FROM OUR READERS LETTERS

Best and Worst

It is quite an honor to have been selected as the “worst undeclared political candidate” by your staff. As a black, I would have been offended indeed had I been selected the “best” anything by a racist publication such as yours.

One correction: I have never entered the school board race, although I believe I would be more effective on that board than anyone to serve so far in Dallas.

But, I plan to run this year, if no other black comes forth to run for mayor. After all, Brookings has predicted that Dallas will be a majority-minority city in the next ten years. Emerson Emory, M.D./Dallas



Your comments about the Farmers Branch garbage collection system were totally inaccurate. Our garbage bags are the greatest invention since the 6-pack.

We Farmers Branch citizens get a year’s free supply of these fabulous paper bags. The only ones who pay 20￠ for each additional bag are the overindulgers in garbage. Garbage pick-up is free in Farmers Branch. The James P. Holliday Family/

Farmers Branch

(There’s no free lunch, and there’s no free garbage pickup either. The Hollidays should know that both the garbage bags and the collection of garbage are paid for out of the city’s general revenue fund, which comes from tax dollars.)

The Worst Energy Waste is not 7-Eleven firewood but Safeway firewood. At 7-Eleven you get “1.0 cubic feet of 90% various oak species with no more than 10% other hardwood species” for $1.99. At Safeway you get .75 cubic feet of firewood that is not subject to any specifications for $2.49.

Joe Thomas/Sales & Promotion

Coordinator, 7-Eleven Stores/Dallas



“Best and Worst” is one of the fewgutsy accomplishments in Dallas journalism. Gilbert Faye/Dallas



The emergency room of Medical City Dallas Hospital does not deserve to be rated as the worst in Dallas.

Recently, my husband was involved in an automobile accident and suffered severe facial lacerations. He was taken to the emergency room at Medical City. Upon arrival, he was immediately taken into a private treatment room where his condition was determined by a staff doctor of internal medicine. A plastic surgeon quickly arrived to expertly make the necessary repairs. Contrary to your statement, the staff’s primary interest did not concern pre-financial requirements, as there was no mention of this to my husband prior to or during his treatment. Rather, their main interest seemed to be in providing swift and efficient care for someone who needed help.

Mrs. Betty Stephens/Wylie



What happened to the “Best Used Cars” item you promised us on the cover?

J.R. Polk/Fort Worth

(Oops. Somewhere between the time the cover was printed and the time the rest of the magazine went to press, it disap-peared. Here it is, Mr. Polk. The best is Poppins Motors, 3743 McKinney. Proprietor Ed Pasden deals primarily in European classics. A recent tour of the lot found a 1960 Bentley, a 1955 and 1965 Porsche, and several fine old Mercedeses. Ed occasionally has a vintage American car or two on the lot: If you’re in the market for a 1946 Plymouth, check him out. As for the worst – aren’t they all?)



Misrepresented Representative?

Your “Up Front” article on John Bryant (January) should be entitled “From the Rear.” The quality of your editorial report lost a great deal of its integrity with the slurring remarks.

John Bryant used every penny he received in campaign contributions and other donations and then added to this with his own personal assets. The suggestion of “buying a condo in Vail” is slanderous. Max B. Goldblatt / Dallas



Rep. Bryant needs no defense: He was named the outstanding member of the last session by his colleagues; he was named one of the ten most effective legislators by Texas Monthly; the Austin American-Statesman singled him out for honors; he organized the long-needed House study group; he was mandated to Austin for his fourth term in the April primary with the largest margin of any election in Dallas County (77-plus percent).

Rep. Bryant introduced and had passed legislation regulating honorariums to legislators from special-interest groups; he also introduced two other items which would have further regulated such practices had they passed.

Rep. Bryant’s income from the fund raiser you lamented is on record with the Secretary of State – along with the list of contributors and the actual disbursement of those funds. Bill Morgan/Dallas



(D Magazine regrets any inference that John Bryant is stuffing his pockets with money he hustled from the public. He simply used the law to its fullest, like so many other legislators – both honest and dishonest. And that helped us tomake a point: In Texas, the laws controlling reception fund raising are a mess.You really could, for example, take themoney and buy a condo in Vail. And youreally can run your campaign into debtknowing you ’II recoup later on because ofthe false separation, in the law, betweenpolitical fund raising and reception fundraising.)



The Vietnam Time Bomb

As the sister of a “Vietnam Time Bomb” (January), I was glad to see some exposure regarding the problems that we have. However, I do not feel that the article truly reflected the agony that the families are faced with concerning treatment and help for the veterans. Gary Martin’s mother stated that she had begged the hospital not to release her son, that she felt he was not well. Two years ago we begged Waco doctors not to release my brother; we felt he was not stable enough to be out of the hospital. Two weeks later he shot himself in the head. He didn’t die, and so our struggle continues.

