In response to the recent letter from Howard Talesnick [“Chained to Downtown?”, Oct. 10], what Mr. Talesnick and many Floridians (feel free to insert any other region or state) need to understand is that most of us do not want it the way it is where you are from. Please notice we are not moving to your area, you are moving here. One would presume that you have chosen to do so because you enjoy Asheville. If the idea that you want to be here just so you can make it like [your] “old home” is your intent, or the intent of anyone moving here, then don’t.
Moving here to work, contribute to the culture and economy, and enjoy Asheville for what it has—not what you may think it “needs”—is the reason for being here. Having grown up just outside of Asheville, visited here many times in my youth, and having lived here for 16 years, I can only compare your callous intent to that of [the] locust.
If life was so great in Miami, why did you move here? Please understand: I’m an avid proponent of growth (sustainable, smart growth); it is part of my business. However, there is a place for everything, and it seems that the “chain stores” in the mall that you refer to seem quite suited where they are.
As I remember, Miami is quite nice this time of year. Maybe a revisit is in order?
— Derek S. Weekley
Asheville
Succinct! Very well put!