Keep Forest Preserves Preserved

 

 

To:  International / United States / Chicago Olympic Committees & Mayor of Chicago ________________________________________

BACKGROUND: The Chicago 2016 Olympic Committee and the Lake County Forest Preserves Board announced in January 2007 that hundreds of acres of Lakewood Forest Preserve, located northwest of Chicago, would become the site of a 15,000-seat Olympic equestrian stadium and numerous other related constructions. According to the LCFP's own website, Lakewood is home to numerous endangered or threatened species. In response, this PETITION has been initiated.
________________________________________

TO: Mr. Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee; Mr. Peter Ueberroth, Chairman, United States Olympic Committee; Ms. Nancy Balty, Project Manager-International, United States Olympic Committee; Mr. Patrick Ryan, Chairman & Mr. Doug Arnot, Director of Sport and Operations, Chicago 2016 Committee; Hon. Richard M. Daley, Mayor of Chicago

I SUPPORT THE STATEMENT that publicly-owned forest preserve property should not be used for Olympic stadiums or other constructions relating to the Olympics.

I SUPPORT THE STATEMENT that taxpayers were led to believe their tax dollars would be used to purchase and preserve forest preserve land, not to buy land to be set aside for future development, i.e., large building projects not related to preservation.

I SUPPORT the International Olympic Committee Green Policies which state, "It is essential that a sports activity should not pose an additional threat to the environment in which it takes place."
________________________________________

Sincerely, The Undersigned

We endorse the Keep Forest Preserves Preserved Petition to International / United States / Chicago Olympic Committees & Mayor of Chicago.

=============================================================================================================

 

AUTHOR'S  NOTE: The last 23 signatures below, highlighted in gray, were add to the petition after it was printed and Express Mailed to the official recipients.  Now that Chicago 2016 has announced the equestrian events will not be held in Lakewood or any other Lake County forest preserve, this petition has been pulled, effective immediately.  We at VFP offer our sincere thanks to all who signed it; we are convinced, despite denials by the powers-that-be, that this petition was a key factor in Chicago 2016's decision to keep the Olympics out of our publicly-owned preserves.

 

Bob Friend, Sec'y/Communications, Voters For Preservation ... April 28, 2008

 

 

Name

Comments

673.

Sue Anderson

Please preserve our forest preserves for our future generations!

672.

Sarah Duchemin

 

671.

Billie M. Kocal

It will take more than signing a petition to stop the LCFP from continuing with their plans.

670.

stephanie paquette

 

669.

Charles Van Eeckhout

 

668.

Steven Lanzoff

 

667.

Paulette Lanzoff

 

666.

John J. Adelizzi

I am opposed to Olympics in our Forest Preserves. NO Olympics near Raven Glen.

665.

Cora M. Adelizzi

No Olympics in our Forest Preserves and NO Olympics near Raven Glen

664.

Blake Anderson

We need to protect the few forests we have left.

663.

Irene D Hayhurst

Aside from the obvious objection of preservinig land purchased by the taxpayers of Lake County for its intended use, I don't believe there is a substantial demand for post-olympic use to offset the facility's annual maintenance. Also the traffic is already over-burdened. Local township and county roads would be impacted by traffic and increased repairs. I don't want my tax dollars paying for such a venture. I'm 82 years old, quit horsen' around with my public land!

662.

Anna Trela

 

661.

Charles Paulsboe

 

660.

Richard Shipley

Voters wanted Preserves, Voters should have a say in the use!

659.

Dennis P. Sheehan

The Forest Preserves are for the people to enjoy not for the few who will profit handsomely. Let Mayor Daly and his band of merry men keep the Olympics in Cook County.

658.

Christina M. Miles

 

657.

Alex David Trigaux

 

656.

Arthur Miles

 

655.

Tom Stevens

I voted for the referendums to buy and preserve land, not develop it. Once we ruin this open space it is gone forever...unless in 30 years we spend more money to "restore" it. To those who live outside of Lake County..please do not ruin our open space and then walk away from it after the Olympics leaving us with a mess that will only be used by a handful of equestrains. We love this area of the forest preserve specifically because it is not developed, please PRESERVE this area...To the Lake County officials who voted for this proposal and may not have been fully aware of what will be lost I urge you to walk the site..it is especially beautiful in the winter...I urge you to have the courage to step up and change your mind to speak out against this proposal...I urge all parties to seek a different venue, one that is already developed...do not ruin this wonderful open space. Thank you.

