New family should be welcomed

5/10/2008

My husband and I are proud owners of a 110-year-old home built by Edward Ford when he came to Rossford back in 1898 to establish the Ford Plate Glass Plant. We love our home and are proud to know that it stands as a kind of monument to our beloved founder. Both he and his wife, Carrie Ross Ford, made Rossford what it is today and we honor them for that.

I was fortunate to have visited not only the Graystone estate but also Ford's stately home in the Old West End, which is still standing. My heart broke when I read that Graystone had been demolished. Losing Graystone had to have been like losing a member of the family for Ford's descendants, as they have all done so much to preserve their family's history.

Having said that, we also need to understand that we have a new family with small children moving to our area and, as Rossford and Perrysburg have always been known for their friendliness, it's only right to make them feel welcome. Nothing can bring Graystone back but how fortunate we are to have the memories.

Judy Sikorski

Rossford

The April 23 editorial in The Blade, "A treasure lost," regarding the teardown of Graystone manor was excellent. It should be noted that this stretch of riverfront, including the Graystone estate, is on the National Register of Historic Places and is recognized by the Ohio Historical Society.

Unfortunately these listings are not enough to protect historic structures from the wrecking ball in most Ohio townships where zoning is minimal or nonexistent. Surprisingly, upon Jim Brennan, Jr.'s notification of these important listings, Graystone's demolition was sped up. I can only think that Mr. Brennan was given terrible advice and the blame for this irrevocable blunder must be shared with his builder, who will obviously benefit from Mr. Brennan starting from scratch.

Townships were created to oversee large areas of farmland when going to the county seat was a long and hard trip.

This is no longer the case and townships, with their ineffective and lax zoning codes that promote sprawl, are ruining the state of Ohio and should be eliminated.

Patrice C. Spitzer

Perrysburg

One wonders how high the price of a barrel of oil will rise before we decide that Alaska caribou must share the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge with oil rigs. The pundits tell us it would be at least 10 years before we would see oil from the refuge. Well, guess what, if we had started 10 years ago, we would be seeing results now.

It's time to get serious. Tap that reserve of millions of barrels of American oil and tell the Middle East to sell its oil elsewhere. More jobs equal more revenue for American workers.

Bob Gibson

Carey, Ohio

Regarding the grief over old but beautiful East River Road real estate being torn down: Many of us felt the same way about the Paramount theater.

Bill Cook

Winston Boulevard