Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    It's kinda sad something I knew since I moved here has died [“Cheapo Records to Close,” Earache! Music blog, Nov. 20]. I understand growth, but I can say I will miss Friday/payday and going to buy the music that keeps me sane. I work in a kitchen, and music is all I have to keep me from going off the deep end. “Fuck” is all I can feel and say. You kept me sane for years, Cheapo. Thank you.

Dear Editor,
    Though I have been out of the music biz since they closed Liberty Lunch, I still play and buy the occasional instrument or stompbox. I recently discovered that Guitar Center and Musician's Friend are owned by none other than Bain Capital, made famous by former CEO and perpetual milk dud Mitt Romney.
    Needless to say, I'll never buy from either again. Sweetwater is still family-owned for mail order, or go buy from Steve at Austin Vintage Guitars at their new location. The great Republican machine may hate liberals, but it doesn't mind making money off the devil's music!

Dear Editor,
    Richard Whittaker's article [“Green or Greenwash?,” News, Nov. 16] on whether the Formula One track, the races there, and/or associated buildings and activities might approach sustainability contained not one word about a major facet of sustainability in this region – water. Indeed, Austin essentially took water off the table as any part of discussions about how sustainable the whole Formula One experience might be made. Austin Water proposed, and City Council accepted without question, that all of us had to pay the $8.1 million to extend a large wastewater main to the track site to make the "waste" water generated there to go "away.” They quite consciously did this without the slightest consideration of creating a "waste" water management system for this venue focused on reusing that water on-site, something that runs in the direction of a "no-brainer" for an event-driven venue like this. I questioned a representative of the engineering company who worked out the wastewater line deal, asking why no other options were considered, and he responded quite directly that the line extension is all the city would discuss. So, when it comes to water resources, we don't even get to the question of whether this venue is "green" or "greenwashed.” Sustainability was just flat rejected as a consideration. Showing us all once again that, despite all its talk, when it comes to water, Austin is really faux-green. And from all appearances, not one single "environmentalist" in this community cares.
    More perspective on the sustainable water aspects of Formula One – and indeed in the entire SH 130 corridor – and how Austin refused to embrace them, choosing instead to thwart sustainability by extending and perpetuating its 19th century water infrastructure model, can be found at www.austineconetwork.com/blog/were-all-paying-big-waste-water.

Dear Editor,
    Mayor Lee Leffingwell remarked that the arrival of Formula One racing reflected Austin’s “maturation” [“The Birth of Formula One – Austin,” News, Nov. 16]. He might also have observed that decent public transit is the sine qua non of a mature city. Part of this maturation process should include extending the rail line on Fifth Street to the airport and on to the F1 track.
    That would be a boon to travelers, as anyone who has flown into San Francisco or Atlanta can attest – you simply step off the plane and onto a train to Downtown.
    Such a line would provide transport to F1 events, eliminating helicopters, lines of buses, long walks, and traffic jams.
    During the week it could serve as a park-and-ride for commuters coming into Austin from the Bastrop area.
    It would provide transport synergy by enabling passengers on the rail line from Leander to change trains at Fifth Street and thus reach the airport conveniently.
    Since the last two municipal bond packages have funded more roads, it’s about time for corresponding investment in public transit.

Dear Editor,
    I am very surprised about this article [“'Sordid Lives',” the Arts, Nov. 16]. I did not know about the controversy and got online to order tickets because I saw a flyer about this production at my local library. In the past, while living in Wimberley, I attended many of the Wimberley Players productions and enjoyed them very much.
    Do the people objecting to this production think that because Wimberley is a "safeguarded community" that the people that attend these productions are ignorant? Do they know that at one time, per capita mind you, that Wimberley had the largest gay and lesbian population around? Who cares? A good, entertaining production is well worth seeing at any time. And as far as language goes … oh, please!
    Some people have way too much time on their hands and suffer from a real "God complex.” Wake up and get real.
    Wimberley Players, carry on!

Dear Editor,
    Hello, I am a pedicabber in Austin and I would like to request a revision to your article "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" [News, Nov. 16]. I, and several drivers like myself, are being misrepresented by this article and would like to offer you the correct information so that you may provide your readers with accurate knowledge about our business.
    This article, by Richard Whittaker, incorrectly states that pedicabs charge by the block. Yes, it is true that some pedicab drivers may charge by the block, but there are many that charge a flat rate or work for tips. The one thing that is true about all pedicab rides is that the fare is negotiated before departure so that passengers always know what they will be paying, and a fee that is agreeable to both driver and fare is decided upon.