Regarding the controversy over the Mamby music festival at Montrose Beach: I am a volunteer monitor of the piping plovers, a federally endangered bird species, nesting at Montrose for the first time since the 1950s. My opinion is that it is a terrible idea to have a large music fest at this location. As of now, we need volunteer monitors all day and every day to make sure that no one bothers the birds or lets their dog disturb the birds. Despite several “no dogs allowed” signs, people sometimes bring unleashed dogs into this area. A festival with up to 50,000 people here would be a nightmare.
In addition, the larger issue is of the habitat itself. Many people have worked to make the habitat suitable for nesting and migrating birds. Montrose is a premier birding area. People come from other states and countries to view the birds there.
It is not worth the possible risk to the environment and to the endangered species to have the music fest here. There are numerous other places to have it.
— Linda Radtke, Downers Grove
Control of world’s currency
The latest big thing: Apple and Facebook launching their own cryptocurrency. No doubt, Amazon and Alphabet (Google) are close behind. The result: They will control the world’s currency. If you control the world’s media, the world’s technology and the world’s currency, what’s left? Not much.
— Len Robertson, St. Charles
Today’s liberalism is ‘elite’
Regarding the letter from R. Kent TeVault of Lisle (“Being ‘liberal’ is being ‘elite’?,” June 16): TeVault says liberalism “arises from an ability to entertain a variety of (often conflicting) ideas and apply critical thought to evaluating those ideas and their logical implications,” but doesn’t understand how that can be considered “elite.”
Today’s liberalism/progressiveness does not align with the premise stated above. It has turned to “my way or the highway” attitude, and thus an “elite” label is well-deserved. Critical thought is keeping others’ ideas in play permanently, not dismissing them out of hand because you have moved on. There is more than one way to govern, lead, work, retire, trust, believe, procreate, take care of one’s family and, especially, think. Once the power of all of these is put into the government or institutions’ hands, that is one-size-fits-all, and therefore “elite” — or dare I say — fascist.
— Randy Free, Elmhurst
Cameras on the Ike
The police powers of the state are always to be feared. Twenty high-tech cameras will be installed along the Eisenhower Expressway to record footage and license plate information. We are told the cameras will combat gun violence and illegal drugs. Given that in places the speed limit on the Ike is 55 mph, and traffic tends to speed along, when it can speed along, at 60 to 70 mph, cash-starved municipalities, including Chicago, will quickly recognize the juicy bounty of using the cameras to increase revenue.
— Joe English, Chicago
Dreading South Loop project
Regarding the One Central development: As a South Loop resident, I can tell you we will move out of the city if this project becomes a reality. The new rental built across from us on Michigan Avenue and 14th Street was a nightmare for us during its construction. We will not go through that again. Based on the Tribune editorial (“Would One Central be good for Chicago? Let’s find out.,” June 13) and our politicians’ stance, it looks like it will happen.
— Tom Zasada, Chicago
All that packaging material
One possible, partial solution to some of the waste produced by our consumption is to require that any retailer take back the packaging materials that come with products. If someone purchases a television, I’d bet most of the packaging was necessary for the ocean trip, transcontinental truck trip and efficient warehousing. The retailers would soon come up with efficient ways to reuse packaging, and I wouldn’t mind a reasonable fee that takes the transit into account, given that solid waste disposal fees in many communities are on the rise, and particularly large foam pieces are a challenge.
— Bill McGrath, Batavia
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