In response to the Editor’s Column, “Take Pride in Your Appearance!”, in the Florida Agenda, June 16th, 2011.

DEAR EDITOR,

I was reading the above issue of the Agenda and thinking how much it had improved. Particularly in the areas of news coverage as well as entertainment. Then I saw your “Opinion”. At first I thought it was just some personal notes and comments and then I glanced over to the masthead and saw you are the editor in chief.

Have you also been appointed the Wilton Manors Arbiter of Taste, Grooming and Appropriate Attire?

It has been a long time since I have read such pretentious trash in a gay newspaper. I fear for your psyche having to live, surrounded by the slovenly dressed residents of Fort Lauderdale. Perhaps you should move to the Upper East Side of NYC or Beverly Hills (but not east of Doheny). I fear for your stylist and the embarrassment he must have endured as you entered the salon. His colleagues must have cringed with the thought that perhaps he had been the one to over process your hair doing highlights.

If you think that linen and expensive loafers really make a difference here, you should have gone to work for Scott Rothstein. I am sure that everyone in his corrupt law firm was suitably attired in linen and Gucci’s and no one was ever foolish enough to take a meeting without being suitably attired (even w/ the police). The fact that you relate these meaningless aspects of attire to pride or substance makes me ill. Your comments about appropriate dress in an initial meeting are condescending and an insult to the community. I don’t own any sandals but anyone who wears them in a local bar or club deserves the horror of dirty feet. I only hope that the other staff members of Mark’s List are wise enough to follow your dress code.

Your comments regarding the lack of color sense in Fort Lauderdale are simply another indication of an intolerant attitude.  You missed your calling.

You should have been cast as the clothing guy on “Queer Eye”. You should make sure that Bravo has your resume and head shot in their files for the sequel.

Perhaps I am wrong.  Perhaps the clothing and shoe stores in the area have completely sold out of linen and expensive slip ons as a result of your missive. Perhaps that jam on southbound I-95 last week was not caused by an accident, but because of hordes of residents of Wilton Manors flocking to salons in status appropriate areas of Miami-Dade for color, highlights, manicures and pedicures.

I will continue to enjoy the news and entertainment areas of the Florida Agenda but, in order to avoid further offense, I shall avoid anything with your byline. You really should consider a stronger focus on editing and lessening your opinion writing.  Otherwise, your sensitivities would be more appreciated in Milan, Paris, London, Tokyo or Buenos Aires.  At all costs, refrain from visiting Rio, Honolulu, Singapore, Israel or India where you would be appalled at the manner of dress.

SINCERELY, J. P. COLBY

Please send all your comments and letters to Editor@FloridaAgenda.com