Letters to the Editor

Pro bono benefits

Your fine July 9 article on the success of Attorney Philip Middleton in saving Sherry Ann Felder's property failed to mention that he took this case pro bono and litigated it for two years before its wonderful outcome.

Such selfless and public-spirited behavior by a member of the Charleston Bar, although newsworthy for its huge impact on one person's life, is typical of the pro bono work done every day by Charleston attorneys.

In the two and a half years since Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services was established by the Charleston County Bar Association, more than 250 pro bono cases have been accepted by local attorneys. Mr. Middleton's laudable achievement dramatizes the importance of such contribution.

Marvin H. Feingold

Director/Legal Counsel

Charleston Pro Bono

Legal Services

Church Street

Charleston

Birthday care

June 22 was my 84th birthday. Sadly, I got sick and my husband had to take me to the Roper Hospital Emergency Room.

While lying in my bed on the second floor, I was lamenting the fact that I was sick and in the hospital on my birthday. To my surprise, the nurses came to my room and sang "Happy Birthday" to me. In addition, they presented me with two beautiful presents. As a result, this gracious act made an unfortunate situation a more pleasant one. Thank you so much, Erica and your nurse friends.

I was transferred to ICU and then to the seventh floor. For the next 10 days, the nurses, staff and doctors treated me very professionally and in a very friendly way.

I want to thank everyone who took care of me. God will take note of your efforts and reward everyone.

BLANCHE P. BLANKENSHIP

Fort Lamar Road

James Island

Standing ovation

Piccolo Spoleto, the official outreach arm of Spoleto Festival USA, was founded by the City of Charleston Office of Cultural Affairs in 1979. Piccolo's goal is to offer "something wonderful for everyone" and to make the Spoleto Festival experience accessible to everyone, regardless of their economic, social or physical circumstances.

During the last 30 years, Piccolo Spoleto has more than lived up to its mission, and we'd like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank those responsible for their successful efforts.

For the past three years, Piccolo Spoleto has offered free performances at our hospitals, reaching patients and visitors who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend as well as our employees, physicians and volunteers.

Each year, these performers have touched us not only with their amazing talent, but also their impressive commitment to community outreach in the arts.

This year at Bon Secours St. Francis and Roper hospitals, we were treated to the peaceful and healing sounds of chamber music, showcasing the talents of the Piccolo Spoleto Conservatory Orchestra. And for the first time, Piccolo Spoleto performed at our Roper St. Francis Medical Center Berkeley in Moncks Corner, where attendees were delighted by "Dry Run," a unique musical quartet whose performance featured a diverse repertoire ranging from Bach to country classics.

On behalf of our entire Roper St. Francis family, we would like to thank the City of Charleston's Office of Cultural Affairs for making these performances possible, with special acknowledgment of Director Ellen Dressler Moryl and Operations Coordinator Holley Van Horn.

We are proud to be part of Piccolo Spoleto and are already looking forward to next year. Here's to you and your 30th anniversary.

Matt Severance

CEO, Roper Hospital

Roper St. Francis Healthcare

Doughty Street, Suite 760

Charleston

This letter was also signed by: Allen Carroll, CEO, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital; Brenda Myers, director, Roper St. Francis Medical Center Berkeley.

Fun Fourth

I want to say thank you to the City of North Charleston for a lovely Fourth of July celebration. The Drifters and the Marshall Tucker Band were wonderful, the weather was perfect and the fireworks fabulous.

It was such a pleasure to take my family and friends for a "free" day, especially with the high price of gas. They allowed drinking, but everyone seemed to be doing it in moderation and no one was searched when they entered the park.

I was disappointed that an article wasn't written in the paper about the event. It was truly great and I hope the City of North Charleston does it again next year.

Casey Troxel

Short Pine Road

Ladson

Freedom's fuel

I was quite surprised at labeling the Letters to the Editor concerning gas prices as "venting." To me, it was more like a grand celebration that we shameful Americans are finally getting put in our place.

Why is it that some of us lucky Americans think that we deserve nothing but punishment and disdain for our way of life, rather than deserved and well-earned satisfaction for what we have fought and worked hard for? Don't think for a minute that anyone else in the world wouldn't be living our lifestyles if the opportunity were there.

The fact is the opportunity isn't available elsewhere, and that is what makes us the country that people escape to and try to emulate. Otherwise, they hate us because we have individual freedoms with opportunity to grow. How dare the letter writers think it is our fault for building the best way of life on earth, and, furthermore, chastising us in their shameful criticism, all because we did it with oil?

Our growth, success and protection of freedom has always been fueled by oil and coal, and, like it or not, will continue for a long time, while we work on other alternatives.

The oil is there for the asking and effort if we want it.

We should have it. In the meantime, I want this country to get better, while continuing to be proud of our way of life. Trying to be like the rest of the world won't help any of us.

BRIAN A. SWAN

Wimbledon Drive

Charleston

Adjust to change

As gasoline prices continue to rise, I see more and more commuters using motorcycles and scooters. (I know I'm riding mine more, especially on the weekends).

Shouldn't the parking garages operated by the City of Charleston rescind their no-parking rule for two-wheeled motorized vehicles? Perhaps offering a reduced rate as well?

Tim Carswell

Ptarmigan Street

James Island

Reveal worth

Regarding the State Ports Authority's Daniel Island property, I was surprised to read that the SPA is keeping its appraisal of our property a secret. After all, the SPA is a public agency and the property is public land and will not be used for port business.

I see no good reason why hiding the appraisal from taxpayers is in our state's best interest, and hope our elected leaders will step forward and let the taxpayers know the appraised value of our land. The funds from the sale of the property could be used to help pay for the $300 million port access road at the new Navy base terminal.

Frank Heindel

Hobcaw Drive

Mount Pleasant

Express idea

TriCounty Link plans a bus stop in Summerville which will carry passengers over to Rivers Avenue in North Charleston where they can catch the CARTA express bus to Charleston. Why can't CARTA use some of the buses which they recently purchased to start an express bus to Charleston from the Highway 78/Heritage Square parking lot?

This would reduce the number of riders from the Rivers Avenue stop since over half of those riders are from the Summerville area.

This might also reduce the number of buses needed at that stop.

Karen Crider

Manning Court

Summerville