LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Port authority should welcome cruises

11/3/2013

As a retired owner of two travel agencies and an avid traveler, I was excited to read about the interest of the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition in making scheduled stops here next summer (“Port authority reaches out to coalition of cruise ships,” Oct. 12).

I was disappointed in the apathy of Paul Toth, president and chief executive officer of the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority, toward pursuing this opportunity to bring in new visitors on a regular basis, along with new money for our business community.

We have the facilities to handle cruise ships in our harbor in a slip built by the port authority.

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority buses could be at the dock when cruise ships arrive to take passengers to the Toledo Zoo, Hollywood Casino Toledo, Toledo Mud Hens games, and other sites throughout the city.

A renewal levy for the port authority is on Tuesday’s ballot. The people at the port authority should think hard before they consider throwing cold water on this opportunity.

Toledo is eager, and so am I, for something new along the Maumee River.

LEONARD PALINSKI

Northwood