As we watched the White Sox defeat the Baltimore Orioles on TV last Friday, we talked about our visit to Baltimore’s Camden Yards baseball park a few years ago. While doing research for our Baltimore trip, I read warnings in guidebooks to avoid certain areas with gang-related problems and to concentrate on visiting safe tourist areas such as Fells Point and the Inner Harbor.
Then, in a surprising Baltimore Sun article in June, I read that crime and drug-dealing had begun creeping into Fells Point. Out of concern, more than 30 area restaurants and businesses sent a letter to the city threatening to withhold taxes if city leaders did not address crime and other issues. The report said the letter was also in response to the local state’s attorney deciding to “no longer prosecute a host of crimes, including drug possession, public drinking and urination and trespassing.”
I live in the Chicago area, and those problems sounded all too familiar, but the idea of withholding taxes sounded forceful, bold and inventive.
Before Chicago’s violence problems grow worse, isn’t it time for Chicagoans to join restaurants and businesses in demanding better solutions? Perhaps withholding taxes would be a bold way to discourage the shifting of blame and spur the mayor, the state’s attorney and the police chief into meaningful action.
— Christine Craven, Evergreen Park
Divisive rhetoric
When a two-party democracy like ours functions, Democrats say in response to a problem, “Here is the Democratic solution,” and Republicans say, “Here is the Republican solution.” There don’t have to be different answers.
Early in the pandemic, the Republican administration said, “Getting vaccinated protects both you and me. The government will pay the costs of vaccination.” The Democrats said, “That’s bipartisan consensus.”
Now, the extra-infectious Delta variant can lay undervaccinated communities low. Democratic President Joe Biden says one solution for some poorly vaccinated neighborhoods is to send people they trust door to door to encourage vaccination. Republican U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn tells the Conservative Political Action Conference that if Democrats send volunteers door to door, it will be to confiscate guns and Bibles.
Cawthorn’s response fails the political process in several ways: It offers no solution to the problem; it opposes not the real Democratic Party but a straw man; it aims not to compete but to divide.
— Frank Palmer, Chicago
Let Bears depart
At one time while in office, Mayor Richard M. Daley scoffed at the Bears’ threat to move away. “They can go to Alaska,” he said.
Why the sudden about-face in 2001? I was hoping a book would reveal Hizzoner’s reasons for his change of heart on the Bears’ Soldier Field demands. Alas.
I cheered the Bears’ purchase of Arlington Park because the team’s departure from the lakefront would make both parties happy: The team could build a modern, retractable-roof stadium near its season ticket base to its satisfaction, and the Chicago Park District could raze the seating bowl monstrosity, returning Soldier Field to its former glory.
Mayoral candidates should solemnly pledge to refuse to subsidize the Bears at all; in fact, they should offer to help the Bears pack up and move.
— Kenneth Salkover, Chicago
Help appreciated
In response to the letter “Renewing licenses” (July 11), my experience with renewing my license was a tribute to the driver services facility on Elston Avenue. After reading the horror stories of the long waits, I feared for my upcoming license renewal and vision and driving tests. It was a hot day around 10:30 a.m. The long line snaking around the building verified my trepidation.
But when I approached an employee outside and showed him my renewal paper, he directed me to a short line for seniors and the physically challenged.
Within 30 minutes, I had my photo taken and my vision test completed. I was then directed to move my car to the driving test area. I waited for no more than 30 minutes for an instructor to take me onto the roadway.
Within 15 minutes, my road test was completed, and I was on my way. I think the driver services facilities have improved remarkedly under the leadership of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. COVID-19 has definitely provided a setback for their usual efficiency.
Admittedly, as I pulled out of the parking lot, the line had not decreased in length, but the consideration given to a person older than 65 was greatly appreciated.
— Lorraine Klabunde, Chicago
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