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,
    Page 4 of the current edition of The Austin Chronicle contains a cutline that references "local star Brigitte Bandit performed a Drag Queen Story Time to the tune of Dolly Parton's 'Harper Valley PTA' at Cheer Up Charlies …" 
    "Harper Valley PTA" was written by Tom T. Hall and the hit single version of the song was recorded by Jeannie C. Riley. Dolly Parton had nothing to do with that song except for the fact that Riley's recording was the very first single to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Country Music and Hot 100 charts simultaneously; Parton's recording of "9 to 5" became the second single to achieve that feat.

   Qmmunity Editor James Scott responds: Thanks for the background info on this great song! However, the cutline isn't incorrect as the version that played during Brigitte Bandit's performance was a cover sung by Dolly Parton, originally released in 1969 on her album In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).

Dear Editor,
    Kudos to whoever comes up with the creative “Headlines” column on the News page. Perhaps Mike Clark Madison? At least since November 2022, themed topics have included Led Zeppelin songs, Thanksgiving foods, Christmas movies, and Neil Young tunes. I don’t remember this being the case all along, or maybe I missed it in the past. But recently it’s been obvious enough to make me anticipate each new issue.

   Editor Kim Jones responds: All credit and kudos go to Assistant News Editor Maggie Q. Thompson. (We're big fans, too.)

Dear Editor,
    RE: Jan 6 article: Proposed Amphitheater Near Dripping Springs Faces Neighbor Opposition
    Blizexas LLC and parent company Lexor Investments found Travis County’s codes too restrictive for a 5000-seat amphitheater. Next they targeted rural Dripping Springs to take advantage of its unincorporated status. However, without due diligence, they were unaware respecting nature and preservation is the unwritten code long-held by Hill Country neighbors, businesses, and ranchers. Small venues fit. This is worth the fight to keep our Hill Country flora and fauna intact and Onion and Barton creeks pristine.
    One issue is Fitzhugh Road is made for light traffic, not an additional 3000 cars twice a day, 3 times a week. Eleven-foot-wide access roads have steep drop-offs, blind corners, no guardrails, shoulders or streetlights. It’s notable that road improvements are not scheduled for 15 years.
    Newly elected Commissioner Walt Smith’s comments seem to support the developers’ efforts: “County roads are likely to experience heavy traffic and safety issues that the county [taxpayers] will have to pay to address, unless the developer volunteers to make needed safety improvements. The developer has voluntarily stepped up to do a number of improvements along the property where they are at on Fitzhugh Road.”
    When we asked about the poor roads and gridlock, LeClerk, a representative of Blizexas, actually said: “[We] only have to worry about the people on this property.” He has no intention of paying for any road improvements.
    LeClerk says he will “fix everything.” He won’t. Using his own example, the half-sized 2500-seat California Bay Area Lexor venue has failed to be traffic-friendly, despite having good access roads. It is “a nightmare to get in and out of” a recent patron said. Stay informed and join StopFitzhughConcertVenue.com.