Inspired: I read your article "Spanish Fly," by Jim Schutze (December 18), and I had to reply to it because I believe it distorts the opportunities that the bridge creates for Dallas. The first Calatrava bridge flows into West Dallas and is a road project designed to relieve traffic off Woodall Rogers Freeway, but this bridge does more than just relieve traffic. It will provide a beauty and grace to our city that it has never known. It is called a signature bridge because our city will be known for it just as Dallas is known for Pegasus and the downtown Hyatt Regency revolving ball.
The bridge will be a landmark for Dallas and a legacy for our generation. Old Dallas, as you call it, generously contributed to the bridge to demonstrate affection for our great city. What better gift can be made than to beautify the city that you love? The bridge will inspire and give hope to everyone--even cynics like you. We believe the bridge will bring new life to West Dallas.
West Dallas has suffered from neglect and a poor image for as long as can be remembered, and the bridge offers us hope to change all of that. The view alone from West Dallas of the Dallas skyline is breathtaking. The opportunity for positive development around the foot of the bridge is encouraging because for the first time in the history of West Dallas our area can be a destination point for tourists and residents.
We know that no proposal is perfect and that criticisms of other projects in Dallas such as the Meyerson Symphony Hall, DART and the American Airlines Center existed before they were constructed, but Dallas is a better place for all of them. The Calatrava bridge is one of those projects that will make Dallas better, and it is incumbent upon us all to make it a success.
John C. Cappello
Chairman of the board and president
West Dallas Chamber of Commerce
Yes, We Do Rule
Rock on: Thanks so much for the wonderful write-up by M. Scott Porter ("The Metal Queen," February 12). As a longtime fan (I've missed few issues since its inception), it was thrilling to make the D.O. pages!
It's been a lot of hard work for 10-plus years, and it's wonderful to get some recognition, i.e., a pat on the head. I couldn't do it alone, however. The Harder Beat comes together each month with a lot of help from graphic artist Kevin White, editor Dixie Beasley and our writers and photographers.
One addition: The article says we're found "among racks of those lifestyle periodicals." Actually, about 99 percent of the time, we're right next to the Dallas Observer.
You rule. Thanks again!
Linda Hollar, publisher/editor
Dallas
Insensitivity Training
Dissed: I know your paper is not known for its morals, but you can consider for a minute that at least 37 percent of the population has some form of retardation, making all of your readers related to a person of this nature by blood or friendship.
I pray that your insensitivity to the matter of a retarded child never has to be shown in your family--especially in a child of your own. They should be treated as people, not teddy bears. They should be respected, not patronized. They should be taught and listened to. If you would listen to them and observe their caring nature, maybe you could learn something about this world. Although, I guess you would have to have an IQ at all to learn from anyone.
My retarded child, as well as those I have worked with, is very independent and mature. Their understanding of things goes far beyond anything you could ever grasp.
I hope that you can find a more tasteful way to give bad reviews ("Dissed in Translation," by Gregory Weinkauf, February 5). Targeting an innocent group of people is not bad taste. It is beyond that--beyond being unacceptable. Target a person who has actually done harm and deserves the bad critic trying to be funny.
Jodi Campbell
Garland
Well, Duh...
Oh, yeah: Dude, I haven't even seen the movie, and I can explain what you couldn't understand ("Adam and Heave," by Luke Y. Thompson, February 12). Her family pretends it is her father's birthday because she wakes up thinking it is her father's birthday. You know, because her memory resets to that point every single time.
It would clearly be easier to go along than to deal with the full day of crisis that would ensue in trying to explain it all from scratch each day.
Duh.
Phillip Winn
Carrollton
Beats Us
Subtotal recall: I lived in Dallas three years ago, before moving out of state, and all I can say is, "What happened?" When I left, the city was booming and fairly safe, and upon returning I find a very unsafe city and businesses closing right and left. My friends and relatives who still live here blame the current mayor for all of Dallas' failures! Question: If my state can recall a governor (California's Gray Davis), why can't this city recall a mayor?
R. Vigner
Whittier, California
