TO THE EDITOR:

Driving by elderly has become an area of scrutiny due to the deadly accident caused by an elderly male in California. I was watching one of the local television stations, and they were wondering whether or not people older than 75 should be driving. When I asked my wife about her opinion, she thinks they should not be driving.

I'm aware of many elderly people in their '70s and '80s that are in excellent shape and are doing very well. The event in California calls for refinement of laws in issuing licenses to elderly rather than generalizing the experience.

Vamsi Garlapati, Clifton

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We don't want Senator Springer

I had to respond after reading about Jerry Springer's decision to run for the United States Senate. Last summer, I was given the opportunity to live and study in Israel. I am a religious studies major at the University of Cincinnati and received a scholarship from the Judaic Studies Department to help fund my trip (though I am not Jewish). While there I traveled to the city of Acre, near the border of Lebanon, where I had occasion to meet an Arab-Israeli family.

I was the first American they had ever met, and they invited me to their village for dinner, which I readily accepted. The only person in the family who spoke somewhat fluent English was a 14-year-old girl,who served as translator. After dinner the girl told me she would love to come to America and attend college but that the Imam at her synagogue had told America was a bad place to live - referring to talk shows, which was the Jerry Springer show.

She was told to watch these shows and see how degraded American society was. I spent the next hour explaining that the Jerry Springer show was not real. I told them people are paid to be on the show.

Satellite dishes are not just an American phenomenon. They are spread all over the world and people watch the programming we disseminate. We must ask ourselves if this is the view of America we want other people to see. I hope not.

Is this truly the man you wish to represent us in the U.S. Senate? If it is, then I propose we change the motto of Ohio to "The Hick State."

Edward P. Hoctor, Oakley

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Loveland court fight is about basic rights

I would like to commend Susan Vela on her fair and balanced coverage of the continuing court battle between the city of Loveland and its citizens ("Loveland fights letting public decide on rezoning," July 16). This battle concerns the city's refusal to accept referendum petitions, signed by over 800 Loveland residents, to place a zoning amendment on the ballot.

The amendment causing concern allows commercial development of any land parcel that consists of at least 5 acres, even if it is smack in the middle of a purely residential area. The decision in question will affect Loveland residents as well as neighbors in bordering jurisdictions, which have no rights or representation in determining the zoning status of land contiguous to their own. We hear so often these days of zoning conflicts arising from urban sprawl, and it is unfortunate that apart from expensive court battles there are no mechanisms in place to protect the rights of citizens from unwanted encroachments upon their properties, all made in the name of increased revenue for local governments.

In Loveland, however, the problem goes beyond economics and has entered the realm of civil rights. The city does not want its citizens to be able to go to the ballot box because it sees a referendum challenge as an action against the government, rather than a precious, constitutional liberty guaranteed to all Americans. Thank heavens the founding fathers didn't see it that way.

Hopefully, the 12th District Court of Appeals won't either.

Carolyn M. Rutter, Loveland

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How much free speech should soldiers have?

Some of our soldiers who are stuck in Iraq have made remarks criticizing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Gen. John P. Abizaid said yesterday that it is against military law for a soldier to criticize Rumsfeld or President Bush. If that is true, shouldn't it also be against military law for soldiers to praise the same people? If this is not the case, perhaps we should refer to our military as our "Republican guard."

Dick Schladen, Aurora

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Lollapalooza review ignored the crowd

I'm disappointed by Larry Nager's review of this year's rendition of Lollapalooza. While he did a fine job setting the scene, he failed to indicate how the crowd responded to any of the acts other than The Donnas. Of the 10,000 or so he claimed were estimated in attendance, how many of those stayed to see Jane's Addiction? That would have been nice to know. Incubus played an hour or so of generic hard rock? Has he listened to their CDs? There is nothing generic about their music. Whether or not he likes the music, he must admit their music is unlike anything else being played on any of the local radio stations. I do, however, agree that Audioslave put on a great performance. I listened to their CD a few times, but only after last night's performance do I have a new appreciation for the music. Overall, it was a fine pair of articles, although I would have liked to read more about his assessment of the crowd's reaction to the bands, rather than his opinion of the music, which was skewed by Riverbend's horrible acoustics.

Chris Luebbe, Colerain Township

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Hotel linked to Norwood's future

Congratulations on the recent Norwood, Oakley and Evanston "Great Neighborhoods" edition. This is an excellent way to promote community pride and values. But I have to ask on behalf of the proud but puzzled team at The Quality Hotel & Suites and Brinkley's Restaurant, "Where the heck are we?"

Our award-winning hotel/restaurant has been a successful business under local ownership servicing and contributing to the Norwood community since 1968. We are a major player in Norwood's interesting history, and its bright and promising future.

Norwood is certainly a success story, and we're proud to be a part of that.

Carol Cooper, Director of Sales and Marketing for Stevens Hospitality, Norwood

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Cincinnati leaders let jobs slip elsewhere

I am a recent college graduate, and unlike many of my friends, I want to stay in Cincinnati. This, however, is proving to be difficult due to the disappointing Cincinnati job market. It's pretty sad to watch Cincinnati's leadership stand around, scratch their heads, and try to figure out why Cincinnati is losing its recent college graduates.

People will leave if there are no good jobs here. The mishandled negotiations with Convergys are proof that Cincinnati's City Council isn't serious about retaining good jobs, companies, and graduates. A forward-looking city would never let an opportunity like this slip away.

Dan Hendy, Western Hills

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Don't try to call Convergys' bluff

I am disappointed and alarmed that those with the power to keep a large company in downtown Cincinnati has to think twice about the importance of this decision to the city. The ripple affect is only one aspect of what will happen to the small businesses located in downtown. As a small business working with Convergys, we value their location in the city. Having them two blocks away allows us to provide continued quality service at an affordable cost. Moving outside the city becomes more costly to both parties and ultimately drives companies like Convergys to look for new providers.

Restaurants in the downtown area are only surviving during the lunch hour the way it is. You take 1,500 employees out of downtown and see what happens to the Skylines, Wendy's and other fast food restaurants and small retail shops that are barely surviving. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone interested in this city if you let Convergys leave. Convergys is a good corporate citizen. Their support of the Fine Arts Fund, the National Underground Railroad, United Way and other arts and civic programs in this city will also feel the impact of this organization being turned away.

What is most upsetting is to think you can call their bluff. They are not kidding. If you vote "no," they will leave. I encourage you to find a way to make this a win-win for everyone.

Linda Spalazzi, President, Bright Light Visual Communications

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Cash to corporations isn't a market solution

Thank you for the article regarding the Convergys deal. When reading it, I kept thinking of how the same crisis returns again and again. My interpretation is what company doesn't run to the government's dinner bell or, more to the point, when has the government stopped running to the corporate service bell?

Doesn't everyone want jobs? Do folks want companies to stay? Sure, but cold cash isn't from an endless supply and buying our way into the market isn't going to last. The government is stuck in short-term, self-interest heading for more problems. Tweak, reshape and find the deal is about all that can happen. It won't fix the problem.

Although government incentives will always be part of the deal, the city has to find its own value - transportation, natural resources, education work force, arts, high-tech systems, safety and fire protection, housing, neighborhoods, entertainment - to take to the table. Most of this is from the business community, not from the government.

The government would do best to take care of those less fortunate than those most able to deal for themselves.

Tom Baumann, Westwood