those all-important first words on the page.
I was impressed with not only the co-operation, hard work, and talent displayed by the students but also by the way the teachers and staff were all involved in making the experience as meaningful as possible for their students.
I think the school and the community should be commended for giving their youngsters the opportunity for this unique experience, one that lets them realize that poetry can be fun, that the techniques involved in writing poems can transfer to all forms of writing, and that success as a writer is attainable by each of them.
I feel privileged to have been invited to New Central Elementary.
Gene Fehler
Seneca, South Carolina
10/07/2009
Dear Editor:
On Sunday, September 13, I had to take my 11 month old son to the hospital by way of ambulance. He was having an allergic reaction to something. His face was red and puffy, his lips were swollen, he was drooling from the mouth, his ears were red and he had splotches all over his neck, abdomen and back. He was having trouble breathing. Not only did he look bad, he was not responding to me when I spoke to him.
The ambulance left Mason City at noon, traveling south on Route 29 towards Springfield. The paramedics began treating my son and negotiating fairly heavy traffic. I was outraged by the behavior of the drivers on this road. I want to say Thank You to all the drivers, north and south bound, on the highway that immediately pulled off and gave the ambulance room to get by. On our short drive to Springfield, the lights and sirens were on, and there were still drivers who would not get out of our way.
On four separate occasions, we had to slow down significantly to wait for a vehicle to get out of the way. The ambulance driver had to honk the horn repeatedly to get the cars in front of us to pull off of the road and make room for us to pass them. The oncoming traffic was not getting off of the road either, which made it impossible for us to get around the cars in front of us.
It may seem like an inconvenience to you as a driver to slow down and get out of the way, but every second that you delayed the ambulance, you put my son at risk. The four times that we had to wait on you cost us time. It may have only amounted to a minute or two, but one minute when a person is not breathing can be the difference between being ok, being brain damaged, or even brain dead. What if it were your husband, wife, child or parent in the back of that ambulance? I am sure that you would want the ambulance to get to the hospital as soon as it possibly could.
I was offended at the inconsiderateness of these drives. The paramedic said that it happens all the time. I wrote down the license plate numbers of the four south bound cars that would not get out of our way. You know who you are, and I hope that you never have to experience a trip in the back of an ambulance because your inconsiderateness, self centeredness, and lack of ability to react with any common sense may come back to haunt you.
April McLaughlin
Mason City
10/14/2009
Dear Editor,
I normally write about preventing teens from using alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, but not today. I was in a meeting with Nina Krueger from the Mason County Health Department, and during a little intermission she was relating her passion for being a public health official. And then she said that it will be interesting to see how many people will get the H1N1 virus vaccination once it’s available to them.
I admitted what felt like my secret from her, which is that I didn’t plan on getting the vaccination. I said that I have an amazing immune system. I guess I thought I was too tough for that, or something. I don’t know.
After answering her question about my age, she said to me that I’m not within the age group that absolutely should get the vaccination because they are most likely to spread it.
I’m not sure, but I think that might have been her amazingly tactful way of reminding me that getting the vaccination is not only about me, but it’s also about not spreading the virus to others. Either way, that’s what I got from it. My body usual kicks out any sickness almost as quickly as I get it, but I know I can still spread it. It’s surprising to me that I wasn’t thinking on a public health level in regards to the H1N1 virus given that my job is to think on a public health level in regards to teenage substance abuse. But now I know what I have to do, be the tough guy and get the shot.
Jason Blanchette
10/21/2009
Dear Editor,
On October 5 we were informed, indirectly, that no longer would we be able to serve our customers who are under the Caterpillar Drug Benefit Plan. Apparently after January 1, 2010, the only fully reimbursed providers would be Walgreens and Wal-Mart. This information was provided to us, not by Caterpillar, but instead by letters that Caterpillar sent out to our customers. Many of our customers have expressed concern and dismay by reason of this change in policy by Caterpillar.
We own a small business; we are not a Wal-Mart or Walgreens. We serve our customers personally. We know our customers and their families as well as their health histories and their primary physicians.
We provide delivery service and if needed, we are available on a 24-hour basis. Our home phone numbers are in the phone book and we are in the community and available at all times.
Unfortunately, without notice to us or any attempt to meet with us and talk about this issue, CAT has decided that we no longer will receive any prescription drug business from them through their employees and retirees, unless customers are willing to pay two times the price that would be charged at Walgreens or Wal-Mart. Obviously, most of our customers are on very limited means and are unable to afford this additional payment.
Why? We do not know the answer to this question. No explanation has been given nor has any information been forwarded directly to us by Caterpillar. Apparently, these negotiations have been going on for some period of time yet no one bothered to inform the local pharmacies.
