Member Feedback

Letters "vitriolic"

Heavens! I just read the May/June 2007 edition of EnCompass, and was amazed at the Member Feedback letters. Of five letters you published, four were vitriolic. Whew. "Disgusted," "dismayed," "false and misleading" and "embarrassed"?

It must be heartbreaking to turn out such a beautiful, informative and well-written magazine, and to then be attacked in such vicious ways. You have my sympathy.

-Lewana B., Wheat Ridge

Editor's Note: We actually do get some kind letters (such as yours) but we try very hard not to seem to be patting ourselves on the back in the Member Feedback section. We also want to show members that we are objective, and print negative comments.

Skip down memory lane

I grew up in the shadow of the Disneyland Matterhorn. For my 50th birthday, my 83-year-old mother, her 70-something best friend, my 42-year-old sister and I went back to Disneyland.

If you go at the right time of the year, and ask at the tourist information window, you might be selected to dance and skip along in the Main Street Parade, as my sister and I were, Merlin capes and all. It's an aerobic workout for pixies and the young at heart.

You can see all the old attractions at www.yesterland.com. (I'm not one of them.)

-Michele B., Littleton

Facts and grammatical errors

Regarding your article "Exploring Japanese gardens" [May/June, page 25], I must tell you that Okayama is not on the island of Shikoku. It faces Shikoku Island.

-Fumiko M., via email

One has become accustomed to illiterate highschoolers assaulting the English language, but somehow one doesn't expect it from authors of articles in periodicals. Consequently it was a shock to read in Amy Rosen's notations on Chicago [May/June, page 45]: "All said, our favorite part…prompted Joanna and I to cheer…"

I hope that lots and lots of people over 50 who know better write to show their indignation.

-Helen R., via email

Editor's Note: Thanks to both writers for the corrections. Okayama should have been described as a coastal city on Honshu Island, not Shikoku, and "Joanna and me" would have been correct in the Chicago article. Before EnCompass goes to print, we proofread and revise it numerous times over several weeks, making multiple corrections on every page. However, occasionally an error does slip through—even though one of the three members of our magazine staff is over 50!

Repair bill rip-off?

Mechanic shops are ripping off the public every time any mechanical work is done, by surcharging the public for cleanup, such as washing rags, maintenance, etc.

Their usual charge is 4% of the total, minus labor. I was charged 6% by Conoco and when I asked what this charge was for, the mechanic misinformed me. I called Conoco and was told that this charge is for whatever they may need to do the work—screws or whatever. Since I had an ignition installed that came in a kit with all needed parts, this explanation was bogus.

Though they may use the same rags on 15 cars, and sweep or mop the floor only once, we are all charged for them maintaining their shop. Restaurants don't charge us for them to clean up, nor does any other business I know of. This is criminal and a total abuse of the public.

-Paull K., via email

Editor's Note: We thought this was an interesting topic. See this issue for an explanation of shop supply charges. AAA recommends getting a written estimate, with charges clearly detailed, before any automotive repair work is done. If the facility is a AAA Approved Auto Repair/Auto Body Repair shop, AAA can also mediate any disputes that may arise.

Beautiful cover

Kudos for your beautiful horizontal cover of the Great Sand Dunes National Park [March/April]. Hope you can print more covers like this which show off the beauty of Colorado.

-Doug R., Colorado Springs

Skywalk debate

In response to the letter "Skywalk destructive" [May/June member feedback], I would like to point out that if it is destructive then it is much less than the improvements already made in the Grand Canyon National Park, both North and South Rim.

A skywalk may not even be destructive at all compared to the miles of roads in the park, so many observation points, the lodge, the traffic, the trails down to the bottom of the canyon, and the Phantom Lodge where the food is brought down to be served to you.

It is time to be fair and to congratulate American Indians on their entrepreneurial way to rise from poverty.

-Aldona S., via email

Let us hear from you

Letters less than 200 words are considered first. Letters published in EnCompass do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AAA Colorado and, due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Send letters to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. Fax to: 303-300-7710. Email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. Letters become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.