LETTERS

Dan Weiser Responds



In his Publisher’s Page column in the July issue, Wick Allison says I want the city council to elect the mayor. Actually, I personally favor a mayor elected at large, for a number of reasons.

But the point I’ve tried to make individually with the council members, through discussions with reporters and editors, and in my column in the Oak Cliff Tribune is the following: “If the Dallas case gets to the Supreme Court you can expect them to require all eleven to be elected from single-member districts.”

What I hope for and recommend is that after the 5th Circuit turns down the request for a rehearing and an en banc hearing, the Council should prepare a 10-1 plan and settle the case. There seems to be some willingness now on the Council to do this.

The plaintiffs appeal for an 11-0 council and immediate elections provide some pressure on the Council to arrive at a fair plan.

In a number of other cases the Court chose redistricting plans I’d drawn, and in several cases, over literally tens of other competing plans. In several cases various legislative bodies have had the opportunity to revise those plans and haven’t done so yet.

Dan Weiser

Dallas



Another Number to Save



I found your article “Emergency!” (July) to be helpful, useful and informative. However, your page of emergency numbers was incomplete. You did not mention one of the most important emergency numbers for women – the Dallas County Rape Crisis Center.

Since we are fortunate enough to have the Center, everyone should be informed of its availablity. The telephone number as listed in the phone book is 630-7700.

Katherine Phifer

Dallas



Chew on That!



As a subscriber and constant reader of D Magazine, I was shocked by the article entitled “Junk Food” in the July issue. The writer, George Toomer, not only lacks knowledge where it concerns bubble gum machines; but he also failed to research and do his homework concerning a very highly ethical industry.

Graff Vending Company has been in business in the City of Dallas since 1946 selling and installing bubble gum machines and supplying the product going through the machines. The gum we sell is manufactured by Leaf Confectionery of Chicago, Illinois, a prime supplier of bubble gum in the United States for over 50 years.

Our industry is proud of the fact that with uncontrolled inflation going on world wide, that we are still selling bubble gum through vending machines for one cent. If the writer, George Toomer, would take the time to visit a Safeway or Kroger Store in the City of Dallas, he would be pleasantly surprised by the great number of one cent bubble gum machines installed throughout the city selling a quality product.

Herb Goldstein

President,

Graff Vending Company

Dallas



Bridgeport Report



We are delighted that Tracy Curts has discovered the joys of Lake Bridgeport (“Great Lakes,” July). Not only is it a great swimming lake, but excellent fishing territory as well.

One slight correction, however. Rather than being one of the newest lakes in the area Lake Bridgeport is one of the oldest. It was built in 1929-1931 by the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District # 1. The dam was completed and the lake officially opened in December of 1931.

Roy J. Eaton, Publisher

The Wise County Messenger

Decatur, Texas



Eminent Dome



I’m a Texan, but, in all fairness to my adopted home of New Orleans, I feel compelled to correct a gross misconception: your stating that the Astrodome is the “world’s largest air-conditioned domed stadium.” (“52 Great Weekends,” June.)

There is a domed stadium a few blocks from the New Orleans Central Business District. The Astrodome could be comfortably placed inside this Dome.

In our part of the country, this Dome is called “Super”.

Tim McNally

Bauerlein Incorporated

New Orleans



Remembering The Interurban



The article on the interurbans (June issue) was so well written I could almost feel, once again, their substantial rumble, which, as Mr. Greene said, most surely was not a rattle.

A part of the old trestle on which the Dallas – Fort Worth runs were made still stands on Jefferson Street just west of a railroad overpass beyond the west boundary of Cockrell Hill. In my childhood, before Jefferson Street ever extended all through to Grand Prairie, there was a beautiful large pond in the wooded dell in the hollow at the south side of that trestle, and there was a power station there, too. Often my family took the interurban from Dallas out to that spot for Sunday afternoon picnics.

My grandfather manufactured in Cor-sicana farm machinery he exhibited at the State Fair. Family recollections included the tales of how, through the convenience of his daily trips via interurban to Dallas in “Fair time,” he was able to carry home for grandmother’s delight goodies (like head lettuce) she might need and find temporarily unavailable right at the time in her small town.

Jacqueline Sawicki

Grand Prairie



Roy Orr Responds



After many years in public service and being under the microscope of the media, I have grown accustomed to stories about me. However, as any person I have not grown accustomed to stories that contain falsehoods and misinformation. In the July 1977 issue of D Magazine, a story entitled “How Do You Get Rid of a County Commissioner” commented on “Roy Orr’s family vacation at Padre Island, . . . via county transportation’”. Now the only problem that I have with that statement is that it is untrue that my family and I took a “family vacation” at Padre Island. Since we have never visited there, it is quite impossible for that part of your story to be true.

The press just as public officials have a responsibility to provide the public with correct information. It seems rather ridiculous that a magazine such as D would be so remiss in misleading its readership. I hope that you will be more careful in future reporting.

Roy Orr, Commissioner

Dallas County District 4