Crime Dogged
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A killer story: New Times writer Paul Rubin's story on the two serial killers was truly terrifying ("Fear Factor," July 27). I felt as if I were reading a crime novel, but then I awoke quickly to the reality that the Baseline Killer could be outside my window, for all I knew.
In the part of town where I live, people are cowering in fear all the time. Other women I know are afraid to go to the corner convenience store alone at night. Every time I see somebody who looks something like the sketch you ran of the Baseline Killer, my heart starts to race. And there are so many people who resemble that sketch in south Phoenix!
The scariest part of Rubin's story was where Pete, the man with the catering business, runs back inside his place, locks the door and then sees the door handle turn a couple of times. This after seeing the Baseline Killer shoot poor Tina Washington to death on the street outside his back door. Too bad Pete didn't get a good look at the piece of crap.
My heart goes out to all the victims of these cold-blooded killers. I saw Phoenix homicide Detective Alex Femenia on TV, along with Paul Rubin. They were talking about the cases, and Femenia said how the Baseline Killer is a coward to kill the kind of defenseless women he's killed. Maybe that insult will scare the murderer out into the open, but I doubt it.
Meanwhile, I'm doing all I can to make sure I don't become one of his victims, which includes carrying a handgun in my purse at all times. Heaven help any skinny guy with a mustache who threatens me on the street!
Name withheld by request
Editor's note: Phoenix police have made two arrests in the Serial Shooter cases.
Police announced that they arrested Dale Hausner, 33, a freelance boxing photographer who was working as a janitor at Sky Harbor Airport, and Samuel J. Dieteman, 30, an unemployed electrician. The two men were roommates.
Still, no one has been arrested in the Baseline Killer cases.
Murder mystery: Thank God, somebody finally put all the information on the two serial killers in context! Now I can tell them apart. The hit-and-miss coverage in the [daily] press has been very confusing.
Also, I enjoyed (more like, was captivated by) the rest of Paul Rubin's nail-biter of an article on how the first Phoenix victim of the Baseline Killer met her sad, tragic death. Terrific writing, as usual, by the master New Times crime reporter.
R.J. Southern, Phoenix
Prize-worthy: I've been reading New Times ever since we moved to Arizona about 14 years ago, and I have always enjoyed Paul Rubin's writing. However, his recent articles on crimes in the area have been masterpieces (also see the "Murder City" series). As far as I am concerned, they are good enough to be considered for a Pulitzer Prize.
Jerry Feldner, Tempe
Correction: The attribution on a quote from Tempe police Sergeant Dan Masters that he didn't know anymore whether a murder suspect was telling the truth disappeared from the "Fear Factor" cover story because of an editing error. It should have read that the quote first appeared in the Arizona Republic.
Artistic Integrity
If we have to ask . . . : I am the artist featured in "Bait and Switch" (Wynter Holden, July 20). When the author visited my show, I was present and more than happy to answer any of her questions. She had none, which I thought odd at the time. If the author did not understand one or more pieces and how they fit into the overall puzzle, I could have possibly cleared that up, given the chance.
Art criticism is as powerful a medium as art itself. It can do damage when in the hands of the inexperienced. The author's opinion should have been supported by knowledge and analysis of art history, yet there is no critical reinforcement of her statements. Ignorance, or (at best) sheepishness, has led to a shoddy review.
When artists make themselves eagerly available to answer questions, why not ask?
Allison Wear, Phoenix
Schoolhouse Rocked
Middle management: I've followed with interest your coverage of the Pappas Schools ("Flunk'd," Sarah Fenske, June 29). I was a math teacher for two years at the Pappas Middle School in Phoenix. I was expected to teach math skills to classes with 45 to 50 students crammed into a room designed for 20.
These children don't get an education, but County Superintendent of Schools Sandra Dowling got publicity. The middle school is a dreary place never featured on media tours.
Judith Labrozzi, Ajijic, Mexico
Identifying the problem: Lest anybody miss the point, the problem with the Pappas Schools is: Sandra Dowling.
She is a true Arizona character. Somebody who, because she has bigger balls than Sheriff Joke, is allowed to run roughshod over defenseless children. She is the one who has put Pappas in jeopardy.
Sure, the schools have problems that are inherent in trying to educate the (because of their dire circumstances) largely uneducable. But the problems could be overcome if a crazy person weren't in charge.
Dowling would be ridden out on a rail in a civilized state. Here, because expectations are low, she thrives. That and the fact that the county Board of Supervisors is scared of her. Don't close Pappas, for heaven's sake! Reform its governing body.
Talia Morgan, Phoenix
