Letters to the Editor
Letter: Gillespie Police Chief addresses BenGil community
As many of you know by now, both the Gillespie and Benld city councils have agreed to a contract for the Gillespie Police Department to take over patrol and investigative duties for the citizens of Benld. While this change will not take full effect until June 1, 2020, I wanted to take the opportunity to communicate with all parties affected by this decision.
First of all, let me begin by stating that I am excited and privileged that Benld will be joining our area of police responsibilities. Benld and Gillespie share so many resources already. We share the same school district, the same fire district, the same ambulance service. Many of our residents have family members in both cities.
Many of my church folks reside in Benld or have family members that do. We are two distinct proud communities that share so much of the same. The police department will be no different in that regard. Benld will have the same police presence that it has always had, and perhaps even more. In addition to patrol officers, in squad cars in the city limits of Benld, there will be access to investigators, including myself that will assist in following-up on criminal cases. This will allow the freedom of more time for patrol officers to actually patrol the streets and proactively identify crime before it may be reported.
I know that there are concerns regarding this development. I know that there are questions regarding the “unknown” and “what-ifs” that are always associated with these types of decisions. That is understandable because this is new for all of us. There will be an adjustment time for the public and the police department as we head into this new area together.
I can understand that dissolving a police department is a sad day for any community, and a difficult decision for a city council to need to make. Many good officers have come from and through the Benld Police Department. Many of those officers have moved on to great careers elsewhere. I’ve had the personal privilege to been able to work with some of them during my career, and even count a few of them as my friends.
This decision was made because it is what is best for both communities. Working together is better than working alone.
The truth of law enforcement today is not the same as it once was. Constant public scrutiny, negative media and social media attention, continuing changes to legislation, low pay and benefits have caused many fine officers to seek “greener pastures” or go to the private sector for less stress filled occupation. If you ask most veteran police officers who left their position, they will most likely tell you they left because of the politics surrounding the job, not the job itself. They love being a cop, and in truth, we do this
job because we love it. The point is, they have moved on, and there are very few rising up who are able to take their place. This issue is affecting most areas of the country, but especially in rural areas where finances are limited.
This is a manpower issue. Police officers will not come, and or stay, if they can do the job at a bigger department for more benefits and opportunities for advancement. The way to help solve this issue is to combine recourses to make a more attractive location for recruits. Better equipment, more pay brings more talented officers who will be willing to serve a small community for a longer period of time. While these are certainly not the only issues, it is definitely a major one.
I look forward to continuing to serve the public in all the areas the Gillespie Police Department patrols. If you have questions or concerns regarding these issues, please feel free to contact me at the police department.
Chief Jared DePoppe
Gillespie Police Department
217-839-2922
Comments
When people think of protests, especially in small, conservative towns, they often imagine tension, anger, or conflict. But what I’ve experienced at our local protests is something else entirely.
There’s music playing. People are smiling, waving, and offering encouragement. Cars pass by and honk in support. There’s laughter, conversations, and a shared sense of purpose. It’s not chaotic. It’s not hostile. It’s community.
These protests have become a place where people come together to feel connected and hopeful. We don’t just hold signs. We bring canned goods for food pantries. We share resources. We check in on each other. Many of us also make a point to support local small businesses before and after the protests , grabbing coffee, dinner, or doing some shopping…. because we know they’re part of this community too.
For many of us, especially those who’ve felt isolated in our beliefs, these gatherings are a lifeline.
I’ve had countless people tell me how much this helps them. They say coming out to protest gets them off their phones, away from the news, and back into the world with purpose. They feel less alone. Less hopeless. I see it in myself too. Being around like-minded people, standing for something that matters, has improved my own mental health. Protesting reminds us that we can still make a difference.
This isn’t about causing division. It’s about connection. It’s about choosing to take action instead of watching history repeat itself while we sit by in silence. For many of us, this is about making sure our kids, neighbors, and future generations know we tried.
