Music Appreciation

As a budding, but not fully flowered, humorist, I take great delight in Mr. M.B. (Det) Merryman’s recent remarks about the greatness of his stewardship in leading the San Diego Symphony from its recent crisis.

Golly, jeepers, Mr. Merryman, you ain’t that great. In fact, if the correct questions are asked, one of them would be why the San Diego Symphony’s need for funds wasn’t communicated in a more timely and appropriate fashion. “Management by crisis” is not the way to run any organization, whether it be for profit or not for profit. Intimidating the public to give is not the way to establish and maintain a continuing positive relationship with the community.

The San Diego Symphony is one of San Diego’s main cultural attractions, It is necessary for the well-being of our city, whether we’re the nation’s Finest City or merely just a very good and happy city. I think Mr. Merryman’s leadership is lousy. If an organization is “budgeted” (really non-budgeted) to experience financial difficulty in the near future, then measures should be taken before the crises arises. Golly, jeepers, Mr. Merryman, self-praise is no praise at all. And from what I can see, no praise is merited at this time.

BERNARD M. LEVY

San Diego