To the Editor:
 
 I would like to take the Editorial written by Mr. Ingalsbee one step farther. Mr. Ingalsbee states that the amphitheater does not belong at Canal Place. This I agree. But in going one more statement past that, I join many in thinking it does not belong at Rocky Gap, either.
 
 There are two points to my argument. Point #1. Unfortunately, this amphitheater baloney is taking priority over a little thing I like to call malnourished education. Why is it that so much money can just be pumped into these little insignificant perks at the Lodge? All the while, the school board is looking for ways to just "scrape by" with our children's futures. And yes, the Lodge is very insignificant when I compare it to my kids. Sorry, call me selfish; or call me a concerned parent. I'm sure most people would agree that the schools could go much further with that $10 million. When will the amphitheater make up that cost? Point #2. I'm not going to come up with numbers. I'm not going to throw out statistical data. I'm just going to throw in some common sense. The amphitheater will not draw in the big money. Plain and simple, this market area (regardless of the fabricated population statistics) just will not support events that can fill up a 10,000-seat amphitheater on a regular basis. The Rocky Gap Music Fiasco is all but done. Drumfest is gone (and would not fit into that arena anyway.)
 
 Somehow, Mr. Ingalsbee, I've heard that statement before about taxpayers not footing the bill for "private" projects. When was it? Oh, that's right when the Lodge was built. I see now why the commissioners are weaning the Open Space funds away from the Lodge; they want to make sure they have some money to put towards the amphitheater.
 
 The amphitheater is not an all-out terrible idea. It's just very inappropriate at this time. I know people who work at the Lodge, and I'm glad the Lodge is there to support these people and their families. But I've grown to not trust everything I hear, especially when it comes from the mouths of our Delegation and Commission.
 
 
 Matt Shipway
 Cumberland, MD
 3/27/01