Urb appeal: I just wanted to say that Jared Jacang Maher's "Building for the Future," in the January 6 issue, was easily the best, most articulate feature story I have read in Westword since moving here in the summer. I greatly appreciate the goals of Westword to bring stories of injustice or innovation to the citizens of Denver, but I am sorry to say that the quality of writing has been very poor.
Jared, you did an excellent job of writing a story that kept the reader interested throughout and did not leave them perplexed or confused. Great job, and I look forward to more articles from you!
Karl Kuenhold
Denver
Reality bytes: Great article about Peter Park. I appreciate Jared Jacang Maher's style, but more important is how he was able to define the cause and effect of Park's efforts in communities -- and yes, even Sim City.
Milwaukee lost a great asset when he left. As a former student turned colleague turned consultant to Peter Park, I also feel I lost my most influential mentor.
I look forward to future articles.
Mark C. Taylor
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Park place: Denver is a city of tantalizing promise and huge disappointment. The battle is so closely fought that it's usually impossible to see which side is winning. As a former Denver resident from the 1970s, I question whether the improvements I see in Denver proper can really counterbalance the relentless suburban sprawl on the Front Range. Kudos to Mayor Hickenlooper and Peter Park for getting it right. I just wish the rest of Colorado were listening.
Walter Hall
Phoenix, Arizona
Like a good neighbor...: Though I am basking in the recent glory of being labeled a "militant" for my suggestion about putting old cars in front of monstrously out-of-place houses, I'm very supportive and optimistic about Peter Park's vision for Denver. The problem is that his plans may take considerable time to implement. In the interim, we must protect our unique Denver neighborhoods from neighborhood-unfriendly architectural practices that are not conducive to community harmony. It's not about more regulations and codes. I think the truth is that we all need to learn to be good neighbors and get actively involved with our local neighborhood associations.
David Miller
Denver
Invest in Plummer, you'll get a quarterback: Regarding "Horsepower Versus Horse Manure?," Bill Gallo's column in the January 13 issue:
I am a Broncos season ticketholder and have been for years, all the way through the Elway days. No doubt John was one of the most prolific quarterbacks ever, but if my memory serves correctly, he had a bad habit of trying to win the games all by himself. Until he decided that it was a team sport and every part was necessary, the results were not any different than they are now.
We suffered through that for years, until along came a man who got John to fully understand how great he really was, and how much greater he would be if things changed just a small amount -- then John could have it all. Well, guess what? It happened just that way, and that man was Mike Shanahan. We had to work out problems then, as well. John also had a few things we don't have now, like a Hall of Fame tight end in Shannon Sharpe and several other greats: Romo, McCaffrey, Rod Smith and Atwater, players who impacted the game every week.
Yes, we were spanked on that last Sunday, and no, I don't think Jake is a John Elway. But just remember, we cried many a tear when John was becoming a legend.
David Jones
Glendale, Arizona
No justice: In Kenny Be's "Jail to Pay," his Worst-Case Scenario in the January 13 issue, I feel you have unfairly co-attributed Bob Reynolds's now-famous "bologna sandwich" comment to me. That gem was Bob's alone.
A little fact-checking never hurt anyone -- even Westword. On the other hand, good edgy political cartooning is a rare thing, and I am a big fan of unfettered freedom of speech. So keep pushing buttons, but get your facts straight first.
Greg Rawlings
Denver
Glitch, glitch, glitch: No one connects the dots like Kenny Be. "Why Slow Welfare Computers Are Good for Colorado, by Bill Owens," his January 6 Worst-Case Scenario, was brilliant -- every panel a gem, and the whole strip so hilarious it made me cry. In mirth and pain. Kenny is a civic and artistic treasure. I know from the inside that what he says is all true, and the result of the governor's and the GOP's social-programs-busting agenda, rather than any unforeseen "glitches."
Because I work for a nonprofit that is doing well and good for many disadvantaged citizens and does not need any undue attention from the governor's spying eyes and long arms, please withhold my name.
Name withheld on request
Low-flying pains: Regarding Adam Cayton-Holland's "Read Alert!," in the January 6 issue:
When George W. Bush is done with both Social Security and federal retirement plans, John Madden may have to start flying a sign for real.
Marshall Irons
Denver
Excuse us: In the New Year's Eve Guide, I was intrigued by "All Apologies," Lydia Nibley's column about the desire to confess. The act of apology begs the question: What place does apology have in the confidence of conviction? Belief directs the conscience, does it not? Apology itself may be considered a conviction. I suppose it depends upon, among other things, a determination of what is "better."
Brother Love
Denver
