Letters

I so enjoyed reading your article in the most recent Inside Business regarding the evolution of elevators (Absolutely, July/August 2010). Your keen personal insights on societal change and technology hit the mark.
You brought back my own childhood memories — my first legitimate career goal as a 5-year-old. I wanted to be an elevator operator. Yes, one of the sophisticated ladies who controlled that mysterious buggy that delivered us in style to the correct floor in so many of the elegant department stores. 

My goal was to sit on the ornate stool, deftly controlling the wrought-iron gate. Finessing it perfectly open and shut as I let the passengers out to shop on the desired floor. Of course, all of the operators wore beautiful gloves and were extremely well dressed and coiffed. Perfect, I had found my dream job. That is, until automation took over. Thanks much for the good work that your company does for Cleveland, and thanks for the memories.

Susan Hoopes

Cuyahoga Valley Career Center

I really enjoyed “The Ups and Downs of Technology” in this issue of Inside Business. Upon visiting your office several weeks ago, I was so confused by the new-fangled demon that I began searching for the stairs. Thanks for a slice of real Americana.

Ed Byers
Medical Mutual of Ohio

Instant Feedback

Daisy Alford-Smith was recognized in our July/August 2010 Athena Awards issue for her bold leadership as CEO of the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio. Since 2007, Alford-Smith has participated in the national re-branding of the Girl Scouts as more than just “cookies, camping and crafts,” but the changes haven’t come without a degree of controversy. Here are a few of the comments from our online readers at IBmag.com.

I believe that the Girl Scouting movement needs to retain the traditional scouting programs and camping. … All the science programs and financial literacy programs are a nice added touch but should never replace what Girl Scouting stands for. … Girls need a place to escape and to learn to be friends and slow down from the world. These kids are starved for learning about nature and our environment. I have worked with girls at camp who never camped before. They described the experience as life changing. I applaud all the work Daisy has done for our girls and hope she can see the traditional scout and the new world scout walking hand in hand to provide the best scouting experience.   

The Girl Scouts existed for nearly 100 years with camping being a part of the movement. It will not survive another 100 years without it. If the CEO went with a troop camping and camped the [Girl Scout] way, she would have a positive experience. Let’s take her camping.

I only wish Daisy could see the way girls enjoy the adventure of camping and the lifelong friendships and bonds they make at camp. Let girls be kids and enjoy the simple things in life. We can help do this by building up our camps and outdoor programs not close them and let them continue to get run down.

- This Idea is the Pits

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