I attempted to deliver a letter on Nov. 4 from health care activists to WellPoint, Inc., a for-profit health insurance company. When WellPoint refused to accept the letter, I stood in their doorway and was arrested for criminal trespass.

I am writing in response to “The Art Issue” in the Sept. 9 issue of the Syracuse New Times. In his interview, Art Zimmer is quoted as saying that when he first came to The New Times, “there was this bunch of long-haired, half-baked leftover hippies from the 1960s writing this real left-wing liberal rag sheet about overthrowing the government and all that kind of stuff.” I greatly resemble that remark. And I take issue with it. We were, as best as I recall, fully baked.

I do remember the day Art walked into The New Times’ office to start preparations for his annual ski supplement. I had just informed the owners of the paper that I would be leaving my position as publisher due to their consistent refusal to properly support the paper and our efforts to put together a local ownership group. Art asked how things were going, and I said, “Great, do you want to buy a paper?”

He did, and he appears happy that he did. While I wish the paper was a little less “centered” and had a bit more hard-hitting journalism, the Syracuse community certainly benefited from his purchase.  

Congratulations to both Art and The New Times.

—Peter Orville

Binghamton

To publisher Art Zimmer: Congratulations on your 25th anniversary with The New Times. You and the folks there have done an incredible job! I’ve heard many comments about the picture from the Freaky Flix and Food episode {when Art sliced his finger during a cooking segment} in the Sept. 9 “Art Issue,” and thanks for including it. Real blood definitely made things a bit freakier that night! I like a guest who gives his all! Here’s to another 25, at least!

—Ron Curtis Jr.

New York City

The Rights Stuff

Does a government “of the people, by the people, for the people,” conflict with God? Does it conflict with the Conservative candidate for Congress? We all know the phrase “God-given rights” and associate it with our First Amendment right, free speech and freedom of religion.

Your Sept. 9 issue of The New Times carried Robert Thoryk’s biased and error-filled Letter to the Editor, “Change Not Gonna Come?,” which reveals that the onset of political cynicism has clouded the author’s lens in viewing the political scene of today, turning both republicans and democrats into similar corporate puppets, who fill the world of Robert Thoryk.

Your Sept. 9 issue of The New Times carried Robert Thoryk’s biased and error-filled Letter to the Editor, “Change Not Gonna Come?,” which reveals that the onset of political cynicism has clouded the author’s lens in viewing the political scene of today, turning both republicans and democrats into similar corporate puppets, who fill the world of Robert Thoryk.

The lengthy story of the how the Syracuse New Times was founded, as told through the eyes of founder Ken Simon in the July 29 issue, was an extraordinary segment of historic journalism. 

The story of the paper’s growth and financial struggles should be read and reread by all the loyal readers of the Syracuse New Times. It was only after reading the impressive story of founder Ken Simon and his determination, have I come to really appreciate and understand what the Syracuse New Times is all about.

—Niles Bell

Minoa 

Thank you so much for the James MacKillop article, “The Stroll Truth” on walking the streets of Syracuse in the Sept. 23 issue of The New Times. It brought back a lot of memories (my seventh grade boyfriend used to take me up to Westminster Hill in the 1960s and I remember feeling like we had discovered another world), and for those places with which I was not familiar, made me want to put on my sneakers and start exploring.

Syracuse has such an ingrained poor self image that it is understandable that others would view us through those grey colored lenses. That is what we project to them! We could use someone like James MacKillop on the Metropolitan Development Association or any of those organizations that are supposed to be promoting this area (and, I might add, not doing a terribly good job). We have an absolute jewel of a city that, with no self pride, we have allowed to fall into despair and neglect. The groups that are reviewing the Interstate-81 question would be well advised to read this article and see this city through James MacKillop’s eyes.

—Nina Wickett

marcellus 

These have been some of the most important months in American history. We are finally considering giving affordable health care to all our citizens and we have a powerful corporate/political elite orchestrating ignorant people’s anger so that they act like goons and prevent other citizens from discussing this complex issue with our representatives.