LET Don't forget the laid-off people

The progress made at the Mayo Clinic Superior Drive Support Center described in the Post-Bulletin edition of Oct. 2 is encouraging. Mayo certainly has done a commendable job of using and expanding the facilities left behind by companies with a previous presence in this city.

While the void left from those companies no longer here is building space, there also are people still looking for employment. If 700 people lost jobs at Celestica, and only 92 new jobs have been created so far at Mayo Collaborative Services, there are more than 600 new jobs that need to be filled before the city reaches a break-even point.

As a former Celestica employee, I know that many of my former work colleagues have left this area to find continued employment. Some have found work with other companies in town. Some of us still are looking for work.

Empty buildings are a difficult reminder of the harsher side of a free-market economy, but when those buildings fill back up don't forget about the people.

Ed; Schultz

Rochester;