F CUS Follow Thornton Township’s social media accounts on:
333 E. 162nd Street • South Holland, IL 60473
708-596-6040 • www.thorntontownship.com
SUMMER EDITION Its Time for All of Us to Do Our Part here was a time, early in the COVID-19 Pandemic, when we had no tools with which to combat, help stop the spread of the virus or prevent death from it. Thankfully, that is no longer the case. We know that ‘social distancing’ works. We know too that wearing a mask works and, we now have an anti-COVID vaccine that is better than 98% effective. We also know that with the onset of this new variant of the virus, that 95% of the deaths occurring today are among those who are unvaccinated. It’s true that the vaccine that has been developed, has not received complete and final approval by the FDA. However, all the scientific testing and data required by the Food and Drug Administration show that those who receive inoculation are over one-thousand times less likely to contract the virus or die from it. If someone said to you, “you have more than 1,000 chances and better than a 95% guarantee of winning the Lotto, would you buy a ticket?” Well, these are the odds you’re getting that you won’t contract or die from COVID-19 when you get vaccinated. Somehow, someway COVID-19, and the vaccine miraculously developed by American scientists to combat it, was turned into a “political” issue. This is not about politics and it’s not about personal rights. COVID-19 is a national health crisis affecting each and everyone of us and we all need to do our part in wiping it out. If in the 1940’s our nation met the Nazi menace and World War II with the same divisiveness and irrational thought that has gripped so many in this country regarding the COVID vaccine, we’d all be speaking German today. No one is asking anybody to enlist in the army to go fight a war somewhere. We’re only being asked to take a vaccine that we know works and to wear a mask in public gatherings that we also know works. When you think about the sacrifice our parents, grandparents and many of our sons and daughters have made – bringing us out of the depression, out of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq, getting a ‘shot,’ and putting on a mask when we go out doesn’t seem to be too much to ask. If you have been vaccinated, I salute and applaud you for doing your part to protect your loved ones, neighbors, and friends – everyone. If you have not been vaccinated, now is the time to step up. Do your part in preventing one more death – maybe your own or a parent or child’s. It is the most effective tool we have in stopping and wiping-out this tragic pandemic.
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Sincerely,
Frank M. Zuccarelli Thornton Township Supervisor
Township Now Open! hornton Township is now open for regular business hours, 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday. We are operating under the state of Illinois Coronavirus, phase 5 guidelines. Our current COVID policy requires face coverings and social distancing for everyone who is fully vaccinated and unvaccinated. If you are uncertain about receiving in-person services, please contact 708-596-6040.
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Tuesday, September 14 Tuesday, September 28
Township buildings will be closed: l Labor Day – Monday, September 6 l Columbus Day – Monday, October 11 l Special Notice The Riverdale location is closed until September due to construction. Senior Lunches l 1420 Huntington Dr., Calumet City Pick-up/Curb side only Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 11:00 am – 12:30 pm l 14200 S. Wentworth, Riverdale Curb-Side Pick-up Only Wednesday & Thursday 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Senior Center 1420 Huntington Drive, Calumet City l Senior Exercise Monday, Friday: 8:00 am – 9:00 am Monday, Friday: 9:30 am – 10:30 am l Line Dancing Thursday: 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm l Pinochle Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm Senior Center 14323 S. Halsted, Riverdale l No exercise or dance activities l No weekly movie l No group senior counseling Youth and Family Services 14323 S. Halsted, Riverdale l No childhood after school services ****ECRWSSEDDM**** RESIDENTIAL POSTAL CUSTOMER
Christopher D. Gonzalez Trustee Darlene Gray Everett Trustee
Loretta C. Wells Clerk Cassandra W. Elston Assessor C.I.A.O.
Geary “Pepe” DePue Highway Commissioner
PAID
“Doing More With Less”
Joyce M. Washington Trustee Gerald “Jerry” Jones Trustee
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage
Frank M. Zuccarelli, Supervisor
Homewood, IL Permit No. 130
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Upcoming Board Meetings: