Will
County Executive Larry Walsh, a Democrat and Will County Board Chairman Jim
Moustis, a Republican, seem to have joined forces, on the same side for once.
When
U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. started shooting off his mouth about a deal with
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn to build the long-beleaguered Peotone Airport,
Moustis wrote a letter to Quinn.
“You
will not dump on us,” Moustis told the governor.
Moustis
continued by saying he did not want Will County to be treated like second-class
citizens. He said Will County would fight all the way. He referred to
governance of a potential airport.
They
are nothing but hypocrites
Why do
Moustis and Walsh refuse to see that what they are complaining about are the
same things residents of eastern Will County have been experiencing at their
hand for more than 25 years?
Their
costly shenanigans, borne by the taxpayers of Will County, to hire lobbyists
and consultants, for example, is designed to result in an airport the airlines
say they won’t use, a majority of the citizens countywide don’t want, and
aviation experts say will be an unsuccessful business venture. Yet they
continue to pursue it. It is now like a game with them—a game of one
upsmanship—between them and Jackson at the citizens’ expense.
They
are arguing over controlling something that may never exist. The airport
remains unapproved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The U.S.
Transportation Secretary dismisses it.
Gee
Jim, it is hell to be treated that way
I know
what Moustis must be feeling. It really is hell to be treated like a second
class citizen.
I no
longer live in Illinois, but I will never forget what it was like to stand
before those people—to testify against the proposed Peotone Airport.
Some of
those 27 board members weren’t even courteous enough to listen to what I and
others had to say. Their blank-stares and nose-in-the air expressions couldn’t
wait to dismiss us. Rarely have I ever experienced such unpleasantness as in
trying to reason with public officials. It is no wonder regular people steer
clear of public meetings and have such a bad taste in their mouth about
politics.
It is
too bad Will County didn’t listen to reason all those years ago. I wonder what
might have come of eastern Will County had so much energy and resources not
been squandered chasing the Peotone folly. Will County could have found fame
and fortune by using its own resources had there been leadership and intellect.
Perhaps eastern Will County could have set a world-class example for organic
farming; Del Monte or some other company could have built a plant there and
begun processing a new line of heirloom tomato products; or perhaps grapes
grown in Will County soil could become the basis of a new Eastern Will County
wine. Alternative energy, such as wind or solar or something brand new could be
developed there. The sky’s the limit, but instead these fools decided to chase
a 1968 project.
I’m
really sorry you are being treated like a second-class citizen Jim.
