Naperville Sun Letters to the Editor

Protect the imperative of green space for the future of the city

I was extraordinarily proud to have grown in Naperville; It’s my family’s house for almost 23 years. I am even more proud to have been the product of the wonderful community, schools and the environment that Naperville embodies. Consequently, I am incredibly invested in the continuous success and quality of this community.

Ensuring the preservation of the greenery and the sustainability of the environment and the fauna of Naperville is imperative to preserve the character and the long -term preservation of the population of Naperville, the economic success and the environmental impact. Our city has long celebrated its excellent schools and its dynamic economy as well as its green spaces: parks, trails, forest preserves and natural areas which give Naperville its character and habitability. However, these same assets are at risk because development pressures rise and environmental concerns are intensifying.

The preservation of green space is not just a question of aesthetics; It is a question of public health, equity and sustainability. The green areas cleanse our air, absorb rainwater, reduce urban heat and provide essential habitats for wildlife. They offer families affordable leisure, spaces for children to play and advantages for mental health for residents of all ages. Especially in times of rapid growth, the protection of these resources becomes even more urgent.

The new construction should prioritize sustainability: energy -efficient conceptions, districts accessible on foot and developments that work with nature rather than against it. Investing in the planting of trees, renewable energies and extended trails systems is not only an environmental but economic responsibility. Communities that appreciate sustainability attract companies and families looking for a healthier and avant-garde place to live.

Naperville has the possibility of showing an example in the Chicago region. Rather than paving on open spaces, defend innovative solutions. Preserving what we already have is the first step, but boldly planning for the future is just as important.

City residents and leaders must work together to ensure that Naperville is not only prosperous but also durable. Protecting green space is not a luxury is rather a necessity for resilience, health and quality of life.

Irene-Maria (Irene) Drikakis, Naperville

People must stop treating pets as “disposable”

We recently read an article in the Naperville Sun entitled “People who abandon pets for financial reasons need help, say the Dupage managers” and we wanted to take this opportunity to answer them.

At Famous Fido Rescue, we recognize that some families are really faced with financial difficulties and need support to keep their animals. We work with these individuals whenever we can, because no one should have to lose a beloved companion due to circumstances independent of their will. But in our daily operations, these situations are the minority. The much more important problem we see is cultural: a state of mind that deals with animals as temporary, optional or disposable.

This culture is countless ways. The guards abandon animals because they move and do not want to find inclusive housing for pets. The puppies are abandoned once they have exceeded their novelty or need training. Senior animals are abandoned after years of loyalty because their care becomes annoying. Several times, we see animals thrown simply because someone’s lifestyle has changed; New work, new baby, new partner and the animal “fits”. These decisions do not concern the true necessity. They are a question of convenience.

Underlying this is a societal failure to instill the understanding that the adoption (or even the purchase) of an animal is lifelong responsibility. Too often, animals are seen through the same lens as consumer goods: easily acquired and just as easily thrown away. We live in a disposable culture and, tragically, which extends to living beings which depend entirely on human care.

We believe that real progress requires more than just financial assistance or housing reforms. This requires cultural change. We must demand the responsibility of the guards, strengthen education around sterilization / neutral and permanent commitment, and dismantle the normalization of dreading animals as an easy solution. Until we confronted this deeper problem, shelters will continue to be overwhelmed, not because of inevitable difficulties, but because too many people do not see animals as a family.

At the famous Rescue Fido, we will continue to tell the truth for animals that cannot speak for themselves. We will not accept excuses for carelessness and selfishness because each abandoned or abandoned animal is a disturbed life, a broken bond and a betrayed heart.

Gloria Lissner, Chicago

Founder and Executive Director, famous Rescue Fido

Domestic animals outside the state are part of the problem in Illinois

If Dupper County legislators want to help reduce the burden of animal shelters, which see more owners’ discounts due to the economy, they should also focus on reducing the number of animals imported into Illinois by shelters and rescue groups. According to data published by the Illinois Ministry of Agriculture, approved shelters and rescues imported around 20,000 dogs last year from other states and countries. These imports exhaust the shelter system funded by taxpayers.

Dog imports can also introduce a disease. This is what happened in 2015 when the dog flu with an import reported more than 1,000 dogs in Chicagoland. In addition, many of these imported dogs are pure breeds of breeders outside the state, which also raises the question of whether they are really “rescues”. Shouldn’t we focus on finding houses for animals already in our shelters before importing tens of thousands of others?

Ana Soskic-Starr, Lombard

Founder, protect our Illinois pets