Why Letterman got ticked off

Bothell, Wash.: Re “David Letterman’s ugly personality” (March 11): I would like to offer a couple of observations I personally witnessed during the early days of both the morning Letterman show and the NBC Letterman late night show from 1980 to 1987. I was involved in both shows as the audio director. I also had the honor to know Letterman as a friend who treated me only with kindness and laughter.

I must dispute the article’s view concerning two points: That Letterman suddenly turned on producer Barry Sand. In my observation, Letterman never had any respect for Sand, who was sort of forced on the show by Jack Rollins. Sand was the type of buffoon who would put a chef in the last segment of the show with about a minute left to “off air.” These kind of amateurish decisions were a constant source of frustration for Letterman. Go read the Times feature story about Sand from the late-80s.

I have never in my 40 years in the business, witnessed a writing staff inflicted with such ineptitude. The majority of them were incapable of writing their own obits let alone nightly comedy skits. Merrill Markoe was the spearhead of his career and the show. I have memory of David saying such. She was brilliant and even when she left the show in the mid-80s was called back to straighten out an incompetent Steve O’Donnell who seemed incapable of getting something written by 5 p.m.

Finally, a personal observation: Letterman always felt NBC never treated him with the respect he thought his show deserved. Letterman on a few occasions told me his biggest dream or goal was succeeding Johnny Carson. I think these two things crushed his spirit. He just did not care anymore. He stopped doing bits that made him “David Letterman” and, in a twist of irony, his nemesis Jay Leno started doing all of the bits that David had stopped. Paul Johnston

Figuring out diversity

North Massapequa, L.I.: Dear FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro: At a recent event, you stated that you were greatly interested in creating diversity in the Fire Dept. However, your actions are not consistent with your department’s words. On Oct. 19, 2016, Deputy Commissioner Laura Kavanagh testified to the City Council that changing the age for the fire exam would help to diversify the department: “We want to make every effort to include women and people of color in recruitment drives. We think this proposal may advance the goal, and we look forward to discussing it further.” The Council considered raising the maximum age for new firefighters to 31, but the bill died despite significant support. It is obvious that the FDNY did not support this measure. Please do not try to fool the public about your diversification efforts with words when actions do not reflect the same intent. Simply open the coming test to people up to 31 years old and you will surely have diversity.

Herbert McIntyre

Losing one of the good ones

Seminole, Fla.: Re “NYPD officer who twerked at parade dies of 9/11-related cancer” (March 14): I knew Michael Hance when he was a young boy. He dated my daughter Michelle. He was so in love. He actually lived with us for a while in Patchogue, L.I., when I went by the name of Linda Fontanez. He was a happy positive kid always. When I heard this, my heart sank. Not Mike, he was such a good guy. My heart and prayers go out to his family. I’m so sorry for their tremendous loss. RIP, Michael, always love you. Love, Linda AKA “Mom.”

Linda Cowart

It’s plunderin’ time

Bronx: With all the cuts to institutions of the arts and humanities, one thing is clear: The barbarians are no longer at the gate. They are now inside the White House.

Pauline Graham Binder

Recipe for disaster

Scarborough, N.Y.: The revelations about former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort’s extraordinary financial relationship with a member of Putin’s inner circle may finally be the chicken Kiev coming home to roost. Thomas F. Comiskey

Poisoning our water

Manhattan: “Misleading New York” (editorial, March 5) is a very catchy headline for a sad situation. The editorial is right on target: It is inexcusable that lead still exists in public schools’ water. This problem should be remedied immediately.

Miriam Jaffe Barbara Hessberg

Chuck was Berry Goode

South Farmingdale, L.I.: I remember discovering Chuck Berry after hearing his song “Almost Grown,” in the movie “American Graffiti.” Not knowing who the artist was, I had to wait to read the credits at the end of the movie, to find out it was him. I became a big fan of his, buying his three Golden Decade double albums and playing the grooves off them. I recall seeing Berry and Fats Domino together at Westbury Music Fair in the mid-1970s, with Chuck being the headliner. Fats was really hot that night and played right through Berry’s time allotment. When Berry came on stage, a little miffed, he demanded that the stage manager come on stage immediately, or he would leave and for him to tell the audience, that now he would be playing on his own time. The stage manager did say so and Berry played a great set. He didn’t play “Almost Grown,” though. Great then, greater now. Rest in peace, Chuck. One of the greatest original rock and roll pioneers — gone but not forgotten.

Mike Pedano

Closing the Big Top

Boston: We failed the circus (“Bidding a sad farewell to Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus,” March 16). Now we have Big Apple circus, Cirque du Soleil — an expensive Canadian circus. So many choices. Our country is changing. When immigrants first came here they embraced our culture. Now everyone wants me to learn their culture and ways. Then you have PETA. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I will miss Ringling Bros. That was always part of my childhood.

Robbin Taylor

The boy that got away

Manhattan: To Voicer Louise Serao who wrote about marrying the boy the next door. My story begins like hers. The boy next door (literally, one house over) moved to my town when we were 9. We were best friends for all of elementary and high school. We played in the streets, together and with other kids. We caught fireflies, listened to records and threw softballs. In the winter we sledded on our Flexible Flyers. His family moved back to their home state just as we were about to go to college. I next saw him when we were 48, at our high school reunion. It was fun, but he was a virtual stranger. Now that I’m old, I think about it a lot. It was a magical time, childhood in the 50s, but not all boy next stories end up as beautifully as yours. Though my life ended up differently, I’ll always remember the freckled kid whom I shared my childhood with.

Marcia Epstein

Kiss from a Rose

Island Park, L.I.: To Voicer Sonia Valentin: You still do not understand. Let me try one last time. My original reason for writing in was that I wondered if the Oscars given this year to the “people of color” were for actual excellence or because last year they complained so much about not winning a single award. As I said, it’s not about the actors, since I couldn’t care less. What it is about is giving people awards, promotions, jobs, etc. just because they are a minority or for politically correct reasons and not because they deserve it. My last try at explaining it is this. In the news just recently there was an article about how New York state wants to do away with the literacy test for teachers because it is racist since a large percentage of black and Hispanic candidates were failing it. Should we change everything just because certain groups can’t excel in these particular endeavors, or should those groups up their level of excellence in them? What kind of society will we be if we keep lowering standards instead of raising them? Maybe now you will understand my viewpoint.

Rose Johnson

Another happy customer

Brooklyn: Last Tuesday, during the blizzard, imagine my surprise when I received my Daily News (as usual) delivered. The mail couldn’t get through that day, but my newspaper did. Thank you to the delivery person, Eddie Vega.

Marian W. Mondiello

Advice answers

Steve Friedman/AP Bronx: To Voicer Gloria Mallete, in reference to who was the Daily News advice columnist back in 1967: Ann Landers answered letters for the Daily News and her identical twin sister Dear Abby wrote for the New York Post. Coincidentally, I thought a week ago why don’t they bring a new person in for this. I found both their columns to be entertaining as well as informative.

Stephen Hill