Get it straight, free weekly: I read Francisco Alvarado's "Charity and Checkpoint" (November 3). There were clearly serious problems at Camillus House under Dale Simpson's tenure. The decisions to hire and initially defend him reflect poorly on the Little Brothers. When they saw the error of their ways, they made a change.
Good people inside the agency — including administrators neither cited in your report nor engaged in legal actions — sought the help of authorities to bring about that change. Does New Times have any substantive evidence that Camillus president Paul Ahr has misrepresented his and the board's efforts to remedy the problems? Alvarado's citation of two donation acquisition staff members who were laid off is misleading. Their valid comments as well as those of the former development director deal with Simpson's actions and administration. But Alvarado uses them to cast shadows on Camillus's current administration and even seems to discourage donations. These men held neither positions nor neutral stances. That strikes me as either poor argument or biased reporting.
Moreover the insinuation that the Brothers are living extravagantly in Morningside seems strained. Did New Times either investigate their compensation or the cost of buying property in Highland Park or Overtown (the neighborhoods closest to the new Camillus facility)? I suspect that the Brothers draw little salary and that the property values in Overtown and Highland Park are suffering from serious inflation. Again, I am led to question the objectivity of your lens.
Given these concerns and the way in which Alvarado disparages poor persons struggling on the streets as "hobos" and "hookers," I hope the editors of New Times will offer him future assignments in which he has less of an ax to grind.
Steven Porter, former resident of Overtown
Kansas City, Missouri
Einstein he ain't: Regarding Mariah Blake's story "Starry Fight" (November 3): The source of all earthly life is certainly a great mystery, and whether we evolved from a mass of protoplasmic slime or were intelligently designed previously remained unanswered for me. But I am now convinced, after reading the exhilarating facts at www.venganza.org, that the universe was created by none other than the fabulous Flying Spaghetti Monster. I predict that the FSM will become the new mass religion ... er, science, or whatever.
Nicodemus Hammil
South Beach
A friend writes...: Thank you for the recent info about Gerry Jean-Juste, "Free This Priest" (October 27) by Chuck Strouse. He and I lived at a cathedral rectory in Boston in the mid-Seventies. I found him a most genial and cooperative person and a very good friend. Please keep up any effort you can to free him. I last saw him in Haiti at least seven or eight years ago.
Gerry was long ago forced to leave Haiti because of his anti-Duvalier preaching (I believe) and ultimately landed with us. I found him to be genuine in his views and very much a gentleman.
Rev. Wendell Verrill
Waltham, Massachusetts
No pity here: Thanks to The Bitch for the illustrative outlay of Grass, "Buzz Killed" (October 27), and its inappropriately snobbish "owner" Laurent "Derriere." A real asshole. Once when I was a banker and had a table reservation at Nikki's for six German banker friends (who dropped an average of $2000 to $3000 per night), I was ignominiously snubbed at the door by Miss Laurent. When he decided to let us in, they tried to charge us a $40 per person cover. Fortunately, though, I got in and had a great time.
Shortly thereafter Mr. Derriere left for greener pastures: "Aym getng de plase of maye own-ah." He later invited me (when he learned how many people I brought down to Nikki's) to visit Grass but, delightfully, I never once went. What's that dish they say is best served froid? I'm ecstatic to hear that Grass might be closed for good. Although I dislike stooping to symbolism, I found many French businessmen in Miami to have foolish attitudes toward the very people who keep them in business and used to promise all kinds of commercial loan money from the bank — right up until the day they needed it. At that time I decided they were too risqué and canceled the loans. C'est la vie? Perhaps he can reopen in Phuket, where the grass is dried out and smells bad.
Dean Corso
Miami
Stinks: Regarding "Hurricane Voyeurism" (October 27): The debacle that has occurred in South Florida with a minor hurricane was predicted by many, including this writer. When Katrina swiped us, it looked like we were not prepared, and it proved to be so.... The important thing in all of this is accountability. If we don't pursue a good quality control program in the ensuing months, we will endure this fiasco countless times. FPL should respond to why there was power failure in some areas rather than others — and by the way, it was windy for all of us! If we pursue a constructive quality control program, future damage will assuredly be minimal. As I write this, I am nine days without power.... Next time, FPL, give us all a break and do the job right.
Asdur Triff
Miami
Profanity plague: Good morning. I just saw the front page of your October 27 issue. How could you put a picture of an excellent mother, and perfect wife, with the B word on it? The Flintstones are an example of family life, something that we are losing little by little. Please think about those who are eight and can read, looking at your front page. We need to return to being humans who affect our community with positive information.
Nancy German
Homestead
Better than Dick and Perry: Thanks for the review of Capote by Robert Wilonsky, "Writes and Wrongs" (October 20). I'm dying to see the movie. I've read a few books about Truman Capote, and I'm now reading Gerald Clarke's bio, certainly the best of all and one of the best literary bios I've ever read. I just wanted to point this out: You mention the incredible patience (I'm not quoting) Jack Dunphy had when dealing with T.C. Well, Jack Dunphy never had a job after he met T.C. in 1948 or '49. He traveled the world with T.C., who paid for every single expense. For more than twenty years Dunphy lived absolutely off of Truman, as a grownup and spoiled kept-boy. During all that time, Dunphy just sulked and worked for years on his own novels, which were published thanks to T.C.'s intervention with publisher friends. T.C. was extremely nice and generous to Dunphy (and to his family), even if it was only because he provided a stable dick at home. That's all. I love your reviews.
Omar Amador
Via the Internet
Mike is gonna get 'em: Regarding Lee Klein's "The Art of Longevity" (October 20): A more interesting story about Buggatti would be a review not of the food but of all the patrons who have been abused at the hands of the owners. I am sure that if you asked for feedback on that topic, you could fill your entire paper. It continues to amaze me that the owners are able to stay in business with their poor attitude toward and treatment of their patrons.
Michael Steffens
Coral Gables
