Article published September 04, 2009
Many like shopping in small stores
It was with great dismay that I learned of the upcoming closing of the Kroger store on Manhattan Boulevard. I live in that area, have shopped at that store for more than 20 years, have come to know the people who work there, and have come to rely upon the ease of shopping at that store.
Unlike many people these days, I prefer a small, old-fashioned type of store where I don't need to walk a half-mile to pick up milk and bread on the way home, and then walk another half-mile to get to the checkout line. Add in the close location to my home and the friendliness of the staff and it's easy to see why I prefer that Kroger store. I'm not sure I will shop at any of the other Kroger stores in this area, which are either entirely too large for my taste, or not easily accessible on my drive home from work.
Unfortunately, as many other businesses and institutions are doing these days, Kroger is abandoning the area close to downtown Toledo to chase the money in the suburbs. There are many people who, like me, choose to live in the near-downtown area. Why is it that we seem to be being punished for that choice with an ever-growing lack of service facilities available to us?
Janet M. Davis
Warsaw StreetHow to save the Y, help the church
With all the press about the CedarCreek Church and the YMCA, I believe I have the solution. Driving around the city and area, you see a lot of megatheaters closed, such as on Monroe Street, Secor Road, and at U.S. 23 and Airport Highway. With the church employing a style that fits theater seating, I would suggest that they go after one or all of these locations, which have been vacant for years, are in highly populated areas, and have great marquees.
Keep the YMCA, get rid of the money-hungry thieving management team there (I can do it for half that amount and do a better job), and CedarCreek could have a lot of different yet similar venues to preach the word. It would also rid the city of many vacant buildings. Come on, mayoral candidates, jump on this great idea.
Dale R. Perne
Talmadge RoadBe sure to read all the fine print
With reference to recent failures of petition drives to recall the mayor and to remove the red-light cameras, there must be a lot of idiots among us.
There are procedures for placing issues on the ballot and these procedures are in the public domain. Apparently the individuals proposing ballot issues and their lawyers are not aware of the "fine print" contained therein.
On reflection, old fashioned government/civics is apparently no longer taught in public schools. Could this, perhaps, contribute to the problem?
Ernest L. Lippert
Tamarack DriveTell the public who owns Reps
In the movie Blazing Saddles there was a bunch of cowboys sitting around the campfire, passing gas and telling stories. It's starting to remind me of today's Congress. Many are very much in favor of passing the health bill, and just as many are against it passing.
One side says this is what will happen if it passes and the other side says that's a lie - can't happen that way. I wonder, since we are having so many problems believing our leaders, who do we believe? I recently read a quote that went like this: Members of Congress should dress like NASCAR drivers - with their sponsors displayed. Amen, brother.
Gary Brents
Weston, OhioHealth reform is vital for our future
The health-care reform debate is shocking. America's health-care costs are considered by many economists to be the number one crisis facing America. The fact is, our total health care cost is about $7,500 per year for every man, woman, and child, twice that of the next highest industrialized nation. Yet American health care is ranked about 17th.
I don't know what the answer is, but I do know those speaking out about scare tactics (death panels) are totally irresponsible and politically motivated. This is such an important issue that politics needs to be removed from this debate. Health-care reform is not a choice, it is a necessity for future generations.
Bruce Golen
WatervilleBetter account of Issue 1 is needed
I'm a little confused.
So the city administration and the police and fire fighters reach an agreement. Then City Council approves that agreement. Everyone says this will save the city money. Then the state and federal governments make stimulus funds and grants available, which the city decides will be used for police.
Sounds like a win/win for Toledoans. Hooray! But wait. City Council now seems to be telling us we can't afford the contracts with police and fire fighters. Something has to give to keep all the police, even though some of them are now funded by state and federal cash.
So now Issue 1 is put to Toledoans. Why did council accept a contract it knew we couldn't afford? Didn't the police chief tell us that, even before the call-back of police with state and federal cash, he had the same number of police on the streets as before?
What manpower and services will we loose if Issue 1 is passed? What will the City of Toledo look like if we ignore its infrastructure for three years?
I ask City Council to provide more information to Toledoans so that we may decide Issue 1. Right now, I can't support it, but perhaps a better understanding of the issue will help.
Mike Harrington
Oak Grove PlaceY officials' deceit is quite amusing
I find it amusing that in the drive to save the South Toledo YMCA, Y officials have restricted the membership drive to those who live within the 43609 and 43614 zip codes. It's a bit hypocritical of them to place this restriction when the only membership option they push is a "max" membership, which offers access to all the Y's.
I live in West Toledo. Why on earth would I need a membership that also allows me to go Perrysburg or Temperance? Maybe the Y board needs to revisit the membership package to allow a family to only join the facility closest to their house. Then, although they could possibly lower the monthly rate, they may find that more families are willing to partake of their excellent services.
Scott Grosteffon
Carthage RoadPejorative views harm the debate
Regarding Jack Kelly's Aug. 22 column titled "Liberals play the race card," denying the existence of a strong undertone of racism in current politics is, to me, either dangerously nave or a deliberate obfuscation of the situation. Pejorative-laced pieces such as his do nothing to help improve the tone of discourse in our system. They only serve to fuel the fires of the extremists.
As Vladimir Lenin famously said, "A lie told often enough becomes the truth," so maybe Mr. Kelly's sort of writing pays the kind of dividends he's seeking. But, for the sake of our country's future, I hope not.
Lorne Napier
Monroe StreetBuy American to keep jobs in U.S.A.
I’d like to compliment those great Americans who bought American cars during the “cash for clunkers” program. They helped stir our economy, which kept the profits mostly in our country.
For those who bought foreign, I hope you, as everybody else, still have jobs this time next year.
Ken Palicki
Perrysburg
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