LETTERS

KEEPING UP WITH THE JOHNSONS

I RECENTLY READ THE STORY ABOUT CELEBRIties and athletes with homes in the Dallas-Fort Worth area [“In (And Out) of Season,” Luxury Homes, July].

I was shocked and appalled to read that you mentioned Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Johnson being “newly married” and building a home in DeSoto/Dun-canville. For your records, Mr. Michael Johnson is not married nor is he building a home. It appears that you have confused him with another hometown athlete, Mr. Larry Johnson of the New York Jets.

MARINI STURNS

MJD HOLDINGS, LTD.



EDITOR’S NOTE: An editing error did replace one Johnson with the other; for that we apologize. However, we would he remiss if we neglected to state correctly Larry Johnson’s team. He plays basketball for the New York Knicks, not football for the Jets.



FACT-CHECKED

THANKS FOR THE DUBIOUS HONOR OF BEING named the most robbed bank in Dallas for January through March [“Fact Check,” June]. I thought you also would enjoy this fact:

Percent of Bank United robberies resulting in arrest: 100

RONALD D. COBEN,

Executive Vice President

Community Banking



RESTAURANT REALITY

AS A RESTAURANT MERCENARY, I WAS VERY interested to read about the eclipse of Moon Under Water [“How to Lose Your Shirt in the Restaurant Business,” June]. Successfully operating a restaurant in Dallas is tougher than straightening out the D.ISD.

Mr. Toomer’s analysis on the “Moonies” was dead on. Any concept based on a trend is risky. When you consider just how nomadic Dallas diners are to the newest and shiniest eatery, trendy restaurants will forever be destined for the auction house. You must be the first or the best.

People who jump into the restaurant business can hardly imagine how difficult the entire process is, and most are fated to fail. But keep trying, your attempts provide me and my brethren with a steady income.

RUSSELL FENTON

Restaurant Consultant

DALLAS



IN DEFENSE OF HADDOCK

I WAS SHOCKED AFTER READING A FAIRLY balanced and researched article on Crescent Real Estate Equities Company [“Why is Richard Rainwater Buying Up Dallas?,” D Business, July] to find an extremely biased and vicious attack on Gerald Haddock [“Is Gerald Haddock Richard Rainwater’s Best Asset or Worst Liability?”].

It was apparent that Ms. Stephenson did not get along personally with Mr. Haddock. I am appalled that she took this opportunity to launch a personal attack on him in an article that was supposed to be on the rise of one of the country’s most successful real estate investment trusts (“REITs”).

Had Ms. Stephenson been interested in learning about the real Gerald Haddock, she would have consulted his numerous colleagues in the REIT industry. She would have found many individuals who were willing to go on the record confirming Mr. Haddock’s abilities as an astute businessman, dedicated director and faithful friend.

JARROD T. FOERSTER

NEW YORK

VIA E-MAIL