Naperville not putting out welcoming mat for Islamic

[murielm99]

religious center:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-naperville-mosque-20111007,0,6859517.story

My son sent this article to me. He is on the Plan Commission in Naperville, and he says the article is accurate.

He was upset by the shocking display of ignorance at this well-attended meeting.

Some citizens wanted the land to remain un-annexed because there is no property tax benefit to annexing it. That would have been no different if another religious group had built there.

Some said it should be built with homes. A proposed 2006 home development approved for this site never broke ground.

Others said the Islamic center should rent office space rather than buying this land, as if land has never been purchased for investment purposes.

Paraphrasing slightly, someone else said, "You represent this community, and the moral majority wants this stopped."

Many residents attended because an inflammatory and inaccurate flyer was distributed in a nearby subdivision, putting fear into the peoples' minds.

My son was understandably angry. He will be voting in favor of the annexation, he says, because the facts support it. I am sure he will be criticized for it. He is the youngest member of the Plan Commission. When he was appointed, the mayor received some vocal criticism for appointing a Democrat. But my son has an impeccable resume, and has demonstrated a commitment to the community.

Even the highly educated members of an upscale suburb can be amazingly ignorant and prejudiced.

[murielm99]

1. Here is an article from the Naperville Sun:

Notice the reporting about the "No Ragheads on 248" sign.

Discouraging.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/news/8064500-418/islamic-center-plan-sparks-controversy.html

[mopinko]

2. jebus. that is why i moved to the big city.

naperville is the worst part of that whole area.
they can cry all they want, but to those crying about cost to the city, i hope they understand how much a trip to the supreme court costs.