To the Editor, In his article on a rent control forum held recently in Seattle ["Nicastro Rallies the Troops," Feb 11], Ben Jacklet reported that my absence was "notable." As the representative from the 43rd District and as Co-Speaker of the House of Representatives, here's how I'm using my leadership position to address housing needs that are important to my district and our state.
• Increasing the Housing Trust Fund, which funds low-income housing significantly above the Governor's $50 million budget request.
• Supporting the HOPE Act for homeless youths to provide emergency shelter and assistance for older youths without families.
• Supporting the property tax exemption for nonprofit housing serving low income people, including the working poor--the kind of housing CHHIP builds and operates....
[Due to space limitations, we are going to skip to the bottom of Rep. Chopp's list, but rest assured he's done many nice things.--eds.]
Specifically on the issue of Seattle's skyrocketing rents, I have:
• Asked the Democratic co-chair of the House Economic Development, House and Trade committee, Representative Velma Veloria, to draft a bill lifting the prohibition against Seattle enacting rent control laws (HB 2155).
• Met with Councilmembers Licata and Steinbrueck and agreed to work together to identify specific barriers that should be removed right away. For example, giving tenants ample notification of rent hikes.
• Supported the creation of a new state Housing Preservation Fund that would provide non-profit organizations funding to buy and preserve affordable rental units (HB 2108).
Although my work in the legislature makes it impossible to attend every meeting I'm invited to, I want your readers to know that I am working to provide substantive leadership on issues my constituents and I care about, including resolving our housing crisis.
Sincerely,
Frank Chopp
State Representative, District 43
Co-Speaker of the House
He's Got Half a Mind
Dear Moron, i.e., David Schmader, Can you even fathom in your pea brain of an ill-informed mind the pain and suffering of Alzheimer's, regardless if it's inflicted on an unpopular President [Last Days, Feb 18]?In my profession, not only do I witness first-hand the hell that these people go through, but the families as well.
Thanks, asshole. Thanks for making light of a terrible disease. Heard any good AIDS jokes lately, Dave?
Screw you,
James
Immigration Blues
To Samantha Shapiro: Thank you very much for your recent article about Mr. Umberto Nicholas and his very unfair situation with the INS ["The Past is Another Country," Feb 18]. There are a lot of people, immigrants and American citizens alike, who suffer because of the screwed-up INS system. And since 1996, things have only gotten worse. In your article you spoke of people facing deportation after being convicted of a crime. But what many people are unaware of is another "crime" where one can be deported for overstaying a visa. Ridiculously enough, if an immigrant overstays his or her visa, then leaves the country, they can face a three- to 10-year ban on re-entering the United States, regardless of marital or parental status.There are many immigrants in this country who only want what the rest of us want: to live a full, contented life. Does it really matter that they overstayed a few months or committed a crime years ago, assuming they've paid their dues? It is about time the system took a different approach, and gave people a chance, rather than pre-judging them. This would avoid heartache, death (i.e., Mexican border crossers), and fraud such as illegal marriages and illegal passage. The INS system doesn't work, plain and simple. It doesn't deal with immigrants as human beings. It is only another form of discrimination.
Samantha Carson
That Thar's a Biggit!
To the Editor, I'm finding myself more disgusted with you people in every new issue. Your "That Thar's My-a Pinyon!" editorial [Feb 18, Hillbilly Bob Billy Billy] went way beyond clever, meaningful satire and straight into the gutter of juvenile bigotry. Who would degrade themself so completely by writing and printing such arrogant stupidity? Add that to 90 percent advertising (including full-page tobacco ads) and you've got a hell of a lot of wasted dead trees, in my opinion. You may begin printing one less copy of The Stranger.
Jim Walls
The Stranger responds: We are committed to a producing a newspaper that provides a forum for the diverse and marginalized voices of our community. This includes the stinking, stupid hillbilly. We will miss you as a reader.--eds
Chip Loves Love
To the Editor, Thank you for your illuminating interview with Courtney Love ["Courtney Love vs. Everett True," Feb 18]. Finally, a forum where she doesn't come across as the complete bitch of the Broomfield film. The piece reminded me of why I liked her in the first place, and why she was the sanest voice in the wake of the Golden Boy's suicide. I still admire Courtney for having the nerve to do what she wants to do, and refusing to be a teen pop savior. Sure, she's cold and calculating--you think most pop stars have bleeding hearts? Come on. If Everett's writing has done any good for Seattle, it's shown that the most important thing in rock and roll is the fucking ROCK. Pearl Jam and Hootie don't fit into the equation. Perhaps Courtney is just the female Iggy we never knew we needed.Congratulations also to Ellen Forney for her great illustrations. I always thought she could do better work than her weekly strip.
Keep up the good work, guys. And please, more interviews!
Chip Beal
That's It! We're Moving to Nebraska!
Dear Publisher of The Stranger, Representatives of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development will be in your area the week of April 5, 1999. I invite you to meet with them to discuss how your firm can benefit from Nebraska's business advantages and incentives. Nebraska consistently ranks high in business climate studies because we understand what it takes to provide the atmosphere necessary for business success. Our state has several aggressive investment and employee tax credit programs to offer expanding or relocating companies. We have kept the cost of government down and brought stability to our tax structure. I encourage you to set aside a few minutes of your time to meet with our representatives to learn more about Nebraska's favorable business climate and productive work force. These Nebraskans will meet with you at a time and location convenient for you.
To schedule a visit with your representatives, simply call Dave Gilfillan at (402) 471-3804, or complete the enclosed business reply card and either mail or fax it to us at (402) 471-3365. You can also schedule a visit with your representative by sending an email message to Dave at daveg@ded1.ded.state.ne.us. We in Nebraska look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Mike Johanns
Governor
Falwell's Stinky on Tinky Winky
To Editor: "I Love Television™" is by far the most creative, entertaining, truthful column in The Stranger. I applaud last week's article regarding Jerry Falwell (The Antitubby, Feb 18). Thanks to Wm.™ Steven, I was able to check out www.falwell.com for a great laugh regarding Falwell's twisted view on The Teletubbies. Falwell lives in a fantasy world. I can't decide which scares me more: that people actually believe in his theories, or that people are so completely obsessed with sexual orientation. I don't understand why it matters. Why can't the Teletubbies exist as a group of "people" who have no obvious sex/gender/orientation? Why can't a "boy" carry a patent leather purse? Does Jerry Falwell have anything better to bitch about? In an article in his stupid National Liberty Journal, Falwell asks his "followers" to write to American Airlines President Donald Curry and ask him to "rethink" his agenda for supporting the "anti-family" homosexual movement, as Falwell so eloquently phrases it. I plan to do just the opposite with a big smile. Write to Donald Curry and thank him for his generous philanthropic efforts!
Stephanie L. Storvik
