The “Columbus Way” that has been credited for saving the Columbus Crew soccer club has tragically lost its way with the news that LifeCare Alliance (providing Meals-on-Wheels) and Maryhaven (providing addiction services in an opioid crisis) are not receiving public funding in this year's city council budget. This decision was made after city council and the Franklin County commissioners each committed $50 million in public money to the Crew for development of a park proclaimed to benefit Linden.

But who believes the $100 million commitment to a professional sports team is more important priority than Meals-on-Wheels and addressing the national opioid crisis? Credit The Dispatch with its March 10 editorial calling for a course correction of the “Columbus Way” to include actual citizens in the decision-making process instead of the Columbus Partnership providing singular direction. Unfortunately, this organization has its thumb on both city council and commissioners.

Officials should simply upgrade the current practice facility and put the money into the Linden community, not to soccer fields that will never be used by the community.

Bret Adams, Dublin