Letters to the Editor
Letter: Benld resident responds to Mayor’s letter
Editor’s note: This letter is in reply to Mayor Jim Kelly’s letter to the editor which was written in response to Kenneth Snider’s initial letter to the editor. Links are included for your convenience above and below.
Dear Editor,
In response to the letter by Mayor Kelly of Benld, he is correct in saying that a Special Meeting was held in July of 2018 to discuss a proposal by the City of Gillespie to provide police protection in the City of Benld. He is also correct in saying that it was well attended. I was present and the sentiments of the Benld citizens at that public meeting was a resounding “no”.
It is my opinion that it is still a resounding “no”, the only difference is that the last Special Meeting on this topic on April 17, 2020, was clearly conducted under the umbrella of the current COVID-19 crisis to avert knowledge of the meeting and any significant opposition to the proposal. There is and was no immediate police-related public safety emergency in Benld to justify this tactic and proposal. I also attended the April 17, 2020, meeting by Zoom, whereas others did participate by telephone. There were very few participants but those who did were overwhelmingly opposed to the proposal.
In regard to the informal committee of citizens that tried to help resolve Benld Police Department issues after the August 13, 2018, meeting: it was subsequently determined that adequate funding did, in fact, exist in Benld’s budget to operate the police department. This is evidenced by Benld’s ability to now funnel their tax dollars to Gillespie to provide a service they could, in fact, provide themselves. I had on several occasions offered to help in finding qualified personnel but was informed by Mayor Kelly quite some time ago that this problem had been worked out.
I have heard no word to the contrary until this topic arose in April of 2020 when apparently the contract negotiations had already been completed with the City of Gillespie.
I indeed have faults that The Good Lord has forgiven me for but untruthfulness is certainly not one of them. I offer the following responses to Mayor Kelly’s 1st list of itemized assertions:
- “I had a meeting with Ken Snider in early 2020 to discuss various issues including a proposal from the City of Gillespie to provide police protection for the City of Benld.” This is false. Mayor Kelly is somehow mistaken. I challenge him to detail the context, location and approximate date of this supposed meeting. I had not spoken to Mayor Kelly the entirety of 2020 prior to a telephone call I made to him in mid-March to thank him for coming into my establishment either on Sunday, March 8th or 15th, when I was not present. No mention of the Benld Police Department was made during that brief conversation. The next conversation was the previously described meeting in person with Mayor Kelly on Wednesday, April 8th, 2020, when in fact we did discuss the Benld Police Department and its proposed dissolution.
- True. However, Mayor Kelly did advise me that the council was going to schedule a Special Meeting but emphasized to me that it would be well-advertised and specifically advertised in the Coal Country Times.
- True. However, the only supposed notices of the Special Meeting I am currently aware of were on Facebook, a posting on the Benld City Hall door that someone would have to walk on a sidewalk closed for sidewalk construction to observe and “through the grapevine” as I did.
- True. However, I am not sure mine or anyone else’s statements were actually heard due to technical audio difficulties, which made it necessary that the Benld City Attorney paraphrase the comments of participants as he interpreted them.
In regard to Mayor Kelly’s second list of itemized assertions, I offer the following observations:
- 1-4. These points regarding the actual ordinance and contract are merely general statements, interpretations, and projections not necessarily supported by facts. For example, the projections of savings in #2 may be correct for the first year of the contract but there is no projecting the costs the City of Gillespie will choose to expend in the last several years of the contract.
- 5. The $216,000 fee will no doubt increase next year with the Gillespie Police Department purchasing of new vehicles and the likely opening of the union contract for police officer wages based upon this action by the governments of Gillespie and Benld. For the record, I am in favor of Gillespie Police Officers receiving new cars and higher wages, just not at the expense of the taxpayers of Benld.
- 6. The “Buyout” provision does nothing but bind the contract to the next Mayor and next two (2) City Councils with the three (3) year stipulation. Extending the will of the current group of elected officials to the next group of elected officials is just plain wrong, whoever they may be. If this is such a great idea, would not the next Mayor and City Council to be elected in next year simply affirm and continue the contract?
