To the editor:
I've followed the recent controversy regarding Kelner and his efforts to "divert" the proposed sales tax plan from the Olympic effort to educational endeavors.
While I'm sure that the effort is a noble one and Kelner's intentions are above reproach, it's clear that Kelner has never been to the Olympic Games.For if he had, Kelner would know that building for the Olympic Games will likely build the planks for an educational platform that could never be duplicated for the same investment.
They say that travel is educational. I truly believe that axiom. Imagine every child in your state and many in surrounding states having the ability to meet, converse with, learn about and become friends with people from as many as 35 different nations.
That is the Olympic Games. I know first-hand. I'm a native of lake Placid, N.Y. I was born in 1955, 23 years after placid hosted the third Winter Olympics Games and 25 years before my town hosted the 13th Winter Games. It shouldn't have impacted my young life, right?
As a direct result of the Games, the national and world competition hosted by my little community, I have traveled to Europe, Central American and all over this country; I have capabilities in three different languages. I have made friends from every walk of life. Most importantly, I have learned about other cultures and learned that could learn just that, the Olympics would be cheap at three times the price.
I feel just a little embarrassed speaking of myself. I'm just an administrator of an Olympic sport and just one person who grew up in my small town. My friends who grew up in Placid were world and Olympic competitors. Would we ever have experienced any of this most interesting lifestyle if our forefathers and parents hadn't had the farsightedness and courage to act on an opportunity that has the good fortune to come to a community perhaps once in a lifetime?
Salt Lake City and Utah have that unique opportunigy to give their children more educational opportunities than could ever be achieved throught "conventional" methods. I urge you as citizens to have the courage and the vision to give your children the Olympic experience that lives within me and my friends and will forever.
David Heim
Executive director
U.S. Bobsled Federation
Lake Placid, N.Y.