Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 18, 1995 TAG: 9508180020
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I applaud the group of parents who questioned the School Board about inequities among Bedford County schools. I, too, sat through many classes in trailers - mobile classrooms that were often so cold I had to wear my coat during class. I faced a library that was too small to meet state-mandated standards, was usually inadequate for my research and didn't prepare me for my college's modern library. I dodged leaking roofs and ran to lunch to get a seat in the overcrowded lunch room. Our children shouldn't be punished because of the district where they live. I congratulate citizens for raising their voices.
While the inequities are disgraceful, Superintendent John Kent's response to parents' concerns was even more shameful. Foster reported that Kent offered no apologies, only excuses, for the differences among Bedford County schools. Hundreds of students have and will continue to graduate from Staunton River before construction fixes overcrowding and the lack of necessary technology is solved. These students will not be as prepared for the world as their peers from other Bedford County high schools. They deserve more than Kent's weak excuses.
Perhaps the school superintendent should be an elected position? Maybe then he'll treat parents and students of Staunton River's community with respect.
ELIZABETH JONES GOODVIEW
There are no unimportant victims
IT REALLY makes you wonder about justice. We the taxpayers paid for Robert Michael May's trial, and we will pay for him to live the rest of his life in comfort. He should be in a grave, the same as the five people he so brutally killed.
As Michael LaPrade said, if the victims had ``been more important people, (May) would have gotten the death penalty.'' But to these five families, the murdered victims were just as important as the president is to his family.
Liquor and drugs are no excuse.
NANCY DuBASE WIRTZ
Inappropriate art for children
THE SIGN on the locked door in a far corner of Center in the Square's art museum said ``Children's Art Venture,'' by appointment only. I coordinated an educational field trip for my students and a few more teachers. We expected children's art. Parents should be aware that this isn't all their children are viewing when they go on this field trip.
There's an exhibit of a fruit bowl with a dog sailing over it, with weird dream images all marred together. A closer look, especially from the height of a 6-year-old, clearly reveals the genitals of a nude man standing between the legs of another male with his hand under the garment of an infant. On the floor lies another child who had apparently been molested and left with his genitals exposed. The child appeared to be dead or wounded.
All of the children seemed to be having a ball with the hands-on attractions. Although only a few noticed the pornography that was set up for children, I cannot help but wonder about the subliminal effects. Is this possibly where ``repressed memories'' originate in a child's subconscious mind? I wonder how many parents would protest if they knew.
MRS. ARNOLD DeWALD BEDFORD
Sen. Marye protects region's interests
MADISON MARYE has the longest Virginia Senate seniority in Southwest Virginia, is a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, and is a strong supporter of education. What more could one ask of a legislator in these times when education is the answer to so many of our problems in today's world?
But Marye has given more to Southwest Virginians than support of education. He looks after the interests of small businesses, farmers, minorities and women, and works to protect Southwest Virginia's beautiful environment. We must return him to the General Assembly.
CAROLYN P. WHITE BLACKSBURG
Candidates seek campaign reform
WITH INTEREST, I have been following your coverage of the campaign-financing debate. It does bother me that the amount of money a candidate raises from influential groups is such a determining factor of who will get nominated and prove victorious. Constituents and lobbying groups who have more money to give are often heard by their candidate the most. Constituents with the least financial backing to give often go unheard.
Would that parents struggling to keep their children fed, clothed, housed and in school, and who work long hours in minimum-wage jobs to pay bills, were as well represented as are many corporations and lobbying groups. The pressure on candidates to make promises to lobbyists seems to be powerful. It seems hard for them to escape the race for the big money that comes before the big race.
Luckily, three out of the four candidates in our area who are seeking seats in the Virginia General Assembly refuse to take contributions from political-action committees or lobbyists. They also won't accept campaign contributions for more than $100 from individuals. Stephanie Porrass campaigns for the 18th District's House seat; Eric Shefield seeks to represent the 24th House District; and his wife, Elise, is seeking the 24th District Senate seat. These members of the Green Party are serious about campaign reform and are committed.
SHERI GRACE ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY
A `block' party that should be illegal
WHEN I bought my house in Roanoke city, I understood that if you have on-road parking, the homeowner had the right to request other cars to move. This isn't the case. If I had known, I would never have moved in the city.
Since it's a public street, anyone having a party can block homeowners on the whole street from their homes. It's discourteous to neighbors, but the person has the legal right to do it. Where are homeowners' rights?
Mayor Bowers and Roanoke City Council need to have some consideration for those who elected them and pay them. To those thinking about moving here, get your rights in writing.
PAMELA N. HILL ROANOKE
Avoid a costly prohibition effort
PROHIBITION revisited?
Once upon a time in this country, the government decided that the health of the nation was at stake, and set out to improve it by banning the sale of alcoholic beverages. The experiment failed miserably. After spending millions trying to enforce the ban, the government had to concede that individuals are responsible for their own actions.
The government then decided the way to keep alcohol out of youngsters' hands was to place it in state-controlled stores and tax it to the point where only adults could afford it. Even this wouldn't prevent a person of age from buying for a youngster, nor would it keep kids from raiding the family's liquor locker at home. The government concluded that it could only do so much, and the rest is up to the individual.
Once again, the government has decided that the health of the nation is at stake. Actions being taken are such that millions of dollars will be committed trying to keep cigarettes out of youngsters' hands. However, the system is already in place to control cigarettes just like alcohol. Have cigarettes sold through existing state-owned stores. Don't commit more tax dollars to create another bureaucracy.
Although I'm in favor of children not smoking, I'm afraid that the government is in for another expensive lesson - the same one learned 70 years ago: Government cannot dictate personal choice or action. It can only do so much, and the rest is up to the individual. Unfortunately, the taxpayer will have to pay for Uncle Sam's schooling.
THOMAS R. KELLEY MEADOWVIEW
by CNB