OpenLine: Red light law makes sense
April 20, 2012 10:58PM
Updated: May 23, 2012 8:06AM
This is in response to Glen Gummess’ Common Sense column, March 21. He states running red lights by motorcycles is now legal in Illinois. There’s a very specific set of circumstances in which motorcycles are allowed to go through an intersection on red. They have to come to a stop. They have to give the light sensors in the pavement a chance to recognize them. There are lot of light sensors around that don’t recognize motorcycles. After we’ve checked in both directions, then we’re allowed to proceed through the intersection. They’ve got this law on the books in at least a dozen other states and it has not led to an increase in traffic accidents at all. In fact, it’s a safety measure.
Brian Wendholt
Shorewood
Democrats are hypocrits
Whenever you call the Democrats out on their failed leadership, they always say there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans; they’re all in bed together. When asked, “Why not then elect a Republican,” the usual response is this: You guys never have good candidates. This brings you back to the old hypocrisy of the Democrats. They claim they’re not political hacks and they vote for the same man. Sure. They vote for the man only. Sure. As long as the man’s a Democrat.
Mark Dedin
Lockport
Why not just tax the air?
Gee whiz, Tom Thanas, thanks a lot for your new proposed tax on cable TV. I guess our bills aren’t high enough. Is your next tax proposal going to be on the air we breathe? Or how about a tax on our first-born? Another option — how about not spending more money on frivolities like new videotaping of the city council which is not a necessity? Also thanks to the city council, too, for voting for this tax. A good analogy is a little tax here and a little tax there is like putting someone in a pot of cold water and heating it so slowly until the poor slob realizes he’s cooked.
Diane Nelson
Joliet
We’re headed for socialism
Fran Fallon remarks about Republicans being in bed with millionaires like Romney and Gingrich (OpenLine, March 20). In the next breath, she touts the wonders of Ted Kennedy, who got rich through his father’s bootlegging. And her comment that capitalism should be tempered with socialism, you’re kidding right? I really think that the current president and his czars are already in bed with the socialists.
Carol Ellerbrock
Joliet
Dog not the only one
that bites
Bryan Jones, animal control officer, was fired for caring enough to save a dog with such a sign: “Bites.” (“Animal control officer loses job,” March 16.) Evidently Township Supervisor Dan Vera also bites, as he fired a loyal and good employee of 14 years for caring.
John Vanlier
Lockport
Goodbye and good luck
So, Joliet city manager, Tom Thanas, may be leaving for a new position elsewhere. With all those fast-moving agendas passed and rushed through by him along with the mayor, I say good riddance. Take all that pent-up hostility with sarcastic remarks he and the mayor seem to always make toward African-Americans whenever they’re before them, especially the dissing of the black contractors over and over these past few years. Thanas can leave soon and the mayor after his term ends.
Yvonne Ward
Joliet
