EDITOR:

I believe it was inappropriate to print the resignation letter of Roger Good, much less make it front page news. There are three sides to every story...his, the board's, and what really happened. In order to print it, you had to have Mr. Good's approval. If so, then etiquette should have stepped in and told you that this was not the proper forum to air dirty laundry. The Press could have simply reported that Mr. Good resigned and a job opening exists.

If the Daily Press's position was to make a point of the resignation, that could have been accomplished with an editorial and the printing of said resignation.

I met Mr. Good at the onset of his job. He asked for ideas and I responded. That was the last time he came to where I work. From numerous over-the-counter discussions over this period, I learned that this was not an isolated situation. It seems to me if you're going to have your finger on the pulse of what the downtown needs, you need to be in touch with those who have the most lose and win - whether you be in the DDA or the council.

I could talk about the flags, but you know my stance on that. I could comment on the obvious disrepair of the downtown and garbage on its streets, but you have eyes, too. I could point out the empty buildings, but there's no need because many of you know that empty buildings lead to less foot traffic.

The local government can discuss development of the waterfront, but if you encourage construction that block the bay/Lake Michigan from the common man's view and enjoyment and keep it for those who can afford it, then the local government has failed miserably in their community planning and with a result of creating a negative environment of those who have and have not.

If the beautification of downtown means you're going to reface the buildings and hide the gorgeous architecture, you have lost your history. Let's not mention that while the awnings are attractive and, in some cases, useful, it disappears when strong winds shred them and leave rags that are not an enhancement to any building.

If the idea is to create points of interest on main street, try to avoid using the planets...use local history. There's so much here that it can revolve from season-to-season. Replicas of historical photographs can be placed in those displays and have those posts lead to the lighthouse would seem to be in keeping with the history this community has had and promotes.

The tax paying citizens of Delta County and its visitors deserve an involved DDA - whether it's standing on its own or if it's a department within the city's government. Printing resignations of any kind, much less a DDA director's, does not need to be front page news if it does not serve as a positive influence/change.

Josephine Danielson

Escanaba