For many of our customers, they must now drive at least a 40 mile round-trip to get their prescriptions filled. For many of them who are either home bound or cannot drive, this is a substantial hardship. Our business provides delivery service. They will no longer be on a first-name basis with their pharmacist and it is unlikely that pharmacists will be on a first-name basis with them.
There is now a trend in medicine call a “team approach.” This involves the primary physician, pharmacist, as well as any specialists. It has been reported in medical literature that this approach has been of significant benefit to patients. Since no longer will our customers likely be able to “team” with their pharmacist, there could be a substantial medical risk to our customers. Certainly there will be no benefit.
This unilateral decision by CAT will have a devastating impact on our business as well as many other small pharmacies. Our business, as well as many others local pharmacies, provide contributions to the schools, churches, park districts, and summer recreation programs. No longer will these contributions be available if we are not in business.
We would urge all CAT retirees, all CAT health plan members, and their families to contact CAT and protest this unilateral decision. Also, please contact your local representatives as well as Attorney General Lisa Madigan in Springfield to protest this heavy-handed corporate abuse of power.
Thanking you for your time.
Sincerely,
Don Quinones
Ron Quinones
Wolters Drug Store, Inc.
Havana
10/28/2009
Dear Editor,
Can you believe that its that time again! The SANTA PARADE is right around the corner on Saturday, Nov. 28th at 10 a.m. with line up starting at 8 a.m. in front of New Central School once again.
\ This years theme, “EVERYONES CHRISTMAS” leaves the door wide open to anyone who wants to place an entry in the parade. We are hoping for at least as many as we had last year making it a complete success again.
We would like the public to know that we are in need of stuffed toys, and monetary donations as long as four or five people are willing to wear costumes the day of the parade.
For further information the public can call Donna Johnson at (309)543-3275. Thank you for your time and interest. Lets make this one a great success as well!
Sincerely,
Donna Johnson
Parade Chair
11/04/2009
Dear Editor,
University of Illinois Extension would like to extend a special thank you to area businesses and organizations for contributing items for the Safe Trick or Treat bags distributed to area youth. Although the face-to-face Safe Trick or Treat Night event was cancelled due to local health concerns, local businesses, agencies, and organizations donated treats for nearly 600 goody bags.
Thank you to the following contributors: Apple Ducklings, Birth to 3 & Little Stars Pre-K, Casey’s, Church of Christ, CIEDC & Havana Headstart, Havana Pet Cabana, Havana Public Library District, Havana Police & Fire Departments, Havana Women of Today, Mason District Hospital, Spoon River College, and THE National Bank.
Thank you also to Mason County 4-H Federation members and parents for helping prepare for the event. You are “making the best better”.
Approximately 500 youth and their families came out in full costume to enjoy this wonderful event in 2008 and Mason County Extension looks forward to a face-to-face event in 2010.
Matt Montgomery,
County Extension Director;
Christine Belless,
4-H & Youth Community Worker; and
Joli Pierson,
Family Nutrition Program
11/04/2009
Dear Editor,
Recently my husband and I decided to adopt a small dog from Pets Without Parents. My husband called the facility and they said they had several small dogs that we could take a look at. On Friday, October 16th my husband picked me up from work at 4 p.m. and we drove to the shelter between Easton and Mason City where we got to meet who was soon to be the newest member of our family, Hobo Jo, a.k.a. JoJo. JoJo appeared to be some sort of terrier/poodle mix that weighed in at about 10 lbs. He was not the cleanest little dog, didn’t smell very well, and honestly, he looked like a small mop, a small fur ball of sorts and you could barely see his eyes. So reluctantly, we took JoJo outside and played with him for awhile. He seemed to have a very good personality, was playful and loved to give kisses.
It wasn’t love at first site for me and I wasn’t very convinced he would fit in with our other dog and two cats, but my husband wanted to give him a chance, so we decided to at least give him a foster home for the weekend. We put him in the vehicle and we headed back to Havana. As we headed to town, we talked about how badly he needed a bath, especially if he was going to be in our house all weekend and around our other pets.
Our other dog, a 70 lb. standard poodle goes to the Havana Pet Cabana and gets a make-over on a regular basis and he just loves the care that Lindsay and staff give to him. So, we thought it might be a long shot, but at 5:30 on a Friday night we called our favorite pet groomer at the Havana Pet Cabana to see if she by chance had some time to take in little JoJo for a much needed make-over. We told Lindsay our story and without hesitation, she said bring him right in. We drove straight there, dropped him off and a short 2 hours later..... VOILA! We had what appeared to be a totally different dog than what we had taken in. Lindsay and her mom worked their magic and JoJo was as cute as cute could be and he smelled great!! God bless them for taking in what really at that moment, was a stray dog.... on a Friday night..... and spending, a much needed, two hours on him.... all to tell us when we were done that there would be no charge for the visit because she said it was such a great thing that we were doing by giving him a chance at a happy home.
