Amazing Grace

I read your article about Grace Leon (January 2004). Your title "State of Grace" really should have been "Amazing Grace." I do not pretend to be old friends of Wayne and Grace, but our paths crossed years ago when they worked out at Kings Gym. You could see it then: They adored each other and were always consistently friendly, just wholesome people.

Approximately two years ago, tragedy paid my family a visit. Then, I ran into Grace at a police function and we talked, briefly. We connected on the phone and have had many great talks. She doesn't bring her loss to the forefront as much as she demonstrates her concern for myself/others. She has helped me more than she will ever know. Grace has made a difference. She got me through some days that must have been tough for her, and I know I am not alone. Grace Leon is there and can be counted on for friendship, support and her ability to reach people on all levels. She is a voice that will not be silenced. She is "Amazing Grace."

Dick Goldsmith
Chagrin Falls

Real People

It was such a pleasure to read about John and Kristin Anderson in your "Most Interesting People" piece (January 2004). Kristin came to our house on New Year's Day to do a follow-up report on our new canine adoptee, Jessie. Jessie, formerly known as Maverick, was deliberately hit by a car while crossing Euclid Avenue in October. WKYC was the first to put her sad story out on the airwaves.

Kristin is very professional, yet very friendly and easy to talk to. She put us at ease immediately and even our cranky-old-lady golden retriever took to her. I never once had the impression that I was in the presence of greatness. Talent, yes, but superstardom? Definitely not. Kristin shared that John, too, falls asleep during football games. We both live in houses with very high ceilings and neither of our husbands will let us turn on the lights ?up there? until they figure out how to change the bulbs. Kristin gave us the feeling that she?d come over from next door to visit, and she just happened to be bringing along a guy with a big camera.

Although Lristin is a cat person, Mollie, Cady and Jessie would like her to know that the pretty lady with the soft voice is very welcome to come back any time. Thanks, Kristin, for exploding the myth that media people are a remote and elite group. You are a wonderful ambassador for your profession!

Joy Walters and family
Twinsburg

Incomplete Pass

Your "Most Interesting People" article should have had both Kelly Holcomb and Tim Couch. Possibly, the issue was made up before the end of the football season, before Tim essentially replaced Kelly as the starting quarterback.

They should have been shown together. It was really the quarterback controversy that made a season like that interesting; and it takes two to tango.

It's not easy to have a friend take your job without complaining bitterly. And it's not easy to make a comeback the way Tim did under those circumstances -- not to mention all the hits he took. These are things that make Tim interesting.

All you said about Kelly was true, but you should have included Tim to bring out the true essence of the '03 Browns season.

Don Wirtz
Lakewood

Imminent Eminent Domain?

Lakewood voters did the right thing when they stopped the West End project and the use of eminent domain ("How the West End Was Won," January 2004). We wouldn?t force our parents out of their homes just to lower our taxes and give us cool places to shop, and we shouldn?t force our neighbors out for the same reasons. The seizure of property that will not be owned and used by the public is wrong, un-American, unconstitutional and just plain mean.

The next fight over eminent domain abuse might be in Willowick, where the homes of lakefront residents may fall before a bulldozer under the city's master plan to build upscale housing and shops. Willowick?s council president has signaled his willingness to use eminent domain to seize property in support of the plan on which city council has spent over $250,000.

It is because of these abuses of power that I have been a supporter, since 1999, of the Institute for Justice. The public-interest law firm came to the aid of Lakewood property owners and has published a book, available on its Web site, detailing numerous cases in which government abused its power of eminent domain. I wish them good luck and good hunting.

Michael McFeely
Willoughby

A Psychic Friend

Saw a recent article by Lane Strauss about Anna Burroughs Cook, a psychic in Elyria [Fast Lane, January 2004]. Thought the article could use a more in-depth profile and a few more success stories on Anna. I have had readings from her and found her to be extremely accurate. She is also working on a book and several other projects that your readers would find interesting.

Doris Phillips
Pittsburgh, Pa.