ATTRACTION IS THE FALLS - NOT THE BOAT'S NAME

REGARDING THE recent article headlined, Who owns the Maid of the Mist name?

I believe the concerns expressed - that a name change will affect the number of people taking the ride - are unfounded speculation.

What draws people to the attraction is the opportunity to get close to the falls. Short of a new company naming their boats Titanic 1,2 and 3, I don't think tourists will decide to stop buying tickets on the Canadian side based on the name on the stern.

All one has to do is stand at the top of the gorge on any summer day to notice 80% of the passengers board on the Canadian side. A standalone U. S. operation would find it very difficult to be profitable.

The musings of Coun. Jim Diodati are just not relevant. What is important is that the struggling Niagara Parks Commission must use fair tendering practices in order to maximize its earnings on this attraction.

Richard Murri, Niagara Falls