The port authority deserves some credit

8/19/2001

It was somewhat of a bittersweet experience for me to read the Aug. 4 editorial “A NAFTA turnabout.” While in total agreement with your premise that the decision by Rassini Chassis Systems of Mexico to locate in Ohio should be just the first for Ohio, I was somewhat disappointed to note that you did not credit the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority for its critical role in bringing Rassini to Ohio.

The port authority will assist Rassini Chassis Systems by providing a synthetic lease through the issuance of more than $6 million of revenue bonds. Providing this type of sophisticated financing convinced Rassini to locate in Williams County.

Neither Michigan nor Indiana could offer the company any similar financing, and therefore it is considered by some as having been the tie-breaker in the final location decision.

Whether the contributions of the port authority are acknowledged publicly, we will continue our work on the cutting edge of public finance in the nation.

JAMES H. HARTUNG

President

Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority

After reading Blade staff writer Jack Baessler's piece about seeking redress from the city about a well-deserved ticket, I thought it was a tongue-in-cheek essay.

I mean, after all, we are taught as student drivers to obey all traffic laws. We are taught to stop at stop signs and traffic lights, we are taught to obey the speed limits, etc., and we are even tested on the rules before we get our driver's license.

We can certainly seek redress through an appeal process. To imply that we deserve a break after we break traffic law by saying that the city fails to mow a lawn or plow a street is incomprehensible to me.

People can and have died because of failures to stop at stop signs and traffic lights. An unmowed lot or unplowed street is not even close to being the same as failure to stop at a red light or stop sign.

If the lot is unmowed, then lodge a complaint.

If the street is not plowed, file a complaint.

But accept responsibility when tickets are levied because a driver didn't obey a traffic law.

MITCH LABUDA

East Delaware Avenue

Add Hendricks to list of jazz greats

University of Toledo professor Jon Hendricks suggested the new bridge be named for jazz great Art Tatum, but how many people know that Professor Hendrix himself, as a member of the world-famous Jazz Bop vocalese group, Lambert, Hendrix, and Ross, is a native Toledoan. Let's add his name to the list, also. And by the way, professor, I just listened to your first album, “Sing a song of Basie,”' the other day and it didn't sound dated at all. Thanks for all the great music over the years.

IAN TURNBULL

Spring Hill, Fla.