Love-Hate Mail
History lesson
I’d like to provide Scene readers with some basic facts that didn’t make it into Christine Kreyling’s article “Wild Wild Westin” (Jan. 11). I have been running a business in the Richards & Richards building for 20 years at Third Avenue South and Broadway, and contrary to what some would have you believe, it is not “one of the few historic building types remaining in SoBro.” The original building on this site was built around the turn of the century. In 1945, that structure burned to the ground, leaving only two walls on either side of the building standing. In 1947, construction of the current building was completed. The floors are all pre-stress concrete, and there are no significant wooden structures found anywhere in the building.
The other buildings to be demolished are of similar standing. The building housing Kelly’s Western Wear and Broadway Gifts was built circa 1948 and Decades was built in 1942. The law office building was built in 1920, but it has been significantly altered from its original structure and no longer reflects its history. (For example, a second floor was removed entirely, making it a one-story building.)
All of these buildings were left out of the historic district on Lower Broadway when lines were drawn in the 1980s. If they weren’t considered to be historic then, what makes them historic now?
There are plenty of other buildings on Broadway that are, in fact, historic. Isn’t it time we turn our attention to these?
R. Stephen Richards
President and CEO, Richards & Richards
110 Third Avenue South (Nashville)
Discourse intercourse
I found Ms. Kreyling’s depiction of the Westin and the current zoning debate appalling (“Wild Wild Westin,” Jan. 11). I can understand Ms. Kreyling’s concerns—although I strongly disagree with her—but to depict the city as “rolling over on its back and spreading its legs” to bring economic development does absolutely nothing to further the discourse. Such writing does not belong in print (at least not in a free tabloid such as yours), and I encourage the editor to take a closer look at what kind of “journalists” you support.
The Nashville Scene has an obligation not just to make a profit and attract readers but also to further the community debate. This kind of writing does nothing to illuminate or elevate our discussion of the proposed Westin.
Matt Foster
Matt.Foster@h3gm.com (Nashville)
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You’d be wrong
I disagree that Sen. Kurita’s vote elected Sen. Ramsey (Words of the Week, Jan 11). All Republicans were finally loyal to the party and campaign contributors who elected them. Sen. Kurita’s vote was not needed. It was one of her ploys for 15 minutes of fame. Only minutes before the vote in the Senate, at the Democratic caucus, she expressed support for Wilder.
If a politician wants to be and vote independent, that is great—that is what I declare myself. But once a candidate declares a party, they should be loyal in organizational and partisan votes.
Charlie Lewter
caluttc@comcast.net (Nashville)
That’s a big ‘if’
The story about picketing the movie Blazing Saddles 33 years later (The Fabricator, Jan. 11) was hysterical, and quite possibly the nuttiest thing I’ve heard about in a long time (if it’s real). Thanks for a great laugh.
Marvin Koch
marvinkoch@yahoo.com (Nashville)
Fifty-cent words
While your description of Jim Lauderdale’s songs (Critic’s Picks, Jan. 11) as “more idiosyncratic than idiomatic” sounded very learned, how many of your readers do you think understood that overblown, ivory tower, highfalutin characterization? It sounded like someone desperately trying to sound important or serious, but without having a good reason for doing so. Was your intent to inform or impress? If it was to impress, you were successful. Your review impressed me as laughable. All you needed to say was, “It wasn’t his typical stuff.” Harry Date
silkanddenim@comcast.net (Nashville)
All you need is love. Snap!
Hey Mexi-dude: once again I must suspect you of generating content à la Phil Hendrie due to the “Bull Conner” letter (Ask a Mexican, Jan. 11). Not that such people don’t exist: mercy me, I live in Nashville and therefore frequently have to talk to them. It’s just that I always assumed they didn’t know how to read and write and email.
Jeff Pitcher
jeffpitcher@bellsouth.net (Nashville)
Dr. Strangelove
I was a patient of Dr. Feldman’s in the late ’90s (“Dr. Feelbad,” Aug. 24). He was very cordial to me. His diet medication and plan were very successful for me. I spoke with him on the phone about three months ago, and he was very short with me. He told me to look at the Nashville Scene. I was totally shocked. I cannot speak for everyone else, but contrary to the adverse testimonies, I found a new lease on life under his care. If unlicensed nurses treated me, I never knew it. Perhaps Dr. Feldman changed over the years. People often do. Sometimes we all let the glitz, glamour and vain things overshadow our internal goodness and divine purpose in this life. Lastly, I pray that everyone can heal and I wish the best for everyone, even Dr. Feldman.
Kathryn L. Covington
covingtonk1@k12tn.net (Goodlettsville)