When I first had the idea to bring protests to Macoupin County, I reached out to Andi Smith in February. She had already taken the brave first step of standing with a sign in Edwardsville, and her quiet courage lit the way for so many of us. Andi has been a lighthouse of support, not just for me, but for others who are learning how to use their voice. She didn’t do it for attention. She did it because it was the right thing to do. And that kind of leadership matters.
Now, we have weekly protests across the region. And it all started with someone deciding to show up. That’s how movements begin. That’s how change starts. Not all at once, but with one person and then another.
I invite you to join us at our weekly protest every Tuesday from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at the Macoupin County Courthouse in Carlinville. We are building this movement with love, hope, and action. I’m proud to be working alongside Kelley Hatlee and organizations like The 50501 Movement, Macoupin Pride, Macoupin County Action Alliance, and Indivisible.
Weekly protests take place rain or shine every Sunday in Alton from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Douglas Square, every Tuesday in Carlinville from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Macoupin County Courthouse, and every Friday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. in Edwardsville at the City Park. I encourage others to show up to one near them. You don’t need a crowd to begin. You don’t need permission to care. Just show up. Bring a sign. Start the conversation. You might be surprised how many people were waiting for someone else to take the first step.
Because when we show up, we remember who we are. And when we come together, we realize we were never alone.
Chelsa Pruden
Comments
There is common ground for those who voted for, or against, Donald Trump to be President of the United States again. First, we can all agree that he won the election. Second, Kamala Harris did not whine and lie to the American people that she really won. And third, since it was a free democratic election, the American people will get the government they deserve.
For those citizens who feel disappointed that a majority of voters chose as their leader a demagogue who believes the rule of law does not apply to him, your duty now is to bear witness to the consequences. And remember. For history’s sake.
Stay awake as the herd nods off, and avoids evidence of an insurrection that happened before their very eyes. Observe the idiot wind that blows constantly from the mouths of all those Trump-pets pretending that traitors are patriots. Don’t fall for the false equivalencies, like convincing you that their retribution is the same as real justice.
And stop thinking about King Rump. Entertainment is his game. He’s the best at keeping everyone distracted while he performs his con. He knows what he’s doing. Also, don’t waste your time trying to convince your friends and relatives who have slid down the rabbit hole of self-delusion. This election proved Mark Twain was right when he observed: “It is easier to fool a man, than to convince him he has been fooled.”
James Tweed
1512 Wesley Ave.
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609)398-3124
Comments
This is my written explanation to the comments I made on the KMOV website regarding the Gay Pride parade back in March. It was just released that Anheuser-Busch had pulled funding from being a sponsor for the Gay Pride. This was about the fourth article I read, and all of them had photos of previous parades where some participants were dressed in pink tutus dancing and twirling in the streets, face paint, leather straps, drag queens, people wrapped in rainbow flags, and other bizarre costumes.
I thought it offensive that adult people were acting in such a manner. I violated one of my personal rules when I reacted to an emotional situation. I made a comment too hastily before I thought it through. I usually give myself a bit of time to think of a proper response before making an emotional statement, this time I just blurted it out. I said I was glad the Gay Pride parade was not funded by AB, then I said, “you do not need to march in the streets to show off your disability.” I am fully aware that homosexuality is not a disability. The statement was absolutely wrong on my account and I do wholeheartedly apologize for that choice of words. It was offending to both gay and perhaps even disabled persons. However, I do stand with the statement agreeing with AB pulling their funding for the Gay Pride parade.
I was making this statement as Larry Schmidt, a private individual stating a personal opinion like I have many times in the past. I was just another voice in the crowd among others with similar opinions. Chelsa Pruden, or some other LBGTQ person looked up my personal information and noticed I was on the County Board. Facebook blew up with the LBGTQ community demanding that I be removed from office and that they would have my job. They were talking amongst themselves trying to get this out to as many sites as they could. I now became political fodder for their cause. Pruden even went on an Alton radio station against me. I sent a written apology to Pruden for what I had said. She chose to ignore the apology and explanation but instead brought in locals and outsiders to conduct a rally at the April Board meeting while LBGTQ made hateful statements about me.
