I started this letter several weeks ago and put it aside. However, the June 28 letter by P.J. Henry gave me added incentive to append my thoughts to his well-written and insightful message.

Earlier this month, I wanted to nominate Ron Maness as Person of the Year at The Pilot. How he was able to encourage Delta Air Lines to attempt air service for this area, where other airlines have failed, is as close to a small miracle as I ever expect to witness.

As so often happens in our community, we seem prone constantly to put the cart before the horse. Did I recently read in The Pilot that the future of air service to the Sandhills area is "now up to us"?

Since when? The success of air service to this community will depend upon the "value package" Delta provides our citizens and visitors. This is the way it works -- in the past and in the future. I have never heard of such a ridiculous commentary or solicitation as that of our non-marketing friends at The Pilot.

I suggest that Delta do their homework, or we can kiss Delta goodbye in about six months or sooner. I don't want this to happen!

Ralph Redmond Jr.