Beware of tree-stand dangers

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Editor:

Deer season is almost upon us. I'm not a big fan of deer. The deer population in Illinois needs to be reduced and have become a big danger on our highways. In 2005, there were 23,694 deer-vehicle accidents in Illinois. Sam Ford, acting director of Illinois Department of Natural Resources, states, "Deer are most active at dawn and dusk which is also a busy travel time as people are trying to get to and from work. Drivers need to keep that in mind and be cautious, especially when driving by areas that are prime deer habitat."

Three deer ran in front of my car on my way to work the day I became a brain injury survivor. This year many motorists and hunters, I am sorry to say, will become my fellow survivors. Many of the brain injuries that will happen could be prevented.

Hunters have to pass a course on safety before they are allowed to hunt in Illinois. The rules of gun safety are followed by hunters; however, trouble comes when they relax some of the safety rules to get their deer. Firearms will be the cause of 12 percent of all brain injuries this year.

Accidents related to tree stands have been climbing every year. L.S. Smith, a retired hunter safety administrator for the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and writer of the book "The User's Guide to the Tree Stand," points out, "It used to be we heard more about firearm accidents, but tree-stand accidents surpassed firearm accidents in the early 1990s."

This year in North America, 300 to 500 hunters will be killed from falls from deer stands. Another 5,000 to 7,000 will be permanently disabled and 10,000 to 15,000 will receive some type of minor injury. Some of these injuries will be brain injuries.

It's important to be careful, use common sense and follow the manufacturer's instructions when using tree stands. Use care when climbing. Watch out for bad weather and be sure your tree stand is in good repair. Do not sleep in tree stands or drink alcohol or take drugs when using them. Always tell someone exactly where you will be hunting and what time you plan to return.

Steve Love, Canton

formerly of Rock Falls

Consider consolidation instead of tax increase

Editor:

This is in regard to the Oct. 20 editorial "Half a century later, tax rate still the same." The District 13 referendum seeks to increase the education fund tax rate by 40 percent (from 1.25 percent to 1.75 percent). I don't know what the Rock Falls Elementary District's total tax rate was in 1956, but it has not stayed the same. In fiscal year 1997, District 13's tax rate was 2.44 percent; in fiscal year 2005, District 13's tax rate was 2.99 percent. Compare that to state income taxes which have remained 3 percent for over 35 years, and federal income taxes which have fallen from a maximum 91 percent tax rate in 1956 to a top rate of 35 percent today.

Was it in the students' best interest to cut extra-curricular activities while giving $30,000 salary increases to District 13 Superintendent Etnyre (from $124,548 in fiscal year 2002 to $153,224 in fiscal year 2005) and Principal Brown (from $85,000 in fiscal year 2002 to $114,369 in fiscal year 2005) while the district claimed financial problems?

District 13 taxpayers are already taxed enough paying 2.80 percent to the high school district and 2.99 percent to District 13 (a total of 5.79 percent, a passed referendum would make it 6.29 percent or more).

Rock Falls has six districts spending inefficiently on duplicated services with six superintendents earning more than $704,000 plus benefits (high school superintendent earning $212,711, District 13 superintendent earning $153,244, East Coloma superintendent earning $93,406, Montmorency superintendent earning $84,483, Riverdale superintendent earning $73,104 and Nelson superintendent earning $87,112) in fiscal year 2005 (most recent year available). Only 13 of Illinois' 399 unit school districts had tax rates exceeding 5.79 percent in fiscal year 2005.

Consolidation makes more sense than increasing taxes.

Vern R. Klenz, Dixon

Better grills needed

Editor:

I'm writing in regard to the fireplaces at Sinnissippi Park. They've been there since I was a kid. They're useless.

I thought maybe it was my charcoal and starter fluid. But it isn't. Rock Falls parks have nice grills. What's wrong with Sterling?

I don't like having to drag along a grill when we have a get-together. Does anybody have any answers?

N. Andrews, Sterling

Developments attract

interest in Rock Falls

Editor:

There's been a noticeable spike in economic development interest at the Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce. The chamber monitors just about all calls received, whether it's from someone interested in moving to the area, someone interested in area tourism or someone looking for a business to purchase services.

There's been a decided increase in economic development. We've noticed it in phone calls and on our Web site. As we hope you know, chambers of commerce have a strong branding in the United States. It's a place where people come for information. Site locators know about chambers of commerce, too. And because of some recent developments in Rock Falls, we believe these folks are taking a closer (another?) look at Rock Falls.

Here at the Rock Falls Chamber, I've said many times that we don't do economic development. Well, that's not exactly true. We are a front door for people looking to do business in Rock Falls and our contact is the Rock Falls Community Development Corporation (RFCDC). Whenever we receive calls or inquiries, we refer them to the RFCDC much like we would someone looking for other services. The chamber's Web site lists economic development and the RFCDC is listed first, along with other sites we believe helpful.

But why the interest in Rock Falls? Obviously, the new Rock Falls Country Market hasn't hurt. Nor has the announcement that Sauk Valley Bank and Trust will be building a new facility in Rock Falls. And, after reading a legal notice in the Gazette a couple weeks ago, it's now public knowledge that the complexion of the northeast corner of U.S. Route 30 and state Route 40 will be changing, too. The recent dedication of the informational kiosk at the Hennepin Canal area on south state Route 40 didn't mean things were over for that area. Far from it. That kiosk has significant importance for that area and there continues to be ongoing talks.

I'm told that all of these happenings spark interest in an area. I wonder what's next?

Doug Wiersema, president/CEO

Rock Falls Chamber of Commerce