ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 28, 1996 TAG: 9604290002
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
Mike Ellerbrock and I have to stop meeting like we do. We have had two discussions about violence in our society. One was at a memorial service for Alex DeFilippis. The other was recently at the service for Angie Knowles. Ellerbrock, who is a deacon at St. Mary's and a professor at Virginia Tech, participated in both services. I had been introduced to Mike at an earlier occasion - a funeral.
Even though the service for DeFilippis took place several weeks after his death, there was still the shock and the horror of the event. I am tired of people saying that DeFilippis was at the wrong place at the wrong time. He was not in the wrong.
The service for Knowles was shrouded with gloom and questions. Her remarkable life was borne witness by the courage of her children. Once again violence had invaded the lives of us all. And once again we are left to ask why.
Not too long ago, I appeared before several commissions studying the abolition of parole. The first two were headed by the governor and the attorney general. The third was run by the General Assembly. Most of the speakers, including myself, at the first two forums favored abolition.
The third forum featured a host of local government officials who opposed abolition because of the cost. After the opposition had finished speaking, several victims of violent crimes, a local sheriff and I finally had a chance to speak. Although parole has now been abolished, the question I asked our legislators at that time still rings true: "How many more times do the victims have to tell their stories before the legislators do something?" The question I ask now is: How many more memorial services for victims of violent crime do we have to attend?
Like it or not, we live in violent times. The answer does not lie in quick fixes such as gun control or more money for some new educational program. The answer lies within each and deals with how much more we are going to tolerate. We either abdicate to the criminals or we stand up and be counted. We need to let our elected officials at all levels know that we are not going to take it anymore.
Joe Painter
Blacksburg
Elect Wayne Booth to Town Council
Who is qualified to be elected to Christiansburg Town Council? Wayne Booth has the qualifications necessary for the position. He has exhibited this through his eight years of service as a council member. Following are the characteristics of leadership: integrity, experience and the ability to represent the people. We urge you to vote for Wayne Booth on May 7.
Joe and Jean Alfano
Christiansburg
Spay/neuter programs are worth our support
Everyday, thousands of kittens and puppies are born, most of which do not have permanent homes and are strayed, abandoned, neglected or euthanized. This year in Virginia, 200,000 cats and dogs will be destroyed, at a cost to taxpayers of over $3.5 million, according to the Prevent a Litter Coalition. In seven years, a female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats. An unspayed female dog and her progeny can also produce several thousand puppies in six years.
Unfortunately, only one in 10 pets finds a home. Local shelters are always full and many have overwhelming waiting lists. It is up to the citizens of Montgomery County to make a difference in the lives of so many helpless animals.
April is "Prevent a Litter Month." I urge both pet owners and non-pet owners to become animal advocates this month and encourage people to have their pet neutered or spayed to decrease unwanted litters. Volunteer for a local animal agency, help a friend pay to have their animal fixed, donate money to an existing spay/neuter program, teach someone the value of being a responsible pet owners.
It makes sense both financially and morally to focus on decreasing the number of unwanted litters born each year in our community.
Julie Ligon
Blacksburg
Patient has praise for hospital worker
I was recently hospitalized at Radford Community Hospital for a heart attack. Upon being released I went through the six-week Cardiac Rehabilitation program which they recommended. This program taught me a great deal, not only how to properly exercise, but also about good nutrition and relaxation techniques to mention just a few.
There are several people who helped and monitored me during each session, however, there is one person in particular who should be highly commended: Elsie McCombs. She has a vast knowledge in this field as well as many others, which after only a few sessions, is very obvious.
However, she has one greater asset. She loves her job, loves working with people and above all goes the "extra mile" to do anything she can to help each individual. I'd like to say a big "thank you" for everything you did for me.
I hope the hospital realizes and appreciates what a unique and caring person Elsie is to their hospital. They should definitely count her as one of their assets. In this day and age, it's a shame there aren't more people like her.
Bobby W. Lytton
Radford
LENGTH: Medium: 99 linesby CNB