Jun 7, 2007 8:15 AM
Subject: letter to the editor – Chicago Tribune
To: ctc-TribLetter@tribune.com

Editor:
I don't sympathize with local politicians who believe that money trumps the
environment, or, in the case of proposed Olympic equestrian construction at
Lakewood Forest Preserve, that money trumps protection of an endangered wild
bird. So the recent harsh reaction from Wauconda's mayor to Kathy Bergen's
recent article, "Habitat pits Cranes vs. Games" in the June 3 Voice of the
Tribune, was disappointing. It seems the Mayor would rather abolish the nearly
vanished sandhill crane rather than threaten the proposed 2016 Olympic
facility near his district. That these birds nest and forage in a taxpayer
purchased forest preserve dedicated to wildlife preservation is not mentioned
in his letter.
Mayor Saccomanno repeatedly tells us of the "small minority of Lake County
residents" who oppose bulldozing a forest preserve for a two week sporting
event. The home-grown forest protection group that Ms. Bergen highlighted is
small, however Sierra Club formally opposes this location also. We are not
small, and I suspect that the residents of Lake County lean toward our
position rather than Saccomanno's.
It's common sense to avoid construction at important natural areas, so this is
an easy issue that should be corrected quickly and with finality. The more
difficult question is whether Chicago can provide a truly green Olympics from
beginning to end. The 2012 London Olympics will be constructed on derelict
industrial brownfields with extensive restoration and environmental
accommodations. It's hard to believe that Chicago would propose a lesser
Olympic plan.
--
Larry Marvet, Co-Chair of Olympic Task Force
Sierra Club Illinios Chapter
larry.marvet@illinois.sierraclub.org