Letters to the Editor

Illuminating MLGW
To the Editor:
I want to compliment your publication on providing such an excellent overview on many of the issues surrounding the recent proposal to consider selling Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division [Dec. 11th issue]. Without a doubt, this is one of the most important issues this city has ever faced, as it deeply affects all aspects of our community. For the benefit of your readers and our customers, however, I would like to clarify just a couple of points which were made.
First, a TVA-generated rate increase which went into effect on October 1st was mistakenly attributed to MLGW, which in fact has had only one increase of its own (2.86 percent) in more than 10 years. Through aggressive cost-containment measures and prudent management, we have held the line on rising energy costs. As your article mentioned, we are committed to holding our rates steady at least through the year 2000. Then we will once again reexamine projections for the future, and if at all possible, we will extend our current rate freeze.
Secondly, the article also mentioned a pay raise for the utility’s 2,522 employees. This 4 percent annual raise over the next three years and 4.5 percent in the fourth year was an item agreed to in recent contract negotiations with our bargaining unit, I.B.E.W. Local 1288. In fact, MLGW employs just over 2,600 people, and the salary adjustment only affects the roughly 1,800 bargaining unit employees. I might add that the management of MLGW and I.B.E.W. Local 1288 are both committed to providing our customers with excellent service, at the lowest cost possible, and to ensuring that MLGW is well-positioned to meet the competitive challenges ahead.…
Mark Heuberger
Manager, Communication Services and Chief Communication Officer
Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division

Judge Not …
To the Editor:
The danger presented in Karen Shea’s commentary on the fate of former Judge David Lanier [“An Offender Gets His,” December 4th issue], may well exceed the sense of justice she received from the Supreme Court’s reversal of the Sixth Circuit’s decision.
Far from being a “technicality,” the basis of Judge Merritt’s decision is that the federal court lacked jurisdiction over criminal conduct which the majority of the court believed did not constitute a federal crime under Title 18 U.S.C. § 242. The authors of our constitution envisioned the federal courts preventing the “federalization” of traditional state-law crimes as well as other intrusions into the affairs of states.
Ms. Shea, undaunted by her admitted inability to understand the “technicalities” of Judge Merritt’s opinion, nevertheless proceeds to portray it as “incomprehensible.” I certainly don’t mean to single out Ms. Shea, but she and many others erroneously belive that if any wrong has occurred, the federal government necessarily should be that entity to rectify the injustice. I suggest that this type of dependence upon an all-powerful central government, and particularly its executive branch, will ultimately result in an erosion of freedom which will render our society typical of the totalitarian governments throughout the world.
Whether Judge Lanier’s criminal behavior violated federal law, specifically Title 18 U.S.C. § 242, is extremely complex and is an issue which sharply divided the judges of the Sixth Circuit. The narrow decision of the Supreme Court left much unsettled in this area of the law, and I don’t venture any opinion as to the ultimate reach of Section 242. In the long run, however, we all should hesitate to be critical of persons and issues when we do not understand what facts and principles are involved. The stakes are simply too high to do otherwise.
Joe Phelan
Memphis

Misplaced Priorities
To the Editor:
Regarding “Another Homeless Shelter Is Homeless,” by Jacqueline Marino [“City Reporter,” December 4th issue]: It seems as if it is more important to raze the building so a new parking lot for the downtown ballpark can be built there. The prevailing mindset in this sick society is that building a parking lot is more of a priority than sheltering and providing crucial services for homeless women and children.
I would like to ask the citizens of my beloved Memphis, “Where are we headed as a people?”
Too many of us have forgotten John Kennedy’s words in his inaugural address (January 20, 1961): “If the free society cannot help the many who are poor, it can never save the few who are rich.”
Think about it.
Arthur H. Prince
Memphis

Utility Bills
I would like to comment on the [December 11th] article by Jacqueline Marino, “Out in the Cold” [in which a woman living in Section 8 housing was looking for utility assistance for her MLGW bill]. I think somebody needs to go out and advise this woman on how to use her utilities. I have a nine-room house and I have never had a utility bill that was $260 a month.
Clarice Hight
Memphis

The Quick Answer
To the Editor:
Here’s an easy poser from Debbie Gilbert’s [December 11th] review of Vertigo: Why don’t they make movies like this anymore? The answer, obviously, is Alfred Hitchcock is dead. Geniuses only come along when the great director in the sky sees fit to send us one, so it’s pointless to spend a lot of time waiting for Phillip Noyce or Tony Scott or even Steven “Look at Me!” Spielberg to produce a classic thriller. Ain’t gonna happen. Let’s move on.
Corey Mesler
e-mail (Memphis)

The Gay-Rights Train
To the Editor:
Mubarak S. Dahir was spot-on in his criticism of the gay and lesbian leadership’s response to Bill Clinton’s civil-rights record, as illustrated by their fawning reaction to his recent speech before the Human Rights Campaign (“Viewpoint, November 20th issue). While it is true we have much to thank the president for (we could do a lot worse), we must continue to hold him accountable for his actions and not be seduced by good intentions and empty platitudes.
In response to Greg O’Keefe (“Letters,” December 4th issue): I agree that the president should generally represent the will of the majority. However, when the attitudes of the majority stand in stark opposition to the very fundamentals of liberty prescribed in the Constitution, the president has a moral obligation to educate, persuade, and stand firm against the tide of public opinion. The protection of the few against the tyranny of the many is the very essence of our republic. …
O’Keefe’s position reminds me of those people in the 1950s and ’60s who were all for a limited expansion of civil-rights protections for black Americans, as long as they “stayed in their place.” …
Gay and lesbian Americans expect and demand the same opportunities and protection for our civil liberties that every other American takes for granted. That is, plain and simple, the so-called “gay agenda” – nothing more, nothing less. Ultimately, and likely soon, we will achieve this. Like it or not, that bus is leaving the station. You can either get on board or eat our dust.
Max Hardeman
Memphis

Defending Rip
To the Editor:
Regarding John Harris and his negative letter about Rip Scherer [December 11th issue], it seems that his motive is as questionable as his facts. Could it be that he is attempting to bolster Rebel recruiting at the Tigers’ expense?
For the record, during the past 14 years “The Toothless Tiger” posted wins over Alabama, Southern Cal, Florida, and the same Tennessee team which beat hell out of Ole Miss. As a matter of fact, the U of M beat Ole Miss two of the last three games and I believe will beat them again next year! Why does Harris think Ole Miss dropped the U of M and scheduled Idaho State?
Mr. Harris will eat a lot of crow in one or two more years.
Ronnie Burrage
Memphis

The Memphis Flyer encourages reader response. Send mail to: Letters to the Editor, POB 687, Memphis, TN 38101. Or call Back Talk at 575-9405. Or send us e-mail at memflyer@aol.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.

		Editor’s Note The Memphis Flyer will publish throughout the holidays, so keep going to those boxes. Because Christmas and New Year’s fall on Thursdays, our papers which carry those issue dates will be distributed earlier in the week. The paper dated December 25th will be available two days earlier than usual, on Monday, December 22nd. That issue will include all of the last-minute party and festival information for New Year’s Eve. The paper dated January 1, 1998, will contain a comprehensive look at the Memphis year in review compiled by our staff. We’ll even name a Memphian of the Year (our choice may surprise you, too). That paper will also be distributed two days earlier than usual, on Monday, December 29th. CORRECTIONS: Two weeks ago we incorrectly stated that Kevin Paige had abandoned his big band. The band still plays local venues on a regular basis. Last week we misspelled the name of Shelby County Sheriff’s Department attorney Don Strother. We regret the mistakes.