To the editor:

“Private efforts that benefit private bank accounts need to stop asking for public support. If it is such a great idea, try it on your own.” (Journal-World editorial, Oct. 31) What a great statement. From the taxpayers’ point of view, no truer words could be spoken. This is true for the Lawrence airport business park, the Oread Inn, the new library-business-apartment proposal and other such developments.

Also secret meetings giving out tax rebates or abatement such as the Deciphera Pharmaceuticals should not be acceptable. Much more scrutiny should be given to businesses that have received tax abatements. Recent J-W articles indicated that many are not producing their promised number of employees or wage rates, thereby not equaling the tax forgiven.

As for the needs of dilapidated youth athletic fields, serious discussion with Haskell on their stadium improvements is the only sensible idea. Anything built today would be gone in 20 years, as in the case of South Junior High School.

Bruce H. Muzzy,

Lawrence