LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Port panel wasting money

9/16/2012

The decision by the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority to guarantee money for flights to and from Fort Myers, Fla., does not show good business sense ("Port OKs contract for Florida flights; Staff to negotiate with Atlanta-based air service broker," Sept. 12).

Are we subsidizing Aviation Advantage just to say we have planes at Toledo Express Airport? I fail to understand why we continue to throw good money after bad. The port authority spent tens of thousands of dollars promoting air service by firms such as JetAmerica and Vision Airlines, only to have no service.

When I drive by Toledo Express, I see vacant parking lots and buildings that look empty. Competing with Detroit Metro is a lost cause.

I fly about five times a year. I always check whether there are flights from Toledo. The result is always the same: Those flights cost more than flights from Detroit Metro.

In this economy, airline passengers shop for the best price. The logic behind the port authority's decision leaves me deflated.

Philip Gallup

Whitehouse

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Port official will land an airline

My money is on Jerry Chabler, chairman of the port authority board of directors' airport committee, getting scheduled airline service from Toledo Express to southwest Florida. Anyplace. Please.

Charles Dersher

Sylvania

Bell out of touch with pay-raise plan

In response to Toledo Mayor Mike Bell's efforts to raise the salaries of high-level city employees, City Councilman Steve Steel called for him to pledge not to accept campaign donations from those employees ("Councilman criticizes Bell's no-gifts plan," Aug. 29).

The relevant questions are whether the city can afford this expense, whether the performance of these employees warrants a raise, and what this would do to the morale of a city work force that has accepted concessions and cuts. Ultimately, the question that should be asked is whether this is the best use of our tax dollars.

Mayor Bell's team does not deserve a raise. Juxtaposing his request with how he has dealt with lower-level city workers and the erosion of city services presents a picture of a mayor who is out of touch.

Implying that these raises would be OK as long as a pledge is made and there is no appearance of impropriety is equally insensitive to the needs of our city.

Anita Rios

Robinwood Avenue

Kidney recipient hopes doctor stays

I have polycystic kidney disease. In April, 2003, I received a kidney transplant at the University of Toledo Medical Center, then the Medical College of Ohio. My transplant surgeon was Dr. Michael Rees ("Doctor loses director title after botched transplant," Aug. 31).

I received excellent care from him. He is a first-rate surgeon as well as a compassionate health-care professional. I hold him in the highest regard.

The worst aspect of the disease that I have is that it is hereditary. Two of my sons have inherited the disease from me, and in all likelihood will experience kidney failure and need a transplant.

My hope is that Dr. Rees will be available for them, because I am confident that they will receive the best of care.

Jerry Siekierski

Waterville

President should pay for city visit

I never saw so many Toledo police cars on Heatherdowns Boulevard as when President Obama came in for a political speech at Scott High School ("President fights back during rally in Toledo; Cheers greet attack on foe at Scott H.S.," Sept. 4).

This isn't the first time we have been inconvenienced by his arrivals and departures. Why should taxpayers pay the police costs? His campaign should pay that bill.

Jack Pierce

Heatherlake Place

Obama should've seen South Toledo

President Obama was wise to choose West Toledo when he campaigned here. But as a 75-year resident of South Toledo, I would have preferred that he visit my part of the city.

South Toledo is like a war zone. We can't let our children play in front yards or sit on porches any longer. There is gunfire daily. Maybe the city should tear down vacant buildings to make room for a park for the people in this part of the south end to enjoy.

Joan Ward

Colburn Street

Plan to lease pike draws call to action

I hope enough people are willing to stand up against the ill-conceived idea of leasing the Ohio Turnpike ("Residents blast privatization of pike; Kasich proposal draws 100 to debate, speak up," Aug. 28).

Look no farther than Indiana, which leased its turnpike and has nothing to show for it. Ohioans should send Gov. John Kasich a message: Hands off our turnpike.

Robert Neeley

Oregon

Leasing pike good for road projects

Will tolls go up if the turnpike is leased to a private enterprise?

The money from the lease is to be used for highway work. That's good, because the turnpike is aging and northern Ohio needs a new parallel freeway.

Jack Harbaugh

Hudson, Mich.

Maybe turnpike should run ODOT

The Ohio Turnpike has operated effectively over the past 60-plus years, in comparison to the Ohio Department of Transportation's continued cash-strapped status and less than stellar road maintenance.

An option missing from the turnpike-lease study is having the Ohio Turnpike Commission take over and run ODOT.

Victoria Kavalick

Monclova Township