Downing's Cloth-Diaper Quote Was Offensive
To the Editor,The prominent quote featuring Renée Downing's sentiment about her being the last "non-Mormon Anglo female in North America to use cloth diapers" ("Working Mothers, Round 837," Nov. 13) was stereotypical and offensive to both Mormons and racial minorities.
The idea that Mormon women entertain themselves by lovingly washing cloth diapers is ridiculous. For some good examples of Mormon women, look to Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, Pulitzer Prize winner; Gladys Knight, five-time Grammy winner; Tiffany Lott, world-record-holding track star; Kristen Rasmussen, WNBA forward; Sharlene Wells Hawkes, ESPN reporter; Christine Durham, chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court; or Liriel Domiciano, singer of the sixth best-selling CD in Brazilian history.
Mormon women are doctors, engineers, athletes, performers, writers, professors, lawyers, accountants, military officers, computer programmers and about any other profession you can think of. Being a parent is a part of some Mormon women's lives, but not all. Those who are parents most likely don't have time to wash cloth diapers, because they, like most American parents, are too busy trying to balance the demands of work, family and life. Stop lumping all Mormon women into one narrow, stereotypical category.
--Monika J. Ulrich
Thanks for the Bonito Canyon Coverage
To the Editor,We can't tell you how much we appreciated Renée Downing's in-depth, thorough, balanced coverage of the tragedy in our lost corner of the universe in her "Deadly Waters" story (Nov. 6).
Since the story, the U.S. Forest Service is beginning to respond with help for Bonito Canyon residents.
Your readers might be interested to know that Renée dealt with prime sources--including not only trudging through the flood-ravaged canyon but CLIMBING TO THE VERY TOP OF APACHE PEAK to see the fire/flood devastation herself! How's that for ol' time, hands-on, spot-coverage journalism?
--Dean Prichard, retired journalist
Restaurants Support, Not Fear, Vendors
To the Editor,I wanted to respond to comments made by Bruce Gerowitz ("Vendor in Jeopardy," TQ&A Nov. 20). Despite what his "sources" in the Pima County Health Department have told him, the Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association is not the "push behind" this proposed ordinance.
Officially, the Southern Chapter's Board has taken the position that while some mobile vendors are a concern, most of the problems should and could be handled by the city of Tucson, by enforcing current laws and by working together with the Pima County Health Department--something that meets with stony silence from the city.
I have attended four meetings of the council's Economic Development Subcommittee, and this has been our position all along. I also expressed concern during at least two of those meetings that there were not any vendors--who would be affected by the ordinance--present to give their input. The ARHA also feels that if a vendor is complying with the laws and regulations--including permission by the property owners, insurance, current permits, compliance with zoning and sign codes, being truly mobile and not creating a nuisance or law-enforcement problem--they should be left alone to do their business. Also, if the city of Tucson is not enforcing current ordinances, how will they enforce this one?
If Mr. Gerowitz is looking for the "push," perhaps he should talk to the neighborhood associations and Steve Leal.
--Rob LaMaster
Regional vice president, Arizona Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Swanson Caused Volgy's Loss
To the Editor,The article, "Electoral Autopsy," was very insightful (Currents Nov. 13). However, in your attempts to conduct a thorough autopsy, you forgot to determine the cause of death in the mayoral election: Kimberly Swanson.
Who is that? I had to look her name up myself; she is, of course, the Libertarian candidate, aka "a Republican's best friend." Even with her poor public speaking skills and that concussed look in her eyes, Swanson captured 2,071 votes. Swanson 2,071 votes would have put Tom Volgy at 39,061 votes to Bob Walkup's 38,364--Volgy wins by 697. How could you not mention this factor in the story?
--Jimmy Goeller