Thank you, Lindsay, so much, for helping us out and JoJo thanks you as he now is officially adopted and has a happy, loving home to grow old in.
If you are considering adopting a pet, PLEASE check with Pets without Parents, there are several dogs and cats that are just waiting for a happy home, they need you!
With a grateful heart,
Ron & Jennifer Brooks
Havana
12/16/2009
Dear Editor,
I have 4 sons. My experience with fighting against over the counter drug abuse and narcotics abuse started with one of my sons a couple years ago. I thought this would never happen to my family because we don’t do drugs and we raised our boys right. My son has always been on the honor roll all through his school years, then he started slipping on his grades his Freshman year. I was thinking it was just a transition from Junior High to High School. His sophomore year’s grades were terrible! My son was sleeping a lot all of sudden. I was thinking, “It’s a teenage growth and hormone thing.” He started skipping school. I would get calls from the high school. The excuse I have gotten from my son was he wasn’t feeling good, or the teacher made him mad. Then, it got to where he would wake up in the morning saying he’s not feeling well and I would let him stay home. He would sleep all morning and by noon, he would “feel better” and go to school.
His attitude and appearance started to change. Change, I mean a total change! He would not take care of himself like he normally would. He would get angry very quickly and at every little thing. He would constantly fight with the family. Again, I was thinking, “It’s a teenage thing being moody.” He had a job, and he started calling into work saying he doesn’t feel good. When he would get his paycheck, he would be broke in a few days and have “nothing” to show for his money.
About a year ago, I received a phone call from my son’s friend’s mother looking for her son. He stole some Coricidin pills and is nowhere to be found. Several hours later, he was found…unconscious. He quit breathing a couple of times on the way to the Havana hospital. He was life flighted to OSF. That was a wake up call for me! I couldn’t believe it was my son’s friend doing the drugs. I thought I “knew” his friend better than that!
I started questioning my son’s usage since that was his best friend. Of course, he denied it and I believed him. My gut feeling told me my son was abusing OTC drugs, but I didn’t listen to my gut feeling. I told myself, “That is not my son, I know him better than that.” I was wrong!
We put my son at Proctor Drug Rehab and he was there for 5 weeks. He completely succeeded his course. Then I found some pills in a bubble gum wrapper in his dresser. I researched the pills on the Internet trying to match up the pills to the photos at www.drugs.com. He said it must have been one of his two friends. Of course, I believed him because two of his friends did come to my home to see my son, but my gut feeling told me they were his. I told myself “no, it can’t belong to him because he just succeeded his rehab treatment.”
His “friends” were drug-using friends. I would hear all kinds of new names of people he was hanging out with. My son would not have his friends hang out at our house… or let me meet them. Of course, I told him he couldn’t hang out with those people. But, it did no good. When he was put on court supervision, he started supplementing marijuana with Coricidin and cough syrup. I started to notice his attitude and appearance was changing for the worst. I had to peel my eyes back open and admit that my son is not the son I once knew. I tried to put him back at Proctor Rehab the 2nd time. He ran away. After we found him, the police said that we couldn’t force him to go if he does not want the help since he was 17 this time. I had no other option but to bring him home. When he finally failed the pee test at his probation office, he was directed to go to Chestnut. He did go to Chestnut, only for 3 weeks. He staged a fight to get kicked out of Chestnut. He then had to go to court for his court supervision. He was then ordered to go back to Chestnut or serve 12 months jail time. He chose Chestnut.
He was there for a total of about 5 months. While he was at Chestnut, he said he had to get away from the Havana High School. He dropped out his senior year and studied for his GED while at Rehab. When he successfully discharged Chestnut, he went on to SRC College. He also cut off his “using” friends. He made new friends. I will ALWAYS have that thought in the back of my mind that he is going to slip and relapse one day. I thought this would never happen to my family because we don’t do drugs and we raised our boys right. I was wrong! This can happen to ANYONE’S family! I want to get this story out and make everybody aware of the OTC drug abuse that contains DXM, which is abbreviated for the dextromethorophan. I didn’t know what DXM was. I had to learn all this the hard way on my own. I searched the Internet, and learned from Chestnut. I keep ALL my medicine in a locked metal box. I will still continue to do that, not because of my son, but for the safety of my household. I believe everybody’s eyes are wide shut. I know my was.
Carrie Pierson
Havana Mother
12/30/2009
Dear Editor,
I have read with great interest the various paid advertisements by Harry Tarvin relating to tendency on the part of a majority of our Citizens who celebrate both Christmas and Easter by eliminating their intrinsic spiritual values and extolling the materialistic and false beliefs (the Santa Claus and Easter Bunny connection). I commend Mr. Tarvin for having the fortitude to correctly point out that we are denying the true spiritual meanings of both Christmas and Easter.
I am quite certain that many of us do not mean to deny the significance of Christ’s Birth and His Resurrection; however, the direct opposite is taking place!
