Letter: Pleading to landlord to allow gatherings for charities

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Oftentimes when we advocate to “shop local” to help our local businesses, we sometimes forget how much our small businesses contribute to our community. Whether supporting aid to local charities, civic events or shelters, our local businesses step up to help. This is why Woodstock has gained a reputation as a “city with a heart.”

For more than 50 years, the McHenry County Shriners were permitted to sell Vidalia onions to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children. We did this in the parking lot at the old Ace Hardware site. After so many years, customers from distant locations have come to know us at this location. For many decades, other charitable organizations have been able to use this site to raise money as well.

However, the new owner of this property has prohibited these activities, including the removal of the Girl Scouts a few weeks ago. Even with the permission of the existing tenants, who believe that it would improve traffic to their locations and give them greater visibility, the landlord still will not grant permission.

The landlord owns several other properties in Woodstock and has stated liability concerns for his decision. In all the years that these organizations have used this property, there has never been a liability issue. It is a shame the landlord is not supporting a long-standing tradition of community benevolence.

We hope he soon has a change of heart.

Mark Indyke

President, McHenry County Shrine Club