LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[October 5th, 2005] WW PEES ME OFF!

It's commonly known in Portland that WW has a reputation as a publication that enjoys rattling the collective chain of its readership. Is it possible to give an actual number to the outraged "Letters to the Editor" over the past decades lambasting WW and one of its stories or writers?

As a longtime reader, I have been both inspired and disgusted by various stories that have been typical WW fare. For example, I had no interest in hearing about reporter Angela Valdez, and how difficult it was for her to "pee" or "poop" after her well-documented accident ["Biker, Interrupted," WW, Aug. 31, 2005]. If she had the writing skills necessary to write a story worth reading, that detailed her experience with maturity, eloquence and seriousness, instead of indulging in tasteless malarkey, I would have been more sympathetic to her plight, as a bicyclist who was clearly hit by a careless motorist. But her apparent lack of training with regard to writing, and her painful lack of finesse resulted in a story that was not viewed with much sympathy by the reading public. She had a wonderful opportunity to research a serious topic and write something meaningful, and what she pumped out was, to me, a monumental disappointment!

What now angers me is the implied message insinuated in the end paragraph of the story "Shelter Skelter" [Sept. 21, 2005]! As a contributing poet to Street Roots newspaper, a paper dedicated to issues of homelessness, and as a longtime supporter of its vendors, I find it offensive that the homeless are categorized [by an advocate for the homeless] in such narrow terms, "the worthy and the unworthy!" Why? Because our native homeless didn't survive a dramatic natural disaster?

When it comes right down to it, maybe that's all it's about. "Emotions" and how the televised image affects our desires to help or turn our backs to equally deserving poor.

Therresa Kennedy
Southwest Cashmur Lane

DON'T BELIEVE THE GRIPE

The public says they love a "change agent" versus stagnant bureaucracy, but when an innovative, capable public servant like Zari Santner of Portland Parks and Recreation actually undertakes and accomplishes true change, there's bound to be some grumbling from malcontents who liked the old ways. The press should provide a fair evaluation of the changes, not simply give voice to the naysayers, as you have done in your [Sept. 28] Murmurs column.

By only repeating vague, anonymous discontent, you not only fail to examine Ms. Santner's excellent record and the rationale behind the changes she has created, but you also discourage other able public administrators in other departments from undertaking the sorts of difficult improvements that are needed in government.

David Bragdon
Southeast Morrison Street

Editor's Note: Bragdon is president of the Metro Council.