After reading Patricia Calhoun's "Stealing Home," in the September 5 issue, I have to ask: What's next? Will the Colorado Rockies try to seize a certain mountain range because its name is too close to that of the team? I'm a lot more worried about what the Rockies are going to do with my playoff-ticket money than with Robert Lewis's Web page.
D.T. O'Hara
Denver
Pork Place
Congratulations to Westword for finally putting Park Meadows in its place in the August 29 issue. Kenny Be's "Pork Meadows" was brilliant. Remember, people, no matter what the developers want to call it, it's just a mall! Kudos, too, to Robin Chotzinoff for "Visit to a Mall Planet." It was a wonderful piece of writing. You go, girl!
Katie Rodgers
Denver
Better Dead Than Ted
Regarding Robin Chotzinoff's "Shaft's Big Score," in the August 29 issue:
First, Channel 12 cancels Wild America because of alleged cruelty to animals. Then, "First Amendment TV 12" Ted Krichels broadcasts Ted Nugent's kill-for-thrills series on bowhunting and pockets $20,000 in pledges.
Enough said: My public-TV check is made out to KRMA.
Neil Slade
Denver
I wonder how many people would pledge money to public television if they promised a special featuring someone gutting Ted Nugent. I'm not saying they should do it; I'm just curious.
Richard DeTar
Denver
Safe at Home?
Regarding Karen Bowers's "Older but Bitter," in the August 22 issue: The real question is, how does Lisa Kirkman Werner, former head of the DA's child-abuse unit, arrange safe child care for her son?
Joanne Roll
Denver
It was quite difficult to read precious Stephanie's story. I have utter contempt for abusers like Wanda Crawford and all of her ilk. Rot in pieces, Wanda.
Bryan Wills
Denver
Parts Is Parts
I appreciated Eric Dexheimer's "Teacher's Fret," in the August 29 issue.
For the past two years I've been one of those noble, part-time community college instructors working overtime "in the spirit of volunteerism." I have a confession to make, however. My reason for working sixty-plus-hour weeks at three community colleges was less than altruistic: I love teaching, and I wanted to work my way into a full-time faculty position. My impending financial ruin is what forced me to rethink this goal.
With CCCOES relying increasingly on part-time instructors, its persistence in viewing part-time faculty as having no vested interest in fair pay and representation is severely whacked-out. Even if part-timers are willing to be overworked and underpaid in the spirit of volunteerism, shouldn't that at the very least earn them increased respect as educators?
Well, it doesn't, because education administrators are realists. They recognize that part-timers are, by definition, weenies for allowing themselves to be treated with such blatant disrespect. This has been my observation at the Community College of Aurora, Arapahoe Community College and Community College of Denver. And from what I've heard, I wouldn't go near Front Range.
Not that I should worry about any of this anymore--I've recently taken a real job answering phones for a local publishing company that has nearly doubled my income. I'm still teaching a few night classes, but like any self-respecting teacher, I like to think CCCOES is the loser here.
Dean Huffaker
Englewood
I am not in a position to speak to the situation of John Hart. However, I am able to discuss Kathleen Mills's feelings about George Bruner.
For the past three years my husband and I were registered students of anthropology at the Community College of Aurora (CCA). We have studied with George Bruner and have made field study trips with him. The educational value of these trips was great. Ms. Mills's statement that these field trips are "nothing more than extended vacations" is absurd. During each of the trips, Mr. Bruner offered regularly scheduled hands-on, classroom-type instruction in addition to face-to-face, hands-on experiences with the cultures we were studying. We have returned from these trips with a better understanding of Native American and Mesoamerican cultures.
Ms. Mills displays the attitude of a spoiled child when she becomes furious about administrative decisions and when she fumes that "he (Bruner) started campaigning for my job" and that "no one would listen to what I had to say." Well, perhaps it is not so much a matter of qualifications but more a matter of who is a better teacher. President Larry Carter was selected for his job based on his knowledge of how to run a community college; just maybe he knows how to make decisions about placing and keeping the best instructors.
Donell Minnis
Aurora
Past His Prime
Regarding Kyle Wagner's "Prime and Punishment," in the September 5 issue:
Do let me commend Kyle Wagner on 1) his feeble attempt at humor, or 2) his less subtle attempt to drum up customers for Morton's...or is it the Palm this week?
I am pleased to have never been seated next to you or Barry Fey. That language! We are all better off with you both patronizing another steakhouse. And what arrogance! Maybe you should simply have settled for an autographed picture of Fey hanging prominently in your living room or perhaps distributed as a Christmas card...just to let everyone you think might care know what wonderful company you keep and how valued his opinion is on fine dining.
Your critique is meaningless, and we will continue to enjoy the dining experience at Brook's. Grab your A-1 and head down Yosemite; the golden arches might be more to your taste.
Name withheld on request
Editor's note: For more babbling on Brook's, see this week's Mouthing Off.
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