Sincerely,
Kenneth Snider
Benld, Illinois
Comments
Dear Editor,
Domestic Violence within Macoupin County is prevalent. It is destructive and can be both physical and psychological. It can affect anyone of any age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. It may include behaviors meant to scare, physically harm, or control a partner. While every relationship is different – domestic violence generally involves an unequal power dynamic in which one partner tries to assert control over the other in a variety of ways. The following statistics are all according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
We can see domestic violence inside the home: through the use and control of household pets. In one study, 85% of survivors who experienced co-occurring animal abuse reported that the behavior of their pets had changed. An even higher percentage of survivors who reported partners had harmed or killed their pet, have also reported their partner for domestic violence. We can also see an increase usage of firearms within the intimate partner violence home. A survey of contacts by the National Domestic Violence Hotline found (of those with access to firearms):
- 10% said their abusers had fired a gun during an argument.
- 67% believed their abusers were capable of killing them.
We can see domestic violence inside our schools: as partner violence is not exclusive to the home. There are many instances of violence between dating partners that begin in high school. Nearly 1.5 million high school students in the United States are physically abused by dating partners every year. Within those relationships, 13.4% of male high school students report being physically or sexually abused by a dating partner.
We can see domestic violence inside our community: Macoupin County provides a specific set of needs for those victims and survivors of domestic violence. There are several complex concerns within a violent relationship that come to light once action has been taken. Safe Families sees a few main re-occurring concerns within the county:
- Survivors have fewer financial resources, making them more financially dependent on an abusive partner.
- The lack of rental units or other affordable housing options makes it more difficult for survivors to leave spouses or co-habiting abusers.
The Macoupin County Safe Families program provides support for residents as they journey the emotional endeavors to leave behind domestic violence. As a contributor to that experience, we will be hosting a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk on October 7th on the Carlinville Square. An event shirt will be included with a ticket sale. The online tickets will close 09/29 at 5pm. Tickets will be sold at 9am day-of event at the Safe Families booth. More information about the Awareness Walk can be found on our website at mcphd@mcphd.net. We urge Macoupin County residents to join us and rally against domestic violence together.
Juliet Wooldridge and Lilly Booth
Domestic Violence Advocate Coordinators
Community Health Worker
Macoupin County Safe Families
Comments
Dear Editor,
Community Health Centers are the backbone of our nation’s primary health care system. We design innovative, integrated primary care based on what services communities need most — ensuring access to affordable, quality healthcare for over 30 million people. In addition to creating jobs and saving lives, collectively we save American taxpayers $24 billion a year in health care costs by preventing and managing chronic diseases.
Community Health Centers are not ordinary medical clinics; we are also problem-solvers who reach beyond the exam room to care for the whole person by providing access to necessities like food, transportation, and housing. Community Health Centers care for everyone, regardless of insurance status. Nationwide during hurricanes, floods, and fires, and locally during the pandemic, Community Health Centers are first on the scene and are vital to keeping America healthy.
The 2023 theme of National Health Center Week is ‘The Roadmap to a Stronger America.’ Community Health Centers serve as the beacon of strength, service, and care in their communities. In moments of pain and loss, we offer support and love. In moments of triumph, we offer hope and a vision for the future. This year’s National Health Center Week theme takes us on a virtual road trip across America, highlighting the achievements and amazing work being done at Community Health Centers in every state and territory. Celebrate the uniqueness of our community and get to know others as we journey across the U.S. together!
Each day of National Health Center Week is dedicated to a particular focus area. We will be working with community partners to recognize and celebrate each of the following focus groups in our community.
- Sunday, 8/6: Public Health in Housing Day
- Monday, 8/7: Healthcare for the Homeless Day
- Tuesday, 8/8: Agricultural Worker Health Day
- Wednesday, 8/9: Patient Appreciation Day
- Thursday, 8/10: Stakeholder Appreciation Day
- Friday, 8/11: Health Center Staff Appreciation Day
- Saturday, 8/12: Children’s Health Day
As part of National Health Center Week 2023, we invite you to support Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc. to celebrate our mission and accomplishments.
Christy Blank
CEO/Public Health Administrator
Macoupin Community Health Centers, Inc.
Macoupin County Public Health Department
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