Pruden and her associates assumed I was homophobic and a hater of all gay people. That is further from the truth. I respect gay rights and respect gay people. Homosexuals are a part of life and have been since well before the Bible. I know and respect this. What I do not respect is the entire philosophy of the LBGTQ definition. I believe there are only two sexes, male and female. I also do not accept all the pronouns being thrown around describing all these different sexual orientations. I have made comments in the past, again as a private citizen, stating my opinion about those transsexual types of behavior. Chelsa Pruden and the LBGTQ community preach love and acceptance to all, however, anyone who does not agree with them are called haters. To me the word hate is a pretty strong word and they thrown it around pretty freely. I do not hate anyone. The LGBTQ is all love until you do not agree with them, then they are full of hate and spite because of the way you feel.
I have three cousins in their 40s and 50s who are gay, and a niece in her 20s who is gay. We love them dearly, they are part of the family and treated as such. My wife and I are also Godparents to another gay woman in her 20s who asked to be baptized in our home church. These gay people, as do most, assimilate into their respective communities and live their life as any other citizen. They do not crave special accommodation and attention. Chelsa Pruden and associates preach the loud and proud slogan like they are something special, this is what I have issues with. We are all regular people and should be treated as such.
When the attacks on me and my character were made I was somewhat taken aback. I am a peaceful, fair-minded person who tries to make good decisions but I also have opinions. I am not mean, spiteful, nor do I seek revenge. I was upset by their dialogue stating my supposed hate for them while not even knowing me. The immense chatter from the LBGTQ community made it sound like I was on the 10 most wanted list and that I was a disgusting, terrible human being that shouldn’t walk the face of the Earth .
I was on the road away from home when all these remarks were being made, and it made me feel terrible. I sent a text to my fellow board members to seek their advice because by this time it was all over social media including Carlinville Talk of the Town. Ms. Pruden and associates were trying to bully me into submission. I asked the Board members for advice, if I should step down as chairman, resign altogether, or remain where I was. Remember I was feeling pretty low at this point from all the name-calling and false accusations. The overwhelming response was to stay where you are, you’re doing a great job as chairman. I sent the text from my phone and tried to remember all 18 Board members.
There were apparently three names I could not recall at the time. A local news outlet reported in their article that I had only contacted 15 Board members and that 15 Board members are Republican and three are Democrat making it sound like I purposely did not contact the Democrat Board members. In reality, I only excluded one Democrat, the two others I inadvertently left out were Republican. That sole Democrat made the accusation of the Open Meetings violation at the April meeting. Pruden then filed a complaint against me for violation of the Open Meetings Act. I didn’t purposely exclude anyone from the text, I simply did not have a list in front of me and couldn’t think of the last three names. The AG has the reports and they still have not determined if a violation took place.
I will remain as Macoupin County Board Chairman. What you must realize is that I was voted in by the people who wanted a conservative Christian voice while respecting family values. They are not wanting extreme leftist liberals such as Ms. Pruden and her associates. I look at Ms. Pruden’s social media and she appears to go to every protest she can find that is against any conservative government policy. It seems she is always craving attention.
I have received massive public support for my views. There is a silent majority out there and they keep pretty quiet; the other small percentage tends to cry and carry on when they don’t get their way. I am constantly stopped on the streets, at restaurants, stores, social media and even written letters sent to my home telling me to stay where I’m at. Citizens are tired of the constant liberal, woke views and the last series of elections have proven that. I am the first Republican Chairman since 1969 and the Board now has a 15 to 3 majority. Nothing has changed since I made that statement; I have been chairman for five years now and show me where we did anything to hurt your cause. We represent all citizens of Macoupin County.
Again, let me reiterate, I respect gay people for who they are, they are living their life as they see fit while contributing to our community as any other person. What I don’t care for is the way the LBGTQ and Gay Pride organizations try top force their sexual orientation on our children and general population. Live your lives without trying to indoctrinate everyone else.
I would ask the media represented here this evening to publish this letter in it’s entirety because so far all the reporting has been somewhat one-sided. These are my personal views and not reflective of the entire Board.
Larry Schmidt
Macoupin County Board Chairman
