STRIPPED DOWN
In response to the article about the adult businesses in Hillsborough County (Commentary, "I, The Stripper," by Wayne Garcia, July 26-Aug. 1), I think he misses the point. While not true for everyone, I think that given the choice (something our County Commission has avoided thus far) you'd find a clear majority of the voting public would say that we don't want adult businesses in our towns. I'm sorry … the Showgirls club in Brandon or any other club for that matter can't possibly bring in enough tax revenue to make any difference to anyone. I travel around the country on business and when someone hears that I'm from Tampa, someone else will chime in and say "Hey … isn't that where the Mons Venus is?" I'm sick and tired of having to explain to my young children what these places are. I don't like having to tell my kids that, "No, you can't go up in the spaceship" (referring to the strip joint on Dale Mabry). I don't like my town being labeled as the "Red Light" district of the Southeast. Adult businesses might have a right to exist today, but I as a taxpaying voter and resident of this county believe that I have every right to cast my vote to decide if they should be allowed in my community. If a majority says they should go, then they need to go. If, however, the majority says they should stay, then I will live with it.
David Meyer
Valrico
Of course citizens who aspire to become commissioners or school board members are typically people who use their position to control citizens to make them conform to their values and beliefs. And snitty, stick-in-the-mud, right-wingers can always seem to convince the ignorant masses during their campaigns that a vote for them is the right thing to do. Look how many people still voted for George W. Bush. If Republicans like Storms would tell people what they really want, I do not think they could be elected.
Dan
Via website
BORSCHT BIAS?
In my opinion (very important words to mention because I am not an expert in the field of food criticism), when a food critic writes about his dining experience, especially publicly, he has a responsibility before the public to present a non-biased and fair overview based on prior gathered knowledge and the experience of a particular cuisine. His job of remaining fair and non-biased becomes more difficult when he attempts to review ethnic cuisines (that) are not familiar to him and unfamiliar to the palates of the majority of the population. It seems to me that the article was a case of the author's pure judgment based on ignorance and unfamiliarity with Russian authentic cuisine, culture and a concept of a Russian restaurant (Food Feature, "Borscht Belt," by Brian Ries, July 12-18). The author seemed to be dazzled with the essence of the Russian restaurant; it is a mixture of a restaurant, a lounge and a nightclub where people who are ready for a new experience may savor authentic cuisine, dance and enjoy their evening. The author is right about one thing: authentic Russian cuisine is an acquired taste for many, just like caviar. If you don't like the "fish eggs" does that make them less tasty or less refined to others? To reassure the author and the readers, the chef of St. Petersburg Nights is a professional chef who has completed education at the University of Culinary Arts in Uzbekistan, has been a restaurant owner, and has more than twenty year of experience in authentic Russian and other ethnic cuisines of the former Soviet Union. Of course, his style differs from traditional American dishes.
I just would like to remind the author about how important his articles and opinions are to us, the general public, and therefore, how detrimental they could be to local businesses. Before placing a judgment publicly about an unknown cuisine, please take some time to study it and address it with an open-mind or re-assign the article to someone else. If I were not confident about the quality of cuisine at St. Petersburg Night, I would have not written this. Our food is an example of an excellent Russian cuisine, but now after reading your article how many readers would be willing to give it a chance?
Ilona
Owner of St. Petersburg Nights
The place is owned by great loving people who truly believe in their venture. No question!! But sometimes that is just not enough. True attention to detail in all areas is imperative, especially the cuisine, that's priority ONE. Off season on the beach often leads to evenings, as Brian learned, where the lack of true professionals in the kitchen could lead to mediocrity at best. It hurts to say it, but it is true. Not only at this establishment but also at many others.
Your opinion is shared by many who have first-hand, hands-on knowledge of the industry and truly know the difference between sliding by and really getting the job done.
Richard M.
Via website
This article appears in Aug 2-8, 2006.
