JOSH SCHWEITZER

Regarding reader response to “Joshing Around,” by Karen Stabiner: Having worked as a lead carpenter for 20 years throughout the western United States, I have had the opportunity to physically create what an architect has drawn. I have built homes, hotels, retreats and restaurants for licensed architects and engineers, barns for farmers and dream homes for fledgling yuppies.

Last year I had the opportunity to work with the celebrated, yet maligned, Josh Schweitzer on the creation of Campanile restaurant. Unlike the majority of architectural desk jockeys, Josh was on the job every day, talking and working with those of us who actually build his dreams, not those who shuffle the paper and money. Josh’s creations are not only fun to build but as safe and sound as any I’ve built for licensed architects. All of Josh’s work is inspected and passed by inspectors (licensed, of course).

Perhaps if more emphasis was placed on personal involvement and care about one’s creation beyond the drawing board and less to the papers one accumulates, we could all have more fun “joshing around.” And safely, too.

STEVE LIVINGOOD

Long Beach