LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Costco wasting green space

8/30/2014

It is unfathomable that Costco is building on healthy, viable, and necessary land in Perrysburg, when so much property is available that needs to be redeveloped (“Costco pays $4.5 million for Perrysburg property; No timetable given for construction,” Aug. 19).

Big-box stores and their infrastructure are a burden on our water supply, our sewer system, and rainwater runoff. They drive urban sprawl and contribute to the loss of wildlife habitat.

The site of the former Southwyck mall in Toledo would have been perfect, and is a reasonable drive from Maumee and Perrysburg. Regional planners and municipal officials are making a mistake by promoting unchecked suburban growth and the unnecessary destruction of green space.

SALLY KELLER

Sabra Road

 

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Roundabouts will confuse drivers

In response to the Aug. 23 Readers’ Forum letter “Drivers need to relearn basics”: The “Thousand Islands” intersection, which includes Cherry Street and Collingwood and Manhattan boulevards, will have two multilane roundabouts. This has been portrayed as the perfect, logical solution to the intersection problems there.

Toledo Mayor D. Michael Collins predicted an 80 percent drop in crashes because of the roundabouts. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see overall accidents rise once they open.

Some motorists can’t handle a busy four-way stop. But now they will be expected to get through a two-lane roundabout.

I am tired of the ridiculous argument that roundabouts will work fine here because they’ve been in Europe for years. Roundabouts work there because people grew up with them. Roundabouts will fail here at busy intersections because they are rare.

There will be a huge jump in fender-benders, and probably even head-on collisions from drivers turning left into traffic because of confusion over the two lanes. I see a different long-term traffic nightmare once the roundabouts open.

MARK HARRELL

Swanton

Presumption of innocence missed

Your Aug. 21 editorial “Lessons from Ferguson” is missing a lesson: An individual, even a police officer, is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

EDWARD FITZGERALD

Meadowwood Drive

Toledo Pride event growing

The fifth annual Toledo Pride festival and parade was a success (“Toledo Pride parade draws more downtown to show unity, support,” Aug. 24). It was great to see so many families with kids, churches, political figures, and charity organizations all in support of the Toledo gay and lesbian community.

I thank The Blade for giving Toledo Pride your best coverage of the event to date. It takes support to make events such as this grow and succeed.

As a member of the Toledo Pride committee, I thank everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, promoted, sponsored, and entertained at the three-day event downtown.

RICK CORNETT

Lewis Avenue