Metro’s drama and lies are parallel to what Congress and the new administration are doing to stick it to people across the country. Those responsible get promoted, receive huge bonuses, and go on with their lives as though nothing has happened.

Sandra Baker

Suitland

Premature release of audit left false impression

Re: “Millions in D.C. earmarks went to unregistered or tax delinquent groups,” Dec. 21

The information reported by Bill Myers in his disparaging article is based on a city audit that was leaked to the press before being finalized — and before the agencies affected had an opportunity to comment, which is standard procedure.

GALA did not “help itself” to an administrative fee “without providing any financial management and oversight services.” Our modest 4.8 percent fee for acting as a fiscal agent for grant funds designated for the restoration of historic murals at Tivoli was established in a signed, notarized agreement. GALA did in fact provide thorough grant management services for the D.C. Arts Commission and assisted in overseeing the contractor’s performance. GALA also provided all the necessary documentation to quality for the earmark, including past audits and clean hands statements, and instituted programs to share the completed murals with the public.

GALA has served this city for 35 years and has a local, national and international reputation for artistic excellence, service to the community, financial transparency and outstanding fiscal management. The premature disclosure of the draft audit findings — which fail to account for GALA’s report of its oversight role to the Arts Commission that was provided to the auditor’s office — does a disservice to our institution.

The Examiner should correct the damage that was unfairly done to our reputation by publishing the corrected audit results once they have been finalized.

Rebecca Medrano

Executive director,

GALA Theatre-Tivoli

Washington

No defense contracts for cheaters

Re: “New Year’s resolutions for the Pentagon,” Dec. 22

I enthusiastically agree with Peter W. Singer’s second resolution. A deal to build America’s next air-to-air refueling tanker is long overdue.

The current fleet of KC-135 tankers has been in the air since the Eisenhower administration — an embarrassingly prolonged service life for a main cog in the most advanced air force in the world. However, I would add one caveat: Do not award U.S. defense contracts to cheaters.

The World Trade Organization recently ruled that European governments have been violating trade agreements with the United States for decades by providing French-based Airbus with tens of billions of dollars in illegal “launch aid” subsidies, allowing Airbus to underbid American companies like Boeing. To award Airbus the tanker contract in light of the WTO ruling would be akin to telling our trade partners around the globe that our agreements are not binding.

That is unacceptable. Here’s to health, happiness, and a fairly contracted tanker for America in the New Year.

Jeb Wilkinson, (Navy-Ret.)

Woodbridge