Hello, I am from Illinois and my family loves the beautiful and historic city of
Charleston.  Pass this on to anyone who can vote on this matter.  We love to
visit the city for it’s distinctive charm…which we think would be damaged if
these monster ships take residence there.  I have read that the industry
activity has picked up there in the last year and I thought what a shame.  I am
all for progress in economic development but at what cost?  I urge the city
fathers to vote against allowing the city to be taken over by these giants.  I
really do feel tourism could be hurt because I think people like us make return
visits to experience a more gracious time period that mingles with modern times
in the right balance.  The ground on which the blueprint of this independent
nation started should not be trampled on by commercialism…if we do not
preserve our past where is our future?
SJJ