Letters

MUSIC TO HER EYES
I liked Tom Austin’s article about Russel Frehling (“Music without Melody,” July 22). I have admired the composer’s work for a long time. Austin’s was probably the only credible article about a serious contemporary artist New Times has ever printed. Previous to this, I have been offended that New Times calls itself a “news and arts weekly.”

Nancy Richter
Miami

IT’S EVERY BLEEDING HEART FOR HIMSELF
In regard to Jim DeFede’s story about Bjorn DiMaio and Anthony Vincent (“Justice Undone, Part 4,” July 22): Perhaps the example of these two “nice” boys serving time will be a warning to others out to rip off what isn’t theirs. Other “nice kids” out to steal what doesn’t belong to them might now see that there are consequences to face.

We need some laws in place (despite the bleeding-heart liberals) to allow honest, hard-working citizens to protect their property in any way they can. If it takes a fatal shooting to shock any future criminals out of their mischief, then so be it. Our judges, lawmakers, and the press should understand that criminals are not the victims. When respect for property becomes a basic principle, and an act of theft can be met with violence, then the Bjorns and Anthonys of this world will think twice before taking what isn’t theirs.

I realize that this isn’t a popular opinion, but I’ll wager there are many people out there who agree with me and are afraid to voice their agreement.

Name withheld by request
Miami

THE WATER LINE
I have to agree with most of Rafael Navarro’s article on Casa Rolandi (“Price-A-Roni,” July 22), because I have experienced the lack of attention, et cetera. However, my date and I had one memorable line as an opening: “Would you like San Pellegrino or Coral Gables tap?” Personally, I do not like San Pellegrino, but the line is a classic!

Carmen B. Carrio
Miami

DISTRESS SIGNAL
In regard to Greg Baker’s article regarding WDNA-FM (“The Silence of the Amps,” July 8), I would like to express my views as one who has long suffered with the station’s attempts to mature as a community radio station.

I have been a volunteer at WDNA since shortly after it began broadcasting in June of 1980. In recent years, however, I actually became ashamed of having an identity with WDNA as a volunteer or board member, as have so many other volunteers and programmers. When a board of trustees controls through threats and intimidation, among other tactics (as shown by court testimony of recent months), then I believe it is time for the general public to take a heightened interest in the station affairs, too. (Not just the FCC!)

After all, community radio is the public’s property, not that of a handful of arrogant individuals who have so drastically compromised its principles by wholesale dismissals of broadcasters, refusal to hear appeals of their decisions, and actions taken that run counter to the station’s own bylaws and charter.

It has now come to pass that the “only” signal being broadcast by WDNA is the printed “voice” of its board of trustees. Now, on behalf of those of us “out here” who still care, I respond to the silence: How is it that Maggie Pelleya, the president of the board, would not at least know the day when the station lost the ability to produce its signal?

And how is it that at the old studio programmers did, in fact, use an answering machine for a long, long time, yet Pelleya states they tried to “rig up something” but could not?

Why is it that volunteers were not informed of the station’s move beforehand? As the court was not notified, either, the move is in direct violation of the court order that required court approval of any action with an effect of such magnitude. Leaders of this kind of an organization should know that, next to a continuing broadcast signal, volunteer support is one of the most important assets. Why would Pelleya say, “Everybody was made aware. Some kept in touch, some didn’t”? She knows that statement is a blatant untruth; the list of volunteers who were never informed is still quite extensive.

Wouldn’t the leadership of WDNA (if there were any) figure out how to accomplish the level of security required before they “pull the plug” and move? After all, being on the air is tantamount to survival in radio. Miami’s only community radio station won’t tell the community where it is. Amazing. Wouldn’t the folks who sit on all those local, state, and federal grant application committees like to know?

Does it sound like WDNA is run by a board that cares much about its volunteers and members, or its responsibility to the community at large? Even with today’s technology, there are no vacant FM frequencies available in Miami. Our market is saturated. That makes the 88.9-FM frequency a very, very valuable and rare resource.

If anyone “out there” might care to aid the cause to return community radio to the community, they should contact us. We are staging an event tomorrow, Thursday, at Cactus Cantina in Miami Beach, to help raise legal funds so that the community’s interests in community radio may be protected. Stay tuned.

Kathy Bledsoe
Miami