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The Value of Property

When we first heard that the assessed value of our property was going down, we were overjoyed. The county was finally catching up with the true value of our property. Properties have been decreasing in value over the past four to five years and we now felt that we were receiving a fair market value assessment. Then, we heard that the Eastland School District was very upset with the lowered assessments, and wanted to raise the tax base to make up the difference in their lost revenue. I wish we could do that with our declining incomes due to job cutbacks, job losses, and declining revenue streams from investments, to make up the difference in our losses.

I am also very annoyed by the fact that the so called intelligentsia of the world, (the world of education and educators) believe they should be absolved from living in the conditions that the rest of the world must live with.

Let them enter the “real world” and adjust their budgets like the rest of us have had to do. And if we get lucky enough for the school board not to get its own way and they start their tactics of threatening to cut this program and cutting that program let’s get them first to start cutting some of their salaries and benefits. We get tired of school boards telling us they have done everything they could possibly do and would now have to cut back on basic programs. I have heard the teachers unions holding that sledge hammer over our heads all my life.

We encourage all the property owners of Carroll County to voice their opinions. If our opinions are not voiced, we are like a group of Lemmings taking what changes the School District wants without protest.

Sincerely,
Sue Taschetta
Lake Carroll, IL

Capitol Report

By Jim Sacia, State Representative, 89th District

Those of us lucky enough to have animals in our lives are truly blessed. Their complete forgiving nature often outdoes our closest friends.

The country singer Tom T. Hall recorded a top ten hit about thirty years ago – “Old Dogs and Children and Watermelon Wine”. A line in the song – “old dogs care about you even when you make mistakes”, also a favorite wall plaque of Jenny’s in our home reads – “I wish I was half the person my dog thinks I am”, says a lot of our love for animals.

Our farm home in Pecatonica still has nine horses (seven too many) and five dogs (four too many) but we love them all and they will live out their years here. I often think of lonely old folks who live alone, if only they had a pet.

The point of course, is our animals are completely non judgmental and love us in spite of our failings.

On the world scene is an outcry against four young marines in Afghanistan urinating on the bodies of deceased Taliban fighters. The outcry is horrific – “It will lower our standing on the world stage”. “It will be a Taliban recruiting tool.” Are you kidding me? Let’s not be so quick to judge. No, I don’t condone it but war is hell. It’s not about sportsmanship. It’s kill or be killed. Our finest young men and women are trained to kill, sent half way around the world placed in life and death situations, watch their best friends horribly wounded or worse by some of the most evil people on the planet (the Taliban). Ya, it’s going to happen.

If you believe the Taliban won’t desecrate our remains, rethink it. Once again, I agree that doesn’t make it right. Those of you believing we can negotiate with the Taliban, good luck with that thought. It does make good press though.

We, the American people grew up believing that all people are inherently good. Thirty years in law enforcement took away any possible belief in the “all people” away from me. I do believe most people are. I don’t include the Taliban among them.

My prayer will be that four young marines will not have their lives ruined because of an outcry of the self righteous.

The old American Indian adage applies here – “don’t judge another brave until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins”.

Spanky (one of our five dogs) is sitting on my lap in front of the fire looking at me as if I can do no wrong. It’s a good feeling.

As always, you can reach me, Sally or Barb at 815-232-0774 or e-mail us at jimsacia@aeroinc.net. You can also visit my website at www.jimsacia.com. It’s always a pleasure to hear from you.