654.

Patrick Neal

I oppose using the Forest Preserve for the Olympics.

653.

Robert J. Russell

 

652.

Pat Robertson

This is not what I agreed to when I supported the referendums for the LCFP. The monies were to be directed to the purchase and PRESERVATION of natural areas in Lake County for the use of those who live in Lake County. The members of the LCFP board should be the stewards who PROTECT these areas - not sacrifice them for an Olympic staduim.

651.

Caroline Sietmann

Please keep the Forest Preserve the way it was intended to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Name

Comments

650.

christine cox

PRESERVE forest preserves!!

649.

Charles Cole

I am also concerned that the mayor of one large city can presume to speak for millions of people who do not live in that city, but who enjoy the forest preserves OUTSIDE of the city limits.

648.

Pam McDevitt

 

647.

Gregg Huster

 

646.

Wanda O. Wille

 

645.

Barbara Jensen

Heed these requests. Important

644.

Gina Georgouses

 

643.

Teresa Weiher

No No No

642.

Wendy Busche

 

641.

Melodye Peterson

 

640.

shannon test

 

639.

Denise Mouzakiotis

 

638.

Eva Sandberg

 

637.

Debbie Martin

 

636.

Kathy Schwehr

 

635.

Paulina Johnson

this is NOT what the land was/is intended for - shame on you!

634.

Jenifer Horne

 

633.

Aris

 

632.

mika kontorousi

 

631.

christina farazi

 

630.

Amy Schacht

 

 

 

629.

ANNA MARKOUIZOU

 

628.

Robert Kadera

 

627.

Holly Petrie

 

626.

Catherine D Barnes

 

625.

Meriann Negovetich

 

624.

Jim Barnes

 

623.

Grace Milanowski

 

622.

Cari Kness

 

621.

Susan Miller

 

620.

 

Joan Mitchell

 

619.

Kirk. Denz

People are worried Ms. Bonnie Carter Pres. of LCFD is selling out with this stadium complex. Rightfully so! I have seen first hand how this Co. Board Member allowed a developer to come in, build directly around a wetland, drastically increasing impervious surface, all without ensuring adequate drainage. She ignored residents' advice, which has now resulted in major flooding as well as serious health issues at that wetland. Similarly, Lakewood has precious wetlands. This stadium complex plopped on Lakewood will significantly alter the surrounding wetlands & ecosystem. To railroad through her agenda, Ms. Carter has herself displayed she will trample Illinois law and due process! She has acted without regard for whom her politics hurt, even when legal rights are violated. She also operates under false pretenses! Ms. Carter recently promised to the press that she'll "follow all the rules" with a stadium at Lakewood. I unfortunately have never known Ms. Carter to follow any rules. Sad but true.

618.

Ellen Muslin

 

617.

Shari Staton

Taking away forest preserve land not only endangers the animals but we also will have problems with flooding. With new buildings, concrete, etc. the rain will not beable to absorb into the ground naturally but will run off into peoples homes, business, etc. What are we doing to ourselves???

616.

Rosamond Teare

 

615.

Mike Arnold

 

614.

Lori Arnold

 

613.

George and Jana Phariss

 

612.

Jane Gilley

 

611.

tony zimmermann

please consider another location.the wildlife of this preserve were promised this land long before the olympics came to town

610.

Susan Shaw Hammesfahr

 

609.

Thomas Muscarello

 

608.

Beryl Arnot

 

607.

Nancy May

 

606.

Jacqueline M. Franz

 

605.

Jeremy Batson

 

604.

roberta b. zabel

If this wilderness is destroyed, it will be cecades before it can be restored. The olympics are a short term event. Let us not sacrifice our long term goals for such a small price, especially when other alternatives are available.

603.

shannon

 

602.

Sarah Powers

Taxpayer money make these preserves possible. The Preserves belong to the taxpayers - not the Lake County Board. We will remember this at election time.

601.

bryan knight

look longer term!

600.

Julie Sampson

 

599.

Le-Anne T. Kitterer

please help

598.

Dena Rudloff

 

597.

