ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608120008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
A week doesn't go by without either a mailing or a newspaper insert, not to mention regular ads in Current, from Columbia/HCA or Carilion or both. I know that these are the big conglomerates that own our local hospitals. I know where Radford and Montgomery Regional hospitals are located, and I've even spent a day or two in both, but I can't keep straight which is Columbia or Carilion, and I'm not sure I care.
I am concerned about the competitive advertising for these two chains and about their apparent attempts to buy out all the physicians in the area. We may all soon have to wear dog tags to make sure that, in case of an accident, we will be taken to the hospital where our "primary care physician" has a contract or risk not being treated because we don't have the right membership card.
Then there's the not too comforting certainty that, if we need to go elsewhere for specialist care, we are going to end up in another hospital in that particular chain, even if the real experts happen to be somewhere else.
I sure do wish our hospitals would go back to just calling themselves Radford and Montgomery Regional without all the corporate add-ons. They may think that being part of a big conglomerate is impressive or reassuring but it is not. The names are confusing and the intensity of the competition is a little frightening.
Jim Marchman
Blacksburg
[Editor's Note: Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital and Columbia Pulaski Community Hospital are owned by Columbia Healthcare Corp., headquartered in Nashville, Tenn.; Carilion Radford Community Hospital and Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital are owned by Carilion Health System, headquartered in Roanoke.]
AEP line belongs in an unpopulated area
In regard to the power-line debate, the second American Electric Power-proposed route would pass through Giles County and a lightly populated section of Montgomery County. There are more than 100 homes in a five-mile area. Also, our farm has been in the family for about 200 years. Our relatives settled much of Blacksburg and surrounding areas. There is a lot of Civil War history in these mountains, as well as many nature trails, campsites and much wildlife to be considered.
The power line should go, if it must go, in an area where there are no homes.
It's not fair to label where these taxpaying citizens live as "remote," "out of the way," or "unpopulated."
Nellie Broce
Blacksburg
New agency details its juvenile services
As program manager of Court Alternative Resource Exchange, I would like to comment on the article "Juvenile services firm beats ex-employer to win new contract," in the July 27 Current . I started this new agency because I am committed to providing quality services to the court, the community and juvenile clients.
I have supervised juvenile community service as a counselor at New River Community Sentencing and at two court service units. It has been my experience that systems established for supervising adults sentenced to community service are often inappropriately applied to juveniles. The often-high caseloads and the demands of supervising several different courts at once frequently do not allow the counselor to devote the amount of attention needed, particularly for juveniles.
While working at New River Community Sentencing, these concerns prompted me to attend Montgomery County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court each week instead of simply accepting written referrals without hearing the case or meeting the juvenile. Because I felt doing so better served the needs of the court and the client, I took on this responsibility - in addition to my regular caseload and without added compensation. I became increasingly aware that the service should be designed for youths, including more attention, more creative assignments, more availability and absolute concentration on youths. Thus, when this new funding became available and my employer did not accept my suggestions for improving service, I decided to submit my ideas to Montgomery County.
At no time did I take any action to undermine New River Community Sentencing's proposal. Having worked at the agency for four years, I know the counselors are dedicated to their jobs and the clients and provide a valuable service to the New River Valley. New River Community Sentencing and Court Alternative Resource Exchange can complement each other's goals; I have already made several work site referrals to New River Community Sentencing and feel sure its counselors will do the same. The basic concept of the two agencies are the same, the only difference is the approach to working with juveniles.
I am always looking for new projects in which these youths may participate supervised either by me or by the staff of the nonprofit organization For information on becoming a work site, please call 230-6999.
Karen LaPlante
Owner, Court Alternative Resource Exchange
Christiansburg
LENGTH: Medium: 95 linesby CNB