LETTERS
We welcome letters. Please include your full name, address and telephone number. We edit all letters. Send them to editor@illinoistimes.com.
SHAKEN BABY COVERAGE
Commendations to reporter Patrick Yeagle for his informed coverage of the Cammie Kelly shaken baby trial, and to the newspaper for allowing him the time to do a proper job (“Jury struggles to reach verdict in child death trial,” Dec. 17, and several earlier pieces).
While I was sorry to read of another conviction based on what I believe to be an unproven model of infant head injury, I was gratified that your coverage acknowledged the debate about shaken baby theory, and I was impressed by Mr. Yeagle’s grasp of the medical issues. It’s a tough arena, but he handled the medical evidence with care, and the staggering emotional issues with sensitivity. Sue Luttner Palo Alto, Calif.
INSPECTOR GENERAL
The city of Springfield is prepared to create a new bureaucracy called the inspector general which will be expensive, raise taxes and itself become subject to compromise and possible corruption. Why? Because that is the way things are done in Illinois – not to bring ethics to government but to obfuscate and delay.
How about instead we create the appointed office of the ombudsman who would have the unfettered right to go anywhere, investigate anything in city government and not be limited to the police and firemen but to all city employees, including the mayor and alderman.
In Chicago, that bastion of ethical chicanery, the inspector general can investigate everyone except the mayor and alderman. We see how well that has worked out. The ombudsman would also have access to the records of police internal affairs and all other confidential records. Upon completion of the investigation, a report would be issued and become public record which could be forwarded to the state’s attorney for appropriate action if necessary. The county could do this also, and the two ombudsmen could coordinate their investigations if necessary and issue a joint report.
In the past, when the city has had a situation of a possible criminal but more likely embarrassing nature, the mayor would turn it over to the state police for investigation. The political powers then knew it would be two to four years before the state police would issue their report and the problem would be long forgotten. I am still waiting for a report to be issued on something that took place during the Davlin administration.
The perfect candidate would be a respected and revered retired businessman or professional whose reputation is unimpeachable and who does not have a record of being affiliated with either party. I am unsure as to how he would be appointed, probably by a board of citizens comprised of a cross section of the community.
He could be given a small office, clerical support, nominal compensation and have the unfettered right to go anywhere and talk to anyone while investigating. People could refuse to talk to him, but that would be noted in the final report. His term of appointment would be two years and coincide with the elections of alderman and mayor.
Do we really need another expensive appendage added to the city organizational chart, or do we need a fearless, determined man or woman prepared to root out the truth? Bill Klein Springfield
BUSINESS IS BUSINESS
Instead of being served Fletcher Farrar’s standard slice of sanctimony, I enjoyed reading his homage to his advertisers (“Editor’s note,” Dec. 31). Funny how when it gets right down to it, Illinois Times is no different from anyone else.
Money makes the world go round. In a free marketplace, those with the best business plan draw the capital to keep their doors open, even left-wing weekly alternatives. Ted Harvatin Springfield
