Letters

Road Bloc
I think the public better unite to defeat the toll roads before we are stuck with them ("Carr Wrecks," Howard Stansfield, April 10). I have yet to hear anything but praise from the Arizona Department of Transportation about the concept; has anyone from ADOT contacted you, the taxpaying public, and asked for your opinion? Between tags, emissions, insurance and taxes already in place, I do believe that Arizona is already one of the most expensive places in the U.S. to own a car. Now, it wants you and me to pay $50 more for the privilege of driving on an easement that we are already paying for. (Besides double taxation, this does appear to be discrimination against the poor.)

If you pay any attention to the few sketchy plans released to the public, ADOT wants to put a toll section on U.S. 60 (Superstition Freeway) at Mill Avenue. I do believe this section of freeway, which has been in existence for most of my life, has already been paid for; ADOT has stated that toll roads were only being used for new sections and would become free or "public" roads when the private companies were "paid off" in about 15 years.

These companies have done great research and realized the incredible income potential because of our lack of public transportation. I hope the mayors of some of the cities involved realize the amount of traffic that will be dumped in otherwise residential areas as drivers like me exit these freeways in protest.

Marc Cousins
Tempe

Howard Stansfield's hilarious article "Carr Wrecks" shows that it is not only our Arizona public and private leaders who are easily conned but also large corporations. The enthusiasm with which this well-exposed promoter is now greeted in faraway states shows how much sought after is the mythical free lunch. People believe what they want to believe.

After reflecting upon this "new" idea of toll roads, it struck me--why not privatize some of our existing highways! Highway maintenance is a big ongoing cost to taxpayers. Let's get the government out of the highway business. With privatized roads, there will be no government to blame for maintenance problems or congestion; efficient corporate management will speed motorists along; Arizona will get billions of dollars from selling them and we should get a lower gasoline tax. Allstate may not wish to buy any bonds to finance privatized highways, but Arizona has some famous bond salesmen! And if the bonds default, we keep the roads. What a deal!

Robert W. Zimmerer
Sun City

For the Count
At long last, New Times presents the real story of Michael Carbajal ("A Long Day's Journey," Paul Rubin, April 10).

I had the pleasure of meeting the Carbajals in late 1989, and my respect for them has continued to grow. In spite of adverse publicity and ups and downs, they remained the same--genuine, hardworking and devoted to their family.

As for Michael Carbajal, he is a true warrior. I, too, believe that he will go out on top!

Martha Warnock
Scottsdale

What's Cookin'?
I can't believe I found a review of Gregory's Grill ("Fare to Remember," March 27)! I stumbled upon the restaurant accidentally a few weeks ago and went in to take a look. The owners were so incredibly nice and helpful that I made a mental note to try to come back another time when I had not already eaten.

I also thought it was a shame that they were in such a random location, but I read it's a previously lucky and successful one! Now that I have seen Howard Seftel's review, I can't wait to try Gregory's food. Keep up the good work. To this restaurant's owners: Keep up the refreshing optimistic attitudes!

Kris Walton
via Internet

Raining Cats and Dogs
I would like to commend New Times for the story "The Truth About Cats & Dogs" (Terry Greene Sterling, March 27). Lise LaBarre was bombarded by unsympathetic TV reporters and journalists when her home was raided because of allegations of animal cruelty. Anyone who has ever sheltered a lost or an unwanted animal knows that this is no easy feat. Because of overpopulation, more than 34,000 cats and dogs are put to death every year in shelters.

This tragedy could be prevented by spaying or neutering pets. It is, after all, our responsibility to take care of our pets for their entire lives, not to abandon them when they no longer "fit" into a new apartment, or when they're just not as cute now that they're not a kitten or a puppy. The easy thing to do when we notice a stray animal is to say, "It's not my pet, not my responsibility." Easy? Yes. Right? Wrong!

As for those lost or unwanted cats and dogs in our neighborhoods, let's give them a chance at life. I'm not saying take every stray into your home forever, but perhaps even just for a few days. This gives you a chance to contact lost-and-found organizations, as well as time to look for lost-and-found fliers in your neighborhood. If nobody claims this animal, it can be brought to a "no kill" shelter or, even better, it can be adopted out to a good home through a number of various organizations. Before condemning these animals to their certain deaths, please try to be humane by giving another one of God's creatures a chance at life.