Speak Out

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Covering Anniston

Dear Mr. Brandt Ayers, Star publisher:

Not long ago I read somewhere that you have a well-deserved reputation for being out of touch. Nothing could underscore the truth of the assertion more than The New York Times editorial reprinted in the Oct. 6 edition of The Star, an excellent piece that discusses the connection between the environmental justice problem in West Anniston involving the incinerator and the deteriorating state of public health of its residents, both black and working-class white.

It is interesting to me that The Times, with its great national and international reputation and a readership in the millions, would have its say about Anniston while The Star, where the recent event referred to in The Times editorial was held, didn’Äôt cover it and thus had no say at all.

If that's not being out of touch, I don't know what is, and it all adds to the discredit of your unattractive city in the eyes of the millions of readers of The Times, something that many local citizens, including me, tried to remedy for years by encouraging Anniston to be progressive and neutralize instead of burn. But you and Chris Waddle would have none of it.

Rufus Kinney
Jacksonville