I am disappointed in the Tribune Editorial Board’s decision to endorse my opponent Mariyana Spyropoulos (“We endorse Mariyana Spyropoulos for Cook County Circuit Court clerk,” Feb. 19). When I ran for clerk four years ago, I received the board’s endorsement and have accomplished every single initiative that I promised in my first term. My administration has worked tirelessly to bring technology, efficient practices and transparency to our court system.
The editorial board overlooked the $150,000 in contributions to my opponent from companies that have done business with the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, where Spyropoulos is a commissioner, and the millions of dollars that my opponent has contributed to herself and the Democratic machine. Her family also donated tens of thousands of dollars to a governor after he appointed Spyropoulos to office when she lost her first race. This money is from the family’s oil and chemical businesses. Simply put, this is the definition of corruption.
I worked my way up from being a single mother working in the mailroom of City Hall to being state senator for 20 years. For more than 40 years, I have served the citizens, not the machine, and am proud to have an impeccable record of public service.
Make no mistake. This race is about an oil heiress buying an office now held by a woman of color. We deserve public servants and equal representation, not millionaires looking for titles.
If we allow people to buy offices, we will further discourage the public’s trust in our elected leaders.
I am an independent Democrat who fought for gay marriage, women’s rights and public safety. I advocate for first responders and help people of color run for office. I will always lead with my integrity and not follow the political tides or mandates from the machine.
During my time as clerk, I have transformed the office from an atrocity run on paper to a technology-based office that earned federal compliance after rooting out corrupt hiring and promotional practices. Our office now serves the taxpayers and everyone who seeks service with efficiency and respect.
I have fought against the Democratic machine and won before, and I will do so again with the voters’ help. I will continue to advocate for transparency and the safety of the citizens of Cook County.
— Iris Y. Martinez, Circuit Court of Cook County clerk
Why aid to Ukraine mattes
Those who oppose our support of Ukraine argue that we should spend this money here at home rather than over there. The reality is that we actually are spending most of this money at home.
The ammunition, missiles and combat gear we send Ukraine are manufactured here in the United States, with factories expanding to keep up with demand and creating thousands of jobs.
This allows our military to empty its stores of aging munitions and replace them with newer and more advanced equipment. It also gives us real-world testing of our weapons against Russia’s — without any loss of American lives.
Our support for Ukraine is less than 0.5% of our gross domestic product. European nations are providing more, as a share of their GDP, although they lack the industrial capacity to match our supply of weapons.
Russia is spending 40% of its national budget on its military, while the rest of its economy is struggling. In just two years, Russia lost 50% of its combat capability and one-third of its Black Sea fleet.
Ukraine can win this war with our support. Such a victory would deliver a serious blow to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s meddling in Europe and his standing in the world and in his own country. Putin’s allies in China, Iran and North Korea are watching to see if the U.S. stands by its commitments and its friends.
House Speaker Mike Johnson demanded a border security bill in order to approve funding for Ukraine. After months of negotiations, Johnson turned against such a deal before its details were even announced.
The foreign aid bill includes support for Ukraine, Israel and our Asian allies. It would pass in Congress if Johnson would allow a vote. It’s long past time for him to do so.
The future of Ukraine, security in Europe and our national honor are at stake.
— Mike Mosser, Chicago
Diddling while Ukraine burns
History repeats itself. Nero fiddled while Rome burned, and the House of Representatives diddled while Ukraine burned.
— Mary Ann Kehl, Wilmette
We will miss Tom Skilling
The news was received about as well as a Nordic blast of frigid air. Tom Skilling, the nerdish mascot of Chicago and the city’s foremost weather authority, is retiring all too soon.
How can that be? For sure, the heat, humidity, wind chills and blizzardlike conditions aren’t going. Why should Skilling?
I mean, who doesn’t look forward to seeing Skilling every night? Whether he’s chubby or lightweight, hairy or bald.
I don’t want to hear that he’s earned his retirement. Haven’t we all? We need his presence on air every day to reassure us that we’ve been through much worse, and we’ll surely survive the latest crisis as well.
So what if he’s not the prettiest, freshest face on camera these days, and what’s more, he doesn’t resort to drawing cartoons or dressing in costume.
His no-nonsense, uncontroversial style has served us well for decades, and we’ll miss him even more than we do particular family members at holiday time.
Good luck, “Mr. Weather.” We’ll surely miss you.
— Bob Ory, Elgin
Grateful for delivery driver
We would like to recognize the service provided by our Tribune and Wall Street Journal delivery driver. Kevin McDonald took over for our Labrador, Casey, years ago. Casey retrieved two papers every day at the end of our driveway. Once she left us, Kevin took over the task and delivers our papers to the front door every morning, no matter what the weather, each wrapped separately.
We are fortunate to have Kevin delivering our papers. Thank you to Kevin!
— Jim and Lynn Cusack, Western Springs
Cheerful and faithful carrier
We really want to give a shout-out to our newspaper delivery person, Chariel Oquendo. We live in the South Loop, and I often see him in action while out walking our dog, Erik, around 6:45 a.m. every day. We, like many other readers, read the Tribune online but will never give up the paper edition. First, I want to support the paper and its staff by having both subscriptions, and second, there’s nothing better than reading the hard copy over breakfast.
Chariel makes sure that paper is there for us seven days a week at 7, no matter what the weather. I don’t know anyone who is so cheerful and so faithful to his customers year in and year out. Thank you to Chariel.
— Deb Garber and John Tielsch (and Erik), Chicago
Hard work makes nation great
I would like to thank my Tribune carrier for the excellent service in the village of Stickney. I cannot navigate stairs very well, and I always have my well-wrapped paper right near the front door. Maria Salinas and all the carriers are people who make America great with their hard work.
All customers should reward these folks with a monetary gift and huge thanks!
— Sharon M. Rynn, Stickney
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