Who has the vision to turn river into economic giant?

Who has the vision to turnriver into economic giant?
EDITOR:
On June 5, an article was written about local clergy and their interest in bringing renewed attention to the Mahoning River. This really caught my attention because I am of like mind.
Although I believe the river should be cleaned up for public safety, it is my belief that it is a neglected economic resource that could be used to enhance our community and provide recreation and jobs for Youngstown and surrounding communities.
Recently, I was in San Antonio, Texas, to visit the famous river walk. San Antonio has used this natural resource that runs through its city and capitalized on the desire of people who come to take part in the festivities, dining and riverside atmosphere. Flat-bottom barges provide tours up and down the river. River taxies provide transportation, and there is entertainment at different points on the river walk.
What is ironic about all of this is the river in San Antonio is smaller and probably more polluted than the Mahoning River.
If there is ever to be a revival to Youngstown, there must be an attraction that will draw people. A convocation center would be nice, but will it attract people to the area or generate the funds to keep it going?
A river-walk project would rely on individual businesses to generate their own money and increase the tax base while providing services to the population. Hotels, restaurants and other service-oriented industries are a big part of what keeps our economy going in every city across our nation. It is my guess that the cost of construction of sidewalks and docks would be minimal to that of building a large convocation center. Lansing, Mich., also has a river walk that attracts many people. Why can't we?
In conclusion, the Fellows Riverside Gardens at Mill Creek Park is an example of, if we build it, they will come. In Youngstown at the mouth of Mill Creek where Mill Creek and the Mahoning River meet would be a perfect place for the central location of a river walk.
For many years and since the closing of the steel mills we have been trying to attract businesses back to the Mahoning Valley, and it has done little to help restore this Valley. The steel mill days are gone, and we are living in a new era. Businesses come and go, and the only thing we offer them is a tax incentive to persuade them to come with hopes they will stay for awhile.
I think it's time we change our thinking and get a new vision for the Mahoning Valley. It seems that if we build interest in our community and involve our local citizens and political leadership to work together we would not only be able to enhance the beauty of our community, but make it an economic success. We have the resource, but we need the vision.
WILLIAM A. RITZGirard
Failure of U.S. missionin Iraq is tragic, costly
EDITOR:
Cal Thomas, with his usual mishmash of misinformation, compared the tragedy in Iraq with World War II. WWII was a legally declared defensive war. The country was united, there was a draft, no women in combat, etc..
Why not compare it with Vietnam? The French had enough sense to get out of Vietnam and so did the U.S. eventually. The Vietnamese people did not want a religious minority imposed on them by foreigners.
Iraq is not a unified country. It is composed of religious tribes. Bush and his cohorts know nothing about Islamic history. Crusades are a mystery to him, and so is Lawrence of Arabia in WWI. The failure of U.S. military operations is costly and tragic.
The politicians would have an intelligence czar. This would be another place of a political hack, a displaced politician. A former Pennsylvania governor is in charge of national security. Is he an expert on that? Only in America is it possible for a politician to come in second and win.
Another paper had this in its letters: Save the American Military: Impeach Bush." The only solution in Islamic countries is to let them govern themselves. Members of Congress pass the buck. Vote all the ins out.
MELVIN S. FRANK
Poland
Health center earnedaccolades from Bush
EDITOR:
It seems that instead of being happy to have the president visit our humble area, all we can do is complain and wonder "Why did he come?" I am not sure whether to laugh or cry at that question. Evidently many in our area feel that Youngstown and its surrounding communities aren't worth a visit from a sitting Republican president.
The fact that this was not a campaign visit seems to confuse people. I don't recall such confusion when John Kerry stopped to visit Astro Shapes. He announced that it, too, was a "closed" meeting just to give workers in Struthers his support. That seemed a noble and worthy effort on his part. Why is it then that the same isn't true for the president's recognition of the Youngstown Community Health Center and its associated facilities?
And if it is indeed true that the mayor knew very little about a facility operating mere blocks from his office, what does that say about him? Here is a facility that has as its main objective to help the less fortunate of his city and its surrounding communities, and he knows little about it.
For those who wonder what could possibly be so great in the city of Youngstown, I'll let you in on the secret. It's Dr. Lewis, Dr. Fitzgerald, Dr. Weiss, Dr. Economus, Dr. Nadler and the many doctors who see patients at the health center during their rotations. These doctors can be counted on to actually listen to you. They will treat you with dignity and respect. Doctors there will remind you of the way it used to be when you went to see your doctor.
You remember before insurance companies mandated who you saw, how long the doctor could see you and what the doctor could do. It's also every single employee who will treat you with that same old-fashioned courtesy and respect.
For the record I am a registered Democrat without health insurance. I am also the mother of a 22-year-old young woman who works at this facility. She, along with her coworkers, deserve this praise.
So for all of you that can't put aside the question: "Why did Bush come?" I say to you instead of wondering why how about focusing on this wonderful community resource? You should also find comfort in the fact that if you need a doctor, one can be found that you can afford to see no matter what your circumstance.
TERRI McCOY
Hubbard
Don't use Reagan's deathto advance stem-cell research
EDITOR:
Because President Reagan had Alzheimer's disease, many are using the occasion of his death to advance embryonic stem-cell research. This is a mistake.
Cures of the aging should not be used to advance the research on natal humans who have no ability to give their consent.
Further, research with adult stem cells is much more promising without the possible side effect of the growth of a baby inside the brain of the person that is already sick. It is wrong to try to cure one problem by causing another.
STANTON W. DORAN
Minister, Lynkirk Church of ChristYoungstown