Letters

And Now...Heeeeere's Robert!
Robert Andrew Powell's "Birth of a Station" (June 25), about the debacle known as WAMI-TV, was hilarious. It made me laugh, it made me cry. Reading his article provided more insightful entertainment than the dreadfully cheesy, hideously stale Ocean Drive TV, Kenneth's Freakquency, or any other of Channel 69's amateur, inane programming.

Hey, Robert, get Barry Diller on the phone. You should have your own show. On your own network!

Samantha L. Stone
Miami Beach

Hey, Remember That Guy Who Didn't Screw Up? What Was His Name?
The fine article by Tristram Korten on Donald Warshaw ("The Don," June 25) should have included a prediction: Ten years in the future (whether or not Warshaw is still employed by the City of Miami), he will be fondly remembered and respected as a good cop, a good police chief, and even a good city manager.

Yes, there can be a good apple in a bushel of rotten, ego-driven ones.
Steven M. Harris
Miami

The Sanchez Solution
Kirk Nielsen's profile of Miami Commissioner Joe Sanchez ("Dinner Key's Raw Meat," June 25) was a refreshing look at a public official who may not be (and who hopefully will not become) a politician. As long as he continues to dedicate himself to public service, Joe Sanchez may be part of the solution to restoring trust in local government. Miami will be better off if he follows the lead of Mayor Joe Carollo in ushering in a new era of good government.

By the way, State Rep. Annie Betancourt, a good friend, is a proud Democrat. Gone are the days when finding a Cuban-American Democrat meant a difficult search. The Miami-Dade County Democratic Party has been instrumental in registering legions of Cuban Americans, and Hispanics generally, as Democrats. Representative Betancourt is just one of the many Cuban-American Democrats faithfully performing public service.

Benedict P. Kuehne
Miami

Not Your Garden-Variety Political Sleaze
Kirk Nielsen mischaracterized our new city commissioner, Joe Sanchez. On May 26, 1998, prior to Mr. Sanchez's appointment, the city commission, in its advisory capacity to the county commission regarding the Miami Children's Museum, conditionally voted 4-1 in favor of locating the museum at the Vizcaya Metrorail site. The operative word here is conditionally. For the county's consideration, the city commission recommended specific conditions that must be met by the museum.

It was obvious at the May 26 public hearing that our city commissioners gave merit to the concerns of the neighbors by mandating that strict conditions be met by the museum with regard to the scale of the building and the intrusion of nonlocal traffic in our neighborhood. These conditions also evidenced the commission's clear understanding of the laws governing the placement of such projects on joint municipal properties.

Joe Sanchez had not been appointed to the city commission at the time of the May 26 vote. In fact, word of his upcoming nomination had not yet been spoken -- not even to Sanchez himself. The inference that "Sanchez's support was pivotal" to the city commission's vote is altogether misleading and baseless by virtue of timing and political distance. For a neighbor to say that the now (not then) Commissioner Sanchez "is a typical Dade County politician," meaning he goes along with the powers that be and not necessarily with the interests of the people, is unfounded and grossly unfair.

The neighbors' concerns over the proposed museum deserve countywide attention, but not at the indiscriminately misguided and hurtful expense of a political innocent who, at the eleventh hour, was called upon and answered in order that he might honorably serve the interests of his community.

Daniel J. Leibow
Miami

Quit Pickin' on My Daryl!
Why must Jim DeFede continue to print trashy articles with innuendos about State Sen. Daryl Jones, whom I love and for whom I have the highest admiration ("Ack-Ack Over Washington," June 25). Senator Jones is one of the finest gentlemen I have ever known. He has had only the kindest things to say to me and has treated me with thoughtfulness and the utmost respect.

By the way, doesn't he have the right to make money? He has a lovely wife and three beautiful children to support. Since when has it been illegal to feed your family?

DeFede should get off his high horse and leave him alone! I expect the Senate Armed Services Committee and the entire legislative body to confirm him with full confidence.

Alan Gittelson
Miami Beach

Brett Gives It Back
Thank you for Robert Andrew Powell's article about Brett Perriman's activities in the community ("His Brilliant Career," June 11). With all the negatives we hear about today's athletes, it is wonderful to see a local product and a former Hurricane give back to the community.

It saddens me that there has been tragedy in his life, but it inspires us all to see him look beyond these difficulties and continue to give back.

Daniel Kane
Orlando

Convenience Store Conspirators
After reading Tristram Korten's "Miami's Own Middle East Melee" (June 11), I cried a river for Adora Obi Nweze, Morris Johnson, and all the other complaining and Arab-abused folks at the Joseph Caleb Center. I virtually oozed with pity at their plight. Imagine having to live in a community where immigrant minorities are allowed to move in and set up legal businesses! Those evil Arabs have some nerve to invade beautiful and peaceful communities such as Liberty City and Overtown. After setting up shop, those Arabs actually expect to make a profit by selling goods to local customers! What racist bastards!