Letters

A few comments about the portrayal of Robert Maynard: He seems to be an extreme opportunist who has, rather by accident, fallen into a successful niche with the growth of the Internet. Unfortunately, his hubris does not permit him to deal with the success nor, I feel, for his company to grow from a business enterprise to a sustaining business. Look at his rather thin marketing and crass TV show on the Internet. Time will display his real attitude.

Secondly--while he may have been an ex-Green Beret and even a sniper, if he says he was an officer in the Green Berets, then he really wasn't a sniper. Snipers in the Green Berets are NCOs. And no professional would speak about killing "22 men with 22 shots." He has either violated secret operations or is lying. I suggest the latter. Real professionals like the Green Berets and Rangers have a self motto about "deeds, not words." Maynard seems too full of words to have been a professional beret.

Thomas Giboney
Via the Internet

Thin skins
We were very disappointed to read your "Video Downs" article written by Mike Shropshire [October 10]. Apparently Shropshire had his mind made up before entering our facility that he would search to find the stereotypic racing fans, and portray our facility in that same regard. Unfortunately, your readers were exposed to an inaccurate, irresponsible, and jaded picture of our operation through Shropshire's sarcastic "style" and critique. Our operation significantly exceeds any comparable market of our size in the nation in terms of attendance and wagering. And, to the best of our knowledge, people vote with their feet!

We have introduced the Post Time Pavilion, a Las Vegas-style race book with a casual sports bar and dining area--and an outdoor patio overlooking the track--as the first phase in our Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie project. Our customer satisfaction research proves Shropshire's sarcastic comments incorrect. In fact, had he taken the time to ask us, we would have informed him who is coming and from where.

The traditional horse racing operation would likely let a column like the one that appeared pass without comment. However, we are attempting to target and develop a large number of new fans to the sport, and you'll see our extensive efforts to do so prior to our opening of the Grandstand on April 17, 1997. We plan a variety of entertainment before, during, and after the races; shortening the time as much as possible between each race; introducing a variety of festivals and promotional events that appeal to the non-racing consumer; and probably offering racing at night during the week to position ourselves as a quality racing sport with an entertainment appeal.

We don't appreciate an unfair critique, regardless of the size of the publication. In the future, all we ask for is an open mind by your columnists so that we can be treated in a manner consistent with the major publications in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.

Steve Sexton
Vice President
Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie

Lady in pink
All I can say about Midge Hill is that I watched Channel 11 mainly because she had returned to the airways [Buzz, November 21]. It is so nice to have an adult speaking to me about the news of the day.

I won't watch anymore. Carolyn Borta just doesn't have any class, and Channel 11 needs to watch out for Cameron Harper--many of us recognize a problem when we see it.

What happened to Midge is very, very serious. Maybe Channel 11 should spend more of its time and money finding a great anchor job for her, and lose the squeaky weather bimbo in the mornings.

Channel 5 still has the best real meteorologists around. Channel 11 has a long, long way to go.

B.J. Kiffer
Dallas

Correction
The cover story "Down on Sherman Street" in the November 28 issue of the Observer inadvertently omitted credit for the accompanying photographs. The photos were taken by Mark Graham.