Letters

Support amendment for road dollars
    
    When Illinois voters head to the polls this November, the first question on the ballot will ask them whether transportation taxes and fees should be spent solely on transportation.
    The Southern Illinois Builders Association represents road contractors, but also building contractors who do not directly benefit from road construction but feel that the proposed amendment is extremely popular because it signals that Illinois will no longer sit by as our infrastructure crumbles, threatening the very basis of our economy.
    Infrastructure and location are increasingly vital to businesses operating in today’s economy. SIBA members who are not involved in building roads and bridges want good infrastructure so that they can get materials to jobsites, so that their employees can safely and efficiently travel between home and work, and so that customers can safely and easily move their products.
    Similarly, good infrastructure matters to everyone in Illinois. We all need to get safely to school, work or other events and we all benefit from an economy where Illinois businesses are able to access worldwide markets.
    It is time for Illinois to protect its infrastructure. I hope you will vote “yes” on the first question on the ballot this November.
    
DONNA RICHTER
Chief Executive Officer
Southern Illinois Builders Association
    
Enjoys the paper and recent column
    
    I read your paper every time it hits my mailbox.  I enjoy keeping up on everything that effects our economy and, eventually, our students here in Madison County.  I really like the Point/Counterpoint pages.  I look forward to comments as well.  I do not always agree with your opinions, but I do respect your well-thought-out articles.
    I felt compelled to write you this email about your “good general” piece (Alan Ortbals, October).  OUTSTANDING!  Thank you for pointing out ways that we can fix this mess.  We need more people to look for, find and implement common sense solutions to our state’s problems.  Unfortunately, I feel that most in Springfield know these solutions are out there, but would rather fight the “bad guy” on the other side of the aisle in order to score political points for future legislative races.  Thanks again for all of your efforts and for publishing a quality paper. I will be telling others about this article.
    
ROB WERDEN
Director, Madison County CTE System
Edwardsville