The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:

Stop criticizing the arch
I parked at City Hall and crossed over the river on the footbridge, approaching [the] River Street farmers market. My mood was tranquil, with an underlying excitement. My eyes were misty. River Street is wonderful. The arch is so compatible with my feelings of Batavia – strong, understated and harmonious. Let's stop criticizing our town and be blessed by its beauty.

The arch is a joke
What a joke that arch in Batavia is. It is the most hideous-looking piece of junk, and we have got to be the laughingstock of Kane County. Thanks, board members, City Council. That money could have been better used for the food pantry.

Where is the respect?
I'm seeking a Christian church where there is a sense of reverence and worship when one enters the sanctuary of the church. As the prelude is being played, people sit quietly and prepare for worship by praying to themselves or contemplating their walk with God. Are there any churches out there still like that? Nowadays, in churches I have attended, the sanctuary is a big, noisy place, with people talking and laughing as if it were a party. There is no attitude of reverence or respect for where they are. There might be a brief prelude played, but it is difficult to hear in the noisy atmosphere. And the manner of dress for some people is inappropriate for church. Would they wear the same outfit for a wedding or a funeral of a dear friend or relative? I don't think so. Outward preparation to meet God symbolizes the inward consecration that God requires. Let's begin to live that way.

Enjoyable experience
A couple of weeks ago, there was an article that Applebee's was closing. It's a Saturday, and we just went there. It was almost empty, but our meal was the best meal we've ever had there. It was so good. The Applebee's is not closed yet. Everybody should go and visit it.

Immediate tax revenue
I'd like to propose two immediate tax revenue subjects for the Tri-Cities. No. 1, strict enforcement of the littering laws, more specifically around retention ponds and strip malls that have litter that [goes] into the retention ponds and thus [creates] just an unsightly mess. No. 2, ticket businesses and homeowners that shoot their grass clippings out onto curbed areas, where it drains into the sewer system, thus costing the city more to maintain the sewer system. These two proposals, if enforced, could add some revenue to the cities.

It's a choice
For the sake of our children, I am happy that gay marriage did not pass in Illinois. As a doctor friend stated, if being gay is a gene, the gene would have died off years ago. The gay movement involves a choice that changes the fabric of society. It is not a simple choice, but neither is adultery or a life of celibacy or a life as a thief or a life as a saint. We can and should control our behavior to promote the beauty of the natural in our world.

Pension reform?
First, a history lesson. In past years, Illinois used state funds allocated for pensions for other "pet" projects. The state promised to pay back the money. To ensure that this would happen, the state constitution was amended to include the wording a pension could not be "diminished or impaired." In spite of the promise to pay back the money, the state did not follow through, causing this to be a pension theft. The state government violated its fiduciary responsibilities and should be held accountable. The already-retired employees should not be included in any pension reform. They made a decision to retire based on written retirement benefits. If there is to be any pension reform, then negotiations should occur among non-retired employees, unions and the state. Retired employees are not [necessarily] represented by unions. Any change to their pension benefits will go to court. Does the state have the money or time to fight this? It is interesting that there is no proposal to include retired judges, who are also state employees, in a reduction of pensions. Is this "buying" votes? A solution may include a higher tax on luxury items, along with a graduated income tax. Thirty-four other states have a graduated tax, and this is what the legislature needs to consider. I would rather have ethical representatives in Springfield and a governor who will uphold the state constitution, instead of a group pretending the reformation of the pension system is the solution of the state's financial woes.

Get rid of the tracks
The railroad tracks before Route 64 and Dean Street on Randall Road are getting really rough. Please, whomever is responsible, they need to be taken up. They aren't in use anymore. We don't need them on Randall. Help.

A for-profit operation
Whatever else it might be, K-12 (a company that would run a virtual school), is not a nonprofit. Virtual Learning Solutions was formed in February 2013 to sell its product, K-12 Virtual School System. The K-12 is most definitely a for-profit operation. After Gov. Quinn and the assembly voted a one-year moratorium on virtual schools and put the issue on hold, the [board] president of Virtual Learning Solutions resigned, and her place is now held by the secretary. Can one serve two masters – children and families of our school district and the shareholders of K-12? Where one's treasure lies, there will be the heart. I give the children and the community to be the heart of the school board. As for K-12, we citizens get to pay the fees to the them, and they have no building cost (computer learning done at home), no transportation (ditto), no community of students and teachers and no requirement to hire certified teachers. They only get to enjoy their trip to the bank. If we did contract with them down the road, we would have virtually (pun?) no control over what they do. ...

