Letters to the Editor (LTE) of your local paper are a simple way of getting your message out to the general public on an issue of concern. Many papers have word limitations but will generally try to print all letters received, particularly in smaller communities. Here are two sample LTE’s that highlight how to convey your message in a quick, concise manner.

August 2006

Congratulations to the Illinois EPA, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and Ameren for their plan to clean up power plants in central Illinois. Ameren, the largest Illinois power company outside Chicago, has agreed to cut air pollution at their coal power plants by up to 73 percent. As noted by the Aug. 6 News-Gazette editorial, the agreement is a winner for Illinoisans.

Power plant emissions have serious health implications for our state. They produce ozone smog and deadly particle pollution, causing thousands of asthma attacks, emergency room visits and hospitalizations as well as hundreds of deaths annually.

Illinois power plants also release thousands of pounds of mercury every year. So much so, that every river and lake is under a fish advisory, warning sensitive populations to limit their consumption of fish species such as bass and walleye.

Fortunately, Ameren has also agreed to reduce their mercury pollution by 90 percent, consistent with a proposal made by the governor earlier this year and now pending before the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Unfortunately, other power producers in the state have not yet agreed to these critical pollution reductions. Illinois citizens should let the power companies and decision makers know they support the governor’s proposal to reduce mercury emissions by 90 percent, as well Ameren’s stringent multi-pollutant control strategy. Approval of these measures will protect public health, our rivers and streams and our economy, making Illinois an even better place to live. Who wouldn’t support that?

JEAN FLEMMA
Prairie Rivers Network
Champaign

Boneyard cleanup day was a great event
April 2006

Eight months ago, Champaign resident Joe Petry had an idea – to inspire a sense of community pride in the Boneyard Creek in Champaign-Urbana.

Recently, on Earth Day, his idea became a reality when 275 volunteers turned out for the First Annual Boneyard Creek Community Day. These volunteers fanned out through Champaign and Urbana, cleaning up and beautifying the Boneyard Creek, which runs through our community.

This event would not have been the success that it was without the effort and commitment of many groups and individuals that deserve recognition.

They are the cites of Urbana and Champaign, the Urbana and Champaign Park Districts, the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana area Rotary Clubs, Dean’s Superior Blueprint, Joe and Ann Petry, Mike Royse, Robeson’s Inc., Royse Wagner Inc., Urbana Middle School, ABC Sanitary and the Champaign County Design and Conservation Foundation.

On behalf of the Prairie Rivers Network, I want to express my appreciations to them as well as the hundreds of volunteers who came out to work on Boneyard Creek Community Day for helping to make Champaign-Urbana a better place to live.

KIM ERNDT
Prairie Rivers Network
Champaign