Letters to the Editor Two Views of “The Odd Couple” To the Editor: Just read the letter to the editor about the “Odd Couple” in Germantown (Letters, December 2nd issue). I guess that explains why there was so little merchandise in the store when I visited it on two different occasions earlier this year. I am not from Germantown, knew nothing about the ownership of the store, and was quite eager to make some purchases. But it is hard to buy what isn’t there. Nor were the clerks able to tell me when a better selection would be available. Better luck to Mary Muskett in the future, but the people and police department of Germantown aren’t the only ones to blame for the lack of business in the store. Maureen Jones e-mail (Jonesboro, AR) To The Editor: Jim Hanas’ coverage of the injustice and indignities visited upon Mary Muskett and Ron Seigel by the Germantown Police Department is a well-told and astonishing piece of journalism (Cover Story, November 18th issue). It should serve as a wake-up call to ordinary citizens who couldn’t imagine that such a thing might happen to them. These two small-business owners have had their lives, and their livelihood, turned upside down for more than two years because of the gross incompetence and downright stupidity of people who allegedly were supposed to know something about the investigation of crimes. … No shred of evidence was ever found linking Muskett and Seigel to the murders. While the Germantown police harassed and humiliated the couple, the trail of the murderer got ever colder. When the real culprit was found, it was because of a tip to Memphis Crime Stoppers. Other than not getting personal property back from the police after two years (and what they did get back was destroyed), never getting any sort of formal apology, and having to have spent thousands of dollars in legal fees, the next biggest injustice is the fact that Mary Muskett’s retail business, Crabtree & Evelyn, has suffered tremendously because of this whole debacle. These folks have gone through hell. If I were Mayor Sharon Goldsworthy, I think I would personally do my entire holiday shopping at their store. If I were involved in the Germantown Chamber of Commerce, I think I would drop by, offer some encouragement, and just let them know that other people, other small business people, care about them. Hanas did an admirable job of shining the media spotlight on this staggering, bizarre case. What is needed now is a major expose by 60 Minutes or 20/20. Can’t you just see Morley Safer in front of the Germantown Police Department? “It was here, in the small town of Germantown, Tennessee, where a police department investigation of capital murder went wrong. Very wrong.” Deborah Camp Michael Correll e-mail (Memphis) More on the Tax Crybabies To the Editor: Regarding Andrew Proctor’s letter in the November 25th issue. Apparently he benefits either from receiving public assistance and/or works for the government (taxpayers). The “crybabies” he speaks of must be those who have elevated themselves to make enough money, not to have an income problem, to have a tax problem. Crybabies like me pay city and county property taxes. We pay exorbitant federal income tax and, yes, we already pay income tax to the state of Tennessee. I received my state tax return form on December 1st. The state sales tax cut that has been talked about is a joke. You would have to be very naivé to think the politicians wouldn’t raise the sales tax the moment they wanted more money to buy votes. And, once we have another state income tax, you can be sure the percentage will ratchet up with predictable regularity. As for penalizing the poor with high sales taxes, I would agree, but reducing the sales tax for everyone would be a mistake. Think about it. Taxes paid at the cash register are the only taxes collected from people who report little or no income. People like house painters, yard workers, house cleaners, robbers, and drug dealers. If welfare benefits can be issued on a credit-type card, sales-tax benefits can, too. I’m fed up with people like Mr. Proctor wanting to redistribute my money. Phil Pilcher e-mail (Memphis) Two Views of the Fire Union To the Editor You must have been out of time when you wrote the article about the firefighters union (cover story, November 25th issue). What a worthless group of words. The Flyer could not even get a picture of the Memphis Fire Department on the cover. The article read like a bunch of accusations. Your two unnamed sources were not enough for this slander. I am very happy with my union, and they have done all that I asked of them. They are not going to be able to make all the members happy. I really doubt if the so-called firefighters even belong to our union. I have always enjoyed your paper, now I question it. Ask the membership how they feel, not two disgruntled scabs. Lt. Glenn Bryan Engine 13A Memphis Fire Department To the Editor: I wondered how long it would take for someone to bring forth what we see as misrepresentation of firemen by the Firefighters Local 1784. It’s interesting that union president Danny Todd feels that “other firefighters and retirees who have complaints about the local have a personal grudge against the current leadership.” I ask, why should they not? Over the 20-plus years of being a firefighter’s wife, I have seen the way the union treats its members. It’s enough to make any sane person snap. I really would like for The Memphis Flyer to investigate the issue of the paramedics. The union has treated these guys with little to no support. Danny Todd is not interested in the employees the union represents. The sooner he stops crying “disgruntled employees” and works with these people, the better for everyone. I’m sure he wouldn’t be a favorite of the administration if he actually stood up for what is right. No attorney or city official will touch this. So many firefighters and paramedics wish for help in addressing issues, but there is no one they can turn to who will listen and address the issues without jeopardizing their jobs. I truly hope the Flyer can help. S. Williams e-mail (Memphis) The Promise of Tiger Athletics To the Editor: Once again, Dennis Freeland managed to hit the nail right on the head with my beloved Tiger athletic program (Sports, December 2nd issue). While I am too young to remember the true glory years of Tiger basketball (Those great Larry Finch playing days), I am old enough to remember the team that Dana Kirk guided to the Final Four. I am also old enough to remember what you wrote about the night The Pyramid opened. That night was one of the best birthday gifts I ever got, a great game, an electric atmosphere, and a beautiful arena. I have seen it all at The Pyramid. The night Rodney Newsom went nuts against Cincinnati and hit seven three-pointers, and the night of the ice storm when there were about 500 of us. The point is it used to be fun to go to the game … but now, it’s just another event. Memphians, let me speak to you for a moment: Tiger basketball is one of the few things we have left; we should enjoy it. Students: Come to the games. Remember the days when Bob Huggins hated to come here? Administration: Give the game back to the city, please. Let us have one timeout where the PA announcer doesn’t have to thank this company or that. Just let the band play on. John Maddox e-mail (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 letters@memphisflyer.com. All responses must include name, address, and daytime phone number. Letters should be no longer than 250 words.