LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ProMedica threatens green space
9/1/2014I proposed the mid 1990s land swap that enabled the city of Toledo to acquire the riverfront site of the former Federal Building in exchange for the parcel at the north end of Civic Center Mall, the planned site of a new federal courthouse. I am appalled at recent news accounts that a portion of the riverfront land may become a parking garage for the convenience of ProMedica officials and employees (“Tax credits cited as a key for ProMedica; Incentives help make downtown project ‘economically viable’ option,” Aug. 20).
I remember The Blade’s outrage when the city built a parking garage on Summit Street across from The Blade building. Instead of supine acceptance, why has The Blade not expressed similar outrage at the proposed diminution and desecration of a portion of the small bit of riverside green space in our downtown?
If a leading health-care provider’s employees can’t walk from the many nearby parking lots, perhaps it could operate a shuttle for their convenience.
Shuttle service is a preferable alternative to losing irreplaceable property that, on its transfer to the city, was intended for the perpetual use and benefit of all our citizens, not the convenience of a privileged few who work for a big corporation.
JAMES CARR
Senior Judge U.S. District Court Spielbusch Avenue
Obama no failure; mind Lady Liberty
Some people criticize President Obama, saying he has failed in heath-care reform, the economy, jobs, poverty, race relations, immigration, and border security. Facts say otherwise.
Millions more Americans now have heath insurance. The stock market has rebounded from when Mr. Obama took office. The economy is adding jobs. Poverty is being addressed slowly. Race relations are a huge sticking point; one man can’t solve the issue. No president has.
On immigration, maybe we should take the plaque off the Statue of Liberty that says “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,” and replace it with: “Let us decide who’s welcome.”
JAMES PERINE
Lima, Ohio
Clinic trustees affirm care pledge
The board of trustees of the Neighborhood Health Association thanks The Blade for its recent article highlighting the construction of our new Jefferson Avenue clinic (“$12M central-city clinic site OK’d; Neighborhood health agency to consolidate services,” Aug. 15).
Our organization was started 46 years ago by community members who were concerned about the loss of friends and neighbors because of the lack of affordable and accessible health care. We consider this new building a tribute to the power and determination of those community voices.
It remains the trustees’ intention to provide care in the neighborhoods in which our constituents reside. We are consolidating only four of our 12 locations at this new site.
In addition to the Jefferson Street location, we will maintain a clinic in the city’s east-side, north-side, Old South End, and central-city neighborhoods.
HARRY BROWN, SR.
Chairman Board of Trustees Neighborhood Health Association Jefferson Avenue