Terri Suda

Our taxes pay for land to be preserved and that's the way it should remain. Please don't destroy the beauty and life that is abundant in Lakewood Forest Preserve. This preserve is a natural jewel in our county, our own backyards and that's the way it should remain.

596.

Marilyn L. Riley

I totally agree with your efforts to keep the Olympics out of Lakewood. It would be ruined by the developments our County Board seeks to impose on the people of Lake County who love the open spaces there. Maybe it's time to replace our County Board with new faces who agree with those of us who treasure nature.

595.

Deborah Kunkel

 

594.

Randall Schietzelt

 

593.

Adele Moore

 

592.

Kenneth Andersen

 

591.

Harold Croner

 

590.

Ethel Croner

 

589.

Kimberly Bogacz

 

588.

Brian O'Hara

 

587.

Nancy M. Hilton

 

586.

Richard A. Hilton

 

585.

Kelly

 

584.

Paul Levin

Find somewhere else that won't impact our environment

583.

Jamie Hagedorn

I lived in Evanston for nearly thirty years and experienced countless hours of pleasure walking and horseback riding in the forest preserves. I support maintaining the preserves for such "gentle use," and for the benefit of wildlife. I am particularly concerned about the effect of proposed Olympics construction on the raptors at the Barnswallow rehab center.

582.

Carri Nolan

carrin78@yahoo.com

581.

Deborah J. Barrett

 

580.

ila levin

 

579.

Erica A. Miller, DVM

Having worked for the DuPage County Forest Preserve, I strongly believe that the Forest Preserve land is meant to remain as Forest Preserve. Please allow the limited wildlands in the greater Chicago area to remain wild for those currently enjoying them, and for future generations.

578.

Molly McDowell

 

577.

Ann Alderson

 

576.

Walter Dembos Jr.

Vice-President McHenry County Audubon Society

575.

Erin Zerth

 

574.

Susan Jacobsen

 

573.

Laura Smith

 

572.

Megan Miller

 

571.

Kristie Hilton

 

570.

Jake Duoblys

 

569.

Jason Duoblys

 

568.

Joseph Duoblys

 

567.

catherine lockwood

 

566.

Vicki Klingsick

 

565.

Jenny Brown

 

564.

Alison Phillips

 

563.

Susan Gardner

Concerned citizens of Lake and McHenry counties are struggling mightily to keep "green" areas in our lives and the city of Chicago should be thankful to have these green oases close by. They need to stay green forever, not be sacrificed for the transient needs of the Olympics.

562.

Lynda M. Sugasa

 

561.

Jeff Turner

 

560.

Dawn Rowe

 

559.

Lauren Nelson

 

558.

Michael Vogel

What part of preserve don't you money grubbing ----- understand?

557.

ellen b. strauss

 

556.

Blaine Capalini

 

555.

Mary Hegge

 

554.

Dallas Owens

please don't do it

553.

Susan M. Guetzlaff

 

552.

Sharon Rinard

 

551.

Robert L. Guetzlaff

 

550.

Shirley Koop

 

549.

Alex P.

 

548.

Jeanne Silvis

Forest preserves are there for the wellbeing of all. How dare the Olympic Committee make such a decision without letting the public know with reasonable time to get the real feedback from the public. Too much land is being taken over by the state to do with as they see fit. STOP!!!!

547.

Katlyn Miller

We have to do whatever we can to save this land before it is taken away from us.

546.

Remy bajeux

birds koo'

545.

James Darrow

 

544.

Leslie Abelson

 

543.

Naomi Cobb

 

542.

AmySc hilz

I like animals, even horses, but a stadium for one game is no excuse to displace so many other animals. Please reconsider.

541.

Patricia Erickson

 

540.

James B Godshalk Jr

PRESERVE Lakewood

539.

DJ Gifford

Save the environment!

538.

Gladys Mueller

 

537.

Jackie Walters

 

535.

Bud Schroeder

 

534.

Mike Bailey

 

533.

doreen Burnell

 

532.

R. David Johnson

 

531.

Hillary Wirtz

 

530.

Brian M. Ruiz

C'mon people, have some common sense.

529.

Miranda Kopecky

 

528.

samantha rick

 

527.

rachelle fenster

 

526.

Laura Riel

 

525.

Robert Read

 

524.

Wendy Brant

 

523.

erin ziech

 

522.

