ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 7, 1996 TAG: 9604050015
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
REGARDING Mike Marlowe's March 28 letter to the editor, ``Raze entry barriers for teachers'':
He seems to have the answers to remedy what he calls the downward slide of our public-school system. He says, ``The central problem is teacher certification'' and the state should ``stop certifying teachers and start certifying principals as competent to hire and fire teachers based on their own judgment.''
I judge that he isn't in the teaching profession, or he would be better informed. The problems confronting schools don't come from teachers. Does he have any idea of the disrespect, disobedience, inattentiveness and just plain laziness that teachers confront every day? Teachers don't get very much support from parents as they did in times past. I think the main reasons for the ``downward slide'' come from the homes. Parents are either too busy or uncaring to give their children the basic training that they should. Schools baby-sit.
Granted, most principals are well-trained and qualified to hire and fire, but they're only human. If this job were left up to them, there would be no end to apple polishing. I don't think the majority of principals would desire this job.
Just who does Marlowe want in the teaching profession? How many of these ``intelligent, well-educated adults working in other professions who are naturals for the teaching profession,'' as he states, would go into a room of unruly kids and try to teach and discipline - mostly discipline?
I taught 37 years in public-school systems of Virginia, and I substitute often. I see the hard work done by the teachers. I agree that our schools aren't what they used to be, but the world isn't what it used to be - thankfully. I don't know the answers, but don't blame the teachers for the problems.
LaNELLE GRIFFITH
COVINGTON
Public wants reform of health insurance
THERE is a bipartisan health-care bill in the Senate, presented by Sens. Ted Kennedy, Democrat, and Nancy Kassebaum, Republican, with 44 co-sponsors. It has been put on hold by unknown senators since last October. No senator will admit to it because 80 percent of the American people want this measure.
The bill would let people take their insurance with them from job to job, and no one could be refused insurance for pre-existing conditions. No one but the very wealthy would want this bill stopped. The Health Insurance Association of America (insurance companies) is trying to keep this off the floor. Thus, certain senators have put a hold on it. Sen. Bob Dole could put this on the floor any time.
Let's remember this when we vote in November.
PEGGY HAMMOND
ROANOKE
Too much talk; too little music
I AM SURE there are more important issues I could write about in a letter to the editor, but I just had to put in my 2 cents on this one.
The so-called ``Great radio debate'' (March 7 Extra section) erupted when WROV's Morning Show with Sam Giles and Mark Nelson was replaced by the syndicated ``Big Show'' with John Boy and Billy out of Charlotte, N.C. In my opinion, both sets of comedian wannabes are equally obnoxious and have put me off listening to WROV in the morning. Between the general banter and listener call-ins (which provide such quality entertainment as having callers simulate monster truck noises or attempting to link Kevin Bacon with every other actor in the universe), there's little time for music.
One day while listening to the Morning Show during my drive from Christiansburg to Blacksburg, I heard only one song in a sea of chatter and commercials. The Big Show is just as bad, if not worse, since it has a larger cast of idiots to take up air time.
My request to Sam, Mark, John Boy and Billy is a simple one: Why don't you guys just shut up and play more tunes?
JOE BIDWELL
CHRISTIANSBURG
Del. Woodrum's foolish consistency
DEL. CHIP Woodrum has once again proved his love affair with taxes. On Feb. 29, he voted to reject a resolution to study the advisability of reducing or eliminating Virginia's personal-property tax. The resolution was just for a study!
Isn't it possible that the current personal-property tax is unfair or that there may be better sources of revenues for local government? Thanks to Woodrum, the citizens of Virginia will not have the opportunity to even explore the idea.
In some cases, it has served Virginia well that we've been slow to change. However, Woodrum's refusal to even study an idea represents a foolish consistency that his constituents should have difficulty tolerating.
MICKEY MIXON
ROANOKE
Leaders have lost sight of the `vision'
AFTER READING James Ryan's March 11 letter to the editor (``Is parkway group now self-serving?") on the self-serving motives of the Friends of the Blue Ridge Parkway group, why am I not surprised? After all, residents of Roanoke County are asked to speak out on matters of roadways, developments, power lines, the Blue Ridge Parkway, etc., and it turns out that no one listens or cares.
No one, except long-term residents, really cares what happens to the area. No one cares that the "vision" for the Roanoke Valley is the beauty here. We have a gift that's about to be raped by groups that pretend to be doing something that no one seems to see any results from. As county residents who pay the salaries of some of these entrusted leaders, we - along with the valley's beauty - are being overlooked for more self-serving motives. What gives?
The Roanoke Valley is its beauty and the communities in it. This is all being destroyed. The parkway is being littered with cheaply built "aesthetically pleasing" homes, the county is cramming houses and people all over the last few remaining historical and most beautiful areas, and the downtown area is losing its appeal as more businesses move out. With all the beauty and appeal the valley has, why are our leaders and "friends" destroying it all?
I, too, am very interested in seeing what other alleged "friends" do, along with those who can truly make a difference on such issues and aren't afraid to do so.
GINA LOUTHIAN-STANLEY
ROANOKE
Overreacting to concealed weapons
THE MARCH 8 letter to the editor by Philip T. Newton (``Firearms + alcohol insanity'') was an insult to law-enforcement officers who do background checks for those wanting permits to carry concealed weapons. Most gun phobes like him overreact to most gun issues.
As a concealed-gun carrier with a permit and a nondrinker, I want him to sleep well at night, and to fully understand that if he'll just put a sign at the entrance forbidding concealed carriers at the place where he's general manager, I and other gun owners will spend our bucks somewhere else. But a little word of advice to Newton: Be sure the owner knows before you do it. You might be flipping burgers instead of managing.
MARTIN CARLE
ROANOKE
Penalty did not match the crime
WHAT KIND of message are we sending our youth?
A 16-year-old admits to being drunk, and is convicted of driving under the influence and manslaughter, but will spend only two to four months with the state's Department of Youth and Family Services. He'll learn nothing from having his license taken for five years and doing 100 hours of community service. This young man was let off easy. Taking the life of 45-year-old Bonnie Kitts should deserve more punishment than a slap on the wrist.
An A student or a dropout, he should have been given a sentence that's appropriate for the crime. Is this a case where a high-priced lawyer can pull strings within the system?
I believe this young man should do serious time in an adult facility, not be cuddled by his parents after a few months in a nonjail. If an adult had done this crime, he or she would do serious time.
Where did this boy get the liquor, and should the person who provided it to him be punished? I think so!
PHILIP COLLINS FERGUSON I
ROANOKE
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