Publisher Mike Welch's column entitled "Waving the Flag for Small Credit Unions Credit Unions Not Smart" (Jan.12, 2005) speaks worlds for me. I have been involved with credit unions in one way or another for most of my life (I'll be 90 on February 24th), I still believe there's hope in our credit union mantra "not for charity, not for profit, but service." Granted that the other side has managed to make mincemeat of our most cherished beliefs. Granted that big banks have the resources to buy out the guys and gals who naturally are turning to big banks for big bucks. But, I can report that right here in Edmonds, Washington there are still plenty of spokesmen for the old beliefs that I grew up with. A big hurrah for Mike's column! And by the way, I still read Credit Union Times every week. Jack Dublin Lifelong credit union enthusiast Edmonds, Washington