Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Oliver Twisted

This letter is in response to comments attributed to Sharif Street [Political Notebook, Mary Patel, Nov. 20, 2003]. The "facts" reported in Patel's column about my lack of support of Mayor Street's re-election are totally false. In fact, Sharif came to my office today (Nov. 21) to tell me that he did not say what Patel reported. These are the facts.

Being a loyal Democratic ward leader and vice chair of the Democratic City Committee, I supported John Street wholeheartedly. In August, during our annual 29th Ward block party, I walked the streets with Mayor Street urging my constituents to support him. I wouldn't do so unless I supported him myself. I told the mayor I would support him and I am a man of my word. I do not give it lightly.

Later during the mayoral campaign, I continued to speak in support of Mayor Street. In fact on two different occasions, I spoke before the Democratic City Committee urging my fellow ward leaders and elected officials to support Mayor Street. The first time it was on my own accord and the other time I spoke at the request of Party Chair Bob Brady. In spite of the fact Mayor Street supported his son in his bid to unseat me, I supported the mayor 100 percent. In fact, I said, "If I can support him, not one of you in here has an argument." During meetings of the 29th Ward, of which I am leader, I instructed each and every one of my committee people to support the mayor. On Nov. 2, I spoke in support of the mayor before my fellow church members at Wayland Temple Baptist Church and reminded them of the importance of supporting the mayor on Election Day. I personally asked businesses in the 29th Ward to display the mayor's posters. My support of the mayor's re-election bid was so staunch that I supplemented Election Day expenses from my own treasury.

The numbers Mayor Street received in my ward are the direct result of my efforts and that of the 29th Ward committee. I dare anyone to minimize the importance and effectiveness of my ward committee to our constituents.

To address the issue of a message left on my office voice mail, my staff vehemently states that there was no message from Patel or anyone else from your paper. Everything I stated can be verified by all sources involved. I would strongly urge that you get to the bottom of this and print the facts immediately.

Frank L. Oliver

State Representative

195th Legislative District

Editor's note: City Paper stands by the facts in Patel's story.

Corrections

We incorrectly listed the date for author Edmund White's reading at Giovanni's Room [Picks of the Week, Nov. 27, 2003]. He will read there Fri., Dec. 12 at 7:30 p.m. in addition to his Dec. 11 event at the Free Library.

A story about the Bethesda Project's newest homeless shelter in Philadelphia ["Home Builders," Fine Print, Nov. 20, 2003] may have unintentionally given the impression that the location has never been used as a shelter in the past. The property that Bethesda overhauled and reopened was most recently known as the Gateway Center, operated by S.E.L.F. Inc. The Salvation Army also operated from the location for several years.

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