Today's letters respond to a question about whether the state government should subsidize the proposed soccer stadium in the city of Chester (with $47 million) to spur a waterfront economic development in that city that goes beyond the stadium.

You've got to be kidding.

The answer to the question "Should government spend tax money to in any way subsidize a sports team?" is a simple one-syllable word. No.

Bernard J. McGovern

West Chester

Family excitement

I fully support the proposed use of tax dollars to construct an MLS stadium in Delaware County. Soccer has played a large positive role in the lives of our children and our family. All of our children played soccer for numerous seasons, and as a family we greatly enjoy going to watch matches. Having a chance to see MLS soccer in Delaware County would be awesome.

Ralph L. Keil

Hershey

A good investment

I am a firm believer that sports franchises should stand on their own. I was incensed when the state put up my tax money for the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia sports stadiums. I see that as corporate welfare of the worst sort. The Eagles are worth close to a billion dollars; I think they can afford the debt service.

That said, I think this Chester soccer stadium project is not in the same category. Since my kids play soccer, and I drive through Chester on my way to and from the airport each week, I've caught a couple of the stories about this. When I see Chester, I think how this used to be a great city and is now nothing, brought down by poverty and poor infrastructure investment.

The city of Chester is going to get a $450 million complex of shops, office space, roads, and a beautiful multiuse stadium for throwing a paltry $45 million in tax money at Chester. A 10-to-one return on investment? I say bravo! Good investment. I'll happily take my kids to Chester for an MLS match.

Joe Grady

West Chester

Economy boost

Bringing the soccer franchise to Chester would be one of the best things to happen to the Philadelphia area in a long time. It would totally revitalize the Chester waterfront and give a great boost to the economy. There would be around 2,500 construction jobs that would include local people and it would create $19 million a year in tax money. The project already has around $400 million in privately invested money plus what gets added to that before any deadline. It has full backing from Gov. Rendell and would put Philadelphia in the national spotlight for all the right reasons. The soccer scene in America is growing by the week, and its youth following is amazing.

Brian McGarrity

Havertown

A win-win venture

I am a lifelong resident of Philadelphia. I am thrilled with the idea of a proposal to build a professional soccer stadium in the city of Chester. I support the use of our tax dollars to fund this venture. It will be a great investment in the developing waterfront for the city and will be a great addition to the sport venues in and around the city of Philadelphia. It is a win-win for the residents of the Delaware Valley, and this project has my full support

Sandra Brydges

Philadelphia

Creating a link

Major League Soccer finally seems poised to arrive in Philadelphia. On the lighter side, we will have another shot at ending our championship drought. But the arrival of an MLS team represents significantly more to the region: much-needed jobs, growth, and a sustained flow of private, grassroots money into a community starved for opportunity.

Some might argue that Chester represents a risk for redevelopment. The unattractiveness of the community, combined with a higher crime rate relative to the rest of the region, makes it a bad candidate for cash infusion.

However, the Chester stadium project is exactly the kind of project we can all get behind. The city and state will spend public money to ensure that private, personal money follows. It's exactly what we want out of government, and out of community.

The arrival of Major League Soccer in Chester means the world's greatest sport will arrive in a city hungry for it. It will also link Chester to the rest of the region - economically, politically, and socially. For all the talk about the disenfranchisement of that community, its soccer stadium represents a tide that will again lift Chester's boat, along with all of ours.

Tom Kurzeja

Pittsburgh

Sons of Ben charter member

Vision for future

I support the use of Pennsylvania tax dollars for this project and feel as though the stadium and surrounding development will do wonders for Chester, Delaware County, and the state of Pennsylvania. I also see the vision of Ed Rendell and Dominic Pileggi as a positive venture and a development that will create many jobs in the near future.

Soccer stadiums like this are being built all over the country, and the city of Chester will benefit in many ways.

Let's make this happen and show what effect we can have on this special community.

David Jones

Temple University

head women's soccer coach

Not just a game

It's not just about a game but about a sport that draws upon a rich multicultural tradition, which in itself is a marketing opportunity that lends itself to ensuring Philadelphia's place in a global marketplace.

This is not just about tax dollars but about an opportunity for development. As a long-ago resident of Chester, I can only say that this brings opportunities to Chester that it otherwise would never see.

Using tax dollars to fund a stadium should be seen as leverage, not liability. Getting a pro soccer team into Philly continues to build the Philly sports brand. It's good for Chester, it's great for the city, it's just an opportunity not to be missed.

Danny Bismark-Pettit

Malvern

MLS team, at last

Woo-hoo! This area might finally get the MLS team that it deserves. Woo-hoo!

The Delaware Valley has long deserved to have an MLS team - Philly being the only major market without a team and the area being a hotbed of youth soccer. The Chester stadium is the perfect place for the team to call home - easy to get to from Philly, N.J., and my home, Delaware.

I cannot wait to attend games on the Chester waterfront.

Ed Homa

Wilmington