LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Riverfront should be for public
7/22/2014Blade columnist Keith C. Burris asked about the downside of the ProMedica project to occupy the Toledo riverfront (“ProMedica: All-ahead-full on downtown,” July 15). Here’s one: taking up riverfront property for private use and blocking the view of the river.
Several blocks west of the riverfront, significant properties have been long abandoned in the heart of downtown. It would be a community service to revive a downtown area that was designed for business use and leave this small section of riverfront for the public to use and enjoy.
Let the former Toledo Edison steam plant be saved and developed in its current footprint for whatever purpose the market dictates. Sacrificing the small amount of riverfront view on the west side is a poor choice.
BETH BEACH
Holland, Ohio
Youths get help with fiscal literacy
An Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development study cites financial literacy as an essential life skill (“U.S. students in middle of pack on financial know-how,” July 9). The study found that American students are about the same as many other students from around the world in understanding basic financial concepts.
As we saw with the financial crisis of 2008, this lack of understanding can have dire consequences when young people become adults. Junior Achievement is working in the Toledo community to promote financial literacy.
But financial literacy involves more than just gaining knowledge. It means understanding what it means to be financially responsible.
JA brings more than 900 professionals from our local business community into kindergarten through grade 12 classrooms annually to share their experiences about what it means to manage a budget, pay bills on time, and invest in ways that benefit the individual and the community.
More than 22,000 northwestern Ohio youths each year have the opportunity to apply these important concepts in hands-on learning activities.
There are ways to improve financial literacy in this country. It takes dedication and commitment. JA is here to help.
JEFF BOSCH
President
Junior Achievement
of Northwestern Ohio
Cheyenne Boulevard
Columnist fails to give analysis
Op-ed columnist Maureen Dowd quotes Richard Haass on his assessment of the world’s vision of President Obama (“As Americans, who do we think we are?”, July 8). She then cites David Axelrod’s musings about how the American people see Mr. Obama.
This kind of blather doesn’t belong in an opinion piece. It is merely one talking head quoting two others about how they think the President is perceived.
Opinion writing demands some grounding in facts and analysis.
FRANK McELHANNON
Sylvania Township