Sad to see Coultrap destroyed
It's a sad time to see a beautiful place like Coultrap destroyed. Are the trees next? God said we are fools, and he is so, so right. More cement, I think. A parking lot?

We've had enough
I agree with "Throwing money away," for the schools next year to have hot lunches. Can't the parents make something extra so the students have something for lunch? When I was in school, we did not go to public school, and I'm a baby boomer, but money was tight. Things are different. We're going to pay for hot lunches? We're paying for iPads, and we're paying for their schooling. But they throw garbage on the street; they are not well-behaved kids and the teachers have to put up with them. I think it's enough. Have them teach reading, math and science. That's it. Any extra activities? My parents had to pay for piano and choir and everything else. Let the parents pay the bill. Taxpayers, we've had enough.

Defending Mark Kirk
I'm getting very irritated about people saying Mark Kirk is not representing his constituents. In fact, he is the only senator in the state of Illinois who is representing his constituents. The fact of the matter is, Dick Durbin is only interested in what the illegal immigrants want in Chicago, and he has been demonstrating that consistently for many years now. He has promoted illegal immigration, he has protected people who have gone afoul of the law – he and Luis Guitierrez and Mayor Daley and Gov. Quinn. Mark Kirk has a lot of courage. I'm glad he's standing up. I have read the entire 844-page bill, plus all of the amendments, and I can tell you it is a giveaway program to all illegal immigrants of our country. I am going to write a whole editorial about specific points in this immigration bill. I'm not opposed to fixing the immigration system. I agree it's broken. But we can't have a giveaway program that is a detriment to this country and our country's security, which is what this bill is. It is a terrible, terrible bill. Thank you, Mr. Kirk, for thinking about the real, law-abiding American citizens. I am neither Republican nor Democrat. I vote for the person who will do the best job.

• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.

The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:

Fix the potholes
I was wondering if it would be possible to fix some of the potholes in the outer drive of Charlestowne Mall. I frequently take the outer drive to scoot around to avoid the construction on Route 64, and one day I almost got stuck in two potholes. Please fix the potholes surrounding Charlestowne Mall.

The questions on the survey
I hope that all residents of Batavia who are parents of high schoolers request a copy of the questionnaire that the kids were made to fill out. I think it's very important to note all the questions that were on that survey. Also, since the new administration is coming in and there are new school board members, I hope they will look at this whole issue of student privacy and questionnaires and re-evaluate the position they took at their last meeting. That is not the right thing to do. I hope that if there are any questions about lawsuits, that you don't use taxpayer money to defend a poor position.

City Council input needed
Why should the Batavia City Council vote on department head appointments by the mayor if they have no time to review them and can't do anything about them? The City Council should have some input on who is running the city of Batavia on a day-to-day basis.

What kind of change?
People who call in about the Sound Off in Batavia – we don't live in Batavia. They want change. Well, we have change now in the USA. We have change in the government of not doing anything enough for the seniors. Batavia is a small town. The Daley administration that was in Chicago was good. But remember, Batavia is a small town, and it cannot compare to Chicago. And stop putting parks in Geneva. We don't need more parks. They have to have upkeep, and you'll be paying for it. Have a restaurant. You don't have to put a dime in it at all.

What an eyesore
Well, taxpayers of Batavia, you got taken in again by your politicians. The arch looks like something a 9-year-old would think of – no beauty at all. It doesn't fit in. What an eyesore. Poor Batavia taxpayers.

The awful arch
I was calling on the arch. That looks awful. All the money that was put into that arch, and it doesn't look good. I hate to say that. I was hoping it would look beautiful. But that was a waste of money. The street is beautiful. The arch takes all the good looks away.

Thanks, President Obama
It cost $74 to fill my gas tank this morning. Thanks, President Obama. When the chosen one took office, gas was $2.75 a gallon. Now it is $4.40 a gallon. Let's make sure not to get that keystone pipeline moving forward. Thanks, Obama.

