LETTERS

THE BIG 10

CONTRARY TO YOUR oracle’s prediction, the Joe Kovandovich house is not doomed to failure [“Save the Landmarks,” October]. Neither is it unstable, now or then (1977), as attested by reports from two independent consulting structural engineers. My son, architect Jess Stimpson Epps Jr., has long been intrigued with this landmark, and he purchased it in January 1984. He is in the process of restoring it to be used as offices for his firm. The area may not be fashionable at this time, but things do change.

By the way, thanks for the nice article about Boedeker’s Grocery (and me) in the May issue.

Jess S. Epps

Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS ON the 10th anniversary of D and a fantastic 10th anniversary issue [October]. Having observed the things you’ve chronicled through the years, it’s especially rewarding to be reminded of them through your publication.

Your involvement in and impact on public education in Dallas is especially appreciated. We share your enthusiasm and positive expectations for the next 10 years.

T.R. Griffin

Dallas



I THOROUGHLY enjoyed the 10th anniversary issue of D and your analysis of the current power structure in Dallas. Keep up the good work, and keep on top of the education issue.

Alfred W. Ellis

Woodruff & Ellis

Dallas

WOW! THE 10TH anniversary issue was really a knockout! D has really come a long way since its origin, just as our great city has. The editor’s column in the 10th anniversary issue was particularly helpful in providing a quick perspective on what is happening in our city. The entire issue was jam-packed with exciting and excellent reading. Thank you for your continued dedication to bringing good reading to us, your faithful readers, every month.

Jerry Campbell

Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS ON a fine 10th anniversary issue of D. As a resident of two .years, it helped me “catch up” on Dallas. While I was delighted with the magazine overall, I was disappointed with one article, “SMU and the Problems That Won’t Go Away” [1976].

The facts used could have been presented in a more objective way. For example, it’s true that the average SAT of last year’s entering freshmen was 1,054. Had the reporter looked at the record, she could have noted that this represents a 40-point increase over the past five years-a remarkable achievement for any institution. Both of these “facts” indicate positive and definite progress for SMU. The current President’s Scholars program, begun only three years ago, is another indication of academic progress. This year’s entering class of President’s Scholars is as “hot shot” as any in the country, with an SAT average of nearly 1,400.

The fact that 50 percent of SMU students receive financial aid is quite remarkable, despite the author’s demur, and it compares favorably to Emory or Duke or Vanderbilt, schools much more similar to SMU in mission than Baylor or the University of Dallas.

The Association of White Students (involving fewer than 25 out of 9,000) was, indeed, an embarrassment to us all. In fact, it died a quick death (less than two weeks) because SMU students did not like what it represented, and they brought pressure on the AWS to disband. Rather than noting this fact, the author left the AWS suspended as a black cloud over the university, despite the reality that the majority of students were not involved-much less supportive-of this group. The one-dimensional view and the reinforcement of a single stereotype is unjust to students, faculty/staff and alumni.

Kathryn R. Costello

Vice President for University Relations

SMU



WHY PRINT THE unnecessary rip of SMU in your 10th anniversary issue of D? Show some backbone and insist on the positive when some reporter ignores years of plus results and brings in tiny scoops of stale, kicked-around garbage.

Chuck Hixson

Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS FOR 10 wonderful years! I enjoyed reading your 10th anniversary issue, and I appreciate being included among the people with “power at City Hall.” I hope I can continue to be deserving of the outstanding recognition you have given me. I look forward to reading your magazine each month, and I thank you for the valuable service it provides.

Annette Strauss

Mayor Pro Tern

City of Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS ON your wonderful 10th anniversary issue. The quality of your book should make everyone in the city magazine business proud-and just a little envious.

Joe Popper

Editor

Kansas City Magazine

Prairie Village, Kansas



A DECADE USED to be a long time, but in today’s fast-paced society, it is a rather compact element of time due to the technology about us. Nowhere is this more evident than in Dallas, where the emphasis on change is a constant dynamic. So when I started to read your 10th anniversary issue, I had expectations of seeing your perspectives on what has transpired in Dallas during the past 10 years and what may happen in the next 10

Instead, I saw a flashy collation of materials previously available through the marketing departments of Neiman-Marcus, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue and other such concerns. Where was the substance of 10 years of growth, demographic change and technological definition? What would you tell your readers about the events and issues that were evident in 1974 and how they affected the present Dallas society? Not much.

In reviewing your anniversary issue, the reader is led to believe that Dallas is still all white, that every other car is a BMW or Mercedes and that the demographic changes around him are mere figments of the imagination. You failed to inform your readers about the important events that have seen Dallas emerge as a city known for other things besides being the site of the Kennedy assassination. There was an all-too-brief reference to the transportation agendas, the educational issues and the minority communities and their role in Dallas, but you did not do justice by your failure to provide a meaningful view of what is evolving around us.

It is rather obvious that you are in the business to sell ad space; that is an acceptable economic fact. But are you not also in business to provide some comment and sense of interpretation about Dallas and its society? Surely you have not walked the streets of Dallas or driven through its diverse communities. There is more to Dallas than Highland or University Park.

Baltazar Arispe Y Acevedo Jr.

Program Director

Mexican American Legal Defense

and Education Fund

Dallas



CONGRATULATIONS ON the decade -the D decade. While I admire all of your magazine, I must say that the young man who writes the thought-provoking pieces in the back [“Insights “] is my favorite.

Mike Ritchey

Fort Worth



IGNORANCE IS BUSS

I WOULD LIKE to take this opportunity to compliment Eric Miller on his thorough, easy-to-read, informative article about bookies [“Wanna Bet?,” September]. Not only was it informative, but the article also gave your readers step-by-step instructions on how to start their own bookie businesses: where to meet other bookies or bettors, ways to make a profit, how to avoid being caught and lots of encouragement (i.e., the low rate of convictions, probated sentences, etc.).

This article has made us all aware of this gambling problem, and surely some good will come of it in the form of stiffer sentences, more convictions and even higher fines. In the meantime, a select crowd in Dallas looks forward to another article, perhaps “How to Make Cocaine.”

Joan Hooper

Dallas



SHAME ON YOU, Lee Cullum! Mesquite had nothing to do with the two Garland sisters who plotted the murder of their husbands in a private Dallas club [“Editor’s Page,” September] Thanks very much, but Mesquite doesn’t need that kind of press.

Mary Brockette Dickson

Mesquite