Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 27, 1993 TAG: 9311300348
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Initially, I was offended that the Roanoke Times & World-News would glamorize such behavior. But the article captured my attention and helped me understand the real problems behind many teen-age pregnancies. I'd heard that many teens wanted to get pregnant, and this article effectively helped me to understand why.
You've dramatically described the problem, so now help us find an effective solution. I can only think that programs that build self-esteem and a sense of family will be essential to that solution.
JIM JOHNSON
BLACKSBURG
Link road needed to valley, N.C.
WHETHER Interstate 73 is ever built, an interstate connector between I-81 in Roanoke and I-85 in Greensboro is long overdue and would help Roanoke and Martinsville. I would have it parallel U.S. 220 from Martinsville to a point between Roanoke and Boones Mill, and then divide, with one spur to I-81 northeast of Roanoke and the other spur west of Glenvar. That would take traffic headed for U.S. 220 South off the congested part of I-81 through the valley, as well as off I-581 and U.S. 419. It could also serve as two sides of an outer perimeter, with I-81 being the remaining one.
If Roanoke is within a day's drive of two-thirds of the population of the United States, so are Martinsville, Henry and Franklin counties. The connector would open these areas to the development now being enjoyed by the valley.
But there's another advantage: A properly routed connector would make it possible for students from Martinsville and Danville to do the daily commuting to Virginia Tech that is now possible for Roanokers. In addition, they could commute to North Carolina State-Duke, as well as commute more quickly to the colleges in Greensboro and Winston-Salem. Having so much high-tech higher education within reach would make Martinsville-Danville much more attractive to high-tech industry than it is now.
For all these reasons, the connector would be an investment in the future with a high likelihood of a high return.
McCLUER SHERRARD
MARTINSVILLE
Help needed for a sister city
THOSE OF us who have lived in Lynchburg during the past 15 or 16 years have watched unwise decision after unwise decision on the part of an entrenched power structure, including one mentioned in the Roanoke Times & World-News not long ago - the refusal to participate with Roanoke in a regional airport. This has left Lynchburg nearly in shambles - morally, spiritually, politically and economically.
It would be a very worthwhile endeavor for wise and upright people of integrity in Roanoke to help elect reform candidates in Lynchburg in 1994 and to assist in rebuilding our floundering sister city.
JANE THURBER
ROANOKE
Profiting from crude impulses
DISCUSSING Hooters of Virginia, Inc., in his Nov. 9 letter to the editor (``Credit Hooters for honest work''), Kevin Halbe implied that waitressing half-clad is a valiant option against only two others: illegal activity or going on public aid. I think this is an insult to the women who work there. There's another set of choices he neglected: getting educated and making a living with one's intellect instead of one's flesh.
Maybe I mistook his intent, but Halbe doesn't seem to credit these women with the ability to do much else but expose their flesh and serve food and beer. I'm sure many of them have more on their minds than a desire to make their living pleasing men with their curves. But, unfortunately, many can still make more money letting men gawk at them than at most other jobs available to them.
This issue may not be as serious as, for example, hunger in America, but it's nonetheless important. Because he's a man, Halbe hasn't had the experience of walking by a group of men and hearing ``Check out those hooters!'' or the like. But I have, and I dare say every woman in America has at least once in her life. It's not flattering or cute or ``boys will be boys.'' It's disrespectful and often downright threatening.
The presence of this restaurant is little different from those groups of men we encounter on the streets, except that it seeks to legitimize itself with profit. Perhaps if Halbe had ever been pinched, groped or hooted at, he'd see why the place makes some of us so mad. No one deserves credit for appealing to the crudest impulses in men, or for making it profitable for women to serve those impulses.
ERIN L. BARATTA
ROANOKE
In Bedford, drinking in the line of duty
I CANNOT sit idle and watch Bedford County's sheriff try to cover up the events surrounding the consumption of alcohol by members of his department (Nov. 20 news story by staff writer Karen Barnes, ``3 Bedford deputies suspended for drinking'').
Everyone is aware that alcohol has been consumed by law-enforcement officials of different agencies while they were carrying out job duties in certain situations, i.e., undercover, and that this was done with the approval of department heads.
People are unfairly judging the deputies who came forth to testify in the recent case involving this issue. These deputies are to be commended for being truthful and honest. It speaks very highly of their character and shows that they're concerned with the fair and equal treatment of citizens.
The media have helped in blowing the situation out of proportion. Deputies don't routinely drink alcohol while discharging their duties.
I feel the sheriff is aware of what's happening in his department, or that he should be if he cares about the administration of justice. These issues should've been dealt with long ago. He was made aware of the circumstances surrounding this incident three years ago by his deputies.
It's not appropriate for him to conduct an investigation now. His only motive can be revenge. It's a shame to think he'd want his deputies to get on the stand and lie under oath because he hasn't properly dealt with (what he calls) personnel matters.
It's shocking to think an investigator could work a crime scene (especially for murder) and be under the influence of alcohol. It's too late, sheriff, to try to fix the fence after all the cows get out.
RANDY W. MITCHELL
BEDFORD
by CNB