Who's Alternative?
The Weekly Planet's election issue offered little more insight into the mayoral race than did the mainstream media. In particular, I was disturbed by editor Jim Harper's casual dismissal of Charlie Miranda from "serious" consideration.
Harper begins with a noble goal: looking at the candidates' "values" and their "demonstrated decisions." He then focuses on only three of the five candidates, stating that he "decided to concentrate on the serious candidates." Without clearly defining what he means by "serious contenders," Harper opines that Miranda "would not be an effective mayor," and he places Miranda in the same category as fitness "guru" Donald Ardell. While he praises Miranda's "dedicated public service," his "flashes of principled independence," and even speculates that "there is some brilliance in there," Harper fails to include a thoughtful consideration of Miranda.
Consider the facts. By Harper's own admission, Miranda has been a public servant for over three decades and is the longest-serving City Council member. At the same time, Harper is not sure "what he'd do as a mayor." How much more time and service does Miranda have to put in before Harper can figure this out? While Harper admits that "speculating about anyone's inner light … can be tricky business," he then goes on to offer a particularly offensive mind-reading of Miranda: "Oh, what the hell, I might as well throw my hat in the mayor's race once again".
Harper is a solid, knowledgeable journalist. However, the last 24 of his 25 years have been spent in mainstream journalism (St. Petersburg Times). While he has only been on the job for little over a month, Harper should quickly aspire to the ideals of an alternative newspaper and fairly cover all of the candidates. I know that this reader expects no less from the Weekly Planet.
—Rich Mercadante, Tampa
She Is, at Least
My compliments to Susan Edwards for her article on the mayoral candidates dealing with the arts in Tampa. I'd dearly love to see Tampa known for something other than the trifecta of Bern's, Bucs and Mons Venus. The candidates, even the competent and articulate Pam Iorio, seem to have only a hazy theoretical notion that local artists actually exist and are at a loss how to encourage them.
—Ray Zacek, Tampa
I like your thinking on this.
It would be nice if the new Tampa Museum has a place for local artists to rotate exhibiting their works — no prize money, no juries; just a place to let the community experience these otherwise hidden treasures from artists who live and work in their neighborhoods.
—George McGuire, Tampa
The Scene We Shouldn't Have Refused
OK, I know there's a million movies with food in it, but to ignore the the scene in The Godfather where top capo Clemenza shows a young Michael Corleone how to make sauce borders on sacriliege. For shame. Also who can forget Clemenza telling a hitman to "leave the gun … take the cannolis" ?
—John Sirois, Indian Rocks Beach
Play Fair
I think your theater critic must be on Prozac. I saw the play at the Hickman Theater of Gulfport and thoroughly enjoyed it, as did the other four people in my party and the rest of the audience. The actors were great, the play IS funny, and if your critic did not find it so — the problem may be at your end!
—"Sir Andrew" Shaw, Realtor & Gentleman, All Florida Realty Services, Seminole
This article appears in Mar 19-25, 2003.