I read your recent article on the I-55 garbage. I respect your opinion on the landfill issue and I am sure that it is echoed by many. I will do my best over the next few years to vote on each issue keeping the residents of Minonk in mind. I welcome everyone's suggestions not only on the landfill, but other issues that may face the council.

I encourage each residence to contact me at russellq@elpaso.net or at home.

Truly yours,

I did not intend this to be a political statement for or against the war in Iraq, only a statement of patriotism and pride in my country, community and my flag. I will clarify my comments by saying, there are those who are flying flags that are tattered, torn and faded. I find this very offensive and after seeing several flags being flown in this manner I thought I would voice my feelings on it and for what it's worth, I agree with Mr. Johnson.

This seems very wrong. Two marines were made citizens last week. They died in IRAQ first.

I just wanted to write hoping that some of the residents and business owners of Minonk might read this and take it to heart.

I have noticed that there are several American flags being flown in Minonk that are at best a DISGRACE not only to our men and women in the armed forces who are currently putting their young lives on the line to protect what she stands for, but also for the rest of the citizens of Minonk. My suggestion is if you can not afford to fly her correctly take her down NOW. If you are unaware of the guide lines for flying our country's flag contact the American Legion or VFW for help.

Thank you

Bob Jackson

Wanda Patterson

Albin Johnson's piece brought reflections on my grandpa Seggerman's garden, which he took great pride in. He grew anything that would sprout from the earth from tomatoes to rhubarb. Grandma Kettelhut's rhubarb pie was so delicious that it was gone in one setting. I ate most of it.

I also remember the "Grossman girls". I don't know if I'm spelling the name right, but they lived a few blocks up from the Minonk Cemetery, on the corner, I think. Mom would send me down there every now and then to get their veggies. What a garden they had, everything you could possibly want. I remember they wore those old bonnet type hats, and they were always out in that garden, taking care of it. I often wonder if there's still a garden there, or if time has erased it.

Just a few more memories stirred up here. Minonk! What a wonderful town to grow up in. I miss it, and hope that the folks there will always cherish their memories as well.

Thanks, again, Dave for preserving our heritage through Minonk Talk.

Art Kettlehut

Everytime I drive I see:

Excessive speed, over 80 is typical. Tailgating, I've seen people tailgate gas tanker trucks. Don't people know that truck brakes are held open by air pressure to the brakes? If the air pressure fails, the truck stops hard. Tailgating is a tactic to get the traffic in front of you to speed up beyond the speed limit. The whole thing is a joke. Trucks are suppose to go 55. They go 50 - 80mph. Cars are suppose to go 65. They go 65-90mph. I almost never see anyone going slower than 65 in the left lane. I don't support any new laws to regulate which lane you break another law in. (Excessive Speeding) Typically I push the speed limit a little to get around slower trucks without being run over. So while I am passing the truck a car going 85+ appears from no where and tail gates me, even when I have no place to go because there is another vehicle in front of me. I've seen Illinois troopers tailgate many times in just such scenarios.

Why can't we just be happy when we get to our destination alive without killing anyone else?

Just got a chance to review your Minonk website and wanted to tell you how nice we think it is. It is very professional and covers just about all aspects of the community. We especially enjoyed reading about the students and school functions.