Arizona Daily Star from Tucson, Arizona • Page 4

A4 ARIZONA DAILY STAR Tuesday, August 22, 2006 Editor: Ann Brown 520-573-4235 annbrownazstarnet.com MY VIEW: David Fitzsimmons Contact editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons at 573-4234 or toonerazstarnet.com Arizona Haily Star A LEE ENTERPRISES NEWSPAPER SERVING TUCSON SINCE 1877 John M. Humenik, Publisher Editor Bobbie Jo Buel, Executive Editor Ann Brown, Editorial Page Editor Sarah GarrechtGassen, Sam Negri, Martin Rosales, Editorial Writer Editorial Writer editorial Writer David Fitzsimmons, Editorial Cartoonist rr I Yl WH3V1HST 'I IT'S 0 -5 HISTORIC. was. Merchants' idea would be costly, delay underpass OUR VIEW: Fourth Avenue project should proceed on schedule, as the city intends LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Despite the self-serving complaints of a neighborhood merchants association, construction of the Fourth Avenue Underpass is not going to be delayed. The Fourth Avenue Merchants Association, whose demands would prolong the construction of the underpass, has known the city's plans at least since March.

The group's recent complaints are ill-advised and could create an unnecessary expense for the city's taxpayers. The Fourth Avenue Underpass links Downtown with the Fourth Avenue shopping district. The city made it clear last winter that it would take about 18 months to rebuild the historic underpass, and that it would be closed to pedestrians and vehicles during that period. It is startling that the merchants should now act as though this is new information. Suddenly, they've renewed a demand that the underpass be kept open during construction a feat that's impossible because the project involves moving railroad tracks.

There are ways that local government can help the Fourth Avenue merchants, but it would be a costly disservice to taxpayers throughout the city if the construction schedule were dragged out to satisfy the shopkeepers in one neighborhood. Every month the project is delayed increases its cost. Last winter, at the suggestion of Jim Campbell, a developer planning a housing and commercial complex on the site of the old Greyhound Bus terminal, the city agreed to demolish the old underpass and build a more modern one at the same location. The city's original plan called for building a new underpass east of the existing one, and keeping the old one open during construction. That construction project would have taken two years.

That plan was abandoned last winter and replaced by the more cost-effective proposal to rebuild the existing one. The new plan also reduced the construction time to ap proximately 18 months. The merchants are making a mistake by insisting the old underpass be kept open during construction. Their rationale is that the city is saving millions of dollars by reconstructing the existing underpass and that "saved" money should be used to design something to keep the tunnel open during construction. It makes far more sense sense to invest taxpayers' money in infrastructure or other permanent projects and serve the wider community.

The delays caused by the merchants' suggestion would increase the cost of the project and erode the $2 million to $4 million savings anticipated from the decision to rebuild the existing underpass rather than build a new one. The merchants' viewpoint is a losing proposition. Certainly it makes no sense from a business standpoint. Some business owners on Fourth Avenue clearly realize this and, as Scott Cummings, co-owner of O'Malleys on Fourth, put it, "It's going to happen sometime. Let's get it done and stop talking about it." Jim Glock, the city's transportation director, said he plans to do just that.

He will meet with the merchants to discuss their concerns, but work on the underpass will continue as scheduled. Some utilities will be moved beginning early next year, and actual construction of the underpass is scheduled to begin next summer. While the underpass is being built, the city plans to run shuttles between Downtown and Fourth Avenue during the lunch hour and evenings. Vehicles will still be able to get to Fourth Avenue by using the North Sixth Avenue underpass. Those steps will help the businesses on Fourth Avenue without costing taxpayers more money or causing greater delays.

The current plan will also be beneficial to the businesses because it will get the underpass built sooner, rather than later. MORE ONLINE To read additional letters and tips on how to comment, visit us online at www.dailystar.comopinion New clinic is state of the art Re: the Aug. 15 article "New MDA clinic to treat more children." I am glad to see the Muscular Dystrophy Association open a new clinic in Tucson at the Children's Clinic for Rehabilitative Services. We have two children with muscular dystrophy and have found that standards of care throughout the country have been lacking for children with neuromuscular diseases. This clinic, I believe, is state of the art in the interdisciplinary approach to care.

I call it one-stop shopping for caring for my children. This clinic will alleviate the burden for many families of having to schedule numerous appointments with different specialists. The children will receive more comprehensive and consistent care and, as a result, a better quality of life. Thank you MDA. Lisa Groeger Tucson No government perks for illegals Re: the Aug.

15 article Workers' comp benefits at issue." Illegal aliens are doing hard work, I am not denying that fact. But they should not be allowed to collect workers' comp or any other government benefits. If people want to take advantage of the benefits of a free economy that we provide, then they should be required to have documentation and be in this country as a legal immigrant, not as an illegal alien. Also, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that the "legally or illegally" in the original law referred to minors, not aliens. English class in grade school taught me how to read that sentence.

It's too bad some people in our legal system decided to change the way a sentence is read to find another loophole. Scott Montgomery Field service engineer, Tucson Students under too much stress Re: the Aug. 14 editorial "A new world for high school freshmen." I was surprised and disheartened to read your editorial, which stated that "the days of ego-stroking and soothing the young psyche are over. Results are what matter, which is the way it should be as teens prepare for a competitive world." These are children, and high school has become way too competitive and high-pressure. There is far too much pressure now to get into the right college or get a scholarship; and this pressure starts even before high school.

I don't need to list all the problems that have resulted from kids feeling this pressure. What happened to fostering the development of empathy, mutual respect and self-esteem? In the real world, it doesn't matter whether you got an A or in high school math. What matters is what kind of character you have. Scott Freeman Physician, Tucson Animal Care showed no care Re: the Aug. 15 article "Dog pulled from muddy wash dies from tick fever symptoms." Three Good Samaritans risked their safety to help a dog in dire straits, only to have the pup sent to Pima Animal Care, where he lay unattended for three days until another Good Samaritan stepped in to get the dog veterinary care.

