Back in the day, you didn't need cosmetic surgery before you hit the beach: "Heartbreak Hotel" (Thomas Francis, February 8) spelled it out so well. I have been a resident of Hollywood since 1964. Many heart-wrenching changes have occurred for the sake of development. Such may be the nature of this world, as we see. However, when our own city representatives sell out the rare beauty Hollywood always had over other South Florida cities (its beach/coastline), it opened my eyes to their greed and ignorance.
My family is reluctantly looking for residence elsewhere in Florida, because we feel that we have been sold out also, as your small hotel owners have been. We stayed here in Hollywood, known as "the jewel on South Florida's coastline," because it stood different from the rest of the posh beach styles that are the norm. What are they going to name it after our beach just blends in with Fort Lauderdale and South Beach? Or do they even care as long as it brings in the revenue that prioritizes their stature? My family and I are heartbroken. I wish someone would be smart enough to keep Hollywood Beach the jewel that it always was. Thank you again for your fine articulation on a paradise lost.
Marina J. Marciano
Hollywood
The bird dogs are hunting in Hollywood: Oh, honey, you don't know the half of what's going on on Hollywood Beach. One particular "Bird Dog," working for a group of attorneys in Miami, walked around and threatened everyone on Nevada, Oklahoma, and Cleveland streets, threatening all the property owners on those streets with eminent domain. Those words came out of that bastard's mouth. Bird Dog ended up accumulating eight or nine properties for his attorney boss in Miami. He got nearly all of Cleveland Street and most of Oklahoma Street, but some owners have held tight, ruining his plan to take a whole block, knock down all the buildings, and begin one of his high-rises.
It's all gone wacky on the beach. Our mayor has sold it out, and we are about to lose the prettiest little beaches Broward County has — affordable, with easy parking and miles of sand and the sun still shining on it at 4 p.m. When those big high-rises come and the sun is blocked at 3 p.m. and our little beach is dark, and no parking is available because the high-rises need their own garage parking... Hollywood Beach will be a concrete cemetery.
Thank you, Mara.
Eve McBride
Hollywood
But what's going on in the alleys? I enjoyed reading your article about the motel situation in Hollywood Beach, but you have also excluded the negative sides that those places have been harboring for years. I lived in Hollywood Beach for eight years before finally selling the motel and literally "fleeing the scene."
Hollywood Beach is full of drugs, violence, and prostitution. It is not a place I would like my child to live in nor grow up in, much less allow a child to go to the beach alone. I've seen people stabbing others over $20 and streetwalkers picking up people and doing their dirty deeds in the back of the motels. I don't need to go on, do I? Moreover, I believe that privately owned resorts/condos would help the situation. Plus, why complain? If people wanted to attend a public beach, there is always John Lloyd Park/Dania Beach.
Name withheld by request
Fort Lauderdale
Francis weaves a truthful carpet: Once again, Thomas Francis weaves his fine filigree of research into a thing of beauty that plays like a Beethoven symphony (Eroica, to be specific).
The iron butterfly of truth is mighty compelling, and we are lucky to have such a worthy and intelligent replacement for [former New Times writer] Trevor Aaronson. Hooray for Hollywood!
Asa Boynton
Hollywood
Mr. Ugly
Those lowlife colors come shining through: The Tailpipe article concerning Alice Faircloth's getting dismissed by Panthers CEO Michael Yormark is right on the money ("Body Slamming Alice," February 1). Although I was not there, it is probably factual. Being a former employee of the team, I know Yormark to be egotistical and arrogant. This does not surprise me in the least, as it seems he is always walking around on the edge, ready to explode at a moment's notice.
I truly hope that Tailpipe does not forget about Faircloth and pushes for an explanation and an apology from Yormark and the reinstatement of Faircloth to her position as usher. There are many former Panther employees who have left the organization, from top to bottom, due to Yormark's crappy attitude. He is nothing more then a lowlife, second-rate, used-car salesman wearing expensive suits bearing the title of CEO!
Justin Johnson
Fort Lauderdale
For the Price of a Ticket
Transport me, Mr. Filmmaker: This was a well-written critique of Good Shepherd ("Like Herding Sheep," Robert Wilonsky, December 28). Most people, when they watch a movie, want to "go someplace." This movie, although interesting for the ride, was somehow disappointing. It didn't really go anyplace. I agree with the critique: The characters were underdeveloped, or the story was too broad, or both.
John P. Theiss
West Palm Beach
