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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Not His Cause
Not His Cause
To the editor: Regarding E.R. Bills’ column (“Force to Live,” Feb. 8, 2006): My father was tired, so tired. You have no idea what he — we — went through for those 37 years. It was the day after my first birthday when this horrible event occurred, and it will always be a part of every birthday thereafter.
If you’d ever had the opportunity to meet my father, David Gunby, you would have met a literal genius, who had more trouble expressing his feelings than he did recognizing facts. I so completely resent your intrusion into his carefully guarded life that it is almost difficult for me to express. If he ever wanted sympathy or to be part of your “cause,” I will eat my hat — my father accepted his fate for what it was and nothing more. There was nothing divine about the intervention that prevented his avoidance of death almost 30 years ago, just as there was nothing divine that preceded, or followed, his passing.
My point is that you have used my father as a vehicle for your cause, something David Gunby would have abhorred — as do his loved ones. He would be completely against causes such as the one you espouse, and for you to espouse it in his name is disgusting to his family, and would be, I believe, to him.
The cause you propagate is yours and yours alone. Leave David Gunby, and therefore his family, out of it.
Christi Gunby French
Fort Worth
True Drivel
To the editor: I read your recent guest column labeled “Buy this Space” (March 1, 2006) by Tracy Everbach and was blown away — not because the writing was good but because you so obviously got the facts wrong and accused Fort Worth, Texas magazine of doing what you do: sell ads. I noticed in this issue that you have a listing of restaurants and then the same advertisers on the opposite page. How is that any different from what you accused them of? Also, did you even research your facts? You state that the story on Lone Star Bavarian was slanted promotional drivel. Did you once contact the company or interview them yourself to see if it was really promotional drivel? No — I know this because I own the company. We did not pay Fort Worth, Texas any money for the story, and the information contained in the story was all true. Over 50 percent of our business is geared toward women, which is something we are proud to tell anyone and everyone. We do have two master technicians, which is unheard-of in the industry because of the costs. We have founded a company on ethics and honesty and do not appreciate your comments that imply this information is not true. We are unique, and just because a magazine decides to do a story on a unique company does not make the truth drivel. It is sad to see that in our country, the media can so aggressively attack others even when they are wrong, just because you can stand behind the First Amendment. I’d like to ask you, when was the last time your paper gave away free advertisements to help the women’s shelter or other worthy charities? Why don’t you stick to what you know — promoting concerts, strip clubs, and eating establishments? Good wholesome community!
Patricia Burns Cole
Fort Worth
Editor’s note: Tracy Everbach, as a media critic, calls them as she sees them, including criticizing the Weekly itself from time to time. The question Everbach raised was not whether the information contained in the magazine’s story was correct, but whether the magazine provided the kind of separation between advertising and editorial interests that good journalism requires — and that this paper fights to maintain in its own pages. Indeed, the Weekly sticks to what it knows, which includes stories about concerts, restaurants, and strip clubs — as well as investigative reporting and other award-winning news coverage.
Shining Up Haltom
To the editor: I really learned a lot about Haltom City politics by perusing Jeff Prince’s masterpiece “Brightening a ’Burb” (Feb. 22, 2006). Since this issue was published, our mayor, Calvin White, has resigned but will continue to serve until the May 13 election for a replacement. Councilman Bill Lanford is prepared to serve in that position if voted in, and he comes with an outstanding resumé.
I particularly enjoyed Prince’s segment on the Ponderosa trailer park. The new owner, Edward McDonald, has done more repairs in two days than the previous owners did in the entire three years I’ve lived here. The roads are newly asphalted now thanks to Mr. McDonald and company — no more virtual craters to navigate over and around. Mr. Prince addressed some of the problems that prevail in our city. Hopefully his article will serve as a blueprint, and action will be taken accordingly.
Kellie Jones
Haltom City
Strong Brothers
To the editor: It was interesting to read “Bling, Bang, Little Gangstas” (Feb. 15, 2006), Michael Whiteley’s story about brothers in the community — strong leaders like Johnny Muhammed, Luther Perry, and the Rev. Roosevelt Franklin Sutton Jr. I have seen these men in action, and the job that they take on is 24/7. It takes a lot to keep the vision alive for the kids of today, and the power of UMOJA in action is part of it.
The ’hood needs brothers who go and teach the children to have a positive outlook on life, to stay out of the gangs. Alton Wilkerson and heavy-weight hitter District Attorney Tim Curry are powerhouses in the effort to get gang violence down. We do not need guns to cure the gang problem in the community; we need super legal teams to stiffen the laws for the gang youth of today.
I like to see the teams of the Fort Worth Police Department and its gang task force unit working hard to limit violence. When cops get tough by impounding cars of gangbangers who failed to produce driver’s licenses or proof of insurance, they cut the wheels out from under the war wagon. Fort Worth is known for the “don’t start none, won’t be none” type rule that will keep our streets safe.
Fort Worth Weekly had a good writer on that article. I like the way y’all go out all the way to get the report straight from the ’hood. Keep up the good work.
Like a rap star once said, “Keep it street.”
Charles Hibbler
Fort Worth
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