Dear editor:
"D" is the first letter of many words that describe downtown, and is likely the grade that would apply to the conditions of our downtown.
"D" is for:
Danger -- Ahead for the downtown if problems are not addressed.
Decaying -- Buildings disintegrating.
Delusional -- Some property owners (who continue to collect money, but won't spend money to address problems, hoping the problems will go away).
Demonize -- The city government, fire chief, the Thermal Basin Fire District by some (tea party, some property owners, mayor)
Denial -- Property owners defending their inaction and denying that responsibility.
Discussions -- Needed, but dawdling delays forming a plan.
Distrust -- Among the factions and of city government.
Divided -- People's opinions.
Diversions -- Landslides are of more concern than fire in old, dry buildings.
Dowdy Dowager (in danger of becoming a "dump") -- The Arlington Hotel.
Dollars -- An important missing ingredient, and ultimately at the root of most of the problems downtown. Dollars have been collected but little invested in improving old buildings. New ventures are decried (who's gonna pay for them?).
Human life fuels the life of the downtown! Loss of human life due to a deadly fire would be tragic, particularly if known prevention measures were ignored and never implemented.
Gary Grogan
Hot Springs
Editorial on 04/18/2014