Letter Policy

Letters Policy

 

taylorvilledailynews.com welcomes letters to the editor, as a way we can let our readers and listeners sound off on the issues most important to them. If you wish to submit a letter, please note the following guidelines:

 

  • All letters should be no more than 500 words in length, and should include the writer's name, address and phone number. We will not publish street address, e-mail address or phone number; rather, we reserve the right to contact writers to determine their validity.
  • Letters must be submitted electronically in Word doc or text format; no hand-written letters are accepted.
  • If the editor comments about a letter, the reader may respond with at least as many words as were used by the editor. We would like to stimulate a sincere dialogue.
  • All letters become property of Miller Communications, Inc., and are subject to editing for length, content, grammar, punctuation at the editor's discretion.
  • Material that may libel or slander an individual or group will neither be accepted nor posted.
  • All letters must be e-mail'ed to editorial@randyradio.com to ensure your message is received, please include "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line.


                                                                   We look forward to hearing from you.

Letters Archives for 2021-11

Letter to the Editor from Lake Land College President

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted November 30, 2021

 

Dear Editor:

 

In Lake Land College’s recently published Trend Analysis report, research indicates financial insecurity is a major concern for many community college students and can often impede their ability to complete their higher education goals.

A national survey conducted early in the pandemic showed four in 10 community college students were affected by food insecurity and 11% experienced homelessness. Local data collected prior to the pandemic supports this national trend. A fall 2019 survey conducted with 557 students by Lake Land’s PTK Chapter revealed that 74% of respondents reported experiencing financial struggles in their day-to-day life to pay for basic needs such as gas, food and bills, and 73% of respondents reported having to work at least 11 or more hours per week.. Nearly 50% of all community college students participating in a national survey reported that a lack of finances was an issue that could cause them to withdraw from college.

It could be easy for us as a community to look the other way; however, the impact of this data extends beyond the Lake Land College campus.

When our Lake Land College students who are living paycheck to paycheck have a financial incident–a trip to the emergency room, a car breaking down, an unexpected bill–it can be a breaking point in their educational journey.

At Lake Land College, we have several mechanisms in place to assist students, such as the Laker Food Pantry and an Emergency Assistance Fund established by a generous Lake Land College Foundation donor. However, that only helps the students who ask. How many of our students do not turn to us for help?

Why is this an important topic for us to consider as a community? The educational attainment of a community can be linked to economic success. In a recently published study, the authors found a significant positive correlation between educational attainment and strong economic growth, indicating just a 1% increase in the number of people earning a bachelor’s degree can have a positive impact on the economy.

The 2021 Illinois Community College Board Economic Impact study supports this report, showing students who graduate with a Lake Land College associate degree will have far more earning power over their career, on average earning $550,000 more than someone not attending college.

While the Lake Land College district population is on par for residents having earned an associate degree, we lag far behind in the number of residents with a bachelor’s degree. Only about 17.8% of the residents in the Lake Land College district have earned a bachelor’s degree, nearly 50% less than the statistic for all Illinois residents at 34.7%, according to the Trend Analysis report.

Lake Land College is a great value for those seeking to transfer to earn a bachelor’s degree or those seeking a credential, certificate or associate’s degree for an immediate career. And, we are fortunate in the Lake Land College district to have many businesses, educational institutions and organizations working together to develop innovative opportunities to grow our region’s economy. The high-level view is optimistic, however I question what that view may look like for someone with financial insecurity seeking to advance through higher education? Does that person have the financial resources, adequate support and personal flexibility to advance theirself through education?  I look forward to continuing this important work together to help more students reach their goals, move the needle on our district’s educational attainment and boost our overall regional economy.

 

Respectfully,

Dr. Josh Bullock, President

Lake Land College

Mattoon, IL   61938

Letter to the Editor: THANK YOU from Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Posted November 24, 2021

 

Dear Editor:

 

The Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary hosted a new fundraiser in October – a Glow Golf event at Lakeshore Golf Course. We are pleased to report the event was a success, and that is thanks to our generous sponsors, volunteers and participants. 


Proceeds from the event benefit our local hospital. Specifically, the auxiliary is fundraising to support the Taylorville Memorial Foundation’s medical technology fund. The money raised at the glow golf event will help us purchase upgrades to laboratory equipment.


In addition to the 60 people who participated in our glow golf event, we want to thank our sponsors: Carpenters Local 270, Credit Collection Partners Inc., McDonald’s Taylorville, Barb Westrick-Appleton, Tom and Kathy Fergin, CNB Bank & Trust, Martha Zimmerman, Senior Citizens of Christian County, Dr. Pavi and Amy Gill, Clavin Dairy Farms Inc., Dr. Richard and Mary Kay DelValle, First National Bank of Taylorville, Kerri Austwick-Edward Jones, Jim and Jane Davis, Mr. and Mrs. Phil Treuthart, Susan Pearce, Kathy Morgan and Pepsi. We also thank Louise Noren, Donna Castelli, Kathy Morgan, Becky Morrow, Debbie Johnson, Jan Vaughan, Kathy Mansfield, Janell Foor, Shay Broux, Misty Fry, Carla Mickey and Kerri Austwick for their help at the event.

 

Last, but not least, a special thanks to Jason Boldig and his staff at Lakeshore Golf Course. 


The auxiliary could not operate without the help of our community. We are grateful for all who support our local hospital through the Taylorville Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.


Debbie Johnson
Volunteer Coordinator and Auxiliary Liaison at Taylorville Memorial Hospital

 

Station Editorial: We Are Thankful

STATION EDITORIAL

Posted November 24, 2021

 

This is a station editorial, I'm Randal J. Miller, station president.

Well, we made it to the holiday season.  What a year....again.  In looking back at 2021, we are thankful for so many things...our faith, our family, our friends, and our business.

And, while the world and our country are both hopefully coming out of the pandamic, let's hope and pray that the rancor and noise we've heard from both sides of the political spectrum, subsides into realizing that no matter what the issue, as I've been saying the past nearly 2 years, the answer is still in the middle.

We are grateful to all of you, for the honor of serving our communities with local information and entertainment on all our platforms—whether they be AM, FM, or digitally.

As we begin 2022, we thank God for the privilege of serving the Taylorville, Pana, and Shelbyville areas for going-on 30 years.

And, we also begin our 15th year of serving the Clinton, Monticello, and Lincoln areas.

It's been a challenging year for everyone, no matter what your profession or business.  We've gotten thru 2021 and the 2 years of the pandemic, together, encouraging each other, helping each other, and hopefully have learned a lot.

On behalf of my wife Cathy, and our great staffs in Taylorville and Clinton, have a joyous and blessed holiday season and remember the Reason for the Season.  Jesus came to earth so we can have life everlasting by accepting His Love.   May we share that Love to each other and our communities this holiday season, and as we enter 2022.

That's our opinion, we welcome yours.  Our e-mail address is editorial@randyradio.com.

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