PHOTO BY LINDA MAIER
Three individuals have been recognized to remain at 1024 N. Fourth St., though the home had been boarded and with out utilities for greater than a yr. It caught on fireplace the morning of Jan. 13. Because the proprietor has not but made preparations to get it demolished, the town is now soliciting bids to take action.
We welcome letters. Please embrace your full title, tackle and phone quantity. We edit all letters. Ship them to [email protected].
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THINK OF THE EFFECTS ON OTHERS
After studying the article “Extra vacant buildings burn in winter: Current loss of life, a number of construction fires attributed to squatters” (Jan. 30), I got here away pondering this text was extra in regards to the life and tragic loss of life of Cory Beebe. The very first paragraph was about him.
Though the loss of life of Mr. Beebe was tragic, IT workers author Scott Reeder ought to have written extra in regards to the inherent risks to firefighters, close by homes and residents from fires which can be brought on by squatters who’re trespassing in vacant buildings. Mr. Reeder failed to analyze or point out how these vagrants are having access to these vacant buildings.
He didn’t interview close by residents within the neighborhoods the place these vacant construction fires occurred with a view to learn how these fires have an effect on their lives and property values. He didn’t inquire with the town about how lengthy these buildings will stay standing earlier than the town will demolish them. When will the burned-out home within the photograph, 1024 N. Fourth St., be demolished?
Channel 20 reported there have been 60 fires at vacant buildings in 2024 that have been brought on by squatters. For a metropolis the scale of Springfield, that must be very regarding for the mayor and her administration and metropolis council members.
There isn’t any accountability in any respect for unhoused people who trespass in vacant buildings and do no matter they please, together with beginning fires to remain heat. When caught trespassing, they’re let loose, solely to seek out one other construction open to trespass or to interrupt into.
Solely when a firefighter is killed or significantly injured preventing a vacant construction fireplace brought on by a squatter will the town of Springfield take this ongoing menace to life and property significantly.
Invoice Baskett
President Lincoln Park Neighborhood Affiliation
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THINK OF THE UNHOUSED
The selection of phrases within the second paragraph of this text is abhorrent. In a bit seemingly meant to attract consideration to the homelessness situation, IT makes use of demeaning language to ascertain an ethical excessive floor for itself and its readers. A person, battling dependancy and the Illinois winter, died attempting to remain heat. You memorialize him with the phrase: “However on Jan. 17, it wasn’t the chilly or the dope that took his life.”
Not solely is that this distasteful, it undercuts the remainder of the article’s try to coach in regards to the disaster. By punching down out of your excessive horse, IT tells everybody that we should not care about Cory, or the individuals like him, as a result of they’re all on dope. It tells the readers it is solely a problem as a result of they burn property down and never as a result of there are human beings freezing on the street. I sincerely hope this was not your intent. If it was, disgrace on you.
Trent Rossi
Springfield
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NEED LOCAL COMMITTMENT
Nice article (“Decreasing homelessness, enhancing well being: How supportive housing can construct a stronger group,” Feb. 6)! How are our native leaders demonstrating their dedication to organizations reminiscent of Heartland HOUSED to construct sustainable, long-term options to not solely home our present unhoused inhabitants however to enhance fairness for everybody, which is able to forestall extra individuals from turning into unhoused?
Kaitlyn Eager
By way of Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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GOVERNMENT NOT THE ANSWER
This text minimizes the truth that a big proportion of homeless individuals select to be homeless as a result of they do not need to comply with shelter guidelines or their psychological well being is poor they usually will not keep within the government-paid residences they’re supplied. We’ve had authorities applications for many years and spend billions, but nothing modifications or improves.
Gary Nelson
By way of Facebook.com/illinoistimes
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DÉJÀ VU
This piece is so necessary (“The rhetoric of hate,” Jan. 30). The lies which have been advised repeatedly about our immigrant brothers and sisters is a grave injustice to human beings who simply need to work, educate and feed their youngsters.
Final yr I learn Rachel Maddow’s e book, Prequel. She researched American historical past within the Thirties when Hitler was infiltrating the U.S. along with his fascism within the build-up to WWII. His purpose was to persuade sufficient People to reject our involvement within the conflict effort so he might overcome all of Europe. 1000’s of our residents fell into the way in which of white supremacy, the KKK and Nazi supporters. It even infiltrated Congress. The language that was used then is strictly what we’re listening to now.
Victoria S. Schmidt
Springfield
