In our world there is no such thing as perfection; we do the best we can with our resources of mind and money. Over the years I have watched the building of the skywalk and the bandstand, and the restoration of the Tyler Davidson Fountain in 1975 and again in 2000. I like the present layout of Fountain Square; it's open and friendly. Trees are messy and would obscure the view. From an engineering point of view, moving the fountain and pump room under it is indeed difficult and costly and a good chance for damage exists.

Let's spend money on the Banks project and shelve the Fountain Square reconfiguration.

Manfred Schnetzer White Oak

Put locally famous eateries on Banks

Looking at the front-page picture of the football and baseball stadiums in the Enquirer on July 28 and seeing all the space in between, I have come up with the perfect solution: We need to put some of the things that Cincinnati has been known for, such as Graeters, Skyline Chili, White Castle, LaRosa's, etc., plus some interesting shops.

Joyce Ventura Norwood

Why can't all stay in car for E-check?

According to Envirotest Systems Corp., people with disabilities are allowed to stay in the car during the E-checks ("Disabled man mistreated by E-check staff," July 28). Other people, however, are asked to get out because of safety concerns. I just have one question: If it is safe enough for a disabled person to remain in the car during the E-check, why is it not safe enough for other people?

Pamela Young Fayetteville

Full text of Article XII is given

I had to write to contradict what Phil Burress was quoted as saying in the article "Gay-rights supporters file for repeal" (July 28). He stated, "The group supporting the repeal refuses to tell people what Article XII says."

That could not be further from the truth. The article, in its entirety, is published on the Citizens to Restore Fairness Web page, and it is also written in its entirety on the educational material volunteers give to undecided voters. The Citizens to Restore Fairness has no problem stating the full article because it is so obviously discriminatory.

Penny Morris Pleasant Ridge

Executive's severance pay too much

Lisa Haller, former Convention & Visitors Bureau chief executive, is to be paid $200,000 in severance after resigning her position and failing to complete a full third of her three-year contractual obligation ("Visitors bureau ex-chief gets $200K," July 21).

Alan Welch, the bureau's interim chief executive, is quoted as follows: "It has no impact at all. The money we are paying Lisa is absolutely no more than we would have paid her if she was still working here." Gee, that's great! She's only going to be paid precisely the same after resigning as she was when she was on the job.

Patrick McHale Anderson Township

Sudan crisis is ideal for U.N. mission

I couldn't agree more with the letter writer's assertion for the need of massive aid for Sudan ("Suffering Sudan demands that we help," July 21). However, I would substitute the words United Nations for "our current administration" to seize the initiative in ending this tragedy.

This is the type of situation for which the United Nations was formed in 1948. However, after the Korean War, they have avoided direct military involvement, providing only peacekeeping forces and humanitarian aid. This policy only perpetuated atrocities that occurred in Cambodia, Africa and Kosovo in late 20th century. Also, this policy seems to have exacerbated the situation in 21st-century Sudan.

Joseph Bellissemo Westwood

Yes, we see your grafitti, and we care

Several months ago, graffiti appeared on the statue of Lincoln at the corner of Forest and Reading roads. I reported it, along with other citizens, very soon after it appeared.

The city has tried in vain to remove the graffiti and recently received advice from Spring Grove Cemetery concerning what product to use to remove graffiti from marble. I understand some type of special substance is on order.

This letter is to the uncaring individuals who defaced this lovely statue and to those who now think nobody cares when they add new graffiti and disrespect this statue and this corner of Cincinnati. There are those who care, and there are those who are disgusted by your actions.

Pat Parlato Oakley