Why did you wait to state objections to campaign materials?
In reply to the Feb. 18 "editorial" concerning the special election for City Council District 7 ("Kates in the 7th District"): The decision to use quotes from Post-Gazette articles in campaign materials ultimately rests with me, and I have offered my resignation as Renee Farrow's campaign manager.
While I defer to your intimate knowledge of the meaning of the words your paper printed lauding Renee with a select group of others, I feel strongly that any conflict you had with our representation of the Post-Gazette should have been addressed in the months you had the material and not two weeks before the election -- after all of our material was released. The media were given a complete campaign package inclusive of the quotes and campaign literature at Ms. Farrow's formal announcement on Dec. 2. The Post-Gazette had ample opportunity to inform us if there was a concern.
The fact that you did not comment until so close to the election makes me question the motives of the PG.
Also, note that your paper has endorsed a candidate who, in my opinion, is in violation of election law with materials that proclaim him "Your Neighbor. Your Councilman." Mitch Kates, while being a fine fellow and charming man, has never been anyone's councilman.
If the PG is more concerned about language vs. ability to govern and manage this city's finances, perhaps it should take a closer look at its second choice in this election.
The Post-Gazette certainly appears irresponsible in its hypocrisy and convenient timing of such a blow to the outstanding and award-winning city leader Renee Farrow. The PG would like to rewrite history and the rules of logic to enhance its current opinion; if you designate a group of people as being imbued with certain qualities, then logic dictates those qualities apply to each member of the group.
Do not punish Ms. Farrow or the people of Pittsburgh for my "overzealous" use of logic unless you enforce the same integrity across the board.
SELENA SCHMIDT
North Side
Doesn't describe Farrow
I was shocked when I opened up the newspaper Tuesday morning and read the most inaccurate description of my friend Renee Farrow ("Kates in the 7th District"). I think it's interesting that Renee has been running this campaign for almost a year now, and the Post-Gazette chose not to endorse her because of a technicality with quotes.
You didn't even say anything about how she has grown her business, or about how she has been active in the communities in her district. I know of people who are already calling her to take care of their problems, because they assume she will be their next council person.
To have you totally discredit her, because you say she doesn't pay attention to details is just ridiculous. Her company is named "Decorating Details." Renee is the most detail-oriented person I know.
Renee is always totally honest in her dealings with her friends, business clients (I am one) and community associations. I think you owe Renee and all the residents of her district an apology.
JANET TRACY
Morningside
We need her qualities
When I finished reading the Post-Gazette's endorsement editorial for the District 7 City Council seat ("Kates in the 7th District"), I was troubled by the PG's response to candidate Renee Farrow.
The editorial suggests that she is more in tune with the PG on the issues than the other candidates, yet the editorial fails to elaborate on this important part of her message in favor of chastising her for using in her campaign literature comments from the PG meant for all the candidates in a previous election.
The PG fails to mention her accomplishments as a businessperson in the Lawrenceville community for 10 years and the fact that she has experience in lobbying for small businesses at the local, state and federal government levels. This is exactly the type of person we need in City Council -- one with business savvy who can help get this city out of debt without taxing its citizens to death.
I personally know Renee to be an honest person who is above board and out front with her thoughts and beliefs. We need someone in this office with these values and with the business know-how she has to offer.
JUDITH McKNIGHT KRYNSKI
Lawrenceville
They aren't hearing us
It is easy for a person like Joseph V. Vesely of the Mon Valley Progress Council to call the Mon-Fayette toll road "an asset for all of us" ("Welcome Support," Feb. 15 letters) when his home and livelihood are not threatened. Monessen lies several miles from the road, as do all the towns in the south Mon Valley.
My business and apartments in Hazelwood are about 150 feet from the proposed road. The noise and pollution factors have motivated me to look closely at the design of the road and I have found many flaws. Hundreds of homes in Hazelwood, according to turnpike officials, will be left standing within 200 feet of the toll road. All will be subjected to constant noise and constant ultrafine particle pollution and will be made almost worthless.
