[BCNnet] From the Sunday Herald
Rbdoeker@aol.com
Rbdoeker@aol.com
Sun, 18 Apr 2004 20:57:59 EDT
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The letter to the editor (below) that Judy forwarded brought up a subject
that came up at the quarterly meeting of the Bird Conservation Network: the need
for more public input on FP activities. Cook County's process is the same as
DuPage's - attend the regular meetings during the work day.
It was just mentioned as part of a larger discussion but I bring it up here
to get everyone thinking about it.
Randi Doeker
Chicago
In a message dated 4/18/2004 11:31:51 AM Central Standard Time,
judymellin@netzero.net writes:
It seems that Cook County is not the only one having problems with land usage
in its forest preserves. This letter perfectly describes what many of us in
Cook County are trying to impress on our commissioners. Let's hope that
commissioners in all counties listen.
Judy Mellin
Palatine (Cook County)
Forest preserve's job is to preserve
I was extremely disappointed in the recent decision of the DuPage County
Forest Preserve District to support creation of archery practice ranges on forest
preserve property. And, on a related matter, I also am opposed to siting a
shooting range on such property. In my view, it is not the mandate of the
district to provide recreational opportunities beyond passive enjoyment of nature,
including such benign activities as walking, bird-watching, biking on designated
trails and outdoor picnics. And it is specifically its mandate to preserve
and protect those open space areas in our county that have been designated to
provide needed habitat for plants and animals that are endangered by the
ever-increasing density of development in DuPage County. Also, people need those open
spaces for relaxation and renewal as the pace of our society continues to
accelerate.
As I understand it, the district voted to support the archery ranges with
little study and very limited public input, probably related to the fact that
citizens are able to express their opinions only on Tuesdays (at forest preserve
commission meetings) during the day when most people are working. I also have
learned that one of the few people expressing a positive opinion at a recent
hearing lives in Will County and drives an hour to an archery practice site
only because he chooses a club in Peoria. There are other choices nearby.
I thought that separating the forest preserve district from the DuPage County
Board would mean that the objectives of the district would be more vigorously
supported and that decision making would be less political and more in
keeping with the mandate to preserve and protect our very limited and rapidly
vanishing open spaces. Doesn't look to me like there has been any improvement.
Mary F. Warren
Wheaton
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<DIV>
<DIV>The letter to the editor (below) that Judy forwarded brought up a subje=
ct that came up at the quarterly meeting of the Bird Conservation Network:&n=
bsp; the need for more public input on FP activities. Cook County's pr=
ocess is the same as DuPage's - attend the regular meetings during the work=20=
day.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>It was just mentioned as part of a larger discussion but I bring it up=20=
here to get everyone thinking about it. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Randi Doeker</DIV>
<DIV>Chicago</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In a message dated 4/18/2004 11:31:51 AM Central Standard Time, judymel=
lin@netzero.net writes:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue=20=
2px solid">
<P><FONT face=3DArial>It seems that Cook County is not the only one having p=
roblems with land usage in its forest preserves. This letter perfectly=
describes what many of us in Cook County are trying to impress on our commi=
ssioners. Let's hope that commissioners in all counties listen. </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>Judy Mellin </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>Palatine (Cook County) </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial><SPAN class=3Dbriefhead>Forest preserve's job is to pr=
eserve</SPAN><BR>I was extremely disappointed in the recent decision of the=20=
DuPage County Forest Preserve District to support creation of archery practi=
ce ranges on forest preserve property. And, on a related matter, I also am o=
pposed to siting a shooting range on such property. In my view, it is not th=
e mandate of the district to provide recreational opportunities beyond passi=
ve enjoyment of nature, including such benign activities as walking, bird-wa=
tching, biking on designated trails and outdoor picnics. And it is specifica=
lly its mandate to preserve and protect those open space areas in our county=
that have been designated to provide needed habitat for plants and animals=20=
that are endangered by the ever-increasing density of development in DuPage=20=
County. Also, people need those open spaces for relaxation and renewal as th=
e pace of our society continues to accelerate. </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>As I understand it, the district voted to support the=20=
archery ranges with little study and very limited public input, probably rel=
ated to the fact that citizens are able to express their opinions only on Tu=
esdays (at forest preserve commission meetings) during the day when most peo=
ple are working. I also have learned that one of the few people expressing a=
positive opinion at a recent hearing lives in Will County and drives an hou=
r to an archery practice site only because he chooses a club in Peoria. Ther=
e are other choices nearby. </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>I thought that separating the forest preserve district=
from the DuPage County Board would mean that the objectives of the district=
would be more vigorously supported and that decision making would be less p=
olitical and more in keeping with the mandate to preserve and protect our ve=
ry limited and rapidly vanishing open spaces. Doesn't look to me like there=20=
has been any improvement. </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>Mary F. Warren </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial>Wheaton </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial></FONT> </P></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>
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