MAILBAG - June 19, 2009

Thanks for support of dance event

On behalf of the board of directors and membership of the Foothill Autism Alliance Inc., I would like to thank the city of Glendale and specifically the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department for its support of the Teen Dance for the Special Needs community on June 6 (“Autistic teens get chance to dance the night away,” June 8).

All city personnel involved were exceptionally helpful and supportive. Without such help and generosity the dance would never have occurred. Unfortunately, there are very few social opportunities for teens with special needs. Our dance was filled to capacity and families had to be turned away. There is clearly a need for more events of this kind. As parents, we know that our disabled children are going to face many challenges in life. But we are heartened and grateful that they will be facing them in a community willing to help.

The Foothill Autism Alliance is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization of parents, professionals and caregivers who are dedicated to providing education, resources and support to the autism community.

For more information, visit www.foothillautism.org or call (818) 66-AUTISM.

JANE FITZPATRICK

Glendale

Editor’s note: Fitzpatrick is president of the Foothill Autism Alliance.

Attack on Dan Kimber full of hate

I know it’s hazardous, but I’m compelled to respond to one of the most vicious personal attack letters I’ve read on the Forum page, “Columnist can’t hide his own prejudices,” June 11.

This letter is an unwarranted, noxious attack on Dan Kimber’s character, because of his column in April that innocently ventured into ethnic assimilation and describing the lack of efforts to assimilate as un-American. I fundamentally agree with what Kimber said, although I probably would have used different wording, but Kimber called it as he saw it.

Edwin Davidian spouts forth such a plethora of harsh words and phrases referring to Kimber, it’s almost as if Kimber were personally responsible for the Armenian Genocide.

Davidian used the following phrases: open discrimination; outrageous and slanderous accusations; so careless with his words; not have a clue as to what would be hurtful and offensive; there is something really wrong with you; surprise attack in the paper; proven time and time again that there is no point in speaking to you; your intolerant xenophobic views, which you have been attempting to spread like wildfire; and finally, “Kimber, you have rendered yourself irrelevant and your integrity has been compromised, you are the very source of the hatred that you claim to fight.”

Wow, and double wow. I think if Kimber had written that it was finally a lovely warm, sunny day, Davidian would have taken it as a biased slur implying that Armenians were at fault for the preceding cool, cloudy days. This is probably ridiculous, but the concept is valid. I think that if Davidian were to really open his eyes and take a close look in the mirror he would see the bias, slander, intolerance and hate, which he erroneously accuses Kimber of.

If a lot of Armenians believe that Davidian’s many slanderous complaints against Kimber are valid, a negative stereotype will be reinforced and Glendale’s ethnic divisiveness will probably be with us for another generation. Please don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of ethnic bigotry by non-Armenians and it’ll probably also take a generation for that to significantly diminish. However, if many Armenians object to Davidian’s offensive and divisive words, where are their letters? And where is the condemnation by our city government and school officials of the numerous outrageous diatribes against Kimber?

I suspect that the lack of criticism of Kimber’s attackers is because of fear of the potentially repercussions. The city desperately needs a commitment by all community leaders, Armenian and non-Armenian alike, to do their best to do away with ethnic bigotry on all sides and its destructive rhetoric.

Now as I submit this letter, I will don my word proof vest as I no doubt will be a target of some rabid writers because I have committed in their eyes two serious ethnic violations: I’ve supported Kimber and I’ve had the temerity to criticize an Armenian writer.

ROBERT MORRISON

Glendale

Thank you for donations, support

On behalf of the Glendale Fire Department, the Glendale Firefighters Assn. and the International Assn. of Firefighters, I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to the citizens of Glendale for their wonderful generosity during the recent “Fill the Boot” fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Assn. Even in these tough economic times, citizens and Glendale firefighters raised an amazing $19,415 in four hours. The Glendale Firefighters Assn. will be donating the additional funds to allow us to present a check for $20,000 during the telethon event. We would also like to thank Chief Harold Scoggins and the city for supporting this great cause.

The International Assn. of Firefighters is the largest sponsor of the Muscular Dystrophy Assn., and has raised more than $350 million over the past 55 years. The Muscular Dystrophy Assn. combats more than 40 neuromuscular diseases by supporting clinical research, care and transport services, public policy advocacy and public health education.

Again, thank you Glendale!

CHRIS STAVROS

San Pedro

EDITOR’S NOTE: Stavros is president of the Glendale Firefighters Assn.