Dear Editor:

With the rockslide on I-40, tourist business is greatly down. Instead of asking for government assistance, why not put your focus on local business? After all this should be the foundation of any business and the tourism dollars should be an added profit.

 I have only noticed one business that makes it known that they say "Thank You Newport" on their lighted sign, which hasn't changed much since they opened their establishment. This always happens when a community brings in more national business instead of supporting local businesses and if you compare prices usually the locals are cheaper with better customer service.

Therefore business owners you should thank the local customers and quit whining about your tourist customers as we are all at an inconvenience with this situation. We all know that this can happen any time so are we prepared for the next upset in our lives?

Bill Tyson