ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 1, 1996 TAG: 9612030127
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
REGARDING your Nov. 23 news article, ``Rescue squad: thanks, but no thanks Carilion'':
I strongly urge leaders of the Botetourt Emergency Medical Service to reconsider Carilion's offer to serve as a backup to their EMS system. In 1983, my grandfather suffered a fatal heart attack, and it took more than 20 minutes for a rescue squad in Botetourt County to respond. Since then, little has changed in Botetourt to assure residents that this vital service will be available when they call 911.
The availability of prompt, pre-hospital medical care should be afforded to all. EMS not only saves lives but can, in many cases, minimize the physical and mental effects of a life-threatening illness or injury by providing on-scene basic and advanced medical care.
Carilion is offering services to Botetourt residents if, and only if, the volunteer system fails to respond. It's irresponsible for the volunteer EMS to reject this offer if it cannot provide 100 percent assurance that service will be provided. It sends a message to residents that the volunteers would rather have a 911 call for help go unanswered than send a fully staffed paramedic ambulance.
Operational concerns were cited as the reason Botetourt EMS leaders refused the offer. However, these concerns can be addressed by purchasing radios and establishing mutually agreed upon guidelines. Using private ambulance services to support or serve as a backup to volunteer EMS agencies is common in Virginia and shouldn't be feared. Even the strongest of volunteer EMS agencies should - and most do - have agreements with a paid or private EMS agency, where available, to back them up when needed.
I don't believe it is Carilion's intention to force the volunteers out of business, but rather to provide assurance that prompt medical care is available when needed. It is the public's right to expect that help will be available when they call 911.
DAVID HOBACK
Volunteer paramedic
ROANOKE
Check the facts before judging
IT WOULD be nice to see some research done before you print the news you print (Nov. 15 Associated Press news article, ``White teacher writes on black pupil's face''). Your compulsion to immediately jump on the bandwagon of branding items racial blinded you to the facts. This teacher didn't single out this little girl for ``branding.'' She has also written on the faces of white children.
Admittedly, this was poor judgment on the teacher's part, but it's also poor judgment for you to print only half the facts. I will credit you for being consistent in your style of reporting - ``story first, facts if necessary.''
KEVIN DOUGHERTY
DALEVILLE
Tech's tough stance is a sham
REGARDING Kathy Loan's Nov. 12 news article, "Board backs tough stance":
How can a one-game suspension be called tough? Virginia Tech's governing board clearly sends the message that it's OK to brawl. All Tech will do is slap the players on the hand. A grand-jury indictment is a serious affair, and should lead to no less than total suspension until a trial has settled guilt or innocence.
In our society, we care more about questionable sportsmanship on the playing field than we care about values. It's a shame that Tech thinks it has fulfilled its duty by this ridiculous sham.
ERNEST D. KAUFMAN
RADFORD
License to drive has responsibilities
IN RESPONSE to Anthony S. Cooper's Nov. 12 letter to the editor, ``DUI law violates the Constitution'':
Driving while under the influence is within itself a violation of the Constitution! The Constitution guarantees all individuals the right to act without restraint, as long as their actions do not interfere with the rights of others.
Having a drivers' license is a privilege rather than a right, and there are guidelines that must be adhered to with that privilege. The individual who chooses to drink and drive violates those guidelines, in addition to interfering with the rights of others. Therefore, that individual should be punished.
Cooper feels the punishment provided by this law is ridiculous. However, it pales in comparison to the lifelong anguish and suffering experienced by those families who have lost a loved one due to the reckless disregard of a drunken driver.
KATHY RAY
SALEM
Adults' thinking is a puzzlement
I WANT to know how adults could vote for and elect a man as our president knowing that he used an illegal drug. How can this happen again?
I am 9 years old. What will happen to my future? How can my future be strong knowing that my leader did something so wrong? I am very concerned about this.
MEGAN LYNN STEWART
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 100 linesby CNB