Throwing money away
I'm calling about the breakfast for the schools next year. I do work at the school, and they throw so much food away. And now with this hot lunch program. Kids don't eat this stuff. And now they're going to be throwing money away. And who is paying this? The taxpayers? We don't need this, just like we don't need that ... arch. Wait until we have a big wind storm and it blows down. It's going to happen.

Enough is enough
This is a message for Chris Lauzen, county board chairman. Back off on all your new positions and hirees you are proposing. This is not state politics, where taxpayer money is spent whenever you politicians decide. Our taxes are out of this world, and you are just trying to get more politics involved. Back off. The county is doing fine without all the bureaucracy to deal with. I hope the Kane County Board agrees with this. Enough is enough.

Remembering D-Day
Thursday, June 6, marked the 69th anniversary of D-Day. Over 160,000 soldiers landed on the beaches of Normandy, and over 3,000 young Americans, many just teenagers and in their early 20s, died. It represented the largest sea, land and air operation in the history of mankind, and it marked the beginning of the end of Nazi tyranny across Europe, and the victorious turning point of the allies in World War II. But what is the difference that D-Day makes to us today? When we remember, we reaffirm the values of self-sacrifice, duty and comradship for which the veterans of D-Day fought and, in some cases, died. But none of our major political figures ... made mention of this important day. And you have to look hard to find it in our news media. And I bet the event and its importance wasn't mentioned by our teachers in the classroom. What difference does remembering D-Day make? It depends on our view of the value these young men showed 69 years ago to ensure our freedom today.

What's the criteria?
It is tragic that a young girl has cystic fibrosis and needs a lung transplant. The national donor networks have strict guidelines to make sure that the donation goes to the best recipient. According to the guidelines for an organ donation, she is not old enough for a transplant. Now the politicians are pressing for the federal government to get involved in this lung transplant. This week, a federal judge ordered the National Donor Network to change its policy and admit the young girl and another juvenile, on the donor list. Is this the start of Obamacare, where judges determine who makes the donation list? Why would anyone want to donate an organ if that organ is not going to the neediest, but to the one with the best political and judicial connections?

• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.

The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:

Outstanding educator


I am outraged at the waste of taxpayer money in Batavia once again. It is time to stop playing the ostrich game, and get their heads out of the sand. Putting the names on the forms and expecting to learn anything? Who is responsible for this? Batavia High School is fortunate to have this outstanding educator on its staff who truly cares and knows how to help the youth of today.

Treasured employee


I just wanted to call and say that as a customer of Marberry Cleaners in the Valley Shopping Center, I am so delighted with [Deb's] service, time and time again, and when I went in to pick up my laundry Friday, she had a wonderful Memorial Day display and had great reverence for the true meaning of the day. Marberry should treasure that employee.

A classic small town


Where local government is concerned, Batavia needs to clean house. There are too many complacent, self-serving individuals in charge. We need public servants who are willing to listen to and serve the people, public officials who don't bend the rules to fit their own agenda. We need to restore what we have and stop trying to build bigger and better. Batavia is one of the few classic small towns left. Let's keep it that way. No more radical changes, please.

Build a restaurant


I'm responding to "How about a park?" in Geneva, where the Mill Race Inn is. A park has to be kept up. You're going to pay to have it done. If you have any children's equipment, that has to be paid for by Geneva's taxpayers. I say, build a restaurant. It brings income to the community and also the taxpayers don't have to put a dime in it. Forget the parks. You get the teenagers. Just because the kids live in the Tri-Cities, they are not angels, believe me.

Build a park


I agree with the caller who proposed that the best use of the Mill Race Inn is a park and not a restaurant or condos. We have more than enough of those. Many cities have had the vision to develop their riverfront properties into park-like settings that lure tourists and benefit all residents. Why not include the Hillquist property that has been vacant for years? It is unlikely that it could ever be developed commercially because of lack of parking. Come on, Geneva, we can take a stand right now for preserving one of our community's finest assets for the benefits of this and future generations. Call your park district, alderperson or forest preserve representative and tell them we want a riverside park and not more condos or restaurants.

