Postal service

It’s natural for us competitive Americans to rank things from best to worst or worst to best, whichever you prefer.

 We're constantly being asked to complete surveys to rank our experience with recently received goods or services

 Movie and restaurant critics rank what they believe to be the best and the worst. Consumer Reports ranks everything from toasters to automobiles as to which is best and which is worst.

So it only follows that we would instinctively rank our experiences with retailers or other businesses, like the Post Office for example.

And speaking of the Post Office, I really have no idea where the best one in the country might be, but after years of experience I have a pretty good idea where one of the worst ones is.

Carey Williamson

Georgetown

Prime opportunity

I am a big supporter of Georgetown. Yes, we do have our share of impediments created by decisions that were made in the past for whatever reasons.

However, we must look at the opportunities that we have for the future, and not dwell on the past.

The core of Georgetown does have an abandoned steel mill, many vacant old buildings on Front Street, and an appearance that the city may be dying.

 But I think quite the opposite.

How many places in this country can one find an opportunity like Georgetown?

 We have the natural resources including a fabulous historical background, being on deep water so close to the ocean, beautiful trees and historic homes.

We have the second oldest street in the state that runs for several blocks parallel to a river seaport which harbors boats of all kinds and includes a beautiful harborwalk allowing access to buildings from both the river and the street.

An artist couldn’t paint a more beautiful picture.

Yes, within the core of the city, there are abandoned buildings, but they are abandoned because they are full of mold, with leaky roofs, bad foundations and economically unfixable.

 None of those abandoned buildings are historic treasures, or beautiful architectural structures.

 They were built as cheaply as possible at the time, to house businesses and industry that has been long gone.

 And yes we do have a huge piece of property that was once industrial and is probably contaminated with harmful and toxic wastes from those industries.

But where else in this country could anyone find such large tracts of available properties, located on deep water, surrounded by such incredible natural resources?

These old buildings could be torn down and replaced with new and historic replications of really grand buildings that were built in other areas of this country during the times when Georgetown was thriving.

 The acres of land from the old steel mill could be cleaned up and redeveloped.

 And actually there has never been an opportunity like this, where such a great portion of our historic city could be rebuilt in a manner that would be much more beautiful and attractive than it ever was, at any time in history.

 Yes it would be expensive, but these properties are a bargain compared to other similar parcels, if one could find them, anywhere in the USA.

 And think about how many jobs could be created not only in the redevelopment process, but also afterwards, when the city would reap the benefits of the businesses that would flock to the area.

The leaders of Georgetown must have vision, and realize what assets they have to work with here.

The core of historic Georgetown is positioned as a blank canvas waiting for a beautiful piece of art to be created.

 Instead of criticizing, let’s help to create and implement a master plan to rebuild this city to something that would rival any place in America.

 We have that opportunity.

David Kossove