Responses to Francis X. Gilpin's coverage of the Mike Cone controversy, Trevor Aaron's story on the Albert Whitted Airport and kudos for the "K" girls — RhondaK and Kelli K — and events guru Cooper Cruz Escape From the OrdinaryRe: "International Plaza" by RhondaK (May 29-June 4)
Several months ago I read a tiny square of information in The Tampa Tribune that said, paraphrased, that people who read or watch the news are 30 percent more likely to be negative individuals. This was the fuel for my argument to the same sentiment that I've had for years. Most of the time, I do not read editorials that the Planet publishes. The only exceptions are those articles written by RhondaK. I try to read every article that she writes, as they are the much-needed distraction from today's mundane approach to media communication. If the Planet were truly an alternative publication, you would seriously consider printing more of her articles. Some of us want to smile when we read an article. We need an alternative to all the negative press.
Kris Pierce
Via e-mail
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It is refreshing to be able to read a story in a newspaper. Not some facts or someone's idea of the truth, skewed to prove a preconceived point. A real story with style and flair and most of all, flavor. I hope to see more of RhondaK in the future in the WP.
Dan Cioffi
Palmetto
Credibility GapRe: "Airport Insecurity" by Trevor Aaronson (May 22-28)
Thanks for writing a fair and balanced article about our valuable downtown airport. I hope you don't get fired. Thankfully, some of your colleagues are also trying to educate the public on this issue, instead of using your powerful newspaper to spread pure anti-airport propaganda. The credibility of your paper can only strengthen with this kind of honest reporting.
Marc Scoggins
Via e-mail
A Rare Thanks
I would like to thank you for the generous press that you did for the Channeled Energies show here at Artists Unlimited. We had great turnout and everyone had a wonderful time. I can not thank you enough for your help in promoting our shows in the Weekly Planet. Also I was so delighted to see that you had printed David Kramer's painting. I was so excited when I saw his painting published that it made my day.
I also really enjoyed the Summer Guide. I especially enjoyed Cooper Cooper Cruz's section on bocce ball, Scott Harrell's "guerrilla busking", and Kelli K's piece on movie hopping. You and all of the other writers on staff are doing such a great job. I now really look forward to Wednesdays just so I can read my Planet!
Erin E. Cummings
Artists Unlimited staffer
Cone ClarificationRe: "Easy Street" by Francis X. Gilpin (May 8-14)
Due to my relationship with a road building/contractor in Tampa and the possibility that I may have had professional contact with Mr. Cone, I removed myself from any involvement in this case. Mr. Gilpin clearly states I personally handled the case. In fact, reading your article is the first I learned of any specifics of the case. I regret that my staff did not inform Mr. Gilpin of this fact. However, in their defense, none of Mr. Gilpin's requests for information led them to believe it was relevant. Clearly, Mr. Gilpin's attack on my professional integrity was his focus.
The posting on the Internet of Mr. Cone and his company on the Convicted Vendor List was delayed due to a dispute between the parties regarding a pending motion and its effect, if any, on the final order. Despite the delay in posting on the Internet, which is not required by law, enforcement of the ban on doing business with the state was enforced and Cone Construction Company did not receive any state business after Aug. 11, 2001.
The Department of Management Services, in its letter dated March 7, 2002, offered further access to records relating to this case. Mr. Gilpin did not avail himself of this opportunity and, consequently, the incomplete research performed by Mr. Gilpin and his lack of understanding of the issues surrounding government contracting is evident in his story.
Cynthia A. Henderson, Secretary
Florida Department of Management Services
CorrectionLast week's Music Menu was incorrect in attributing to Cranes a cover of Heart's "Barracuda." The band has never covered "Barracuda" and claims to have never heard the song, if such a thing is at all possible.
DisclosureIn last week's cover story about public access television, we neglected to disclose that Weekly Planet President Ben Eason is founder and current treasurer of Speak Up Tampa Bay, the not-for-profit organization that manages public access channels.
This article appears in Jun 12-18, 2002.