Mr. Sell, let’s talk about tourism. You completely missed the point. (“Tourism does aid quality of life,” Dec. 3 Times-News) Your figures do not pertain to Allegany, Garrett, Bedford and Mineral counties. Those “average wages” are not paid by employers in our areas. Your “average wage” figures may be obtained in large cities such as Washington, but not here.

Washington has a lot of heritage tourism to draw on. You cannot compare even one of the local historical sites to those of the D.C. and Georgetown areas. This area has novelty tourism, not commercial tourism. Do the local museums compare to the Smithsonian Institution? Does this area boast of great symphonies, acting troupes and grand art galleries?

No. Thus, my point. “Tourism” includes acting, dancing, lodging and resorts, historical sites, museums, art galleries, recreation and entertainment. The restaurant industry is closely tied to tourism. You have accused me of guessing at my figures. A job search on the Internet of the aforementioned jobs in this area will quickly reveal the low-paying wages. I know many people who work in those areas and their wages are low.

That is research, not guessing. The only tourism-based job that breaks the $10-per-hour barrier is the National Park Service at the C&O; Canal. It only employs a few people and is federally funded, not private. Now your C&O; Canal figures.

Three million visitors annually on the C&O; Canal. Perhaps on the Washington end, but not up here. Hundreds, maybe a thousand at the best, would be more like it (excluding local residents). Once again, I stress, your figures have nothing to do with this area.

And what infrastructure pertains to industry? What tax incentives? This county cannot even land a shopping center at Hillcrest Drive, let alone an industrial complex. Where would manufacturing come from? Good question, since the greedy of this country has shipped our jobs overseas and off shore to line their pockets.

But there are some prospects still out there. That is the job of city and county officials to make an honest effort to bring them here. Manufacturers may not be in great abundance as many years ago, but they are out there.

Tax income from tourism. Total to the state in grants is $20.29 million, and to our area is $18.29 million. That leaves $2 million to rest of the state. Please show us where this $18.29 million is going? It is because tourism is not self-supporting in Western Maryland, but downstate can support itself.

Once again, you state in your lavish figures, millions of tourists and millions of dollars in Maryland. Eastern Maryland, yes; Western Maryland, no. Jobs, 116,000.

Let’s say that tax money from those jobs in tourism was compared to manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing pays higher wages as you demonstrated, thus more taxes collected.

1) Low cost of living. Please show me where it is cheaper to live here versus, for example Hagerstown. They have the same and more stores we have. Our stores charge the same prices as their stores charge. Their gasoline is usually cheaper. Their utility rates are the same. Tax rates are comparable. 2) Low crime rate. Give us the crime rates per capita as another Maryland city the size of Cumberland. It won’t be pretty for Cumberland. 3) Quality housing. We do have some of that if you can afford it. 4) Hospitals. Your statement is plural. We are now headed to one hospital. One hospital means fewer jobs than two hospitals. 5) Schools. That number is also dwindling. 6) Parks and recreation. We used to have a state park. It become a playground for the local elite. 7) Entertainment. I am entertained every time I drive into Cumberland. 8) Cultural attractions. You need culture first. 9) Historical sites. There are plenty, they are novelty sites.

As for George Washington. The statement I cite comes from George Washington’s journal recorded at Fort Cumberland. I am not rewriting history, I am simply reading it.

Mr. Sell, I would “agree that we disagree.”

Don Carns Jr.

Beans Cove, Pa.