LETTERS

GOOD GRADES ON DISD REPORT

AS A RECENTLY resigned teacher from the Dallas Independent School District, I was delighted to pick up my August issue of D Magazine and see the multitude of articles about the DISD. Even though I am no longer on the school district payroll, I still have a deep interest in public education and realize the importance of a quality education for the youngsters of the world.

Overall, I feel that your staff did the school district justice in providing a balance of articles providing information about the strengths as well as the weaknesses of the school district. I can only ask that your publication continue to provide informative material about the public education scene. Thanks for letting the city of Dallas have a glimpse at the public schools. This teacher gives you a B-plus.

Robert L. Studeny

Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS to Chris Tucker on his article, “Who Will Teach the Teachers?” [August]. I believe the story was a fair and balanced view of some of the problems and concerns related to the preparation of public school teachers.

James J. Muro

Dean, College of Education

North Texas State University

Demon



THE MYSTERIOUS MR. McKEE

I WAS FASCINATED with Hugh Aynes-worth’s story in the August issue [“The Strangest Story I Ever Covered”] regarding John McKee. I will never forget attending a Scottish Rite awards banquet with my husband at which Mr. McKee was scheduled to be the guest speaker.

Mr. McKee didn’t show, and absolutely no mention was made during the entire evening as to why. We thought it strange, and, naturally, our table was abuzz. My wild imagination told me that because of his connection with the [Greater Dallas) Crime Commission, he had been “done in” by the “criminal element.” My husband figured that he was very ill and that for some unknown reason, it was being hushed up.

The story broke a few days later, and I was partially correct, except that Mr. McKee turned out to be the “criminal element,” and we were the ones who were “done in.”

Mary McDaniel

Dallas



HALLOWED HALLS OF HISTORY

I WAS THRILLED to read Larry Herald’s story, “Pillars of the Past” [September]. The preservation of the Belo Mansion is a tribute to the Dallas Bar Association, and the preservation of the Cumberland School is a tribute to [former] Gov. Bill Clements and SEDCO.

My great-grandfather, Col. William L. Williams, and my great-grandmother, Lucinda Beckley Williams, who were prominently mentioned in the account of the First Baptist Church, would have been pleased with Mr. Herold’s report on the early history of the church.

Kitty Burge Wilson

Dallas



CABLE CRAZY

NO DOUBT you will receive thousands of letters with similar or even more horrible stories of experiences with Warner Amex cable [“Cable Chaos,” September].

Your article has helped me to understand that I probably have many more months to deal with my situation, which is trying to collect a credit from them., since I have had cable removed for several months. I have received letters, threats and continuing billings for months. Even though I have spent hours listening to telephone Muzak, rude Warner employees, lies, promises and excuses-no money! Interestingly enough, they have yet to figure out why no one likes them.

William Wilson

Dallas



GET THE PICTURE?



I HAD ALWAYS been led to believe that advertising was to portray a product in a manner in which the customer or potential customer found himself in a position where he could not exist without that product. However, after viewing your issue, I find that must have changed. If I were your advertisers, I would demand my fees back.

I find that either your photographers or printer has carried photo reproduction to a new level of obscurity. The “Fall: Dark and Handsome” insert [“The Dallas Look,” September] is a joke. Page DL24 is a classic lesson in out-of-focus photography. I’m surprised that the photographer let his name go on it. If bad photography or [bad] photo reproduction is the way to sell, I must have gotten lost when they made the transition.

W.R. Phillips

Arlington



HELLO, HOLLYWOOD



YOUR SEPTEMBER article [“So You Think You Want a Piece of Hollywood”] was very well-written, informative and positively oriented toward a feature film industry here in Dallas. The quotations attributed to me were wholly accurate. It’s a fine piece of work, and I’m appreciative of the time you took in your research and interview of me.

Robert L. Mittendorf

Cinema Productions Inc.

Dallas



ANOTHER FIRST FOR DALLAS



I AM ALMOST 90 years old, and I collect articles about Dallas history. I enjoyed the list of “Dallas Firsts” [August]. When I was growing up, I loved hearing about my great-grandfather, Adolphe Gouhenant, and his talent for speaking many languages and playing numerous musical instruments. In the book Dallas -The Deciding Years, noted Dallas historian A.C. Greene mentions that Mr. Gouhenant was Dallas’ first photographer.

Hallie Fannin

Dallas

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