Dear Editor:

I'd like to give a shout-out to Michael Moreland, band director at Murphysboro High School. Congratulations on producing another awesome field show for Crimson Express.

Dear Editor,
I read with great interest the story, James Marlow: Impresario of Murphysboro, in last weeks addition.  The article was very informative and interesting.  I do take issue with the very first sentence stating that the Liberty Theatre is tenuously operated. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Our theatre has become an icon and a community entertainment event center offering diverse affordable entertainment for the entire community.  Every weekend the theatre offers a film and sometimes a musical event and occasional shows during the week.

Dear Murphysboro Patriotic Partner:

THANK YOU VERY MUCH for making our 6th Annual Community Flag Day Service one of the best programs ever! What we lacked in numbers, we made up for in quality!!

Dear Citizens of Murphysboro:
My name is Lorra Stahlheber and I am a new citizen to this fine town.  I am currently enrolled as a full-time student at SIU.  I have four school-age children.  There has been an issue of great concern brought to my attention that I would like to share with you.

To the Editor

On January 24, 2011 many thousands of people will gather in Washington, D.C. to participate in the annual NATIONAL MARCH FOR LIFE in protest against the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision on January 22, 1973 that made possible the largest taking of innocent human life in the history of mankind (more than 50,000,000).

Please allow me this opportunity to extend personal thanks for helping me get pertinent news items relating to my church, First Christian, Murphysboro, into publication.

Dear Editor:

For decades Murphysboro and Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (SIUC) have enjoyed a mutually supportive relationship. While the Apple Festival’s home certainly has its own character, it also functions as a bedroom community for the university. As the largest employer in Southern Illinois, glancing at a page of the SIUC directory shows numerous Murphysboro addresses for groundskeepers, accountants, administrators and more. I am, myself, a hometown product of Murphysboro, and have been fortunate to serve as student, janitorial student worker, teaching assistant and civil servant.

Jackson County Voters:
 
Our lost decades.
 During the past 10-20 years, the opportunities for economic prosperity in Jackson County have decreased.  I believe the main cause of this unfortunate trend is a fact I have observed first hand while serving on the County Board and also observed as a constituent: Jackson County Board members focus too much time and energy on serving themselves and the needs of other elected officials. This myopia has prohibited a view of the big picture and has resulted in “tax and spend” policies that ignore economic consequences for our county. The results have placed government program budgets in peril and many other local taxing bodies in economic peril.

An amazing thing happened at the annual dinner and auction for the Poshard Foundation for Abused Children last Saturday.  People are still talking about it.
Following a buffet dinner, silent auction, live auction, and short program from Director Jo Poshard about the work of the Foundation, Glenn Poshard took the podium.
Dr. Poshard was going to conduct what’s called a “Dutch Auction.”  He planned to try to raise $5000, by asking if a member of the audience might be able to give $1000.  After the $1000 request, he would ask for donations of $500, then $100, possibly even $50.  The goal would be to reach a total of $5000,

The first line of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution says. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
People, although this says, "Congress shall make no law . . ." . the Constitution has often been upheld as overriding the State's rights. Therefor neither the President of The U.S., The Governor of New York nor the Mayor/City Council has any constitutional authority to stop the building of the Mosque.

Letter to the Editor:
Nine years ago, on September 11, 2001, our country experienced major devastation in New York, across the country and across the world. As we reflect on memories from those tragic events of Sept. 11, let us be mindful of the contributions our Illinois National Guard Soldiers and Airmen have made in the last decade to defend our nation.

To whom it may concern:
It has come to my attention, that a company based in Peoria, IL, by the name of "Royal Publishing", has been contacting Murphysboro businesses to solicit program advertisement to support the MHS Volleyball Team at the Mt. Zion Volleyball Tournament.  
Problem is: MURPHYSBORO IS NOT IN THE MT. ZION TOURNAMENT!

Ben Franklin was accurate when he said, “Well done is better than well said.” The hard work and team effort exhibited at the Riverside Park Centennial Celebration and, specifically, at the Birthday Park were incredible! Everyone had fun, too, especially the 5,000 who watched the fireworks and the 225 of them who had or were eating Riverside Park birthday cake.

I write this letter in an aftermath of the election results from Tuesday, February 2, 2010.  It is apparent that voters (citizens) want office holders to be more responsible in their positions where they are elected to serve.  I have worked in the Supervisor of Assessments Office for 25 years.  This offices’ responsibility, by law, is to see that the tax burden is divided equally and fairly between the taxpayers.  

I am a citizen of Jackson County Illinois and have recently received a political campaign brochure from Maureen Berkowitz for Supervisor of Assessments in Jackson County.
The brochure was informational in nature and included several photographs of Ms. Berkowitz both personal and professional. One photograph in particular caught my eye. On the inside portion of the flyer ( see attached document) there is a picture of Ms. Berkowitz standing alongside Ms. Lisa Madigan, Illinois Attorney General. Ms. Berkowitz as well as Ms. Madigan are both named as subjects in the photograph.

I am a proud Union Laborer and I know firsthand how the recession is hurting people and their families. I am a person who loves to work andI like to work hard. This past year has been a tough year for me. The work has just not been there for me and many of my brothers and sisters. As of the end of 2009 I only was called out to work 300 hours. Some work slightly more but many worked much less.

You’ll recall A Weekend in Murphysboro that occurred the first weekend in October and was premiered in mid-December. To remind you, Murphysboro was selected by Southern Illinois University at Carbondale’s School of Mass Communications and Media Arts to partner in a project that captured stories, portraits, and moments in our community. Audio, still photography, and video were used, and some 30 students were guided by national professionals.

Dear Editor:

In southern Illinois and across the state, families are reeling from the recession while city, county, and state budgets are squeezed.  Citizens, especially children and families, are paying the price.  As the need grows for services by those struggling to make ends meet, the budgets of those who provide them are being slashed, even eliminated, severely curtailing help to those in need.

Thanks to the Murphysboro American for your great write up in welcoming me back home after being gone for 53 years.

My husband Ryan Foley has recently been diagnosed with cancer.  Beyond our wildest dreams did we ever anticipate this happening especially with us being young adults. Now that this journey has begun we have to publicly address our family and friends.