Good afternoon,

We’ve written two commentaries, published elsewhere, that you may
wish to read.  This week, “What makes Charleston Charleston?” appears
in Charleston Currents online.  It begins, “For Charleston, there’s good
and bad news.  The good news is that Charleston dethroned San Francisco as
the No. 1 tourist destination in America…”

We hope you’ll read the rest of “What Makes Charleston
Charleston?”  To do so, please click this link:
http://www.charlestoncurrents.com/issue/11_issues/11.1024.htm#focus

And earlier, an edited version of a previously well-received
commentary, “In My Dream,” was published in the Post and Courier.  If
you’d like to imagine a better, alternate vision for Union Pier and Charleston,
one that differs from that of the SC Ports Authority and Mayor Riley, please
read “Reasonable Cruise Regulations should be More than a Dream” here:
http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2011/oct/03/reasonable-cruise-regulations-should-be-more-dream/?print

On a personal note, thank you for your response to these
opinions and commentaries.  Whether or not you agree with our views, encouraging
an open and honest discussion concerning the “highest and best use” for Union
Pier and regulation of cruise ship tourism is essential if we want Charleston’s
future to be as treasured and celebrated as her past.    –Jay