It is very difficult to put into words how upset I was after reading the front page article concerning the apparent discrimination at Port Washington's local Blockbuster Video store. From September of 1997 through September of 2000 I was employed by Blockbuster as a store manager and district trainer. For most of that time I was the manager of the store here in Port. This was an unusual experience since I knew most of the customers.

During my time as manager it was my pleasure to have both Ali Szaluta, who was already working at the store when I arrived and Nick Reichmann whom I hired, work for me. As employees they fulfilled their assigned tasks in a professional manner as reflected in the periodic employee evaluations I filed. I have to admit that I never gave much thought to the fact that either of them had what we would call disabilities since they performed their jobs so well. During this time we had other employees with similar disabilities, as well as deaf and blind trainees from the Helen Keller Center work at the store. My superiors, one of whom was mentioned in your article, expressed skepticism about their working. I can only say they were all great people to work with. I can't help but observe that none of these people are seen at Blockbuster anymore.

If Ali and Nick were terminated because of their disabilities, it was not only unfair but, as I understand employment law, illegal. A physical disability is no measure of a person's character or what their potential is. Nick is an Eagle Scout. This is something only the smallest percentage of American boys are able to achieve. They go on to be leaders in our society. It makes no sense that someone who is so able could not handle any situation in a video store. If Blockbuster had any sense they would have developed Nick as a potential manager.

It really does appear that this is a case of discrimination. I for one do not wish to support a company that condones this. My family is not going to patronize Blockbuster until this matter is either settled and Ali and Nick are both rehired or appropriately compensated. We invite the rest of Port to join us.

Kevin Hickson