LETTERS.

Choice, not chance

The focus of your August cover story seems to be that the university bond-issue referendum depends on whether UNC President Molly Broad can win over the voters by her charming personality or winsome ways and overcome what is presented as her distinct liability of not being a native of the state. How many voters are from other parts of the country and do not speak with a "sweet Tar Heel twang" but who do know and appreciate the value of the incredible University of North Carolina system? I also believe you owe your readers who are not native to the state an apology for such a thoughtless and inconsiderate editorial lapse in proper "Southern" manners and good common sense. Wake up to who at least some of your readers really are.

Robert Moore Allen

President

Allen Marketing, Advertising & Communications Inc.

Winston-Salem

After me, the deluge

I read with much interest "Interest to Bear" (August) dealing with the top 75 public companies. As co-founder, past president, CEO, chairman of the board, etc., for over 30 years, I obviously was extremely interested in Delhaize America. I immediately questioned the market value of the stock, which you showed to be $4.2786 billion as of May 31, 2000. I knew this figure was incorrect. I then saw that you showed 230.5 million shares outstanding. The 1999 annual report shows 79.931 million shares of A stock and 75.290 million shares of B stock, a total of 155.221 million, outstanding on Jan. 1. These figures have not changed to any degree, so they would basically be correct for May 31. Using your price of $18 per share, the correct market value would be $2.794 billion.

Just to show you how poorly the stock has done since I retired in April 1991 (ha, ha), stock on Dec. 31, 1991, was $18 before the reverse split of one-for-three. It is now...