DEAR EDITOR:

I am writing to express my feelings about the deterioration of the lower West Side.

Businesses are closing, one after the other. Now, Rite Aid at Mahoning and Schenley avenues is closing. What is going to be left?

I was born and raised on the West Side and unfortunately am still here. I am 68 years old and don’t drive. We need a grocery store here, but there are nothing but bars and car lots! I remember when the West Side was booming.

I would bet anything that the Rite Aid property will turn into another bar or car lot. They might as well bulldoze the entire stretch from Meridian Road to downtown and make one side all bars and the other all car lots!

Don’t tell me that this is progress, because it’s disgusting! And don’t tell me to take a bus elsewhere!

Fix the West Side!

DANA OLSEN

Youngstow