What is wrong with this picture? Why did animal control decide they needed to change their title to animal care when it is obvious there is no care given? I'm sure the ladies who saved Clay would never have sent him to PACC if they had known his fate. Carol Sowerby Tucson It's come to this: fear of water The terrorists have finally won. We are now afraid of bottled water. At the airport the authorities make travelers discard their water as they ratchet up their vigilance against any danger, however minuscule. A person dare not make a little joke about how ridiculous it is, either.

There will be frowns all around and maybe handcuffs. It seems we must appear to-be quaking in our socks, or at least stoic, as we empty our pockets of weapons like nail polish and lighters, instead of treating this wacky exercise with the mirth it deserves. We have made ourselves a laughingstock. Ron Lancaster Tucson Bowing to fear is shameful The recent flight from London diverted to Logan International Airport is a total embarrassment for America. They diverted this aircraft and scrambled F-15 fighters over a bottle of hand lotion.

Tell me someone could not have removed the lid and smelled it to see if it posed a threat. We are acting like a flock of turkeys scared into the corner of their pen and suffocating themselves when we should be bold and defiant We should be telling the terrorists that they don't scare us, haven't won, not now and not ever. All flights should be running as if nothing were wrong, and we should be holding our heads high, not scurrying. The Muslim extremists are laughing themselves to sleep tonight, and we should be ashamed. Richard Barter Arizona Airframe Service, Marana Recruiter issue probed in film Re: the Aug.

15 article "Recruiters' for military accused of wrongdoing." News that military recruiters have acted unethically, and perhaps criminally, should not be news. This was one of the subjects in Michael Moore's documentary on 911. It has seemed that when Moore's film is commented upon, it is done with ridicule and disdain. In fact, it was nothing more nor less than a factual documentary of problems within this administration. When I rewatch this documentary, I weep thinking of how the current situation was all presented from evidence available when the documentary was made.

For those who still believe the lies of this administration, shame on you Janet Pipes Realtor, Tucson WPA bridges stand time test Isn't it interesting that all nine of the WPA bridges in Sabino Canyon survived, while the other structures were destroyed? I'm sure our tax dollars will hire some excellent private contractor to rebuild the park facilities. Hey, how about Halliburton? When it shows up with its designer chicken-wire and cardboard, maybe we can remember the days, such as the Great Depression, when we responded to disasters as a civilized, caring country. Happy workers build sturdy structures. Mitzi Cowell UA student, Tucson Plastics must meet standards Re: the Aug. 14 column "Web hoax on danger of plastic does leak some alarming truths." We generally welcome efforts to dispel e-mail hoaxes about microwaving with plastics, but Julie Deardorffs recent story only adds to the confusion.

Your readers should know that all plastics intended for food use must meet stringent U.S. Food and Drug Administration safety standards before they are allowed on the market. It's natural for consumers to want reliable information about products they rely on everyday. Unfortunately, the article contradicts the best advice we can give them: Always check the product or packaging label and follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use. Patricia A.

Enneking Managing director, plastics division, American Chemistry Council, Arlington, Va. Tucson success story worth preserving Eegee's refreshing slushy fruit drinks are a Tucson Thing, and we hope the new owners keep them that way. The hometown restaurants' founders and partners Ed Irving and Bob Greenberg started the company 35 years ago, the Star's Richard Ducote reported Saturday. The Star story said the company is being sold to CEO Foods. The twosome started selling the tangy, lemon slushy drinks that are the prefect combination of solid ice and liquid you need both a straw and a spoon out of a truck near the University or Arizona campus in 1971.

The totally Tucson name is the the combination of the in Ed and the in Greenberg. Today, modern Eegee's buildings with drive-through lanes dot the community quite an upgrade from the small, dark-green building on Speedway east of Craycoft Road that Tucsonans here in. the mid-1970s remember. Lemon, strawberry, pina colada and flavor of the month are among the fruit drink choices that quench a Tucson thirst or accompany a robust sandwich on a fresh roll. Irving and Greenberg agreed to sell the 21-store chain to CEO Foods, a family trust headed by Betty Lou O'Connor, Ducote reported.

The deal should be sealed in about a month. The buyer looks like it is interested in keeping the business' local feel. The O'Connor's son, Tom, and his wife Mary, moved to Tucson from Bakersfield, to run the business, and one of their four children, daughter Karon Maddox, will also be involved in the business. The buyer also acknowledged that the business wasn't a rehab project they we're not interested in fixing it. We encourage them to retain Eegee's personality and hometown appeal: Don't tinker with the formula too much.

Eegee's is unique to Tucson. It's not uncommon for folks who move away from Tucson to want an "Eegee" the moment they get back into town. You can't find something that's close let alone the same in California. Tubs of Eegee's slushy drinks and 3-foot-long sub sandwiches are popular at office meetings and gatherings, sports team events and kids' birthday parties. Eegee's sale comes at a point when Tucson's long-standing culinary identity is evolving.

Though the giant boot on Sabino Canyon Road still beckons, the iconic, once tony Tack Room that opened in 1965 is gone. The light is out for Ye Olde Lantern restaurant, which opened in 1924 as the Green Lantern. Western-themed Hidden Valley Inn, famous for its dioramas and memorabilia, is a dusty memory. Our community's culinary personality is dynamic: Restaurants unique to Tucson with energetic owners and chefs serving innovative cuisine replace the old-timers. We wish the new Eegee's owners the best and hope that they find this Tucson Thing worth retaining and enhancing.

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