Hot and bothered
For years I have wanted to live downtown but do not, because I know the health effects of mass-burn incineration. Thanks to Curt Guyette for the well-researched article ("The big burn," Metro Times, April 2) on Detroit's mass burner and the efforts of so many (including City Council member JoAnn Watson) to find a better alternative. My heart sank, though, when I read the comments of Deputy Mayor Anthony Adams, who, it seems, will have the last word on the monster's future. When he says, "Environmentalists believe, rightly or wrongly, that the incinerator increases asthma and spews pollutants," I hear a man who wants to close his ears to public health records and 25 years of scientific research to escape doing the right thing.
It is not too late for members of the Greater Detroit Resource Recovery Authority and Chairman Anthony Adams to grab onto a vision whose time has arrived all over the country: Create jobs by saving, sorting and selling what we now burn. Study up and call in others who have already done it to help. Sleep better knowing the ambulance you hear is not another asthmatic child being rushed to emergency because of your choices. —Charlene Griffin, Detroit, former organizing director, Hoosier Environmental Council
Does not compute
I loved Jack Lessenberry's column on Doug Fraser ("Fraser's gambit," Metro Times, April 16). I don't blame the UAW for negotiating for higher benefits vs. more workers. Management agreed to every one of those contracts. I'd like to see more union presence in the tech field, but they've insulated themselves by shipping production to China. But yet people love Apple and hate Ford. Go figure. —Greg Wert, Farmington Hills
Kwame time
After seven years service as mayor of Detroit, Kilpatrick's mistakes have finally surfaced ("KK's Next Gig: Pastor? Rapper?" Metro Times, March 12). Kwame Kilpatrick has done some great things for the city, but now the scandal has hit, and I know exactly how I feel about the mayor of Detroit.
Kwame claims that he was born to be the mayor of Detroit, but he jeopardized the city's economic stability and reputation for new businesses. Not only has our city's name been ruined, the people of this city will now be judged for his actions as mayor. Kwame: Its time to give up. "They got you, man!" —Helene Robinson, Dearborn Heights
Subpar subcontinental
I'm reading your recent review of local Indian restaurants (Short Order, Metro Times, April 23) and have to respectfully disagree with one of your reviews. Based on your raving review of the Star of India in Ferndale, I decided to check the place out on three different occasions and tried both their buffet and menu. I was horrifically disappointed with the quality of food. I am an Indian and feel that I have every right to accurately judge Indian food. I was amazed at how you came to the conclusion that the Star of India's food was worth eating, let alone including in your listing of Indian restaurants. There are so many others that I've been to that were wonderful and yet, you chose not to include in your review (for example, Chettinad, at the intersection of 15 Mile and Dequindre roads). Star of India, in my opinion, is horrendously cheap in the way they prepare their meals. I'd appreciate you sending an Indian to review some of these restaurants. —Alvin Thomas, Sterling Heights
In poor taste
I read your paper faithfully, and the restaurants that are advertised in your paper are basically for the real people that can afford to eat there, and I am thankful for that. What irks me is there is a certain radio station that has DJs promoting "dining deals" as they sit and stuff their faces, while most people cannot afford to eat at these expensive restaurants. They claim that you'll get a great deal — by buying a $50 certificate for $25. I don't know of a lot of people that can even afford to eat out due to the economic situation in Michigan. I wonder if the hosts feel guilty as the stuff their faces, while most people wonder if they can even put food on the table for their kids. If they are going to advertise a restaurant, they should go to one that at least is affordable to the common person, or at least give away the stupid certificates. I guess they won't do that since they obviously don't care for people that are hurting during this time. —Janette McCabe, Warren
