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We Know You’re right. The magazine is filled with technology. Just finished reading the whole Irwin Jacobs piece and I even learned something. Chris Alan How About Some Chivalry? I would like to take a moment to comment on John Willett's recent article entitled "Classical Lazurus" (February). I, too, am sickened by our sport utility leasing, condo renting, cell phone sporting society that lives for nothing but the immediate and the disposable. But before writing off the "new" KOWF as a has-been due to its canned top-40 format, Mr. Willett should reconsider the programming of the now-defunct KFSD. In the six months I had lived in San Diego, I heard KFSD play the first movement of "Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1" more times than I have digits to count on, and many more waltzes and marches during drive time than one could imagine. KFSD catered to the "most inconsequential works in the classical repertoire" as much or more than the new classical COW. KFSD was a blessing for San Diego’s less-than-cultured populace, but we must consider the duration of KOWF's classical existence thus far and give them a reasonable amount of time to build up a library and hire experienced personnel before considering them extinct. As an arts critic, Mr. Willett should know the pen carries a great deal of weight, and in giving the new station two paragraphs of print vs. nine to the future K-BACH, he should consider that his own somewhat pretentious words about a lack of "chivalry, courtesy, consideration, manners, honesty, acceptance, personal responsibility and ... noblesse oblige" apply not only to the populace of which he speaks, but to himself as well. Todd Giles A Real Shocker Your one-paragraph summary (San Diego Scene, February) of the city's sewer dilemma at the expense of Maureen O'Connor was full of holes, leaking and potentially toxic. The characterization of then-Mayor O'Connor being so off the mark was the most perverted hindsight I’ve seen. Prior to the late '80s action of the then-council and mayor, years and years had elapsed with the city blowing off the need for an upgrade. In marched the feds (aka the EPA), and they came down hard on this sleepy town that never wants to make waves or spend money responsibly. The Academy of Sciences findings in support of the city's "mitigation" plan that we have all come to know and love and support — the waiver-yes, exemption-no to the Clean Water Act — didn’t come down until mid-1993 (please note there was a new council and a new mayor). Through the mitigation strategy, it was discovered that the city was paying for all the county's effluent transport, a costly but far more environmentally responsible water reclamation plan was established, the mother of all outflows off Point Loma is being extended another two miles for better dilution, better chemical treatment methods and other annoyingly late things we should have been doing maybe two decades ago. So your research is, how do you say, in spin mode to preempt any future announcements of Ms. O'Connor. Well, yet another "conservative" voice in the city of San Diego. I’m shocked. Vonn Marie May Ode To A Proud Lady San Diego Metropolitan Magazine is geared to big business and the rich and famous, but it has failed to take to heart our cultural treasure: the Downtown central library. You’re in good company. The treatment accorded the Downtown library as the illegitimate child at the wedding is part of an old San Diegan tradition. Notwithstanding, the Downtown library is a proud lady with an outstanding staff that defies the odds. However, (it pales) in comparison to our two sister cities, San Francisco and Los Angeles, whose respective city councils provide higher funding per capita for their libraries. For three years in a row, the city council has decreased funding for the library system. Patrons have to go into "collective begging" to retain what should be theirs in the first place. The cost of new books has almost doubled and it shows itself in that our shelves are Texas-style: wide-open spaces. The fines the library does collect go into the general fund. I hope SDMM does champion the just cause of the Downtown library, and features its cultural events. Dr. Art Salzberg Bright Transformation Great magazine. I read your January and February issues from cover to cover. It is indeed heartening to read about a local economy that has almost magically transformed itself. It is equally heartening to peruse a publication that has done likewise. The future is bright for both. Let's just keep Mayor Mo as far away from city hall as possible. Craig K. Collins Too Much Information I wonder why it was necessary to clarify in your February San Diego Scene the fact that Monte Kobey died of AIDS "from a blood transfusion." Could this be some homophobia exhibiting itself? Why couldn’t it just have been said that he "died of AIDS?" That's enough of a tragedy. Chuck Kaminski Show Me The Facts Get your facts straight, George S. Mitrovich. The article "Up To Bat For Downtown" (January) is full of the usual errors made by people who want to relieve average taxpayers of their hard-earned money. I am from Baltimore, where, as you stated, "it all started." The city did not come back with a bang. You forgot to mention it was the state of Maryland that built Oriole Park stadium, not the city. It was put in downtown Baltimore, against all taxpayers polls, for political reasons. The governor's friend bought the land for $8 million just two years before selling it to the state for $11 million during a period of declining real estate values. Baltimore's stadium is within a 45-minute drive to the entire wealthy Maryland/D.C. suburbs that cater to the "U.S. Capital Politicos." The Baltimore Orioles and the Baltimore Ravens pay no rent for the dual stadiums because of an oversight in the latest Raven contract. Oriole Park's completed price went from $150 million to $400 million because of the road and rail costs. I have attended fun, low-cost Padre baseball games and expensive games at Oriole Park. Give me the good ol' fashion fun at the Padre games. It’s what baseball is all about. Ernest Barger From The Heart Thank you very much for introducing me in your article ("A Romantic's Guide to Valentine's Day," February). My staff has already received several phone calls — the publicity is fabulous! I’m sure it increased our traffic for Valentine's Day. Michele Warren Correspondence may be sent to Metropolitan Magazine, 1502 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101; or faxed to 233-4272. You also may e-mail us at info@sandiegometro.com. We reserve the right to edit all letters for accuracy, clarity and length. |
