Following normal procedure, we could have denied Mr. Garcia Fuentes access to the site. Instead, our personnel worked late and came in early the following morning to make arrangements for him to cover the secretary's visit. Since there was not enough time to complete a full security plan as required by DOE order, we did assign one public-affairs staff person--not "three guards"--to accompany Mr. Garcia Fuentes. We also asked that another Metro Networks reporter who was covering the same event maintain possession of the recording equipment. This is because foreign national visitors are not allowed to possess recording equipment without a specific security plan.
Our efforts were aimed at getting Mr. Garcia Fuentes access to the site on short notice so he could cover Mr. Pena's visit along with the other news media, which he was able to do. We were glad to accommodate him but sorry that he apparently misunderstood our security procedures.
Patrick J. Etchart
Department of Energy
Get Up, Stand Up
Regarding Michael Roberts's June 11 Feedback:
Personally, I don't give a hoot who brings reggae to Colorado. I plan on attending both Reggae on/at (or whatever!) the Rocks concerts. I can't believe Bill Bass would make disparaging remarks about Steel Pulse, Lucky Dube, Shaggy, etc., saying his lineup is so much stronger. Seems like he is cutting his own throat by touting his lineup this year at the expense of the artists not playing in his concert. Hell, I think both concerts have great lineups. In fact, I like that I can break up two all-day reggae concerts over the course of the summer. As much as I enjoy reggae, two days in a row is just too much for me (more so the party aspect than the music). So I say, "Lighten up!" This is reggae we are talking about--you know, peace, Jah, harmony.
R. Bitsie
via the Internet
Diss Jockey
This is in response to Michael Roberts's review of the Dave Matthews Band album, Before These Crowded Streets, in the June 4 issue. First of all, the song that is similar to Peter Gabriel's style is "Don't Drink the Water," not "Spoon." Alanis also assisted him on that song, as well as Bela Fleck.
You say "the words, meanwhile, are nothing much." Are you really listening? In another Westword, you referred to Jewel as the Stevie Nicks of the '90s.
What I'd love to know is, how did you get this job, since your words are so often "nothing much"?
Ellyn Levin
Boulder
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