ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 29, 1997 TAG: 9703310004
SECTION: EDITOIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Park litter tells of negligence
MY WIFE and I bought a house recently in the Wasena community because of its location near downtown and the recreational opportunities that Wasena Park provides. The scenic view of the Roanoke River provides enjoyment for all Roanoke citizens.
I've noticed a multitude of empty beer and wine bottles while walking my dog along the river. I pick up some of the trash, but I realize the problem is too big for me to make a real difference.
Signs are clearly posted: ``No alcoholic beverages allowed.'' Not to mention that where most of the trash is thrown, a garbage can is 10 or 20 feet away. This leads me to conclude that:
Roanoke city police are not adequately enforcing the ``no alcohol on park-land'' law. Hundreds of bottles and cans can be seen by the public.
Some citizens have no sense of community if they cannot throw away their own garbage when a trash can is close by.
The city Parks and Recreation Department chooses to ignore the trash problem at Wasena Park when it's the department's job to maintain the park.
When people are allowed to drink alcoholic beverages on park land, and are allowed to pollute the park with empty malt liquor and whiskey bottles, the city can at least help citizens like me clean it up. Isn't this why we pay taxes?
WILLIAM J. TRESKY JR.
ROANOKE
Risking kids' health for profits
AS A PARENT who lives in Salem, I've always been outraged that Roger McNulty sells cigarettes to minors (March 1 news article, "Kid ban may snuff out profits"). I am astonished that he has the audacity to confess to blatantly breaking the law. I am dismayed that his only concern is his profits, stunned that he boasts that he doesn't smoke and never will, and appalled that he believes he and parents can choose to break the law and contribute to the delinquency of minors.
Are his profits more valuable than a child's life? One out of every three children to whom he sold tobacco products will become addicted and suffer from tobacco-related illnesses.
If the bottom line is making money, after the ashes settle from the new rules, I wonder if such profit-hungry store owners will continue breaking the law? After all, they have gotten away with it this long. I also wonder if store owners who display such disrespect for the law and the community believe that it's OK to sell alcohol to minors? Or if it's OK for kids to sell drugs in the alley? I will continue to buy nothing at the Dilly-Dally. How is that for profits?
Salem isn't ``McNulty's neighborhood.'' I have too much pride in Salem to condone such business practices and ethics. I believe his business license should be revoked and the authorities should prosecute him.
McNulty is correct in that parents should teach children at home ``to do the right thing.'' He's teaching children that breaking the law is the right thing to do if it profits you at someone else's expense.
DEBRA MAXEY
SALEM
Jackson showed his love for blacks
IN HER MARCH 12 letter to the editor, "Slaves weren't given any respect," Mary L. Lear said, ``I really can't find in history where George Washington, Robert E. Lee or Stonewall Jackson deserved any black person's respect."
I feel certain that Washington and Lee treated slaves with kindness and respect since both had a strong faith in God, but I'm not knowledgeable enough to write further concerning this matter. I have served on the session of the Lexington Presbyterian Church where Jackson was chairman of the Board of Deacons before the Civil War, and I know that he was concerned about the eternal destination of black people.
In his book, "Lexington Presbyterian Church 1789-1989," Robert F. Hunter writes: "In the fall of 1855 Jackson established a Sunday school for blacks which enjoyed instant success and endured for a quarter of a century. Average attendance was about eighty, mostly children with a scattering of older blacks. Jackson led the class with regularity and discipline.'' I believe this shows he loved the black race, and blacks, in turn, respected him.
ROBERT S. McCORMICK JR.
LEXINGTON
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB