To the Editor:

I am acutely aware of the divisive and often negative atmosphere in our current political climate. For the past three weeks, I have been able to minimize the "noise" by watching the 2018 World Cup games. I truly appreciate Wolff's Biergarten as THE place to gather and watch the world's sport. I grew up in the 1960s and could not play youth soccer, since I was a girl, although I was passionate about the sport. I did eventually get to play in a women's league in my late 20s. I have coached, refereed and attended many a live soccer match. Now that I am in my 60s, I watch soccer at Wolff's. There is a welcoming atmosphere with a diversity of ages, cultures, languages spoken, ethnicities and a camaraderie among the people cheering for opposing teams! I have never seen anyone be disrespectful, behave inappropriately or be destructive.

Unfortunately, there is one person who does not appreciate Wolff's and all that it brings to the vitality of downtown Syracuse. I can understand that living near a bar will be noisy. What I can't understand is harassing a downtown business by complaining to police, filing legal action and making claims to the state Liquor Authority. I believe that people will continue to support this venue because it is a great resource in an area where few people choose to live. I hope the individual can either think beyond the personal or find ways to live downtown without harassing Wolff's Biergarten.

Dotti Barraco Hetnar

Camillus