It is obvious from reading Bruce Kyle’s questions to the Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC) 2002 rankings (BDN, Aug. 3-4) that he has no interest in objectively listening to a business group.

It’s easy to stay in your comfort zone and simply deny any facts that would lead you elsewhere. My family and I have been engaged in small business in Maine since the 1950s. I would never leave Maine; it’s my home and the greatest state in the union to live in.

That said, it’s a hard place to get ahead. Kyle’s statistics may be correct; that would make us 42nd instead of 45th?

Economic prosperity coupled with social responsibility is a goal which, if reached, would give us the ability to address a lot of our problems: school taxes, property taxes, roads, airports, parks and social programs.

The SBSC report is another bit of information which any person should incorporate into their information pool.

To simply deny criticism or defend the status quo does not serve the people of Maine. We need a friendly economic environment as much as we need leaders with a high sense of social responsibility.

Jerry Savitz

Northport