Error Prone To the Editor, Regarding Vicki Hart's "Foul Ball?" (Tucson Weekly, April 9): Amphi whines about its "negative" press. So, whose fault is it this time? It's time that the school board's majority gets a clue that Amphi employees and highly paid administrators are awash in bad judgment, flagrant flaunting of rules and district policies gone awry. How was baseball coach Danny Hernandez's contract approved last year if his credentials were not in order? Hernandez is being rewarded with paid leave while he corrects the "oversight?" The monies and time needed should be deducted from his pocket, not taxpayers. In a recent Arizona Daily Star article on Hernandez's lapsed credentials, volunteer coach Ron Dominquez, a Pima County Adult Probation officer, said adults forget what is important. But instead of concern about the end-runs around process and procedure, he played the race card. He says that it is a "subtle kind of racism" involved. That tactic, used to silence questions, won't feed my bulldog. The fact that he would say it indicates there's more to be discovered, including potential bias against all students and taxpayers. I know what is important and it's sure not the win-loss or ERA column for Amphi baseball. I don't care if the young men are from Old Mexico, New Mexico or Mexico, Missouri--we don't need to go out looking for more students. Screams and tirades for new schools due to overcrowding, bonding and taxes to expand, and for what? So Amphi High can win at baseball? Does Star reporter Scott Simonson ask why that was done? Does he ask why alleged 19- and 20-year-old men are playing against or in the place of district teenage boys? Does he ask what resources are being used to subsidize them? Are they on any kind of public assistance for rent, food, health and expenses? Are any funds from "Youth on Their Own"? Who is paying the bills? Is Amphi a pony league baseball camp for aspiring foreign nationals at taxpayer expense? Who is responsible for them as sponsors and guardians? How does the district justify to the state the amount of monies now infused? How did they suddenly achieve academic prowess and eligibility? If illness, accident or death should occur, are the taxpayers liable? With such shining adult examples of sterling behavior, it is totally possible laws could be broken--and who is responsible then for these eight men or others? With this newest can of Amphi worms open, the board needs to either cut bait or fish, and if they had a Call to the Audience, maybe people could have mentioned their concerns to their collective elected officials before it became another scandal. Imported players, expired credentials, taxpayers' kids left out, subsidized overhead, maintenance and risk? Looks like those three strikes means somebody's out of the game, eh? --Mary C. Schuh Frank 'N' Stein's Monster To the Editor: We grouse and raise hell about unbridled growth in Tucson and what's wrong with the general makeup and profile of this town. M.F. Munday's "Chain Gang" (Tucson Weekly, April 16) highlights another important symptom of our ills. Large chain businesses come to Tucson with large advertising budgets, glitzy decor and enough grand-opening freebies to stretch the length of Speedway. Indeed, small independent businesspeople can't compete with the flash of big corporate dollars. If you don't believe me, then please tell me what happened to the Haunted Bookshop or Jeff's Classical Records. I'll tell you what happened: We are our own worst enemy! I imagine people would go to the Haunted Bookshop and have them jump through hoops to special order a book that none of the chain stores would. So yes, buy the one special book from the small local merchant and buy 10 others from the chains because they have volume pricing. One-to-10 purchasing ratio and then these same people have the nerve to ask what's happening to local business. I agree, the chains do employ local people; but instead of that 1-to-10 ratio, a 50-50 approach would help both survive. Now that same mentality is (actually has been) invading the restaurant industry. As the owner of a small sandwich shop/deli, I see many people running to chain food establishments (some, not all) that substitute second-rate product to glut the public with cheap meals at a highly inflated profit margin. Many of these outfits also create food fads to capture the trendmongers among us. Few local eateries can afford to retrofit with every changing whim and trend. How many out there believe it always has to be a mocha latte--a simple cup of coffee just isn't good enough. I give my customers personal attention and strive to provide the best possible product at the fairest price. I'll never be a rich man, because I don't substitute fillers and inferior product in the name of increased profits. There are many local restaurant owners in this town who have the same high standards. You owe it to yourself to find out who these people are and patronize them on a better than 1-to-10 ratio. I'm certain you'll leave these establishments paying a little more than the chains, while getting a whole lot more for your money. Getting your money's worth--what a concept! --Harris R. Asbeil Owner, Frank 'N' Stein's The Play's The Thing To the Editor, In Tim Vanderpool's "Parking-Lot Desert?" (Tucson Weekly, April 16), Councilwoman Janet Marcus says, "Kids need a place to play. I have to speak up for the kids. I don't think they should always have to get in a car to go to a park." I completely agree. However, I believe Tucson's children would be better served by having some open native desert to play in than another sports park that will only offer them another micromanaged play experience. I was lucky enough to grow up in an area with plenty of open natural habitat where I played for hours at games no grownup could imagine. My friends and I were pirate children, famous explorers, scientists, tree climbers, builders of forts and houses and cities, shamans making potions out of plants, entrepreneurs selling magic rocks. We could have walked the mile to the school to play ball, or stayed inside and watched TV, but we were having too much fun being wild things. If children have no opportunity to experience the natural world on their terms, how can we expect them to grow up with any love and respect and sense of stewardship for the environment? Marcus and Parks & Rec's Glenn Dixon need to broaden their notion of what kids need to grow up healthy, strong and sane. Kids need ballparks, but they need much more than that, and we're running out of spaces like the one at Harrison and Broadway. --Janet Miller We Want Letters! Thrilled by our brilliant insights? Sick of our mean-spirited attacks? Need to make something perfectly clear? Write: tucsonweekly@tucsonweekly.com

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