Jo Ellen Gray

 

521.

Kathy Gonzalez

 

520.

Lynn La Luzerne

 

519.

sharon godwin

please don't destroy the enviroment where the beauty of nature exist. by destroying this it only leads to more destruction then is really necessary.

518.

DIANA S. SWIGER

 

517.

Nilz Petersen

 

516.

gale cohen-demarco

 

515.

Jamie Zimmerman

 

514.

Adam La Spata

It would be a huge mistake to NOT use what resources Chicagoland already has at its disposal, that is, Arlington Park.

513.

Gregory Hein

 

512.

Robin Van Zeeland

 

511.

Raymond A Saucier

 

510.

Ingrid M Verhulst

Please build it in a cornfield or an already developed area. We need to respect land that is already preserved, since we have little enough open land as is.

509.

Terry Roach

 

508.

vanessa m. friend

 

507.

M.G. Madach

Also consider Arlington Park in Arlington Heights...a ready-made facility, near the expressway and already touristy!

506.

Michelle La Spata

 

505.

George Singleton

 

504.

Kelly Erickson

 

503.

Jeremy Parsons

 

502.

Cindy A. Vitale

I would like to state that as a citizen of the United States, I am weary of this constant battle between the big dollar private agendas over-riding the voice of the people. We should not have this kind of battle. We are to be by the people, of the people and for the people. If it means that we will fight all the harder to keep what is rightfully ours, and to have our voice heard, then so be it.

501.

Lynn McLain

 

500.

Ruth A. Gundlach

 

499.

Richard H Fahlman

I go beyond this petition to state that the entire Olympic proposal is misguided at best. Here in Vancouver we have been abused in so many ways including destruction of environment and loss of rare species, neighborhood destruction, huge subsidies of projects benefitting private investors, and a diversion of moneys needed for social projects.

498.

Linda L Chapman

 

497.

Janet and Jerry Nell

 

496.

John Reynolds

 

495.

Tom Doar III

 

494.

Stanley M. Grycan

A forest preserve should not be lost to development.

493.

Leslie Genszler

 

492.

Susan Shafiq

 

491.

Pam Holy

 

490.

Adam Arn

 

 

489.

Thomas J Frackleton

The Forest Preserves are irreplacable!

488.

Sunita Singhi

 

487.

Leigh Ann Myhre

 

486.

Jenna Johnson

 

485.

Sally Joosten

 

484.

Eric Ott

How has the forest preserve been in place? Your willing to destroy that in one week? Shame on you.

483.

Laura Quattrini

 

482.

Cynthia Koshalek

Please preserve our forests and wildlife.

481.

james w ketchum

learned to love owls from clarence c

480.

Kate Katzban-Beren

 

479.

Thomas J. Carter

 

478.

Jackie Babich

 

477.

Mike Emmenegger

This is not a logical decision. The Olympics are a forgotten, one time event. Wildlife needs the Lakewood area forever.

476.

Nate Thibedeau

 

475.

Pat Christianson

 

474.

Lorelie Lynn

Please consider another location for the equine center so as not to disturb the birds that nest here.

473.

Marilyn K Herbert

 

472.

Stephen Nielsen

 

471.

Kathleen Walters

Accept Tim Smith's offer of 1,500 acres adjacent to Tempel Farms' Horse farm in Old Mill Creek in Northern Lake County instead of the forest preserve!

470.

Elisa Lee Potter

 

469.

Janice Swack

Save the world!

468.

Kimberly A. Reilly

 

467.

Barbara Walters

If Chicago wants to sponsor the Olympics let them find the space within their borders

466.

marianne anderson

There must be other land than a forest preserve.

465.

James Ray

 

464.

Joseph M. Wilcox

Save Illinois Forest preserves

463.

Michael Denesha

Save Illinois Forest preserves

462.

Claire LaChance

 

461.

Emily Denesha

Keep forest land preserved

460.

Karen Syverson

What an extremely short-sighted use of land it would be to construct Olympic grounds and destroy the forest preserve!.. the founders of the Forest Preserves in the Chicago area knew wild areas are something to treasure for our future....Do not short-change future generations.

459.

Andrew McLain

 

458.

Mike and Nancy Roach

Too big, too damaging to this local environment, too far from the Chicago Olympic Events

457.

Birgit Bronst

 

456.