Carla Shimek / Dallas



Black Gold, Brown Power



Ron Dorfman’s analysis regarding Mexican / Chicano relations is right on the point (“Black Gold, Brown Power,” December). Undoubtedly, the future holds much dialogue and cooperation between Mexico and our community.

Past history reveals this society to have been a poor neighbor. The history of today reveals continued disregard for the rights of Chicanos. An immediate about-face is in order if this country is to count on us and the Mexicans.

Jose Angel Gutierrez/Zavala County

Judge / Crystal City

It is good to see the hopes of Mexican Americans and the fears of Anglos – so often cloaked – talked about openly.

Stanley R. Ross/Coordinator, Border

Research Program, The University of

Texas at Austin



Ron Dorfman’s very well-documented and thought-provoking article has truly captured the essence of an idea whose truth seems to be around the corner. The link between the ever-increasing political influence of the Chicano and how that power can be a positive factor in Chi-cano/Mexico relations is, in fact, an area where few writers dare to tread.

Joe J. Bernal/Regional Director,

ACTION/Dallas



It is my sincere wish that the Texas leadership, particularly the new governor and his administration, recognize the potential positive aspects of a Chicano community with international ties to Mexico, instead of fearing it and seeking to suppress it.

Richard J. Bela/San Antonio



Harry Parker Still Here



I didn’t recognize that arrogant fellow on the sofa, but the article was fine and 1 think David Dillon (“Can Dallas Keep Harry Parker?” January) is a first-rate writer. Thank you for your help in launching “Pompeii AD 79.”

Harry S. Parker III/Director,

Dallas Museum of Fine Arts



Sweet Charity



I am not quite happy over the portrayal of Walter Hailey as a “Mr. Scrooge” handing out his money for the purpose of a tax write-off only. Mr. Hailey has not only given money in the community, but his time out of a busy schedule, his encouragement, and his friendship. If what he does for the Hunt School and for the community in which he lives can cut down his income tax, I am all for it.

Tracy Gilbreth/Hunt

Elementary School/Hunt



I thought “How Charity Works for the Rich” (December) was a well-prepared article although there was perhaps some bias against those who elect to use the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund as the means of giving their money for charitable /philanthropic causes.

The monies that are given through the Dallas Community Chest Trust Fund and similar organizations generally go to institutions that are helping people – hospitals, boys’ schools, girls’ schools, art centers, and the like. Were it not for the so-called “rich people,” and the funds they place through the DCCTF and similar organizations, many institutions would not be able to meet the needs of people who just can’t afford proper services. Therefore, their needs would become a taxpayer responsibility.

Russell H. Perry/Chairman, Dallas

Community Chest Trust Fund



I am sure this letter will not change your opinions as to “How Charity Works for the Rich,” but believe me, in Walter Hailey’s case, it is far from the truth. It is a shame you have not had the opportunity to really get to know this gentleman, as we have, before forming such an opinion.

Beth Johnson/Teacher,

Hunt Elementary School/Hunt



As president of this year’s class, I have something in common with past classes. All have seen fit to desire Mr. Hailey as a member of the Hunt School’s sixth-grade class-not only for what he has or might do for us-but as a friend, gentleman and someone to identify with.

Joey Keeper/Hunt

Elementary School/Hunt



Some people, either conscience-stricken or out of the goodness of their hearts, want to help their fellow man and contribute to the United Fund because it distributes aid to a wide variety of social organizations, most of which are no doubt worthy and deserving. On the other hand, there are people like myself who would rather select and support specific activities in which they have a personal interest or belief. It’s the difference between shooting a shotgun and a rifle.

The Community Chest Trust Fund permits a businessman to make contributions each year in varying amounts as his resources permit. Then this accumulated capital can be used to fund a project which he considers exceptionally worthwhile, but which cannot be financed with any one of his year’s contributions because there is a limit to the percentage of his income which is allowed as a deductible contribution by the I.R.S.

There is no question but that tax matters are very influential in determining the amount of a person’s contribution. The actual contribution of after-tax money that a contributor makes is 30 percent to 70 percent of the capital which he gives to the Chest, depending on whether he gives cash or other capital assets.

This, to me, is a bargain; and I would much rather spend $10,000 on medical or scientific research or education here in the City of Dallas than to keep my $3,000 to $7,000 and have the government send the tax portion to some foreign country in support of some dictator or use it in some domestic program that I consider ill-conceived or socialistic.

W. W. Caruth Jr. / Dallas



Big Brother Is Watching



I found a notable exclusion from your list of organizations that use volunteers -ours! (“Free Enterprise,” December) Our agency, which has operated in Dallas since 1927, annually works with more than 900 children from single-parent families and attempts to match each of them with an adult volunteer Big Brother or Sister for the purpose of friendship and guidance.

Children from one-parent homes are more likely to get into trouble with the police, to drop out of school, and, most tragically, to commit suicide than are children from intact families. The Big Brother /Sister concept has proven to be effective in dealing with the special problems faced by children in one-parent homes.

Kathy Finch/Big Brothers and Sisters ofMetropolitan Dallas