LETTERS

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First Night thanks

On behalf of the Springfield Area Arts Council and the First Night committee, I wish to offer our sincere appreciation to the thousands of people who supported and participated in this year’s celebration of the arts and the new year. We recognize that there are countless ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve, and just as many ways to commit your spending dollars. It was so encouraging, in this uncertain economic era, to experience the support of Springfield and the surrounding communities in a tangible demonstration of the importance of the arts to our communities, economy, culture and traditions.

Since 1986 First Night Springfield has been part of an international movement to provide an alcohol-free alternative New Year’s celebration with the performing and visual arts at its core. This year more than 400 children and their families participated in free afternoon “make and take” craft and music workshops, puppet show, magic show, music concerts and more at Springfield High School. Thank you to SHS administration, Tom Bernard, AIG American General, the PTO, Springfield Moms and dozens of volunteers and artists who made that event a success.

In the evening one low admission price offered access to gallery exhibitions, an organ concert, holiday train exhibit and performances featuring musical theater, ballet, classical, jazz, blues, bluegrass, folk, rock, Celtic, salsa and swing. In keeping with our theme of “Magic in the Air,” we witnessed amazing illusions and sleight of hand performances by five outstanding magicians.

New this year were additional opportunities to dance as well as workshops on salsa and square-dancing. We also paid homage to the beginning of the bicentennial celebration year of Abraham Lincoln’s birth by featuring stirring Lincolnthemed activities and performances.

Finally, at the end of a glorious day and at the start of a hopeful new year, our friends at Central States Fireworks choreographed a spectacular midnight fireworks finale and Lincoln tribute. My thanks to all who helped to keep the beloved tradition of First Night alive.

Christina Steelman, executive director Springfield Area Arts Council

Release the clowns

Release the clowns! Of course I am talking about the clowns in the Illinois legislature, specifically the Democratic Party bosses.

This circus was started by the head clown, the governor. Now it’s a full three-ring circus with all the other Democrats stumbling over themselves. Clowns are supposed to make people laugh and these clowns have succeeded. The entire nation is laughing at Illinois officials.

The governor tainted himself by attempting to sell the Senate seat. Roland Burris tainted himself for being a fool to accept the tainted governor’s appointment. The Democratic Party tainted themselves by trying to ensure a Democrat would get the seat by appointment instead of an open special election. So much for having a senator that represents the people! George Ryan helped the Republican Party implode. Blago, Roland Burris and foolish Democratic Party officials are helping to implode the Democratic Party.

Jeff Davis Dawson

Media guilty

It seems the news media have the governor convicted and hanged already. The governor has not been indicted, let alone convicted of anything.

He couldn’t get a fair trial anywhere in the United States. Today it seems you’re guilty until proven innocent. Let the courts decide his guilt or innocence.

Danny Faulkner Springfield

China rules

China is in the catbird seat. That country is holding the bulk of the U.S. $10 trillion debt, which enables her to flood this country with imports. The U.S. is powerless to regulate it, under the threat of foreclosure. Other countries seize the opportunity to join the fray with more imports of their own. It all translates into jobs lost in this country, with the results blindsiding the economy. It didn’t happen overnight. You did not hear one word about this situation during the presidential campaign. The U.S. is being sold down the river by our own elected officials.

Incompetence and corruption are proving to be more effective than terrorist activities to bring chaos to the U.S.

Bernard Reichart
New Berlin