" HEY RIVERMAN...
You are not nearly as glad as we are!!!! "

" Maybe they should have re-named the post office 'Porkys' after the 'Prince of Pork' that is Ken Gray. It's folks like Ken Gray that we're now on the hook for $850 billion of bailouts instead of letting the market shake things out on it's own.

God I'm glad I left WF... "

" God bless Ken Gray for his years of service, and for his accomplishments.

If you had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Gray today, you may quickly discover that he really doesn't care all-that-much about his name being attached to highways or buildings or anything at all when it comes to public accolades. He would tell you that he simply did the job which the people elected him to do; Nothing more.

At least in West Frankfort, there is NOT a movement, like there is in Marion, to erect a statue on the Town's Square of our politicians today.

For example, the differences are striking between Bob Butler and Ken Gray. Even though both were born around the same time, Bob survives Mr. Gray today in politics.

But, a statue?

Frankly, given all of the growth in Marion which Bob Butler references repeatedly, a more fitting statue instead of his likeness, could be one of, "Tif, the Taxing Wonder dog."

Regardless of the likeness, PLEASE make sure the statue to be built is constructed out of as much bronze or platinum that can be spirited away from the tax payers of Williamson County in order to build such shrine.

Once the dust has settled, and the City is broke, there may be enough scrap value to haul off such nonsense... so that at least the light bill can be paid.

Unfortunately, Butler has vowed to use tax payer money to fight the Marion Ridge Landfill to the end.

To which end Bob?

HERE'S A BETTER PLAN TO CONSIDER:

After a mid-night run to DC, you helped build up the value of the little-railroad in Marion, by adding STOP SIGNS at rail crossings... Stop signs which each of your Council and yourself laughed openly about during the Council Meeting when Councilman Gribble read into the record the provisions which allow such control devices at such crossings.

THEN, you let your buddy off the hook for over $130,000 loan (to the tax payers) so that he could sell his railroad you helped to bolster. The little railroad was sold to the landfill people... who the Mayor vows to fight out of existence.

That's a heavy load there, Bob — Without the use of your buddy's railroad... how will we haul the bronze garbage to the dump?

There's BIG SCRAP VALUE in aluminum, too. Why not just accept the more-fitting icon you have already had placed throughout the City? You gave us all STOP SIGNS... and that's what we want...

For YOU TO STOP.

Why just build a monument of yourself for display on the Square?

This STOP SIGN plan is a MUCH better plan, Bob — People will stop for your signs... And, when we stop, we'll all think of you.

It is doubtful that people will stop for your statue on the Square, Bob.

Unless, of course, you are thinking of the pigeons, not the people...

Pigeons need a place to stop and take a hearty "landfill," too. There is little doubt the pigeons will appreciate you...

But, as for many of us... We'd rather you concentrate more on STATUTES... NOT STATUES. "

" Oh let's not hold back--following should carry Ken Gray’s name:

The Interstate Highway System, Rend Lake, Lake Erie, West Frankford, the Distinct of Columbia, the State if Illinois, all McDonalds restaurants, Mayo Clinic, the Washington Monument, the Grand Canyon, Mt. Rushmore and The Vatican. "

" Personally, I think we could use a lot more Ken Gray-type politicians in this country, especially these days. We need leaders who stick up for his or her constituents and not their own special interests. We need leaders who are not interested in making a fortune off the backs of tax-payers. We need more “Ken Grays”. Let’s not forget how much Mr. Gray did for Southern Illinois. As far as I’m concerned, we as a region will never be able to sufficiently honor Mr. Gray for all of his hard work and dedication. My only fear is that someday his legacy and memory will be forgotten. "

" and to WEST FRANKFORT'S POST:

there have been many more great people in southern illinois than just Ken Gray.. "

" instead of renaming west frankfort's post office, why dont they hire people who will offer service?

that post office is FAR BELOW SATIFACTION AND NOR DO THEY CARE..

while delivering mail, my mail carrier has picked up mail from me many many times to be delivered back to the post office, but it always seems that it ends up in my neighbor's mailbox instead...

we need a quality post office.. not a new name.. "

" I am sorry but I think you just disrespected a great legend who has not only gotten just recognition in the past for all he has done, but is now only beginning to get all he deserves. In fact, to be quite honest, I believe Rend Lake should bear his name in some way also. The interstate and post office just aren't enough for what he has done. "

" I am by no means disrespecting Ken Gray but I do think that its getting to be a little to much with the naming of Interstates and streets and now the post office. Ken Gray did alot for this area but do we really need his name stamped on everything, I mean their have been alot of soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who have given their lives in defense of this great nation of ours past wars and present wars and I don't see any of their names being honored for anything. Ken Gray was a congressman who got a little grease for the area but I just don't believe that his name needs to be on everything. "