Response to Elizabeth Flynn Letter to Editor Aug. 7 - 20 Issue

I take issue with Elizabeth Flynn: "What happened to Broad Ripple Village?" According to her, BRV resembles Detroit, Beirut, or a "war zone." Not so; I have traversed all streets and spot no abandoned cars, couches lining sidewalks, potholed streets, or spent addict needles, ala Detroit. And I can't find collapsed roofs, burned out buildings, spent ammo cartridges, or emaciated dogs, as in Beirut. Maybe a weed here and there - but greatly outnumbered by flowers, with all shops and houses well maintained or attractively signed and painted, and even the rare unoccupied ones have no broken windows. Certainly, people don't fear to tread back streets after sundown. In truth, its one of the few fun and safe places in Indianapolis where hoards of both young and old people laugh, dine, shop and stroll around after dark. Flynn's bizarre comparison of BRV to a war zone only typifies the hyperbole of the whole rant. As a new arrival to this area, having lived abroad in Asian cities for the past 10 years, I found BRV like a heartwarming return to my boyhood hometown, which no longer exists. I cannot comprehend anyone not enjoying life here. - Brian Smith