Horwitz was right to veto Otterness lions
To the Editor:
Re “Gayle Horwitz resigns as B.P.C.A. president” (news article, Sept. 19):
In response to Tom Goodkind’s comment about Gayle Horwitz’s taking the animal rights activists’ side of the Tom Otterness controversy, I, for one, applaud her decision. Whether or not Mr. Goodkind thinks my personal objection to further promoting Otterness’s already ample exposure in Manhattan philistine or not is unimportant to me.
I challenge Mr. Goodkind to explain what children would think and feel if they were made aware of Mr. Otterness’s former outlet of creative expression. I think our lovely parks and playgrounds may be very lonely places — perhaps places for our dogs to wander and sniff around in.
Let’s move on and give other artists the opportunity to create a piece for the outside of the Battery Park City Library. Tom Otterness has had his day, despite the fact that to this day he seems unrepentant for his actions. Killing any being in the name of art just ain’t art, no matter how you slice it.
Lisa Gilroy
Voting for the right cause
To the Editor:
Re “Cancers to be added to Zadroga Act, but financial roadblock lies ahead” (web article, Sept. 19):
This being an election year, how do we go about finding out which politicians are willing to cut funds from this Zadroga bill? I personally find this to be an important question for the men and women who have already lost so much. I certainly don’t want to waste my vote on someone who cannot support them.
Thank you.
Vicky
Horwitz headline is just plain inaccurate
To the Editor:
The Downtown Express went off the rails with the journalistically substandard headline noting the resignation of the Battery Park City Authority’s President and CEO: “Gayle Horwitz leaves B.P.C.A. with tainted record.”
In Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, the word “taint” as verb and noun are defined as: to contaminate morally (synonym — corrupt); a contaminating mark or influence.” Some aspects of Ms. Horwitz’s tenure could fairly be described as controversial, but the integrity and honesty of that tenure have never been called into question.
I have written my share of headlines. Filling the allotted space is a consideration, but accuracy is above all. One you want to prevent is: Downtown Express stumbles under new ownership.
Matthew G. Monahan
Battery Park City Authority spokesperson
Editor’s note: Mr. Monahan’s point is noted. A better headline would have read: “Gayle Horwitz leaves B.P.C.A. with mixed record.”
Otterness’s past art is what’s philistine!
To the Editor:
Re “Gayle Horwitz resigns as B.P.C.A. president” (news article, Sept. 19):
Tom Goodkind of Community Board 1 says Tom Otterness’s public art has delighted thousands and that it was a “philistine” decision to reject the sculptor’s art. Let’s review what Otterness did that was controversial. In his younger days, he essentially made a snuff film wherein he executed a defenseless dog with a gun. If that’s not degenerate or philistine art, I don’t know what is.
In rejecting his “art,” let’s let him know he can’t just paper over low-life art.
Chi Mo
Flushing, N.Y.
