S.O.S. - Save Our Square

I was appalled at the trash on our Square this afternoon about 4:00PM, and I'm not talking about the blowing paper trash. I mean, the human trash.

If the citizens of Woodstock don't actively get involved right now, we're going to lose the Square. The Square and the Park in the Square are to be enjoyed - by all. But they are not a place for loitering and driving away potential shoppers and customers or visitors who have come to walk the Square and view the Opera House.

If you are 15-16-17 years old and feel the need to hang out half-dressed, then do it in your backyard. Loitering in a parking place alongside the car that belongs to one of you is not the right place. The business owners, the Chamber of Commerce, the City and the People of Woodstock will not put up with this.

The City Council will have to direct the City Manager to direct the Police Chief to direct his officers to pay close attention to congregating potential troublemakers. We are not going to let the Square or any other part of Woodstock turn into the slums. You want slums? Go to Chicago or pick a suburb south of I-90.

I don't care if you are black, brown, yellow, red, white or any other color. Wear your shirts on the Square and hitch up your pants. I don't care to see your boxer shorts. Bring some money to spend or clear out of downtown. Don't sit in the chairs in front of Starbuck's, if you are not a current paying customer. Just because you might have bought a cup of coffee at Starbuck's on some other day does not permit you to loiter in their chairs today. You are driving away customers.

Walk on the right half of the sidewalk. Use the crosswalks. If you are crossing mid-block, yield the right-of-way to vehicles. And cut out the foul language.

Residents, express your views to the city manager and to the police chief. It won't hurt to copy all the members of the City Council and the Mayor. You can find all the addresses on the City's website at www.woodstockil.gov