LETTERS
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BRAGGING ON BRANDON
I thoroughly enjoyed your article on my grandson, Brandon Sheppard. (“Cleaning up,” Bruce Rushton, Aug 10). You got it right, and our family would like to thank you for capturing his accomplishments and his personality so spot on. I talked to Brandon on Thursday morning and he was very happy with the article.
Again, thank you, Bruce Rushton, for the excellent article. It’s nice to see Brandon recognized for his hard work. Renee Kennedy New Berlin
DEVELOP Y-BLOCK NOW
I read with dismay Sue Massie’s (president of Massie Massie & Associates) proposal in the opinion page of a competing Springfield newspaper regarding the Y-block entitled, “Create public plaza while preserving potential for future development.”
The future for development is now! The block has remained undeveloped for more than 40 years. Are we to wait another 40 years?
In my opinion, EMS Midwest LLC’s proposal, as presented by developer Chris Stone, is the best one. It calls for the construction of sixstory and seven-story buildings on the north side of a block that would include room for at least 30 apartments, space for a higher education facility, a retail center, a restaurant with rooftop seating and a long-sought movie theater. It would also include a park on the south end of the block which would have a splash pad fountain that could be converted to an ice rink in winter (a popular attraction on the Union Square years ago), a concert and events space and an interactive video wall.
Stone added that he is open to partnering and making changes to this proposal. Mike Shepherd Springfield
SPI SHOWS SUPPORT
This past weekend showed that Springfield may be the most progressive, forward-thinking city in Illinois when it comes to race relations and racial justice.
Three hundred people gathered between Springfield’s municipal buildings Sunday to protest the advocacy of white supremacy and the tragic violence in Charlottesville, Virginia, earlier that weekend.
In Chicago 600 people showed up to similar rallies in Millennium Park and across from Trump Tower, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. If the same effort made by Springfield’s citizens had occurred in Chicago, 6,900 people would have filled Millennium Park and the area by Trump Tower to the brim.
The citizens of Springfield and the organizer of its rally, Debbie Bandy of Action Illinois, can be truly proud of the powerful drive shown by our city for racial justice and harmony, and against racial injustice and vitriol. Sam Cahnman Springfield
