GHETTO TOO NICE A WORD

So the word "ghetto" offends chronic researcher Tom Laviolette and
Professor Nick Blomely. ("Candidate Clarke gets a lesson in ghetto talk,"
June 20). I lived in the area for nine years so let me speak to from whence
I came. Select an urban area that has the police (try to) contain all the
drug addicts and dealers and the City of Vancouver's social planning and
housing departments locate all of the social and low-income housing. Better
yet, pour $300 million to $500 million of public funds annually into
"support" services that irrationally advocate keeping small business and
the middle class out.

My opinion: Ms. Clarke's use of the word ghetto was much too kind. I
believe in South Africa that we used the word "apartheid."

Michael McCoy

Vancouver