LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

‘Glass City’ still works as brand

1/28/2014

Why did Toledo abandon the title of “Glass City” (“Toledo is losing the branding battle,” op-ed column, Jan. 19)? Is it because Owens-Illinois Inc. is now headquartered in Perrysburg?

Toledo still has Libbey Inc. and Owens Corning. We have the Glass Bowl at the University of Toledo and the Glass Pavilion at the Toledo Museum of Art.

“Glass City” still seems like a good title.

JEFFREY LONG
Westchester Road

Snow removal rules should go
It is inconvenient for Toledo’s business community to comply with the sections of the municipal code that call for removal of snow from public walks within 24 hours of a storm and prohibiting the deposit of snow from driveways and parking lots on any paved portion of a public right of way (“Residents get 24 hours to clear snow, ice,” Jan. 3).

The attitude of many business leaders is that if their lack of effort to obey those sections results in harm to persons or property, that is what their commercial insurance is for.

The city seems to lack the political intestinal fortitude to make a proactive effort to enforce those sections. Therefore, they ought to be repealed.

Residents who must walk in the streets because of unsafe public walks should do so at their own peril.

DAVID AXILROD
Manchester Boulevard

 

CASA volunteers connect with kids
Keith C. Burris’ column on court-appointed special advocates was a well-earned tribute to those who work as the voices of abused, abandoned, and neglected children (“For CASA volunteers, the children come first,” commentary, Jan. 12).

Being an advocate is rewarding, but it is not for the faint of heart. CASA volunteers, of which I am one, experience emotional attachment to the children for whom they advocate.

Some of these children have suffered more trauma than most people would experience in several lifetimes. All cases do not end up exactly as one would hope.

Once a case is ended and the role of the advocate is over, most children will have gone to a better place and a more rewarding life. These special children will always remain in their advocates’ treasured memory.

EILEEN TOWSE
Sylvania Township

 

Positive outcome to second chance
I commend The Blade for your article on Roger Sanchez and his family (“Ex-Toledoan rejects anger, violence to recast his future; Family legacy filled with drugs, crime, heartbreak,” Dec. 31).

Environment plays a major role in a child’s development. Family, education, neighborhood, and the ability to earn a livable wage go a long way toward shaping one’s future.

We can only hope to provide and protect the greatest institution of all: the family, whether that means giving someone a second or third chance, or more.

Thanks, Mr. Sanchez, for that insight. His story and others like it should be heard.

JOSEPH BLAZE II
Lambertville