Letters: ‘Mammo’s’ light shines on
December 24, 2012 5:06PM
Lexie Dames of Minooka, a cousin of Joliet Catholic’s Matt Mammosser, shows off bracelets she wears in Matt’s memory while she watches the USF 7-on-7 Passing Jamboree on Thursday at Memorial Stadium in Joliet. Mammosser lost his battle with cancer May 27.
Updated: January 26, 2013 6:04AM
The year 2012 was a year that many people will not forget. We saw typical Chicago area winter with heavy snow and bitter cold. We had a spring that once again brought Cubs fans hope, but like the last 110 years they disappointed fans again.
We had a hot humid summer, and had to endure another year of listening to a bunch of politicians telling us how they were going to change the country. We ended up keeping the same president, and basically the same Congress. Even with 2012 being a ho-hum year, one event will make it one of the most memorable.
This was the year that we witnessed a miracle. That miracle was seeing how one young man touched so many lives in such a short period of time. We lost Matt Mammosser on May 27. Judging from all the T-shirts, wrist bands, car stickers and even his grave site, he is still touching people’s lives, including mine.
It has been about seven months since Matt left us and you still feel his presence when you go to JCA events. You see students and adults walking around proudly wearing their “Mammo” shirts, you see cars displaying the No. 91 helmet and the senior class included No. 91 in their class picture.
For those of us who knew Matt, you immediately remember the glowing smile he flashed whenever he saw you.
When Matt passed away I thought the world would be a darker place without him, but we see the lasting light he left behind, and we realize the world is a brighter place because of the short time he spent on earth. Let’s hope “Mammo” will continue to touch the lives of all of us because if he does the world will be a better place.
Greg Grubisich
Crest Hill
Step up to protect kids
Christmas came early at my house. My wife and I were given the greatest and most simple gifts any parent could wish for this year. That is, last Friday we had the privilege of hugging our 7-year-old daughter when she arrived home on the bus. Today, we then had the privilege of watching her sing joyfully in the Christmas program at her school.
It is profoundly heartbreaking that 20 Connecticut parents had no such simple joys.
Though we have all had a week to process what happened last Friday, no clear resolution has emerged. For sure, there remains a sense that “something must be done.” Now what that exactly is will be a matter of continual debate. However, what cannot be challenged is that increased protection must be afforded to our local schools no matter what debate rages in Washington or Springfield.
As a member of the Troy School Board, I can at least let every parent in our district know that our local police departments have been right on the case. Both Mayor Tom Giarrante of Joliet and Mayor Rick Chapman of Shorewood were quick to be in contact and lend the presence of their police departments. And while our schools have received excellent security ratings, excellent is no longer good enough.
From here, I urge every parent and every taxpayer to contact their state and federal elected officials to demand their cooperation and assistance in the drive to make our schools safer.
Within the classroom, the changes should be nearly undetectable to children. But immediately outside of that locked door, there should be layer upon layer of security and protection. I know the board, superintendent, administrators and teachers feel the immense pressure to keep our kids safe. Our legislators need to feel that same pressure from you.
Anthony P. Andreano
Troy School Board president
We’ll be digging deeper
We will all be digging deeper into our pockets when we pay our taxes if Mayor Giarrante and his crony, Don Fisher, pass through their latest city council proposal.
Out of the blue, Fisher proposed a tax-free zone for commercial properties around Presence Saint Joseph Medical Center. The hospital didn’t request the TIF.
If we’re focusing on TIFs, shouldn’t the council look to the former Silver Cross Hospital complex?
Al Willis
Joliet
Twenty-six reasons
Tell me once again, why do we need assault weapons? I can think of 26 reasons why not.
Janette Dunn
Crest Hill
