To: Office of the Illinois Attorney General, 115 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois
Re: Kroger and Albertsons Merger
Dear A.G. Raoul: I am concerned that the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery stores will create a disadvantage for Illinois shoppers. Here, in Lake County, we are fortunate to have two corporate branches: Jewel (Albertsons) and Mariano’s (Kroger). The stores face each other across Milwaukee Avenue, in Libertyville/Vernon Hills. They are connected via a major intersection.
The parking lots are full.
We are long term shoppers at Sunset Foods, Jewel, and Mariano’s . Despite the distance, we visit all three stores regularly to choose from a rich, wide selection. Each store continually makes competitive offers, which we enjoy. We are frequent shopper club members at all three stores, and take full advantage of the timely deals.
Over the past 27 months I have logged the dollars spent at each store.
As you can see, all three stores enjoy our business. If Jewel and Marianos co-exist under a merger, it would not be for long, as they will both get their product through the same purchasing department. So one of these stores will probably close. To me, that eliminates the competitive environment. Indeed, it is likely, with no competition, that prices will rise over time.
I urge you to be firm in fighting this proposed merger. It may be good for business, but it’s no good for shoppers.
Every spring we are entertained to see a couple cottontail rabbits running around in the backyard. They live under a giant spreading yew bush that nestles against our deck. Over time, I have made peace with the bunnies.
Bunny: backyard entertainer
Despite a continual attack on our flowers– impatiens, tulips, pansies, zinnias– I have come to accommodate their presence. They are fun to watch. A ritual or game they play involves a constant chase of tag on the lawn. After a couple rounds, one will back into a corner, and egg the other one on to attack. So bidden, the aggressor runs toward the other like a cross-checking hockey player. The defender jumps straight up like a jack in the box. Then they start the tag game again.
Brothers, sisters, cousins, mates?
In the spring we get additional surprises. For the past two years I have cleared away the mulch around our rose bushes and have uncovered a little nest of tiny furry bunnies huddled together, absorbing the morning sun’s warmth. Cute as a button. Over the next weeks their numbers decrease from four down to one as Mother Nature starts pulling strings.
The bunnies were not always welcome. After they clear-cut a set of zinnias, they provoked me to build a fence around my garden. Next morning I came out to inspect, and found they had chewed a door through the fence. I put up another fence. Another door. Finally a steel fence, and security was restored. Despite their attacks, I give them space because of their entertainment, and because Jane, my wife likes them around.
Rascally rabbit at it again!
So, I have taken the extra step of befriending these furry chums. Walking out onto the deck, at any time of day, I may find a bunny contentedly nibbling away at our lawn. They never run. I think they are confident I could never catch them, which is true. So, doubling down on their casualness, I strike up a conversation. One-sided but an attempt. My logic is that the more they hear me talking to them, the more relaxed they are in my presence. So far, I have been right. Not sure what the neighbors think.
Pansies! Good eating!
This spring we were further surprised to find we had three fully grown rabbits playing tag. That begged the question: Siblings? Cousins? Mates? Philanderers? The possibilities of a triangle of relationships came to mind. But still, we were just entertained to see that three had emerged from the deck’s protection over last winter.
Yesterday, while mowing the lawn, I found this year’s litter. It was not under the roses, but dug into the side of a hill by the moraine locust tree in our backyard. A small grey patch appeared where I was pushing the lawn mower. Looking closer, I found a hole, carefully covered with a layer of downy rabbit fur. Aha! A new brood! Now I know what those full grown bunnies have been up to!
This year’s delivery!
This morning, we were again stunned. Out came another bunny from the yew bush, about the size of a teacup. Nibbling on the grass, and rolling in the sand pile they have created for morning ablutions. Wow! A small bunny..but wait…another one follows, also cup-sized! Two teenagers!
Two more show up!
Now where did they come from?
In the next few weeks I will be planting our flowers. We’ll see how long they last.
