LETTERS
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Spread the green
It might be interesting to note that the funds for the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency’s “green” building comes from all of their coal-powered utility plants [see “Springfield’s first certified green building,” IT, Jan. 22]. How about passing the “green” on to their customers and getting some alternative energy plants?
Jan Mier Chatham
Brilliant and eco-friendly
What an amazing job on this project [see”Springfield’s first certified green building,” IT, Jan. 22]! Obviously, incredible effort has been put forth to create all of the brilliant, eco-friendly details for this building.
I applaud all who gave their creative and innovative ideas to help create this building. What an inspiration! Now, I hope everyone will follow your “LEED.” Congratulations IMEA! Stephanie Groen Palos Park
Good investment
The economy is confusing these days, but investing in employee wellness makes good business sense.
Obesity alone costs American businesses $12.7 billion in medical expenses and $225.8 billion in health-related productivity losses per year. But research shows that employers can save $16 for every $1 they spend on health and wellness.
That’s why the American Heart Association is proud to recognize the first companies in our area to earn the Start! Fit Friendly Company designation.
Memorial Health System, H.D. Smith, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois Jacksonville and Karmak, Inc. of Carlinville each earned the Gold Award, while FitClub garnered the Platinum Award and the Worksite and Community Fitness innovation awards.
Start! Fit Friendly Companies are judged on three criteria: physical activities that are encouraged on site; nutritional education and healthy food options that are available; and the general culture of health promoted at the workplace.
Companies that do not yet meet the criteria can use our free Start! Walking Program to begin their journey to become “Fit Friendly.”
Start! Walking kits are provided courtesy of Memorial Heart and Vascular Institute at Memorial Medical Center, the local Start!
sponsor.
Upcoming Start! events in Springfield include National Start! Walking Day on April 8 and the Springfield Start! Heart Walk on May 2. For more information, visit www.heart.org/start, or call (217) 698-3838 ext. 3. Tammy Gillette, corporate events director American Heart Association Springfield
Cult of personality
In the 25 or so years I have been following politics in the United States I have never before seen media coverage of an individual (Barack Obama) that borders so much on promoting a “cult of personality.” It never fails to amaze me how foolishly we elect the leaders of this country. We end up electing someone with virtually no experience in government to lead us out of the worst financial disaster in our country’s history. Keep in mind that this disaster has not yet run its full course.
Still the media paint a picture of President Obama as a great savior before he has even executed one of his duly sworn duties. He has not merited the consideration of greatness bestowed on past presidents because he hasn’t even completed one month in office.
Joe Bialek Cleveland, Ohio
