Letters, cont’d, for June 3

We've Seen This Pitch Before
Editor, Times-Dispatch: We've heard it all before, the rosy economic projections emanating from multiple grandiose concepts for the City of Richmond -- yet they never come to fruition. How'd the Sixth Street Marketplace work out? How about Main Street Station, the "revitalization" of downtown Richmond, or the Canal Walk? All major undertakings that are abysmal economic failures.

The primary beneficiaries of the unnecesary, unsubstantiated, highly risky Shockhoe Bottom ballpark complex would be the developers. If semi-professional baseball is to be played in Richmond, the definitive choice is a centrally located venue with easy access and realistic business development potential right on the Boulevard. Shockoe Bottom needs to be preserved for its historical value and allowed to progress at its own unique pace. Uncontrolled commercialization of Shockoe Bottom benefits no one in the long run and would leave Richmond with yet another "Field of Unfulfilled Dreams."

Michael J. Montalbano.
Richmond.

There are those who say there is a large percentage of Americans who pay no taxes. They are wrong. Even those who do not own a car or house, smoke cigarettes, or have a job will pay higher taxes because increased federal spending will be reflected in the price of every single product or service. The current spending spree will result in massive tax increases and a devaluation of the dollar -- which amounts to the same thing, only worse.

There is no magic money. Obama is not going to solve any problems by magic because he is likeable.

Rod Sterling.
Glen Allen.

His record in both the House of Delegates and the Senate of Virginia, where he now serves, has clearly demonstrated that he puts people and principle before party and politics. I, personally, am fed up with partisan politics and hope that we will select a man of Deeds' qualities to lead Virginia during the next four years.

Ben C. Garrett.
Dutton.

If you fish for stripers early in the season in the shallows, creeks, and inlets, all you have to do is check the stomach of your catch (which any good fisherman will do) and you will normally find anywhere from three to 10 baby crabs about the size of your fingernail.

Furthermore, you might find more participation by increasing the limit, which won't hurt the economy. Fishermen probably spend $25 to $50 per pound of fish that they catch (for gas, gear, bait, etc.). By the way, if you think four fish per day will hurt the fish population, then you must believe in Al Gore's garbage and you won't buy this deal on many levels.

While I'm at it, why doesn't Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries automate the licensing program? Filling out those little forms by hand is archaic. How much more money could the state get with an automatic renewal reminder to last year's applicant on Jan 1., similar to driver's licenses? Someone would pay a fortune for that mailing list.

William L. Throckmorton.
Gordonsville.