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Oh
Where Oh Where . . . To the
Editor:
The
article “Is This the Right Place?” [Newsfront, Aug. 3] got
my attention as I follow the city’s efforts to locate and
build a new Albany Convention Center. We will probably be
second-guessing the choice of sites for years to come. I’m
inclined to agree with Councilman Casolaro’s comment that
there’s nothing there, but for his preferred location, the
Washington Avenue Armory, there is just too much there already.
I recently suggested that the convention planners consider
a riverfront site. Many popular tourist destination cities
have successfully developed their waterfronts for such purposes
and our Hudson River continues to attract attention as we
work to improve its water quality. Unlike the South Pearl/Madison
Avenue site, the waterfront land has no underground historic
artifacts to be disturbed. The original boat basin was filled
in to accommodate the growth of railroad activity around the
beginning of the 20th century. Although there would be some
engineering challenges to a waterfront project, it would require
no private property acquisition costs and might be feasible
by spanning over I-787 highway—state-of-the-art people movers
could connect our visitors to places of interest around the
city.
A lost opportunity perhaps, it all just seemed like a good
idea to me.
Dan
Sekellick
West Sand Lake
Go
to Your Room To the Editor:
I read and reread your “House of Cards” column [Rapp on This,
Aug. 3], and it’s something I will definitely pass along to
my 16-year-old son, who knows everything about downloading
and what is new, and is interested in keeping up with it.
Unlike me. But here’s the real issue about the CDs: People
like me are too busy; way, way, way too busy to spend time
selecting and downloading to an iPod or any other tool which
requires time. Computer savvy people are always protesting
to me that it “only takes five seconds” to do this, and that,
and this and this, but they don’t get it. I’m a busy woman
running two businesses to stay ahead, and I use music for
background in one of them, and all I wanna do is buy the damned
CD and play it. I’ve got too many other chores on my hands.
Yeah, I’m an old geezer now, technically. But a money- making
geezer! My son has time because he has no job.
Kelly
Kynion
Chatham
What
Did You Call Us?
To
the Editor:
I have just seen the best movie of the summer. Now I am trying
to understand why the reviewers published in the local papers
hate it so [“Scrunty,” Cinema, July 27].
The movie, Lady in the Water, is a multilevel allegory
of our present times—a time of crisis when there is a need
for all of us to realize our here-to-now unknown potential
and to work with other awakening people.
This very personal film of M. Night Shyamalan was previously
axed by Disney and picked up by Walter [sic] Bros.
The catalyst is a water nymph called a Narf. Working against
her is a demon-dog called a Scrunt.
The movie is a Narf. The critics and local papers are acting
like Scrunts. And that makes me a warrior, facing the Scrunts
and starring [sic] them down, so the Narf can do her needed
work.
Sheldon
Y. Carnes Jr.
Troy
In
Our Own Words To the Editor:
I’d
like to thank David King for an even-handed article on the
Albany Public Library’s plan for a branch in Arbor Hill [“One
Library Short,” Newsfront, July 27]. That said, there is a
mistake that needs correction.
Although it’s true that the New Scotland Branch is to be closed
in June 2007 to make way for the Albany City School District’s
Renovation of School 19, no one from the library said that
other branches were “scheduled to be closed.” What library
director Jeff Cannell said was that the consultant’s report
(in 2003) suggested serving the New Scotland and Delaware
neighborhoods with one branch, but when that idea was discussed
with those neighborhoods, they strongly objected (put their
feet down). Also, Jeff did not say, as the article asserts,
that the money saved from such a move would be devoted to
a West Hill branch, and that when the library board decided
to keep branches in New Scotland and Delaware that meant there
was no money for a West Hill branch. I encourage the citizens
of Albany to review the draft designs of our citywide library
facilities plan, “Libraries for the Future.” They are posted
on our Web site: www.albanypubliclibrary.org. There is still
an opportunity for people to share their views on this major
project by calling Jeff Cannell at 427-4379 or by sending
an e-mail to facilities@uhls.lib.ny.us.
John
Cirrin Public Information Officer Albany Public Library
Metroland
welcomes typed, double-spaced letters addressed to the editor.
Metroland reserves the right to edit letters for length
or clarity; 300 words is the preferred maximum. You must include
your name, address and day and evening telephone numbers.
We will not publish letters that cannot be verified, nor those
that are anonymous, illegible, irresponsible or factually
inaccurate.
Send
to:
Letters, Metroland
419 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12210
e-mail:
metroland@metroland.net
fax:
463-3726
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