Letters

Guy’s and Dolls

Not only was I deeply appalled by the actions taken by this seemingly “swell guy and community leader” (Dan Harper), but I was also disgusted by the comments made by those who thought they knew him.

Loyalty to a friend or colleague is one thing, but to claim that these crimes were a result of parental neglect or of any unconscious “evil” is ridiculous. I absolutely could not believe it when Guy’s mechanic Bob Allen stated, “She was bending over, and her jeans, cut-off, left nothing to the imagination. It’s hard not to look.” I wonder if Bob can distinguish the difference between looking and touching. Most “civic-minded” people learn that by age … um … 5, I think.

“Even if there was nothing evil on her mind, the way she dressed showed it.” I was under the impression that in many instances, including sexual harassment, the way a woman (or girl, for this matter) dresses is not to be interpreted as an open invitation to do whatever sexually pops up with that other person. True, if the 14-year-old had been wearing a full leather ensemble complete with a whip in one hand and a scouring toilet brush in the other, there could have been grounds to suspect something mischievous in the air, but a tank top and jean shorts?

I would also like to question the comment made by Guy’s owner Victor Sabatino: “Just because someone knows someone doesn’t make them guilty. You’ve got one person who says it went on and one person who says it didn’t.” I suppose that could very well be true grounds for acquittal. This man may have rented the hotel room to host a private game of Monopoly or Slapjack, or he may have invited the girl routinely in his office to debrief her on the microeconomic effects each department of the company has on the whole, and how through the proper use of value chain analysis the company could cut costs.

I am completely disgusted with the ruling of an established judicial system.

— Rob Lawrence

Kansas City, Missouri

I would like to respond to Tony Moton’s article about Guy’s Foods (“Let the Chips Fall,” August 24). This was a good article, but it was published too late, in my opinion. It speaks of the old Guy’s.

I have been employed at Guy’s Foods since 1979. I have worked for four owners: the Caldwells, Borden, Family Snacks, and General Products and Services. By far, the worst management was by Family Snacks. Borden provided its share of poor management and showed the future of the company by placing Vic Sabatino in charge.

I also believe Vic Sabatino was more interested in his image than the health of the company. The only time I saw him put any real money in the plant was when he was made the president of the Snack Food Association. At that time, he spent many thousands of dollars cleaning, painting, and installing new wall coverings in selected parts of the plant. For three of us in the maintenance department, most of a day was spent trying to hang a 20-foot-long banner of the Guy’s logo in the warehouse, which was to be used as a backdrop for Mr. Sabatino’s photo that would appear in the Snack Food Association magazine. And let’s not forget the large bus that was used to transport Vic’s chosen people to sporting events.

I could go on and on, but the real reason for this letter is to let the public know that the new owners, General Products and Services with Ron Hirasawa, appear to be serious about making this company work. I believe that they are genuinely interested in making Guy’s a successful company and a good place to work for the employees. I left Guy’s in February but returned in June because I now feel that for the first time in almost 20 years, Guy’s has a chance to be a good company. Maybe the new company motto should be “We are not the same old Guy’s!”

— Dave Graham

Excelsior Springs

Card Sharks

So, let’s say that the allegations that the Hallmark employees took a bunch of copies of the Pitch are true (Kansas City Strip, August 24) — and I can totally see any “big business” doing something like that — can’t you sue them for violating your/our civil rights using some freedom of the press angle? Obviously proof is the crux here, but you do have witnesses.

— Name Withheld Upon Request

Kansas City, Missouri

Thong Sung Blue

A couple of observations about Charles Ferruzza’s review of Gala (“Meat Market,” September 6):

1. Contrary to what he wrote about Gala’s being “located just a hop, skip, and a jump off I-70 in Raytown,” it should be pointed out that everything on Raytown Road is not in Raytown (Gala is at 2860 Raytown Road). If that were the case, then you’d be writing about the “Raytown Royals” and the “Raytown Chiefs” as Raytown Road circles behind the stadiums.

2. Mr. Ferruzza described himself as “bashful,” “blushing,” “starstruck,” and running back to his seat to finish his prime rib after tipping a dancer. He noted, “I felt I almost knew her!” Buddy, you don’t know her (or her job), or you’d be less starstruck and more concerned about holding on to your money.

I was disappointed that there was no reference to Gala’s “buns,” but I did appreciate finding out why the rolls were sealed in a white paper bag.

The “big boys” tell me there’s another “meat market” in KC where there’s a two-for-one T-bar … uh, T-bone … steak special at lunch. I’d be happy, as an unflappable old-guy seasoned reviewer, to freelance you a piece on it. Or, better yet, get The Star or the Lionheart newspaper group to buy my newspaper and I’ll answer your ad for a managing editor.

I also enjoyed Bruce Rodgers’ article on the KC school board gal who resigned (“Hard Lessons,” August 31). She’s correct: Race is one of the most important issues that is underreported in the metro area.

— Lee Gray

Editor, Raytown Post

Raytown

Editor’s note:

We regret the error about Gala’s location, which was an editor’s, not Ferruzza’s. But we’ll decline Mr. Gray’s offer for a freelance restaurant review — we’re quite happy with the reviewer we have.