Spineless Cityview

I think it downright stinks what you guys said about Erin Crawford (Winners & Losers, Aug. 4). It was truly mean and completely non-productive. I love Erin's writing and find myself at times laughing out loud. Who cares what you think she should be writing about? And how about telling the readers exactly who is writing these negative comments instead of hiding behind the letters 'CV'? Are you that spineless?

I think Cityview is a cool newspaper, and you talk about how you want to make Des Moines a better place. Well disrespecting a fellow writer AND past editor of Cityview is completely counterproductive to that goal.

Clint Curtis
Des Moines

Disrespectful Cityview

Jim Duncan is disrespectful. Case in point, this passage: "A few blocks down Woodland from the Metro Market and around the corner from the witchcraft center, sits Uncle Wendell's." I read that line in the Aug. 4 issue of Cityview (Food Dude), while Duncan was writing about the "Sherman Hill Renaissance" and its new and existing businesses. So why, I thought the disrespect for Ancient Ways?

One reason I frequent the store is not because I am Wiccan (not that there is anything wrong with that spirituality any more than being Buddhist, Taoist, Christian or Pagan) but because they carry medicinal herbs that I cannot find elsewhere. And there are other items I buy from handmade crafts and daggers to incense.

If Jim Duncan is supposed to be a professional, then might I suggest he act like it. He is obviously entitled to shop where he wishes. But this business is entitled to some respect.

Xanthea Burnett
Des Moines

Year-round school sucks

In reference to Jon Gaskell's column advocating a longer school year ("Big Thinking," Aug. 11), I don't think it would be beneficial at all. I am tired as an Iowa taxpayer of continually feeding money into an educational system that is top heavy and not producing results. Because the system is so politically driven, those who can make the most difference (the teachers) have one obstacle after another slowing down true progress.

On the financial side, I think there should be cuts in the education budget to encourage fiscal responsibility - these problems have been discussed before, but no action is ever taken. There are numerous opportunities to reduce duplication, cut back on administrative personnel and overhead and give control back to the local communities.

Over the years the bar has been lowered - we expect little initiative and effort from the students and they respond accordingly. I believe a first step in improving our children's education is to raise the level of expectation and assess performance on a scale of grades versus pass and fail. Based on a bell curve there will be those who fall behind and those who excel. My contention is to spend most of the time and effort on the majority in the middle. It is not, comparatively, expensive to provide additional resources for those who excel to pursue their advanced education.

On the lower end of the bell curve, I think there is a distinction between a child hitting a bump in the road and those children who have no intention of studying or working to advance their education. If the system has the resources to assist the slower learners early, then there is a greater chance for future success. I could see where additional time and effort to help these children would be effective. But for the other children, I do not think the extension of the school year will improve their education.

So I vote to replace the department of education with local or regional bodies, responsible for facilities, staffing and results. Subsidized funding could come from the state based on the student population for the region. For those who think expectations should be raised and teachers supported, there would be an avenue for progress.

Mary Ann Saluri
Waukee

No it doesn't

I appreciated Jon Gaskell's column "Big Thinking," (Aug. 11). When my wife, Kittie (principal at Scavo) and I sat down to supper last night at Beggars, downtown, we brought our Cityview copies and after reading concurred, completely, with the premise(s) of the piece. As an alternative school leader with a mission dedicated to serving clearly identified "at-risk" students, it's long been Kittie's contention that the "summer break" tradition is both counter-intuitive and counterproductive. And, yes, an aggressive leap needs to be made to effect universal change, in this regard. Pussy-footing around while discussing the issue of extending the school year just allows opponents to harden their defenses. And while, locally, the intent (I believe) is to move toward year-round schooling as buildings are air-conditioned, that same capital investment and preparation can't be expected in all "corners" of the state without strong direction and leadership.

Max Knauer
Des Moines

Wake up, Scene Scribe

Why the cynicism of the Scene Scribe in an issue of your paper that was supposedly supporting live music? Why the negative slant on almost every band appearing for free at the fair? Not everyone can afford $60 for Tom Petty, or even $40 for Jonny Lang at Hoyt Sherman Place. And America has given us a number of classics.

Michael Joe Harper
Des Moines

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