On December 18, 2007, the voters of Ward 14 clearly and convincingly showed their good judgment, rejecting the potential recall of its Councilman Joe Santiago.

This wholly unnecessary and unwarranted election was the result of the pique of the disgruntled former office holder. This recall cost the voters of Cleveland some $47,000, or about $40 for each vote cast. If it had been successful, it would have cost the city of Cleveland more than $50,000 to hold a special election. This recall election has taken an enormous amount of time, attention and money away from what the city needs.

This is not right. A sore loser should not force our entire city to pay for his ego. Two years ago, the voters in Ward 14 elected Councilman Santiago after full and fair democratic election, and they rejected the man whose selfishness drove the recent recall election. The supposed basis for this recall was at best a cover for one person's ego. The reality is that the campaign was driven by a defeated candidate who could not accept that he had been rejected by the voters.

Everybody knows how a democracy works: There is a campaign, there is a vote, and there is a decision by the voters. If the electorate is dissatisfied with the performance of the candidate as he performs his daily duties, then it can vote him out of office at the next election.

The city charter unfortunately did not include any criteria for the recall of a councilman. This allows an abuse of the system, in which any councilman can be recalled on even the flimsiest of pretexts, for example, a difference of opinion on a single routine decision. Had there been a recall, it would have been a precedent for any councilman to be recalled on the basis of any dispute on any single decision, and it would have created chaos in government.

Every member of City Council was opposed to this recall, which was simply unjustified. This recall election was being held in the ward with the largest concentration of Hispanics and targeted Joe Santiago, the only Hispanic councilman. It is important to point out that there was not a single, responsible Hispanic leader supporting this recall effort.

Voters of Ward 14 spoke loudly and clearly. Unfortunately, the city had to pay a very steep price to hear their voice.

Jose C. Feliciano

Chairman, Hispanic Roundtable

THAT'S WHY WE LOVE THEM

Erin O'Brien, that was a really sweet and poignant article about your dad and the little things that make up our daily interactions with our beloved even if slightly zany parents ("Lights for the Lawnmower," Dec. 19). I lost my dad almost six years ago and as you know, the hurt never really goes away. I could infer so easily in your writing how much you loved your dad, even through all the craziness, but that's why we love them, right? We share so many of those moments in our memories as you do. Thank you for putting it into writing, even if the details were different.

Andrew Ziebro
Broadview Heights

Your piece jolted a memory for me I've not experienced in many decades. My Dad died in 1978 when I was 25 years old. Years before that we too had owned a Gravely tractor for cutting the grass. It was a big walk-behind giant thing that probably wasn't as large as the young mind remembers. But it was something my Dad liked. He said it was simple, dependable and did its job well. My older brother and I had to earn the right to operate it.

I did not inherit the gene for lawn-care machines or serious wrench work. I kinda prefer music, running on the bridle trails in the Metro Park and art. Maybe it's because I still harbor some anger toward Dad that I choose other interests, I don't know. I'm getting closer to the port called "forgiveness." Your story helped get me just a little closer. Good writing.

Mark Stonebraker
Cleveland Heights

THOU SHALT LEARN TO TAKETH A JOKE

Dec. 26, in which he plays the religion card, complaining that someone insulted his Catholicism.

I don't often laugh at the Emily Flake comic Lulu Eightball. But she doesn't have to listen to you try to convert her, nor need she apologize to anyone.

I have come to the inescapable opinion that all religion should be insulted. It's not that I am not spiritual. But the creeds that are most meaningful to me have been roundly insulted by the majority of folks who've heard of them, for I am a Wiccan, Voodooist, SubGenius and Juggalo.

Hollywood can't resist trashing most pagans (except Native Americans, usually). I don't care! It's good for you!

Here's what you must do instead of being in insulted mode: Laugh! If everyone on the planet did this, terrorism as we know it would be gone. Don't terrorize! Laugh, silly!

Kaarli S. Makela
Cleveland