ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, June 4, 1996 TAG: 9606040022
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
THE VIOLATION of one's constitutional rights is worth considerably less than the pain and inconvenience of having a hot cup of coffee spilled in one's lap. After reading staff writer Michael Croan's May 18 article (``Jury finds search to be unreasonable''), I must conclude that juries don't rate constitutional violations very high on their compensation list.
The person referred to in the article, Daniel Buonocore, had his home raided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and local authorities on information supplied by a rejected and vindictive woman. She was never investigated nor were her motives.
Buonocore, on the other hand, is a law-abiding citizen, honorably discharged veteran and former police officer. No background check was made on him before the raid.
At any rate, the jury found his Fourth Amendment rights had been violated, but awarded him only a paltry $8,500. Not even enough to cover legal fees, he stated.
This case is important to us all because it could happen to anyone. Someone who has it in for you can cause your life to go down the drain. Buonocore was fired and lost his pension because of the raid, even though no criminal charges were ever brought.
As he stated: ``How are you going to be `secure' when anybody with a warrant can bring their brother and 27 other people into your house?'' He was referring, of course, to the wording of the Fourth Amendment that states: ``The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated.''
To this, I say amen.
DAVID A. RHODES
ROCKY MOUNT
So many studies tax the taxpayers
IT IS TOO bad Del. Chip Woodrum needs the Virginia Education Association to fight his battles for him. However, since the teachers union is essentially a lap dog for the Democratic Party, Doris Y. Boitnott (May 9 letter to the editor, ``Education studies don't overlap'') chose to defend Woodrum. Her arguments serve to prove Willard Tomlinson's point (April 29 letter, ``Woodrum's consistency is suspect'').
Boitnott points out that all the different education studies being funded by Virginia taxpayers are complementary, not redundant. The mere fact that these studies, complementary or not, are ongoing testifies to the wasteful spending that Woodrum advocates. Does anyone actually believe that public education in America suffers from lack of study? If studying education got the job done, all our kids would be geniuses by now!
What's the point of having a State Board of Education or local school boards? Shouldn't these bodies be performing some of the functions of these study commissions?
Woodrum supports all these studies. However, let one study to benefit the taxpayer be proposed, and he votes no.
MARTIN MORRISON
ROANOKE
Teachers union is money-driven
OVER THE years, a step at a time, the National Education Association with its numerous local and state affiliates has become the most powerful union in the United States.
Organized education isn't interested in a higher quality of education or in more efficient school management. It's interested in more programs that will keep pupils in school until age 18 or older. Each pupil enrolled in public schools means more dollars for organized education.
The controlled or influenced votes of organized education determine the winners in elections of local governing bodies to be those who advocate higher salaries for teachers and more money for education.
ERMINIE K. WRIGHT
ROANOKE
Beef is not in tobacco's league
YOUR May 18 editorial cartoon by Obron unjustly depicted the healthfulness of beef. Despite what the cartoon implied, beef and cigarettes have nothing in common. The last time I checked, the American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association and other leading health organizations weren't saying that cigarettes can be part of a healthful diet.
The point the cartoon missed was that many reports we see in the media about beef are not definitive. Instead, the reports use words and phrases such as ``possible,'' ``link,'' ``there's a chance,'' and ``some researchers believe.'' However, readers begin to believe that the reports are fact.
If this cartoonist is going to write about beef, then I suggest he research the issue before painting the wrong picture in readers' minds. The truth is, lean beef, in moderate amounts, can be a healthful part of a person's diet.
JOHN E. BEAHM
DRAPER
Vet center is past its growing pains
RICHARD E. O'Dell (May 19 letter to the editor, ``Vets center had state, local support'') is justifiably proud that construction of the Virginia Veterans Care Center was completed on time and under budget during his service as director of the Virginia Department of Veterans' Affairs.
However, much of the credit for this success resides with the manager of the project, Elizabeth Reed, fiscal officer at the Department of Veterans' Affairs. A state employee, she provided professionalism, dedication, on-site leadership and management that brought the project to fruition.
I take exception to O'Dell's statement that management problems at the center can be attributed to the creation of a politically appointed board. I can envision no other governing body that's more responsive to resident and family needs than the 10 board members, who all feel free to communicate with me at any time. Furthermore, this governance structure, as opposed to one buried in a faceless bureaucracy, is more conducive to personal interaction with residents and their families and to interceding on their behalf.
Past management problems at the center are due to the very special nature of this organization. As the first fully privatized operation of state government, one of the first privatized care centers in the nation and the first veterans-care center in Virginia, we've certainly experienced our fair share of growing pains.
We're quickly approaching the center's first contract-renewal cycle for operations. A majority of the past difficulties will be successfully addressed by new contract requirements. Additionally, with certification expected from the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations in September 1997, the center's operational standards will be placed on a higher plane of professionalism, thereby ensuring the highest quality care for our residents in years to come.
ANDREW J. VINSON
Executive Director
Virginia Veterans Care Center
ROANOKE
How can schools get the money?
CAN YOU further explain the Goals 2000 education-money petition and why Gov. George Allen rejects it? I cannot see how the state can afford to refuse federal income.
What is the next logical step for schools to take if they want access to federal funds?
MARGIE MILLER
RADFORD
Day-care centers give good care
I WAS somewhat surprised at Penny S. Clyburn's letter to the editor (May 14, ``Flexible day-care programs needed'') complaining about area day care. Perhaps she doesn't realize that most day-care centers are private businesses, not public services. Would she ask Sears to open 15 minutes early so she could do her shopping in a more convenient manner?
Centers require parents to pay on days their children do not attend because their operating costs are based on the number of children enrolled. This cost doesn't drop because one child is out. It is a parent's responsibility to take care of sick children, not drop them at a day-care center where they can infect healthy children.
For the most part, I think the area day-care centers are excellent. My 5-year-old daughter attends the McVitty Honeytree Early Learning Center. You won't find a more caring, competent group of professionals anywhere. They do more than "sit" with the children. They teach, train and monitor the children's development. Being a single parent brings on a whole new set of problems, and I cannot count the number of times the staff has gone above and beyond the call of duty to help.
As for the cost, well, our children are our future. If it costs a little more to see that my child gets the best care possible, I'll pay it.
TIM W. TICKLE
ROANOKE
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