A long and frustrating drama
I am one of the “antagonists” from “The Shows Will Go On” about the Firehouse Theater Project (Metro, Jan. 11). Characterizing me as one of the “real estate developers who want to buy the theater company’s home” was the final straw in a long and frustrating drama of my own regarding the fire station.
My efforts to buy the building at 1609 W. Broad St. predate the theater group by a number of years. I first started asking about the property when the city of Richmond began making plans to relocate the fire station and vacate the building.
My most recent offer for the property was made after the city real estate office contacted me announcing a public request for bids. I support the Firehouse Theater Project wholeheartedly, and I hope they can secure the building and the money needed to renovate it.

-Harrison Higgins

Firehouse Theatre a win-win
I would like to thank you for your informative article about the Firehouse Theatre Project (Metro, Jan. 11). However, the true “antagonist” in the story was the city of Richmond.
The city of Richmond pushed us and we took a giant leap forward.
Thank-you, Mayor Tim Kaine, for the push.
You were right, we both win.

-Carol Piersol
Artistic Director
Firehouse Theatre Project

No one raised a statue to a cynic
Style’s unfavorable review of Jann Malone’s column in the Richmond Times-Dispatch (Cover story, Feb. 8) compels me to write.

There was one comment with which I agreed: It would not be easy to write three columns each week. However, many of us look forward to each one! Who would expect to be enthralled each time? Do you hold your friend’s conversions up to such a harsh light? It is a gift that Jann shares her life in print.
To me, that takes courage as well as a generous spirit. With gratitude we respond like any friend, separating the wheat from the chaff. We don’t expect her to hit a home run each time she steps up to the plate. To Jann I would say, keep on as always. I dare suggest that the ebb and flow of life is more appealing than flying a freak flag. And remember no one raised a statue to a cynic.

-Rebecca Knapp

Mother of murder victims seeks sensitive handling of organ donation
I was reading Style Weekly and turned to “Have a Heart?” (Street Talk, Feb. 29), and my heart almost stopped. I read it twice to make sure I didn’t misunderstand what it was saying.
I was shocked at the attitude of Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen Miller and his physician concerning the lower homicide rate.
So the concern of the doctors was the decline of organ donations.
Forget the pain and suffering these victims’ families are going through to cope with the loss of a loved one to murder. I have said over and over that the doctors and nurses at MCV need classes in sensitivity. I know this from personal experiences with them.
You see, I had two sons murdered. The doctor came and told me my son had died after I had been waiting 45 minutes for his heart to stop. Then in the next breath he asked me to donate his organs.
I guess they see our children as a never-ending supply of body parts. It is an insult and a slap in the face for every parent who has lost children to murder.

There is only one thing I have to say to Mr. Miller and the doctors: I am fresh out of sons.

-Sheila B. Hamilton