News - Editorial - Letters

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2009

Oct. 30 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

With all due respect, Gov. Granholm, that sentiment goes both ways

I have nothing against the state or people of Michigan. I was born and raised there in the shadow of the University of Michigan Big House.

My wife and I moved to Long Beach in 1985, not to get away from the Midwest, but to know and love some other place before we got too old to make a change.

After an extensive trip through the eastern states, we decided on Mississippi. I have never regretted that move. I have formed deep and abiding ties to Mississippians, white and black. I plan to die in their midst.

Mississippi has its weaknesses and problems, just like every other place human beings live. But I would like the governor of the great state of Michigan to know that I don’t want Mississippi to be Michigan.

ZIP RIBAR

Long Beach

What talent! Do yourself a favor and go!

I know I speak for the other members of the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors in attendance (and undoubtedly the whole audience) when I say BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO! to the Gulfport High School Chamber Orchestra for the phenomenal performance on Oct. 22. Thank you to all who were involved with bringing this performance to us, including guest artist Elder Sanchez from New York, and an alumnus of USM, whose incredible voice made the talents of these young musicians even more enjoyable.

We are so very blessed to have such talent here on the Coast, and we need to support and encourage each and every one of the many young musicians we have here.

Several of these fine young artists will be performing with the Gulf Coast Symphony Youth Orchestra at 3 p.m. on Oct. 31 at MGCCC Jeff Davis campus, along with the WINGS performing artists group. Do yourself a favor and go! Take your kids! You won’t regret it.

MARGARET McKENZIE

Gulfport

Keep the home-buyer tax credit generating home sales and jobs

Not a day goes by that I’m not asked about the status of the housing industry. With signs of a fragile recovery and approaching 10 percent unemployment, allowing the $8,000 first-time home buyer tax credit to expire next month is the last thing our economy can afford.

Extending the current $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers through 2010 and expanding it to all buyers of a primary home, within eligible income limits, would increase new and existing home sales by 383,000 and housing starts by 82,000. It would also create more than 347,000 jobs, generating over $16 billion in wage income and $12 billion in business income — yielding $8 billion in federal taxes and $3 billion for state and local governments.