An open letter to the people of Toledo, Tama and all of Iowa:

Recently my Mother-in-law, Rachel Coye, (whom God broke the mold when he made) sent me a clipping of the front page from the “Toledo Chronicle” about the stoplight in the center of town.

In the article, I noticed that some local people were questioning the expenditure on the signal. Let me say, even if it cost $10,000 to fix that light, it would be worth the money to preserve a piece of America’s History, which it represents.

Not forgetting all the unselfishly donated time, materials, and labor, that were involved by local artisans with familys that I still remember from their parents stores like Kupka’s, Spooners and the Turbetts.

I now, after going to college at U.N.I. from 1972-74, and living in Waterloo untill 1984, at which time I returned to Brooklyn, N.Y and live in Bklyn, N.Y. (Not Bklyn, IA)

My point here is quite simple. Today as practically every day, I drove thru Manhattan to get to my office, here in the Bronx.

I passed Rockafellow Center, with the huge tree, past the Empire State Building, past the gaping hole in the earth where nearly 3,000 peoples lives ended, called #1 World Trade Center, and so many other things that make New York what it is. Incredable? certainly. Beautiful? without a doubt!

Does it all compare with how the City Hall, in Toledo, when it first snows, looks, No way! I see a picture post card.

This will be the first Christmas in 37, I will spend without my precious wife, Ruth Ella Coye-Ayoub, from Toledo.

I was blessed to have her for almost 40 years. I miss her every hour. I was also truly blessed to have lived in Iowa for over 10 years. You the residents of the area, should stop a minute, step back, and look around yourselves.

There is no where on earth as magnificent as where you all are, right now,

Merry Christmas to all.

Keith Ayoub

Brooklyn, N.Y

.P.S. A special hello to Aunt Mary Chyma and family.