Letters to the Editor — The Villagers Voice

Letter to the Editor: Importance of Affordable, Reliable Energy Cannot Be Overstated

January 21, 2022 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Seth Whitehead, Executive Director Illinois Petroleum Resources Board

Affordable, reliable energy. It’s something we all depend on. And it’s something most Americans have probably gotten used to taking for granted. That was especially true from about 2009 to 2019, as record U.S. oil and natural gas production led to energy costs dropping sharply at the same time food, education and healthcare costs soared.

But that changed in a big way last year, as policies aimed at decreasing traditional American energy production and distribution contributed to energy costs soaring more than 33 percent. As a result, two in 10 American households couldn’t pay at least one monthly energy bill in full. Another 18 percent kept the temperature in their home at an unhealthy or unsafe level. And more than a quarter of Americans sacrificed food or medicine in order to pay an energy bill. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: The Biden Administration is Right: We Need More American Oil

December 26, 2021 by Villagers Voice

By Seth Whitehead

After many months of denial, the Biden administration now admits something that was apparent to many Americans at the start of the year: We need more oil from U.S. soil. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told attendees at a recent industry gathering, “I hope you will hear me say that please, take advantage of the leases that you have, hire workers, get your rig count up.” [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: A Crude Oil Export Ban Could Send Pump Prices Even Higher

November 11, 2021 by Kathy Sands

USA Today reported on New Year’s Day 2020 that “$3 gas is becoming a distant memory” and “the main reason is the nation’s oil boom.” My how things have changed in just 23 months. U.S. oil production has fallen by about 1.5 million barrels per day since then and gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon have angry motorists remembering all too well sky-high pump prices they thought they’d never see again. That’s especially true here in Illinois, which has the second-highest gasoline taxes in the country. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: How Norris City Got Its Name

September 23, 2021 by Villagers Voice

Submitted by Ruth Norris, Norris City

I wish to submit this record of events as the actual way Norris City got its name.

Emaline White and William Norris came to White County, Illinois, from Piny Flatts, Tennessee in early 1864. They first settled two miles west of the present day Norris City in a settlement called Shadsville. Later they lived in a log cabin on Indian Trail Road. Finally William and Emaline built a house across from the present W. D. Norris farm. [Read more...]

Letter to the Editor: Covid Treatment

September 23, 2021 by Villagers Voice

This is Steve West from Norris City. Food for thought...I hope you will publish this if you can.

I have three very close friends who have gotten COVID. They did not have the shot and when they went to emergency room, the first thing they were asked was, did they take the shot. When they said no, they were told “There is nothing we can do. You’re not dead. Go home and come back if you get worse, and we will put you on life support." [Read more...]

Guest Column: The Most Targeted Oil & Gas ‘Subsidies’ Aren’t Subsidies at All

September 7, 2021 by Villagers Voice

By Seth Whitehead, Executive Director Illinois Petroleum Resources Board (IPRB)

Fifty-plus lawmakers are pushing for the repeal of oil and natural gas industry “subsidies” as part of the budget reconciliation bill being hashed out in Congress. But ironically, the most notable “subsidies” in their crosshairs – the expensing of intangible drilling costs (IDCs) and the percentage depletion allowance – aren’t subsidies at all. [Read more...]

Opinion: The Alarm Is Going Off But It Isn’t Time To Be Woke!

August 26, 2021 by Villagers Voice

Submitted By Mike Rowe

I am heartened by the recent efforts of parents in White County to push back on the Carmi-White Co. school board’s actions in mandating masks which usurp parental control of their children’s health choices. It is a difficult position to be caught between parental rights and a Governor that keeps throwing his weight around like a school yard bully. There are currently 51 school districts in the state that have chosen to stand up to the bully and take on the fight. The Carmi-White Co. school board is not one of them, instead they have given in to the bully, but the children pay the price. The board has chosen not to challenge the Governor’s mask mandate for fear of retaliation or loss of funds. [Read more...]

Guest Column: We Need More Oil From American Soil – Not From OPEC and Russia

August 21, 2021 by Villagers Voice