All should be acquired by the turnpike, if the road is to be built. But such destruction of homes would kill any neighborhood. The turnpike and its proponents seem willing to sacrifice working-class neighborhoods.
Contrary to Mr. Vesely's assertion, turnpike officials have not responded to constructive criticism. The community-proposed development plans for the LTV site in Hazelwood include an extension of Second Avenue from the Hot Metal Bridge to the Glenwood Bridge. This new four-lane urban boulevard would allow commuters to pass easily through the neighborhood and would allow the business district along Second Avenue to be revitalized and freed from congestion. The turnpike commission has not considered this alternative to the toll road or any other, except its "no build" alternative.
There is a difference between building a toll road through the countryside and through a city. Proponents of the toll road fail to deal with it.
SAVERIO STRATI
Hazelwood
A crucial urban project
Starting in 1987, the Post-Gazette made clear its endorsement of the Mon-Fayette Expressway. The Jan. 23 editorial "Opportunity Knocks" details the potential benefits of the expressway for an urban community. As it noted, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission "has shown tre-mendous flexibility in trying to make [the expressway] dovetail unobtrusively with the Hazelwood streetscape."
The thoughtful professionalism of the turnpike commission, sometimes in an atmosphere of rancorous debate, has defined its commitment to work with communities in the expressway corridor.
The Mon-Fayette Expressway is a major regional project that will provide an opportunity for the economic reshaping of a region still suffering the consequence of the collapse of basic industry. The turnpike commission recognizes that all major projects have impacts and, through its efforts in Hazelwood as well other communities, it has demonstrated a commitment to go above and beyond federal environmental regulations.
JOSEPH P. KIRK
Chairman
Mon-Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway Alliance
Monessen
Not advanced work
In regard to the Feb. 13 editorial "Wine Whine," whatever happened to the adage that "the customer comes first"? The employees who "work" in the Pennsylvania "liquor pharmacies" seem to greatly exaggerate their own importance over the rest of us commoners.
As the Post-Gazette aptly noted, in most every other state, grocery clerks commendably serve the same function. This is not brain surgery we are talking about, but "Cash Register 101"!
With any luck, in a few years' time these tax-funded parasites will be looking for employment at Giant Eagle, Safeway or CoGos, and Pennsylvania state liquor sales will finally enter into the post-Prohibition era.
JEFF THIERET
Harmony
Valentine episode shows we've gone overboard
I am writing in response to the Feb. 11 article "Target Yanks Valentines With Word 'Jihad.' " For starters, I thought the headline was deliberately inflammatory at a time when everyone is already on edge. It would have been more correct to state "Target Yanks Valentines with Name 'Jihad.' " I was a bit annoyed at what I saw as irresponsible journalism.
Later in the article, it was pointed out by a Scholastic representative that in this particular instance "Jihad" was a name. I would have thought that would be obvious from the picture of children's cubby holes. Or, if this is a preliminary warning from a terrorist group, perhaps the mysterious "Lily" ought to be investigated. After all, she must know this alleged "Jihad" kid. Or maybe that was thrown in there by FTD florists. What about "Time to be mine"? That's obviously a violent threat or at best sexual harassment.
In 2001, 16 little boys in Pennsylvania were named Jihad. Should they all change their name to Jared to avoid persecution? Should their parents be ashamed of naming them something with violent connotations? Imagine if one of these boys, when grown up, wants to shop at Target: Some person freaks out and overreacts when Jihad signs his credit slip or flashes his ID. To reassure the upset "guest," would Target remove the offending Jihad?
Come on, people. Yes, yes, we're all tense. But let's not be ridiculous. I think from the context of the picture, it's obvious that little Jihad had nothing to do with al-Qaida.
KATHLEEN QUINLAN
Squirrel Hill
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