Print edition: 
Boeing’s move out is not surprising
I find it odd that seemingly few people saw it coming – the Boeing move out of Wichita. In 2005 when Boeing sold the commercial side of its operations in Wichita to a foreign company, many of us who worked there foresaw the end of Boeing Wichita.
It’s inarguable that Wichita has a skilled workforce for the aircraft industry. However, Boeing was looking to shed some financial burden and consolidate operations, so it was only a matter of time before it decided to pull out of Wichita completely. Those who now cry foul must not have much foresight.
It is my understanding there was never a written contract stating that Boeing would utilize its Wichita facility for any program, including the tanker. There may have been some verbal comments or spoken promises made, but big business is like a politician – it knows what to say and when to say it to further its own cause without once putting that promise to paper with the intent of honoring it.
I understand everyone is upset about the news. But being one of the thousands laid off in 2005, I can only say: It was just a matter of time. There is no such thing as corporate loyalty anymore – not to employees, not to a town that made a company great, or even to a community that gave a company all the financial breaks and backing it could.
TIMOTHY J. EWERTZ
Wichita
Reopen park
As someone who has lived in the Wichita area for decades, I have seen the highs and lows of the Wichita economy. However, I am always hopeful that we can maintain a vibrant and strong economy that creates jobs for our community in Wichita. To ensure this, it is important that we support projects that create jobs for our friends, family and neighbors who wish to live and work in the city and county we love.
As a result, I am very interested in the possibility of reopening the Wichita Greyhound Park and the 500 new jobs that it will bring to our community. We need job growth of this nature to attract new people and ideas to our community and to be able to continue to offer employment to the many good people who live and work in Wichita.
The park would not only bring 500 new jobs to our city, but it also would bring in a new investment of $100 million in the community. This is the type of growth that we should be encouraging in Wichita.
LEON MOEDER
Wichita
Don’t blame casino
Regarding “Casino traffic on law officers’ radar screen” (Dec. 26 Eagle): When I’ve been at a casino, I haven’t seen all the issues mentioned in the article, such as drunken driving, excessive drinking and traffic accidents.
We have more drunken driving, speeding, accidents and violence right here in Wichita. There’s no need to put the blame on a casino.
Such fear tactics may be the reason Wichita and Sedgwick County didn’t get the casino. Yet now they want to reap the rewards.
If The Eagle wants to do a crusade, how about one against cellphone use while driving?
JACK CALDWELL
Wichita
