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Readers
Regarding your February cover story on high speed rail travel, I have been very impressed with the depth of your article - very unbiased and informative. This to me is real journalism: presentation of facts and issues,and make your judgment yourself. I may have been among "suave French bureaucrats," but it is not out of suavity that I express my appreciation for your work. The Florida Overland Express project will certainly be a matter of news reports for many years, and I hope that you will participate in the inaugural journey as a token of your professionalism.
Daniele Antelin
Chargee de Mission
Agence Pour La Cooperation Technique Industrielle Et Economique
Paris, France
Why should we spend billions to get people from Miami to Tampa on a high speed rail, when I can't go 23 miles to and from work in less than 55 minutes? In the six years I have lived in South Florida, I have never gone to Tampa and I certainly wouldn't go for $75-$100. I could take a plane for that. Why can't we get good public transportation in Florida? Isn't the traffic the average person sits in every day more important than getting tourists from here to there?
Terri Bennett
Pembroke Pines
Affirmative Action
I am responding to the caption that appeared under my picture in the February 1996 Tallahassee Report. This caption gives a false impression on my personal views concerning the significance and importance of affirmative action in the development and sustaining of minority businesses. In fact, I believe that affirmative action is needed for the development and growth of minority firms.
The study that you reported was a very specific study required by Florida Statutes for a very specific period of time and for very specific purchasing categories. The study indicates the state should concentrate its efforts on helping minorities start and sustain businesses. Minorities do not form businesses at the same relative rate as the major population. This is the great disparity within the state of Florida. In no way does this study apply or express my views on minority businesses in general as your caption suggests! It is important for me to set the record straight.
Melvin T. Stith, Dean
Florida State University, College of Business
Information, Please
John F. Berry's Florida Close-Up in the February issue highlights a problem critical to improving our quality of life - collecting the right data, systematically, over enough years to provide an intelligent basis for decision making. It seems that the consistently most successful businesses do just that. Henry Adams' practical politician can ignore the facts as usually presented. If, however, the public speaks on an issue with consistency, the facts can have a positive impact on legislative decisions.
The good folks sent here from all around the state rarely have enough time to develop either a broad perspective or enough information to take a long-term view on the multitude of issues. Consistently collected and published, results from GAP-like public bodies can improve the efficiency with which tax dollars are invested in the future.
That state agencies do not now collect necessary strategic data is more a reflection on their legislative data requests than on their capabilities. Absent independent, strategic planning mechanisms, every new legislature will tinker with the hot problems of the moment. Some things will be different each year, but can they ever get better?
Robert K. Branson
Tallahassee
Restaurants
I have been a loyal reader for two years now, but I wanted to let you know that your "Trend's Top 200" list has missed the mark for a second straight year. I know there are a lot of great restaurants in Florida, and you can't possibly include them all in your list. But for a magazine that prides itself on its "inside the Tallahassee beltway" coverage, it amazes me that your list failed to include Nino's. The food, service and atmosphere at Nino's is superior to anything our capital city has to offer in terms of fine dining.
There aren't many places like Nino's, where a smiling and gracious owner greets you at the door and invites you into his home to enjoy everything from great steaks, seafood and wine (not to mention an after dinner drink and a fine cigar), all at very affordable prices.
I truly believe that you have failed in your attempt to provide readers with an accurate listing of the fine dining establishments in Tallahassee. I'm not alone; ask most of the members of the Florida Legislature!
Adam M. Hasner
Boca Raton
Correction: William D. Griffin's name was misspelled in the Top Rank Florida Insurance Company list in the February issue. Griffin is the chairman and chief executive officer of 12th-ranked RISCORP.
