Dear Editor:
In a recent edition of your newspaper I read an article by one of your writers in regard to our Jamaica Avenue, Woodhaven, store signage. (News from the Woodhaven Residents’ Block Association column, “A Modest Proposal For A Modest Problem,” June 12 issue, available online at www.timesnewsweekly.com)
This writer is also affiliated with an organization, under whose banner he writes. The article was very critical of how these signs, although written in English were “replete with misspellings” … “and other mangling of the English language.” Then he further states that he is “referring to egregious errors that bespeak extreme apathy or laziness on the part of those who commissioned and produced the signage.” Then giving examples of the misspelled words and grammatical errors; such as “francy instead of fancy.”
Since the Woodhaven Business Improvement District was stated in reference to these signs, I will respond to his, as he calls it, “pet peeve.”
The Woodhaven Business Improvement District is here to assist, advise and counsel our store and business owners on Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue with any problems or complaints they bring to our attention. If this signage situation is brought to our attention, as any problem, our assistance, if requested will be provided. We are fully capable of expending any time or energy necessary until a resolution is reached
Throughout this article, our store and business owners and their deficiency in writing the English language is of a very insulting tone. As we all well know, many of these individuals, as many of our residents, are not well versed in English writing, since English is their learned language. Evidently, their sign makers are also English learners.
Since these signs have been produced at great cost, you cannot expect them to be corrected and replaced. This would be a financial hardship to any store or business to replace their sign for any reason.
It is interesting to note that in spite of the “misspellings and ungrammatical statements” that the words were understood by the writer. As in “Francy” meaning “fancy.” Also, it is not a matter of “who is setting up shop on Jamaica Avenue” or “raising questions about how much pride they feel in Woodhaven.”
This statement is offensive, for misspelling is not the measure of having pride in Woodhaven. The fact that they have chosen Woodhaven to open a business, invest money in renovation and signage is testimony to their commitment and belief in Woodhaven’s economic vitality.
All of these statements are very condescending to the hardworking store and business owners on our WBID, Woodhaven’s Jamaica Avenue. Maybe the writer’s time, with the “several people” he can recruit, would better spent in the residential area of our Woodhaven community in helping elderly homeowners spruce up their homes.
As to this “misspelled sign” article, it must have been a very slow news week.
Maria Thomson
Executive Director
Greater Woodhaven
Development Corporation
Woodhaven Business
Improvement District
Editor’s note: As a point of clarification, the author of the “article” to which Ms. Thomson is referring, Alexander Blenkinsopp, is not an employee of this newspaper; he is an unpaid contributor of an op-ed column. As with all op-eds submitted to and published by this paper, the views expressed therein are not necessarily those of the Times Newsweekly or its staff.
