Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

On Your Marketing

There is another unique selling point to add to your list [Cover Story, "Marketing 215," Sept. 16, 2004] — Philly's budding urban agriculture industry. Its home base is at Somerton Tanks Farm, a demonstration on Philadelphia Water Department land in the Northeast. Much has been made of the revitalizing effects artistic enterprises can have on city neighborhoods. So, too, can farm businesses. In addition to the environmental and economic benefits of city-based food production, urban agriculture is beginning to attract that much-sought-after demographic — young, progressive, committed entrepreneurs.
Roxanne Christensen
President, Institute for Innovations in Local Farming

I take exception to Andrew Repasky McElhinney's biting criticism that the Festival of Independents does not represent a convergence of local talent [Cover Story, "Reel World Philadelphia," Juliet Fletcher]. I can't help but wonder just how the filmmakers whose films were selected would feel about not being regarded as "talent." Perhaps in the future, Andrew could actually attend screenings, as I did not see him at even one this past fest.

Attendance at Fest Indies — it's part of the Philadelphia Film Fest — has more than doubled since 2001. I am proud to say that more than 50 films made by local filmmakers screened here in 2004 and 90 percent premiered here. Why did they choose to premiere in Philly? Because they believe in this town's continued growth and its nationally recognized film festival. So it is particularly distressing to read slights by a filmmaker who has time and again been more than supported by his peers.

I stand by every film selected — though I always say the work selects itself — based on the craft of the artists. And while I have the opportunity, I would like to wish Andrew (who I consider a friend and ally) the best of luck in the future.
Scott R. Johnston
Curator, Fest Indies 2005

I enjoyed [Cover Story, "Pedal Push," Brian Howard]. I couldn't agree more with all of the positives but since moving here two years ago, I have to say the vast majority of bicyclists in the city are total idiots, which is probably why most of the motorists don't yield when they should. What is more irritating is that, in my area, most of the Penn students who should actually have more sense are the worst offenders. I would suggest that the city start with actually enforcing laws as they pertain to bikes on sidewalks. We don't only need more bikes, we need more responsible cyclists.
Mark A. Cramer
via e-mail

French Fried

While you were out covering the latest trends in art, music and fashion, the United States government was overtaken by a band of right-wing Christian lunatics. Upon the backdrop of these events, your paper introduces its readers to Nancy French, authoress of that "poor, little Southern girl lost in the big, bad liberal metropolis" saga [Slant, "A New Nation," Sept. 16, 2004]. Every square inch of leftist newsprint should be hoarded and guarded like the gold it is. Not only do they have to be fought, they have to be banished from public discourse entirely, to be isolated and treated like the dangerous lepers that they are.
Lloyd Luntz
Center City

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