This is truly a sad state of affairs but unfortunately it probably is so ingrained in our thinking that it will irresponsibly continue into the far distant future.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles J. Francisco
Havana
12/30/2009
Dear Editor,
Havana Health Care Center would like to send a BIG Thank You to Jean McClammer and all of her “special elves” who helped make this Christmas another spectacular one for our residents.
The residents are so grateful year after year for all of the “tokens of love” the community gives to them. We are truly blessed to have a Guardian Angel “Jean” and such a wonderful, caring community by our side.
All of the staff and residents of Havana Health Care Center would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays and for a prosperous New Year in 2010.
Thanks,
Angel Bollinger, RN, ADM
Havana Health Care Center
12/30/2009
Dear Editor,
The Mission of HOPE would like to thank all those who helped make this year’s Family Christmas a great success. Nearly 150 families were helped with Christmas trees and decorations, gifts for children, gifts for parents and grandparents, gift wrapping and other items.
Hats off to the many volunteers who have made this possible each year. In addition, we want to include in our thankfulness Ken Beaty for the use of his building at 601 E Windsor; Clinton Morrill for the use of his lighted sign; and the many businesses who participated either financially or with donated items. This is a list of those businesses: Cass Cable, Ace Hardware, Gifts for the Heart, Kracker’s Korner, John Deere, Lunch Box, Pamida, FS, American Sport, Chuckwagon, Toni’s Restaurant, CVS, Wal-Mart, Casey’s, Dollar General, Alco, Neverending Story, and Oney’s.
Also, the community’s generosity in recycling their goods through the mission and individuals who generously gave financially are to be gratefully acknowledged as well.
All of your labor and donations made it possible for those 150 families to have a very Merry Christmas. Thank you all!
Barb and Jerry Sawyer,
Founders, Mission of HOPE
01/20/2010
Dear Editor,
The Havana Optimist Club would like to thank everyone who helped make our Optimist Shopping Tour a success again this year. We were able to give 76 children $40 each to purchase clothes and toys at Alco and Pamida. Both stores gave us discounts and charged no tax.
A special thanks to all the adults and Havana high school students who helped take the children shopping and to all those who sent donations or donated at our road block on Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Following is a list of the individuals and businesses that sent us donations. Thanks to all of you:
Dynegy, Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, Norman and Lisa LeMaster, Mr. and Mrs. Glen Fanter, Don Roch, Havana National Bank, Max Thompson, Bob Kuntzmann, Nate Turner, Performance Auto Glass, Bonnett and Dunteman, Alan Tucker, Dan Stephens, Griffin Electric, Petefish, Skiles & Co., Jack Tanner Towing, Clay and Kelly Hagedorn, Aaron Blakely, Jerry Wilson, Mike and Linda Hine, Tim and Rhonda Wessel, Stephens and Sons, Mason County Democrat, Kifco, B & B Motors, Wolters Drug Store, Stelter-Hoffreiter, Central Illinois Irrigation, Rick Lane, THE National Bank, and Kennedy-Sarff Reality.
Havana Optimist Club
01/20/2010
Dear Editor,
I have recently found myself in a place I never thought I would be. I had an accident in my truck. I was driving my 1966 Chevy 2-ton truck to the landfill in Hopedale when another truck ran a stop sign right in front of me. We collided, causing my truck to roll on its side and skidded into the ditch. This was my first accident, and I won’t soon forget it. Thank God, no one was hurt. The police came, and an ambulance, the fire department and eventually a towing company.
I thought the worst was over, but then I began dealing with the other guy’s insurance company. They didn’t want to fix my truck, saying it was too old, so they totalled it.
Yes, it was old, but it was well-maintained and in good running condition. It had low mileage, good tires and everything worked. But the insurance company said it was worthless because of its age.
We have been trying to find a truck like my old truck for more than a month. You can find old trucks, but they all have mechanical problems or bad tires or have been sitting in a shed for the last ten years.
I asked the insurance company if they would allow enough in the settlement to buy a truck and make any repairs needed to bring it up to the shape of my old truck. They said no.
I have been without a truck for mo than a month and it is causing problems for my work. I thought car or truck insurance was supposed to protect us from problems like this. that is why it is a law that we must have it. So, I am stuck. I can’t find a truck like mine in the same condition and the insurance company won’t give me enough money to buy another one and fix it. I don’t feel protected. Do you? This was my first accident, and it really opened my eyes.
GERALD MAHIN, Mason City
01/20/2010
Dear Editor,
It is with much regret that in thanking the community and businesses for their help with the Mission of HOPE’s annual Family Christmas that we forgot to mention several businesses who helped make this year’s event a great success. We want to thank Griffin Electric, John Michaels and Smith Septic for their help nd support, also. We are sorry we inadvertently missed you the first time.
Barbara Sawyer, Havana