Letter to the Editor
David G. Egler
Issue date: 9/9/09 Section: Opinion
The column of Wednesday, Sept. 2 by Moon Base (Brian McCormick) entitled "Disrespectful Neighbors Will Reap What They Sow" is the latest in a long line of self-absorbed student writings that attempt to justify their behavior, alcohol consumption, trash management and impact on the neighborhoods they inhabit.
Mr. McCormick complains that his neighbor asks that trash be picked up and that said neighbor distributed flyers (meant to be useful and informative). This seems oddly thin stuff to get so indignant about. It is also odd that much of his resentment is based on fantasy - attitudes that he attributes to a neighbor that he does not know.
Further, Mr. McCormick needs to tell the whole story about the aggressive and obscene verbal attacks on neighbors, including a 9-year-old girl on a bike. It is ironic to complain about trespassing when the ultimate act of trespass is to be awakened by screams or loud music in the middle of the night. It is trespassing to shriek obscenities while walking down a quiet street or to blast your car stereo for blocks.
Mr. McCormick's column seems to set up an adversarial standoff with neighbors and is seen by some as a license to do in Macomb what one could not do at home on the basis that "there's more of us than of them." Macomb is no different from the places students come from. There is no "them vs. us."
This is not a student ghetto, no matter how many students rent here, and there are plenty of citizens with regular jobs who need their sleep. The added sales taxes students pay do not always cover the necessary additional fire, police, EMT, etc. services the town must provide and the university pays no taxes. So students actually need those tax-paying working families to sustain the town in which they now live and, occasionally, to remind them of the values that (we hope) they themselves will be adopting upon graduation into the real world.
There are legitimate issues on both sides of the town-gown divide, but the worst thing would be for a column such as this to stir up resentments that serve no constructive purpose.
Mr. McCormick complains that his neighbor asks that trash be picked up and that said neighbor distributed flyers (meant to be useful and informative). This seems oddly thin stuff to get so indignant about. It is also odd that much of his resentment is based on fantasy - attitudes that he attributes to a neighbor that he does not know.
Further, Mr. McCormick needs to tell the whole story about the aggressive and obscene verbal attacks on neighbors, including a 9-year-old girl on a bike. It is ironic to complain about trespassing when the ultimate act of trespass is to be awakened by screams or loud music in the middle of the night. It is trespassing to shriek obscenities while walking down a quiet street or to blast your car stereo for blocks.
Mr. McCormick's column seems to set up an adversarial standoff with neighbors and is seen by some as a license to do in Macomb what one could not do at home on the basis that "there's more of us than of them." Macomb is no different from the places students come from. There is no "them vs. us."
This is not a student ghetto, no matter how many students rent here, and there are plenty of citizens with regular jobs who need their sleep. The added sales taxes students pay do not always cover the necessary additional fire, police, EMT, etc. services the town must provide and the university pays no taxes. So students actually need those tax-paying working families to sustain the town in which they now live and, occasionally, to remind them of the values that (we hope) they themselves will be adopting upon graduation into the real world.
There are legitimate issues on both sides of the town-gown divide, but the worst thing would be for a column such as this to stir up resentments that serve no constructive purpose.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 8
leenie
posted 9/09/09 @ 4:24 PM CST
What a sane and measured voice. Thanks.
Steve
posted 9/10/09 @ 12:43 AM CST
Great letter. Students need to realize their ignorant behaviors impact the reputation of WIU now and in the future. All of us who hang WIU diplomas in offices across the country want to be proud of the citizens the institution is producing, not these poor attempts to justify terrible decision making and too many eager students looking to get intoxicated and do whatever they can't do at home. (Continued…)
Dave
posted 9/10/09 @ 3:13 PM CST
It's funny that the writer of the article this letter is responding to was quoted as saying"there's more of us than of them". I mean what does the kid plan to do, start a militia of students and put citizen's arrests on all of "them"?
James
posted 9/10/09 @ 4:29 PM CST
Clearly everyone has over reacted. First of all, pounding on anyone's door at 7 a.m. is a bit over the top, whether it's a student house or not. Second of all the opinion article of Moon Base, was a bit strongly worded. (Continued…)
AJD
posted 9/10/09 @ 11:49 PM CST
James, with all due respect, you did not say if you saw the flier that was handed out and from how you described it, I doubt you have. As far as talking to every other neighbor, we are in contact with each other quite a bit (all being in the same neighborhood and all) and have been trying to come up with ways to live amicably with the students (and with most we do) and create a friendly neighborhood we can all, students included, be happy to live in. (Continued…)
Prince Hall Mason
posted 9/11/09 @ 9:29 AM CST
I agree with you sir 100%, and I've said the same thing, you can have a good time without being an idiot or overdoing it. College adults, and I say that to make a distinction between adults and kids, there are no kids in college so these adults around here need to start acting like it. (Continued…)
Prince Hall Mason
posted 9/11/09 @ 9:53 AM CST
In fair defense of the students, I've seen quite a bit of rudeness and stubborness around this town, I understand that people are afraid of change and the new things and people it may bring around but quite frankly I don't see a Macomb thriving without the University, it's a you take care of me, I'll take care of you situation:
There's too much arrogance in a town that shouldn't have any!
AJD
posted 9/11/09 @ 12:42 PM CST
No one's saying that they don't "want" the university here. I hear all the time people saying "well Macomb would be nothing without the university" as if they believe we want it to leave. (Continued…)
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