Letters to the Editor
The latest nonsense Elgin's city council members are subjecting residents to is an increase in food license fees. This fee increase is considerable. Large retail food stores will have their fee increase from $280 to $815, which is a 219 percent increase.
And what if these stores say "no" and move out? You will have to use more gasoline to drive to a town that will benefit from your contributions. More will most likely join the ranks of the unemployed, and less revenue will most likely result in this sophomoric move by the city council as it causes more of our tax money to be depleted.
It looks like any establishment that involves food in any form will have its fees increase between 100 and 200 percent or more. And I am reasonably sure these political amateurs see only the guesstimated revenue it will generate and seem to ignore or do not care for the negative consequences it most likely will cause.
If more revenue is needed, maybe an old strategy should be used. Create jobs! Is it because the council does not know how to go about it, or is it too much work for these part-timers? I am reasonably sure if the council members are questioned they will unknowingly list their shortcomings under the guise of excuses.
What is really more urgently needed is a new city council and mayor. I listen to what they say and I watch what they do. "Status quo is the way to go!" It seems like it is their mantra.
What we need are new, creative, innovative thinkers who see beyond their needs and see the needs of the people that they represent. Better services are needed, not more costly services; reduction in property taxes, not the runaway taxes of late; better education for our students, not higher-paid teachers who do not teach, forgot how to teach, do not care if the students learn because all they want is more money and benefits, and forcing a bad reputation on teachers who do care, can teach and take pride in their work.
Yes, there are many improvements that are needed to be made, and a good place to start is with our city's governing body.
Manfred W. Czymmek
Elgin
People who consume meat are at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, according to a new meta-analysis of 12 studies. This systematic review of evidence showed that intake of any type of meat may raise the risk of diabetes by almost 20 percent, and processed meat consumption may raise the risk by as much as 40 percent.
For those already diagnosed, recent studies have found that a low-fat vegan diet is as effective as oral medications at lowering blood sugar, and has only beneficial "side effects," including improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and reduced risk of heart disease.
Eating meat increases the risk of diabetes and drives up health care costs. But a vegan diet of whole grains, beans, vegetables and fruits can help prevent and treat this disease. Changes in diet or medication should be made in consultation with a health care professional. For useful resources, go to www.PCRM.org/Diabetes.
Caroline Trapp
Director of Diabetes Education and Care
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
Washington, D.C.
