Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, September 17, 1994 TAG: 9409210036
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The only sin he's committed is an attempt to bring the alternative-education program up to standards set by Virginia so that students in the program can receive quality education.
Pupils enrolled in the program should be exposed to the same curriculums as other students in the school system, which indicates that all teachers must have the same qualifications and certification in the alternative-education program as teachers in the regular school system, and also that teachers teach only those subjects they're qualified to teach.
The statement (Sept. 5 letter to the editor by Robert Bennett, ``Kicking alternative education'') regarding Frank Tota is moot. It is not really worth discussing since it's unequivocally stated in remarks imputed to Peter Lewis and George Franklin, who helped establish the alternative-education program under the tutelage of Tota, ``that the use of teachers with certificates has never been an issue'' (Aug. 27 news article, ``Roanoke School Board will stay out of revamping fight'').
The only public outcry should be one of commendation for Harris' outstanding educational philosophy and acumen.
HELEN HALL
ROANOKE
Don't forget zoo's future needs
I AM VERY glad to see efforts being made to restore passenger-train service to Roanoke and Southwest Virginia. The Explore Park's opening, the Hotel Roanoke project, and improvement plans for the Virginia Museum of Transportation will be positive steps in drawing in-state and out-of-state visitors.
I hope that with all of this the Mill Mountain Zoological Park will not be forgotten as a top-priority attraction for tourists to visit. One particular exhibit at the zoo could be of vital interest to this area toward the year 2000.
Sad but true, the world's tigers in the wild are being slaughtered into extinction, for the sale of body parts. The Siberian tiger species, to which Mill Mountain's ``Ruby'' belongs, is now estimated to number from150 to 200 in the wild. Unless the worldwide traffic in tiger body parts is stopped, exhibits such as the one on Mill Mountain will be the only places for future generations to see these magnificent animals.
The staff at the zoo took on the project of building a scaled-down version of the tiger habitat they had wished for, and I think that everyone in this area is proud of what they have accomplished to date. It was a year-to-year struggle to raise funds for this project, but they proved they could do it. There are many corporations in Roanoke and Southwest Virginia that promote saving our environment and wildlife conservation. These corporations should join with the zoo, and help build toward unfinished goals on Mill Mountain, especially the tiger project.
Ruby is a beautiful animal, representative of her species. But she will not live forever. If area corporations are serious about the environment and conservation, now is the time for them to step forward and help the zoo. Tomorrow could be too late.
JOHN KINNEY, JR.
NARROWS
Give credit to responsible dads
IN REPLY to Amanda Crawford's Aug. 20 letter to the editor, ``Responsible dads get little credit'':
I agree. The media refer only to deadbeat dads. Dads aren't given credit for paying child support and trying to remain in their children's lives.
If all dads endure the pain, heartbreak and legal expense that my husband has, I can see why so many skip out and refuse to pay. All their ex-spouses want them to do is pay ... just keep that money coming, but don't expect to receive any information concerning the children. If child support isn't paid, dads can be jailed, and now their business licenses can be taken.
Now tell me: Who stands to get hurt from all this ``getting back'' at dad for leaving? It's the children.
In my case, I pick up the phone and discuss my children with their father. I have yet to not receive full cooperation. That is as it should be, because no matter what happens in life, he's still their father and I'm still their mother.
Give credit to the responsible dads, and give deadbeat moms a lashing for a change. Child support isn't the only responsibility that parents have to one another, even if they are divorced.
CLAUDINE W. JENKINS
ROANOKE
`Personhood' begins at what age?
JOHN B. Hodges' Aug. 26 letter to the editor (``Assumptions on shaky ground'') stated, ``Personhood requires a functioning brain at least as large as the brain of a cow.'' He also says that those who believe in the soul and are against abortion have ``arbitrary supernatural assumptions.''
At what age does a child qualify for his definition of personhood? Newborn? Toddler? Five? Ten? And if they're not people, what kind of life form are they?
My reason for opposing abortion is my Christian faith and convictions. However, not all anti-abortionists are Christians. Many who oppose abortion consider it more of a civil-rights issue than a moral issue. I consider it to be both.
Hodges may not believe in the soul and an eternal life hereafter, but that's no reason to resort to antagonistic name-calling.
JESSICA MARIE ANDERSON
CLIFTON FORGE
by CNB