Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 1, 1995 TAG: 9509010035
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-12 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I was incensed at the arrogance of his letter. I wonder if he should stop at college professors. Maybe football coaches could benefit from being tenured. After all, their athletic freedom shouldn't be stifled by exposing them to arbitrary dismissal. So what if they have a losing season?
What about those rascals who grant tenure to begin with - you know, those creative and crafty administrators? It's the college administration that had the wisdom to screen and hire a professor in the first place. Why do you believe their virtue suddenly dries up when a decision must be made, for whatever reason, to remove a professor? As advocates trumpet this cherished academic freedom, how do we avoid trampling the administrator's discretion (administrative freedom?) to do her or his job? Like it or not, staffing is an administrative responsibility.
I have a child who is fast approaching college age. You can bet that a university with a high ratio of tenured professors won't impress me one bit. Qualities like reputation, intelligence and effectiveness are far more important to me.
How about you? How many services would you tolerate where the basic provider was mostly unaccountable?
DAVID LODUCA
ROANOKE
The meter is running downtown
I RECENTLY visited the Social Security office in downtown Roanoke - ``the good city.'' I was appalled when I had to walk blocks, and had to pay to park. There are even meters on the streets.
Some people are up in the air over the probable move of the office to a better location. I'm for the move 100 percent. I think folks who are in need of Social Security services would benefit greatly if the move takes place.
Is it any wonder people do not shop downtown? I think if the ``hungry city'' would provide free parking, then businesses, etc., wouldn't be so quick to move elsewhere.
LOUISE COX
ROANOKE
Mantle's image is safe at home
IT SEEMS some people just can't resist jumping on the bandwagon to knock Mickey Mantle. Worthless accomplishments? Draft dodging? I wonder if these people realize how small and foolish they make themselves appear by their remarks.
Neither they nor anyone else will ever be able to denigrate Mantle's accomplishments, nor can they tarnish his image with millions of baseball fans. Not now, not ever.
Why does this newspaper bother to print such garbage?
CHARLES S. WERTALIK |ROANOKE
It's easier to just say no
JOAN BECK of the Chicago Tribune, in her Aug. 27 commentary, ``How to turn off the cold call telemarketers,'' gives us some cutesy solutions, but hardly realistic or practical ones. I've developed an answer I'm happy to pass on to all.
As soon as I identify that it's indeed ``one of those calls,'' I interrupt politely by saying, ``I'm sorry, but I make it a practice to never purchase anything over the phone (or never to commit to charity over the phone). Thank you, and good day.''
It's brief, polite, right to the point and immediately lets the caller know that this conversation is over.
BEVERLY COBB
FLOYD
Don't forget the vet
ON SEPT. 13 at 10 a.m., there will be a War Memorial dedicated in Fishburn Park. The marker reads: ``Dedicated to all the veterans of the valley.''
They are the ones who laid their lives on the line for the rest of the population. Veterans are forgotten when there has been no big war for 20 years.
I suggest people think about this, and show more respect for God, country and the troops who make the First Amendment possible.
WILLIAM W. ARNOLD
ROANOKE
Hotel's service has gone downhill
THIRTY-FIVE years ago my oldest son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren moved to Roanoke. My son is a chemical engineer and was employed by Eli Lilly. My husband and I visited often and loved it here. We stopped at Hotel Roanoke. We had very good meals and service.
Last January, my husband died. My son and family asked me to move here. Recently we had dinner at Hotel Roanoke. It was the worst food and service we ever experienced. What happened to this lovely place?
ENNY FELDSTEIN
ROANOKE
by CNB