Misconceptions
To the editor:
As for myself, (and, I am sure those at Veterans Tribute and Museum), do not have a quarrel with Mr. Preston Tyson’s letter in Saturday’s edition of the Osceola News-Gazette.
On the contrary, I fully support the theme and content of his letter and recognize the Tyson family’s proud history, heritage and contributions in making Osceola County what it is today.
There are however, a couple of misconceptions that do need clarification.
Osceola County Veterans Council and the Veterans Tribute and Museum are distinctly two different organizations, although having many of the same goals.
Veterans Tribute and Museum’s membership and board of directors have overlapping members, many in leadership positions within several Osceola County veterans service organizations, including Osceola County Veterans Council, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, etc.
Nowhere in any of these organizations’ membership will you find more passionate support for Osceola County and its citizens for a successful recovery from the current slump in unemployment and downturn in tourism.
It is in this regard I believe Veterans Tribute and Museum will be an enhancer, rather than a detriment.
As to the expenditure of taxpayer money, the majority of funds for the Veterans Tribute and Museum’s relocation would come from tourism taxes, which is authorized for museums, along with ads promoting tourism and other recreational venues to attract tourists.
I sincerely believe 11, 12 new jobs could be created immediately with most of the funding met through Department of Labor grants. If the museum is as successful as I believe it will be and attracts the daily visitor count it has the potential to, that number could double or even triple.  
I look for the Veterans Tribute and Museum to be self-supporting within a few years, and hopefully help bring stability, employment and tourism back to Osceola County.
Frank G. Clark, USN, Ret.
Kissimmee

Ad-wear
To the editor:
Just a quick thought as I sit here wondering why costumed advertising on the public sidewalks is prohibited.  
Seeing someone in a costume advertising for a business – whether they are dressed as a lobster or the Statue of Liberty – often makes me smile as I think about how I would never have the nerve to do that kind of work.  
I was wondering if this ordinance would also apply to all our politicians who stand on the corners of our public streets advertising for our votes? To me, this is almost the same, except that the people working hard in those costumes get more of my respect for doing whatever is necessary to feed their families.
I have never smiled at a politician gesticulating and flailing those signs to vote for them and often wonder how they have so much free time.
Kent Farmer
Kissimmee