A spring walk to celebrate bridge project

11/29/2006

I read in The Blade about the small group tours of the new I-280 bridge being conducted by the Ohio Department of Transportation. While this is great for the few who get to go, I would like to propose a community bridge walk in the spring as the bridge nears completion.

This would give the people of northwest Ohio a chance to see not only the bridge up close, but also an aerial view of Toledo that few have ever seen. While many will eventually drive the bridge, going across at 40-50 mph does not give you the chance to stop and take in the skyline.

Every year more than 50,000 gather on Labor Day to walk the Mackinac Bridge to commemorate its opening in 1958. The governor of Michigan always leads the procession across the bridge. I would think that our new governor would want to join northwest Ohio in celebrating the grand opening of the largest public works project in the history of the state.

Who knows, this could be the start of our own tradition: Setting aside one morning each spring (Easter morning?) to celebrate the beauty of Toledo.

Matthew Murtha

Perrysburg

Holiday raffle would benefit everyone

Today I found myself thinking about the organization "Toys For Tots" and wondered how it could work together with the community and retailers to help more children this holiday season.

This is what I came up with:

Because gaming systems are all the rage this season, why couldn't retailers such as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Circuit City, etc., raffle off a PS3, Wii, or Xbox360? In order for consumers to be eligible they would have to donate one toy to Toys For Tots to receive a raffle ticket; one per each toy donated.

A raffle like this would help the stores increase their inside sales, help the community children who benefit from Toys For Tots, and also give those who give toys a chance at winning one of the "coveted" toys that many would not be able to buy because of a lack of stock in stores.

Jasen Thornton

Neise Avenue

It was a joy to vote and be counted

As a disenfranchised voter in 2004, because of backstage maneuvering, it was a joy for me to vote and be counted this time around. The voting was carefully watched, machines monitored, and the results were much truer than they have been in the recent past and did not necessitate any challenges.

There was no "brain drain," as claimed by one unhappy voter who lamented in the Readers' Forum. Instead, there was a huge awakening from the hypnotic stupor created by the administration's rhetoric, which held voters hostage for the past six years. That wonderful gust of fresh air came from the stirrings of brains as they acquired an awareness of the new directions our fabulous country must now choose.

Here's to us, the U.S.!

Adele Federman

Mockingbird Lane

This is just a wild and crazy thought, but do you think that President Bush could possibly pardon "Tom Noe" like he pardoned "Tom Turkey"?

GERRY LASTER

Perrysburg