North Toledo streets are in bad shape

1/19/2008

I read with great interest the Pulaski, Tenn., writer's comments on potholes in the Jan. 13 Readers' Forum. I was formulating a letter about the same subject when I read his.

I live in Point Place and am disgusted with the condition of streets in North Toledo. The worst is around North Towne Mall, where I go to the health spa in the building where Montgomery Ward used to be. Their parking lot is fine but not the streets to get there. There are still viable businesses there but the streets are filled with holes. It's similar to a Dodge'em car track.

If the city isn't responsible for the streets around the mall, then whoever owns the property should be forced to fix them.

At night there are hardly any lights around there, and I almost drove into a hole that was about 3 inches across and 4 inches deep.

I look at the $237 million Veterans' Glass City Skyway bridge and then drive on crummy city streets. No wonder car sales are down - I wouldn't buy a new car and drive on these streets.

I'll keep driving my 1992 vehicle until it falls apart before I subject new tires and axles to the lousy roads in North Toledo.

Nancy McCoy

118th Street

TARTA has explored additional markets

This is a response to a letter in the Dec. 31 Readers' Forum headlined "TARTA has markets it hasn't explored."

1) TARTA service to Toledo Express Airport was offered for one year, then canceled because of the lack of riders.

2) TARTA offers service to Owens Community College from a stop in downtown Toledo.

Look at TARTA.com, for additional information.

A light-rail system also is in the early planning stages.

Read your Toledo Blade for updates.

Norma Mihailoff

Ruth Avenue

Why expose athletes to China's pollution?

Only 1 percent of China's urban population breathes air considered safe. One-third of rivers and vast parts of their lakes have water unfit for even industrial use. Some of those rivers empty into the ocean, where they have fish and other seafood farms.

It is estimated that 750,000 people die there from air and water pollution-related diseases each year. Chinese experts say it is probably worse, and the trend is basically irreversible.

So if you are going to China for the Olympics, don't drink the water, don't eat the food, and, above all, don't breathe the air. Of course, we will be sending some of our very best athletes there to face those dangers. Perhaps you wonder why. I do.

James P. Struble

Regency Drive

Repaint buses silver, white, and blue

I wonder who let our beautiful silver, white, and blue TARTA buses be coated with outrageous paintings? I see no beauty in them. I dislike very much passing them on our streets. They are cruising along and with everyone else driving, how could you even read what is painted on them?

Get them back the way they were and help keep Toledo beautiful.

Jean Bigler

Sherwood Avenue