Maybe the late Jimmy Buffett can save Coney Island's Sunlite Pool | Letters

I’m a former Cincinnati area resident, now in northeast Georgia. Just an idea: Have the group trying to save Sunlite Pool get in touch with the family of the late Jimmy Buffett to see if they would kick in some money. Buffett made some history there with his sold-out concerts at Riverbend. In exchange for some financial support, maybe call it "Jimmy Buffett Sunlite Memorial Pool," or something to that effect. Just saying.

Jim McHugh, Waleska, Ga.

More: How much for Sunlite Pool? Supporters say $146K, symphony says it's not for sale

Don't just sit back and cast blame, use your voice to save Sunlite Pool

It seems to me that powerlessness is not people with too much money saying, "It's a done deal" about something like Sunlite Pool. It seems to me that powerlessness is not due to "them," the moneyed, those slinging their will over others. Granted, it's a nice stance to take in that it's comfortable, blaming others for our misfortunes. But real powerlessness is giving up before trying, not daring to have the vision of a win, not using one's voice at all and just resting − if it can be called rest − in blaming the Big Bad Businessman.

All it takes is an email. One. Email. One by one, speaking up to Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra President Jonathan Martin and his crew of millionaires, and the whole power thing crumbles. Why? Because they cannot be in business with half a city of one-by-one individuals decrying them and despising their actions. They make their money from us. We are their lifeblood. Without that they cannot wield power. At all. The only thing they fear is loss of money, and you and I, my friends, are their money.

This is our moment, Cincinnati. Write to CSO/MEMI. Write to Mayor Aftab Pureval who has not to date responded to this situation. Write something about your feelings about Sunlite Pool. Or, withhold your subscription and tell them why you've done so.

This is our moment to be the grassroots uprising that stops the destruction. Or, we can sit and blame, and by doing so lose a landmark, health and wellbeing for hundreds, lowered drownings of kids ages 1-4 (the No. 1 cause of death for kids those ages), and peaceful hearts during the hottest part of our year. If we do nothing, we've given up on the most important thing of all: ourselves.

Just one email.

Lori Kirstein, West Price Hill

Symphony should do pool analysis, dialogue with community

It is instructive to compare Kevin Aldridge's opinion about the closure of Sunlite Pool with the comments made by MEMI President Mike Smith and CSO President Jonathan Martin. While Aldridge attempts to give a more balanced analysis, he mostly blames the former owner of Coney Island and the finances of running the pool. Whatever the balance of blame may be, it remains that the CSO owns Coney Island now.

They say they are not in the pool business and don't know how to operate a pool, nor whom to ask. Really? Yet, Aldridge easily found a pool expert, Joe Trusty, to expound on the difficulties of managing a pool. Difficulties notwithstanding, the pool operated for almost a century. We have not heard from the previous owners about the finances of running the pool, and the CSO apparently has not and does not intend to do any such analysis.

Symphony officials also richly stated that it is hard to have a dialogue with people who don't want a dialogue. It is the CSO that will not engage. The CSO is an amazing symphony, and it is the elder cultural statesman of Cincinnati. Do the analysis and see if you can make Coney Island a day/night destination. You are willing to consider spending $5.7 million on Moonlite Gardens and are receiving substantial tax monies for this music venue, which may or may not be needed. If people are concerned about taxpayer funding of this project, reach out to your state senators and representatives, especially the Senate and House Finance chairs and ranking members and Cincinnati City Council.

An elder statesman leads with openness to dialogue and the willingness to do the required analysis.

Rod McFaull, Sycamore Township

Symphony president cannot simply wash his hands of Sunlite Pool

Regarding, "Anger over Sunlite Pool closure mostly misplaced," (March 17): I disagree with Opinion Editor Kevin Aldridge. Symphony President and CEO Jonathan Martin can’t wash his hands of the pool closure by simply stating, "We’re not in the pool business."

The discussions preceding the sale of Coney Island weren’t made public. Perhaps the terms of the sale prohibit discussion by the former owners. It’s possible they couldn’t afford to keep the extensive grounds but wanted to keep the pool open as a separate entity (selling off the rest of the property). I predict CSO/MEMI will never come clean on this possibility.

How did Martin become president of the symphony when he’s so tone-deaf? I agree that he doesn’t deserve angry hate speech over his decision, but here’s what he does deserve: Everyone opposing his decision should boycott the symphony and any MEMI event. Write to your favorite bands, asking them not to book concerts at MEMI properties. Also, let state and local elected officials know that you oppose any tax funds going to the symphony and MEMI (with the exception of funds to restore/upkeep Moonlite Gardens).

Clearly, Martin’s vision is for an organization that’s "only in it for the money," so let’s join together to make sure he gets a lot less money (which is the kind of "speech" he understands).

Chris Bruck, Alexandria, Ky.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Coney Island controversy fix: Jimmy Buffett could save Sunlite Pool