Stand up for nature and against climate change by keeping Obama Center out of Jackson Park

Lately, there has been much attention paid to the topic of climate change, and what we are doing about it. We can start by taking a stand to save Jackson Park.

In the hands of a capable architect, a building stands on its own design. It does not require a park surrounding it to achieve its purpose, its greatness. Numerous other locations could accommodate the Obama Presidential Center.

There are locations directly across the street on Stony Island. There are properties owned by the University of Chicago near Washington Park. These properties are outside of the parks themselves, and would both enlarge as well as bring businesses into the community.

Parks like Jackson and Washington provide much-needed contact with nature and many benefits to the public, including trees, which are the lungs of a city.

We need to take a second look at using Jackson Park for the OPC. A 22-story building, along with road-widening projects, will change the face and character of this park forever.

Ross Petersen, Northwest Side, former president of Jackson Park Advisory Council

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Save compassion for crime victims, not criminals

The Sun-Times reported Thursday that Joseph Jesk, who was fatally shot by a Bridgeview police officer, pled guilty in December 2011 to murdering his wife.

Why in the world was this man out on the street less than 10 years after killing his wife? A 17-year sentence reduced to just over six years, for murder? And a subsequent slap on the wrist for meth possession, by a convicted felon?

Perhaps a justice system that is so eager to demonstrate its compassion by giving violent criminals light sentences ought to reserve some of that compassion for the future victims of these emancipated predators. Thank God the police officer who successfully defended himself against Mr. Jesk was not one of those victims.

Mark Quinn, Naperville