Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 2, 1994 TAG: 9402030013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The current law requiring schools to open after Labor Day was introduced in the early '80s due to pressure from the tourist industry in eastern Virginia. Del. Alson Smith, the chief supporter of the after-Labor Day law, was not re-elected to the General Assembly, which makes this year an excellent opportunity to change this law.
Many districts, if given local option, would choose to open before Labor Day - giving them greater flexibility in planning their instructional calendars. Districts then would be able to plan for inclement weather without jeopardizing spring vacations, many of which would take place in Virginia.
Sen. Elliot Schewel has introduced a bill giving power to determine the school calendar back to the local districts. Who better to decide what's best for the districts than the districts themselves?
BABETTE CRIBBS
Vice President
County Council of PTAs
ROANOKE
Communism isn't for America
DAVID A. Benhoff's Jan. 20 letter to the editor (``Drug use isn't a victimless crime'') suggested capital punishment for dealing ``any drug in any amount.'' That is party-line communism straight from Chairman Mao's ``little red book.'' Benhoff's fantasies of a utopia where human life is degraded and expendable would go over great in Red China, or perhaps Iran. But, here in the United States, there are patriots standing between the Benhoffs and the Constitution they'd destroy.
BRAD HANSEN
BLACKSBURG
Money is no substitute for love
THERE'S no such thing as a deadbeat dad, jerkos (Jan. 24 editorial, ``Cracking down on deadbeat dads''). A deadbeat is someone who won't pay debts. That's got nothing to do with being a father.
Ask any child. Money is what you settle for when you can't get any love because they're all out making money.
Your attitude toward men (and fathers, in particular) really stinks. It's bad enough to have to listen to women calling us names without you joining in.
Paying child support is just a way of getting out of being a responsible parent. I know women won't allow it, and money is all they want. But that doesn't make it right.
You keep on playing the hunter-provider role and keep on dreaming that your kids will love you for it. Jerks!
JOHN N. SMILEY
ROANOKE
Get involved in local politics
LOCAL political parties are currently going about the business of selecting their nominees for this spring's City Council elections. If ``all politics is local,'' as the late Tip O'Neill was fond of saying, Roanoke residents shouldn't look upon the upcoming elections as merely a repose between the November 1993 state-office election and the November 1994 congressional election. Rather, they should seek opportunities to become involved - in the selection of party or independent candidates, in fund raising and in campaigning.
Regardless of your political affiliation, if any, I'd encourage you to read Malcolm Wallop's article entitled ``Can the G.O.P. Take America Back?'' in the February edition of National Review. In concluding his article, Wallop states:
``By following the Founding Fathers' beliefs in the equality of men before our Creator and in small government, America produced freedom, harmony, prosperity, and generosity. No other set of ideas and practices has ever come close to doing as well ...''
How do you judge the current council's two-for-one retirement-plan vote and attempted takeover of Roanoke Gas Co.'s assets in terms of small government, fairness and equality? Translate your answer into action - support the candidate(s) of your choice and vote this spring.
JAMES K. LOWE
ROANOKE
Harris will be citizens' advocate
ROANOKE city has been fortunate in recent years to have seven dedicated leaders serving on City Council. In several months, Howard Musser, a strong contributor, will retire from office, opening a position for a newcomer. Roanoke's citizens have an opportunity to add a young man with strong credentials to a good team of council members. That man is Nelson Harris.
For almost two years, Harris has served as a city School Board member. During that time, he's impressed me in a number of ways. First, there's no question that he's prepared himself well for every meeting. Every time a decision is made concerning the children's welfare of Roanoke, he's put in the time and effort to study the situation, asked questions of the administration, staff and citizens, and voted from a solid understanding of the issue. Second, he's been a good team player, able to put personalities aside and discuss issues with other board members and administrators in stressful situations.
Third, Harris is willing to take a stand on an issue and do the necessary work to make things happen for the children's good. Just one year ago, he recognized the lack of adequate health care for city students. He gained support from parents and the medical community, educated other board members to the situation, and passed an initiative to raise the level of health services and provide one nurse per 1,000 students, the ratio suggested by the state. Without his hard work, thousands of city school students wouldn't receive such medical attention.
Fourth, Harris speaks when he has something important to say and is quiet when he doesn't. Rarely does he go into a long speech, but when he makes a statement, there's no question that his point is logical and in the children's interests. Harris' high energy level to prepare for the task, his skills of diplomacy, ability to work well with others, willingness to take a stand, and no-nonsense approach to the public's business will make him a strong advocate for Roanoke's citizens. I urge all residents to vote for him in the March 1 primary and in the council elections on May 3.
FINN D. PINCUS
Member, Roanoke City
School Board
ROANOKE
Assault-gun ban is opposed
ACCORDING TO recent polls, crime seems to be on top of everyone's agenda. President Clinton stressed the need to curb the escalating crime rate in his State of the Union speech. Among some good deterrents to crime, such as three-strikes-you're-out proposal and the construction of more federal prisons, he interjected a meaningless ban on some so-called assault weapons.
The ban includes 19 different makes and models of ``assault-type weapons.'' This isn't a new idea. It's been tried in many areas of the country - including California, where certain weapons were banned. The ability of the gun-dumb legislators in California to define assault weapons was very poor and resulted in banning several weapons that didn't exist in the first place.
Time and time again, statistics show that gun control doesn't work. A quick look at crime rates in Washington, D.C., with some of the strictest gun-control laws in the world, will affirm that.
I'm adamantly against banning ``assault weapons.'' I feel it's just another symbolic gesture that will only further deteriorate the ability of the honest citizen to legally own weapons for self-defense.
ROBERT K. SNEAD
FERRUM
Diversity of opinions stimulate education
REGARDING the Jan. 24 letter to the editor by Cynthia and Frank Munley entitled ``Don't teach `benefits' of war'':
We also are the parents of a student at Andrew Lewis Middle School. History class is a subject of conversation at our house as well. It's apparent that our son's teacher has an enthusiasm and love for teaching that's to be commended. Do we agree with his point of view on every topic? No, nor do we agree with everything that's said in English, science or any other classes. It's the nature of public education to draw students and teachers from the wide range of values and opinions that make up its constituency. One of our roles as parents is to help our child learn how to respond to ideas and values that are different from values we cherish as a family.
We've enjoyed discussions around our dinner table that the history class has prompted. We salute the teacher who's sparked them by his enthusiastic teaching. Public education has much more to fear from enforced political correctness than from the respectful and free exchange of ideas.
W. THOMAS and
RONDA CLARK
SALEM
by CNB