Absolutely

Dear Dan Gilbert:

I want you to know I am one of your biggest fans. We have met, but I am sure you don't remember me. I was president of the American Advertising Federation of Cleveland at the time, and you were the exuberant new owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team. I had the pleasure of introducing you as our featured luncheon speaker and got to sit next to you during lunch. If you do remember me, it is only because I was an opportunity that got away.

While most people, before giving a 30-minute presentation in front of 250 people, would be frantically reading and re-reading their notes, you spent the whole time trying to sell me a home loan.

During our lunch chitchat, I mentioned I was thinking of refinancing my house. The next minute – no, the next second – you were explaining all the benefits of refinancing my modest home with Quicken Loans.

I couldn't understand why someone of your status would care about something so small. Your company processes billions of dollars in loans a year, and here I was talking to the CEO about a loan. But I see now that wasn't the point.

After reading about your thoughts regarding the Medical Mart location and your involvement with Ohio's latest casino initiative, I think I get it. It looks to me like you have become a super-successful entrepreneur and owner of a championship-caliber sports franchise because you can't stand a wasted opportunity: No matter how big or small, it kills you to see an opportunity wasted.

Putting the Medical Mart within indoor walking distance of multiple entertainment options was a big opportunity to seize millions of smaller ones. It was an opportunity to sell more than just medical equipment; it was an opportunity to provide much-needed medicine to downtown.

The purpose of this letter is not to throw salt in your wounds for losing my home loan (before you call and ask, I didn't refinance) or for not winning your argument for a better site location for the Medical Mart. The purpose of this letter is to let you know your effort was greatly appreciated by many Clevelanders, especially the ones who have seen what a central entertainment center can do for bars, restaurants, hotels and morale.

While our shortsighted county commission president may not realize that entrepreneurs like you are job magnets, there are many in Cleveland who appreciate that someone of your drive and aptitude isn't done yet. And more importantly, that you have a choice regarding where you locate your next project.

I hope this latest Cleveland political fumble doesn't scare you away. To me, it would be a terrible wasted opportunity. We've had enough of those.

Sincerely,

Lute Harmon Jr.

PS: Go Cavs!