In Stuart Steers's story about the Nike Corporation wanting to place itself upon the pedestal of the South Table ("If the Shoe Fits," March 12), he mentioned that Coors spokesman Jon Goldman had said, "I don't see these folks offering to have their homes leveled and converted to open space."
I believe that you also won't see the Coors Brewing Company offering to have its plant leveled to make room for the mighty swoosh. But then again, what would we do without Coors beer?
Sobering thought.
Michael Lee
Golden
Now that bailing out Pat Bowlen is a given, I can guess what's going to bleed the tax dollars next: Nike. It's a great choice for Denver youth-development programs: Kids can start to work at ten years old, and profits can go directly to Pat Bowlen. Pat has been a real role model to our students--they now support their schools through a series of threats, bribes and extortion. It can get them a new stadium or swimming pool.
All of you taxpayers in Jefferson County, stand up and cheer: "Nike is here!" Three cheers for Nike: "Give 'em our taxes, give 'em our taxes, give 'em our taxes, now!" Just like Bowlen, Nike wants to be profitable and competitive at the taxpayers' expense.
Fredrick G. Clutsom
Denver
Just Shoot Me
More power to Grand Junction sheriff candidate Bob Silva, who would issue concealed-weapon permits to Denver residents (Scott Yates's "He's a Real Pistol," March 12). If I choose to carry a weapon and defend myself with it (and answer for my actions), that's my decision, not the city of Denver's. Mayor Wellington Webb's anti-gun stance does not make the city safer; it makes honest, law-abiding citizens easier targets for criminals. At least Bob Silva believes in an individual's right to self-defense.
Bart Rhoten
via the Internet
The Art of the Deal
Michael Paglia's "PostMortem," in the March 5 issue, contains wrong facts. He claims the Colorado Convention Center is a failure and, since its completion in 1988, has never had a year when it's been booked at more than half its capacity, making it twice as large as it needs to be.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The Colorado Convention Center has been a tremendous success any way you look at it. Occupancy is probably the least important way of measuring its success. Even here, Paglia is dead wrong. Occupancy has been running 70 percent. The convention center's job is to bring convention business into the city, which creates jobs and builds the economy but doesn't necessarily fill every room 365 days a year. By the way, Mr. Paglia, the Colorado Convention Center opened in 1990, not 1988.
But what's most incredible about Paglia's article is what he failed to mention.
Did he mention that the convention center's bonds are being paid for by visitors, not the taxpayers? Did he mention that many of the shops, restaurants and attractions we have come to enjoy and expect downtown--many of whom are Westword advertisers--could not survive without the convention business the center brings?
Russ Green, Chairman
Task Force to Complete the Colorado Convention Center
Michael Paglia replies: Statistics can be cooked in a number of ways in order to produce the desired effect. I stand by my original claim of a less than 50 percent capacity rate for the facility, but even accepting Mr. Green's inflated numbers, the Colorado Convention Center is empty nearly a third of the time. So we both agree, Mr. Green: The thing's just too darned big. As for the date, Mr. Green is right. Constructed in 1988, the Colorado Convention Center opened in 1990.
As much as I enjoy the columns by Michael Paglia, I feel he is missing a large part of the metro-Denver art scene--namely, the suburban artist.
I am a sculptor and painter living and working out of my Golden address in the 'burbs. I have many artist friends who are doing the same, and we all share the common experience of being snubbed because we choose to live and work in a suburban location versus downtown in some swanky loft or warehouse. I once had a conversation with a member of Core Gallery during which she made the remark that she never travels more than a mile out of Denver to see art. I was shocked at her lack of adventure and her lack of belief that real art exists outside of LoDo.
I and several of my colleagues wish to correct this situation and educate people to the fact that wonderful, creative people will create work wherever they can, whenever they can and with whatever means they can find. I challenge you at Westword to come and see for yourselves!
Kendra Fleischman
Golden
Eye to Eyeful
Regarding Patricia Calhoun's "Private Eyeful," in the March 12 issue:
The Guv must think us dim of wit
To believe this is all legit.
For photogs never cleaner get
A show of passion so well-lit.
So when the Guv flies far away
Our taxes used by him that way
Is he out to earn his pay?
Or just going to see B.J.?
So sad to see our first family
Dealing with infidelity.
Once proud of them we could be
Now they're like Bill and Hillary.
Charles Newton
Highlands Ranch
Editor Calhoun, thank you for your insightful pokes at the local stuffed shirts. I believed Westword in 1990 on Roy Romer's adultery, and I believe you now. Please keep it up! (You're even teaching the tabloids manners and methods.)
Julie Ripley
via the Internet
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