Leave the speed limit alone


I'm calling about the article I read in Saturday's paper, with Jim Oberweis saying that the 70 mph speed limit will allow people to legally be able to drive like that. I've got news for you ... people are going to drive much higher and faster than that. I've gone down Interstate 90 the past two weekends because I have a camper. I am constantly amazed by how people pass me as if I'm just sitting there. I'm doing the speed limit through the construction zones. I think this is a bad idea, and this is one of the reasons I didn't vote for this fool.

There's no opposition


To "Where is the [opposition]?" in Batavia, there is none. Did you ever hear of the political term, the town is sewed up? Chicago was like that during Daley's time.

A change is needed


I'm reading Saturday's edition, and in there, the Batavia aldermen approved reappointments. One of the aldermen, who shall remain nameless, said, I wouldn't want to just rubberstamp what the mayor says, and that is in quotations. The problem with Batavia is that we have had a mayor here who has been in here 30-plus years. I have lived in Batavia for over 25 years, and I do feel that a change is needed. Our taxes are rising. We aren't getting any more services for what is getting done. And the fact of the matter is our mayor, even though he is a native Batavian, needs to be replaced with someone who has a vision for the future because he's embroiled in the past. I concur with the alderman who spoke out, I wouldn't want to just rubberstamp what the mayor says.

• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.

The following is what our readers sounded off about this week:

Remember the veterans
This Memorial Day weekend, let's forget the super sales of mattresses and furniture and remember the reason for the celebration. American military personnel gave their lives to protect our freedoms. These fought-for freedoms not only include free speech and the right to bear arms, but also the right to assemble. Hitler and Stalin, to gain complete control of Germany and Russia, removed these American freedoms. And many countries and their leaders who disrespect the United States deny these very rights to their own citizens. Remember the veterans, and also the United States Constitution, and how we, as citizens, have benefited from the actions of both.
 
It's getting scary
When will the lines in the roadways be painted again? Some of them, you can't even see. It's getting really scary.
 
How about a park?
The political establishment in Geneva is convinced that there is only one option for the Mill Race Inn property, that is, sell it to a developer who will tear it down and build either a restaurant or condos. Either way, it would be a minimal contributor to the city's revenue stream. Does Geneva really need more restaurants or condos? Instead, why not have the appropriate taxing body buy the property from the bank, tear down the building that has fallen into disrepair and put in a riverside park, so that all citizens can benefit, not just a few? Isn't that a more sensible use of this valuable piece of real estate and a better way to spend taxpayer money?
 
Where is the opposition?
It is so disappointing that no one else ran for mayor in the town of Batavia. Batavia needs a mayor who is more conservative with taxpayers' money. Why isn't there a term limit? Thirty-two years is too long. There was no opposition, so it just fell into his lap.
 
Nobody is going to do anything
A big ripoff? Someone called in about how gas is 30 cents higher in the Tri-Cities than in Maple Park. Nobody is going to do anything about it. They say since it's changing from winter oil to summer oil, you have to pay more for it. Cook County is the highest. I drive through there. Nobody is going to do anything about it. All I can say is do all of your errands in one day, and limit driving in your car. Living in the Tri-Cities, you've got to drive, that's the only option.
 
Go ahead and squirm
All you people on government pension plans sit there and squirm. All you people were rejoicing when the politicians gave you those good pensions. Unions went along with the politicians when they asked to take your pension money. Our company and many others just walked away from our pensions. You never helped us. Now you want all of us poor people to pay for yours. Go bankrupt.
 
The right to own and bear arms
I'm calling in response to an article in Sound Off last week. The person was condemning firearms, but obviously had not been in the military and obviously does not understand state regulations. You have to fill out a form, send it to the state police and they do the background check on you. If you pass, if you've never been a criminal of any kind, they send you back your FOI card. You cannot buy a shell or a firearm in the state of Illinois with the FOI card. Not only that, but in the United States, we have the right to own and bear arms. Military people understand that more than others. … I think the person better do the research and find the state of Illinois has the best controls and regulations. We can't control the criminals in Chicago. They are gangbangers and drug dealers. And we can't control the people who are mentally ill.

• You can sound off, as well, by calling our Sound Off line at 630-845-5240 or by sending an e-mail to soundoff@kcchronicle.com. Calls must be limited to 1 minute or less.