Let’s take a wider view of “Rothrock war may never end,” Bob Dyer’s March 10 column. The current battle didn’t just begin in October 2006. It really began decades ago with real estate maneuvering and building codes that were manipulated without the faintest idea of what might happen as a result.
I applaud Judge Alison McCarty for taking the time needed to consider the consequences of a decision regarding the closing of Rothrock.
What’s the hurry? The “greater public good” is certainly the goal. The immediate fact at the bottom of the issue is no one wants the “ridiculous amount of traffic” or “perpetual gridlock.”
I can only assume that Walmart is proceeding with construction of the new stores because the trees on the proposed site have been tagged for removal. Copley Township may hold the distinction of having the only big box stores in America on a two-lane residential road.
And a considerably widened road at Bentonville’s expense has nothing to do with public good. It has to do with retail. One has only to consider the fact, as reported by Dyer, that the renovation of the current Walmart seemed reasonable in 2008. So what’s the rest of the story?
Because, as Dyer so aptly put it, there is a lot riding on the Rothrock Road decision, Judge McCarty is taking the time to get it right, for now and later.
Pat Sargent
Fairlawn
Save at UA? Start at the top
I have a suggestion on how the University of Akron could try to close its projected 2014 budget deficit (“Campus searches for ways to avoid deficit,” March 13).
The university should stop giving President Luis Proenza yearly raises and cut some of his perks, plus stop hiring unnecessary administrators, such as Jim Tressel.
In these challenging times, we all need to share in the solution.
From a public relations standpoint, seeing someone who already makes hundreds of thousand of dollars a year continually receiving raises, then creating a position for Tressel (to do God knows what) that pays a lot of money, doesn’t sit well with the public. President Proenza needs to lead from the front.
Mike Hutson
Hudson
Focus on felons with guns
I have been following gun-related stories. I was surprised at the number Akron has confiscated in the past year, and I wonder what percentage of those unregistered handguns were taken from convicted felons.
Passing new laws banning guns is not effective; the criminals ignore them. I challenge our state and federal representatives to enact laws that are tailored to felons caught with a weapon they are no longer allowed to own or carry.
Stop enacting laws that only hurt law-abiding citizens. Lock up convicted felons who get caught with a weapon for 10 years to 15 years for possession and 20 years to 30 years if they use it in a crime.
We just might start to see a drop in gun-related violence.
Tom Eichler
Mogadore
