A little background
Re: “Taking attendance — Dallas’ biggest arts groups look out into their audiences and see fewer faces,” by Michael Granberry, April 9 Arts & Life column.
I feel compelled to provide more context than offered in Granberry’s column as it pertains to the Dallas Opera.
Yes, the Dallas Opera has had an operating deficit (prior to contributions) this year insofar as ticket sales alone simply do not cover our expenses. Opera is a very expensive art form and this operational deficit (prior to contributions) is also true of most other performing arts.
That is why we have consistently depended on the generosity of the community to help sustain our world-class performances. That support is not automatic; we must earn it in each and every performance or event. For 65 years, we’ve met that goal and look forward to the future.
Ian Derrer, Dallas
The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO, Dallas Opera
Disarray? Where?
Re: “Dallas architecture: The good, the bad and the very, very ugly,” by Mark Lamster, Sunday Arts & Life column.
Regarding Lamster’s assertion “With Preservation Dallas in a state of internal disarray following the resignation of its executive director,” I am compelled to ask “What disarray?”
As the current president of Preservation Dallas, and having taken that office the day following the departure of the previous executive director, I find his assertion to be inconsistent with the attitude, the efforts and the results of our staff and board of directors.
I want to commend our staff and board for skillfully navigating the organization through a period of change. They have done a remarkable job in both sustaining and expanding the mission of Preservation Dallas. We have grown the membership, the partnerships and the reach of our organization, while maintaining the many events and programs that are so popular with our community.
With the introduction of a new, permanent executive director anticipated this spring, we are well prepared for both the present and the future of Preservation Dallas.
Norman Alston, Dallas
No reason for juries, then
Just so I am clear on this: I am a senior citizen, yet I am called to jury duty. Why? There is no reason for me to drive downtown, sit for hours, listen to testimony and review evidence if our governor has no interest in following the law.
Next time I get that letter, how about I forward it to you, Gov. Greg Abbott, since you have now ordained yourself judge and jury?
Five times! That’s how many shots that convicted man put in a fellow human who, pursuant to your outlandish Wild West gun laws, was openly carrying a long gun. The shooter also apparently advised the public via social media of his intentions.
I guess those pesky white folks who support Black Lives Matter, or women or children or anyone who does not vote Republican should just stay home where it is safe, right?
Stand your ground/castle doctrine, my eye! There is a very dead young woman in Fort Worth who did that very thing, yet I don’t remember you speaking up on her behalf.
You shame Texas every time you thwart justice, defy reason, ban books, eliminate equality, etc. Please use all of your efforts to run for president. We can all let you know what we think of you — while we can still vote!
Diane Ramsey, Mesquite
Who else on the ticket?
Re: “Barriers lined up against Abbott — Trump’s political sway, legislative session make a presidential bid tough,” by Gromer Jeffers Jr., Monday Metro column.
Jeffers has tried to handicap Abbott’s presidential odds several times in this paper, this column being the most recent. As far fetched as an Abbott presidency seems (hopefully), perhaps Jeffers could humor us all and speculate on a running mate.
Jon Hasenohrl, Corinth
Wrong pipeline, sir
Re: “Bill addresses state’s long-term water needs — Proposals seem to have strong support in both chambers, with voters,” April 9 Metro story.
State Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, has introduced a bill to address the long-term water problems of cities under 150,000 in population. These needs are clear and compelling. It is troubling, however, that Perry thinks one potential solution, getting water from Canada, “would have been viable with the Keystone XL Pipeline before President Joe Biden killed it.”
The Keystone XL pipeline was intended to deliver oil from western Canada to the U.S., not water. I guess facts don’t get in the way of this Republican’s bashing of Biden. Or maybe he somehow just didn’t know?
Virginia E. Cochran, Frisco
A field trip cut short
My first-grade class was outside on a field trip learning about the butterfly life cycle. A call came over the radio that everyone needed to return to the building at once.
We returned, and I learned we were in “secure” status, meaning no one could go in or out. I heard some sirens a couple of times. (The community college is right down the street from where we were.)
Our students missed the outdoor trails part of the field trip.
As the afternoon went on and into early evening, I felt what I can only describe as a tight knot in my throat and stomach as I realized that both my kids’ schools had also been in secure status. A co-worker was upset because her child is a student at the college. This is where my oldest plans to go in two years.
I do not know all the answers, but I know we have a problem with guns in this country. I know drunk driving still happens even with laws, but I believe those laws do stop some accidents. Similarly, I feel some commonsense gun laws might help the gun violence problem.
Christine Leftwich, Plano
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