LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Support THE Bus

I say yes to Jim Adkins, one of our new commissioners, for checking other buses that started like Hernando's THE Bus. They were extended to rural areas and stores opening up and new homes being built.

People will ride THE Bus if they catch them near to where they live. We might try Saturday ridership, as more people are home and shop/visit family doctors, friends; the service is needed for all.

Expand THE Bus so people know you will be there for the pickups and soon they will park their cars and just jump up to live music, happy faces and kind drivers; all make it a great ride to where they are heading. It's a pleasure; nothing extra to worry about when you ride THE Bus.

I've been riding THE Bus for six years and love it.

Rosemary Sonnenberg

Brooksville

Not So Fair Trade

Re: Mr. Bob Shulters' response to my article regarding the U.S. bag lady versus the wealthy Japanese ladies.

I would like to say: I am and have been a registered Republican.

I am a retired salary quality assurance manager who worked his way up from an hourly line worker and, after receiving my degree, progressed from Dodge to Ford.

I am also a Navy veteran who served from 1943-46, when the Japanese had the death march in the Philippines and beheaded Col. Roosevelt's Marine Raiders captured on Makin Island. So, yes, I am concerned when it comes to the Japanese taking over all our industries!

Regarding the Nissan plant in Tennessee: For your information, the plant was started and run by 32 high-level Ford production personnel because the Japanese offered so much money and benefits that Ford couldn't match the Japanese offer. The Benfield plant manager went on to be head of Nissan USA as well as the operations manager, the process energy manager, maintenance superintendent and general foreman and on and on. Yes, I worked at Dearborn Assembly at that time and found out when Ernie Brewer drove his Maxima into our executive garage before leaving and said, "Hey, we can't afford not to go!"

Back in the day, I worked in Ford export supply operations and a tariff and other incidentals raised the cost of a Mustang going to Japan to double the price. I might add that I don't think you can import a U.S. car into Korea.

Japan received 100 Japanese dollars to each American dollar on the exchange rate - not bad, huh?

Art Croci

Spring Hill