ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 1996 TAG: 9612100149
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to Erik Ranberg's Dec. 2 comment, "How about a swift kick for all the whiny baby boomers?":
My maternal instinct tells me to respond to his generalized attack on baby boomers.
I don't know Ranberg's children, and apparently I don't want to. I do know my two daughters and my son, boomers all. They have held down jobs since they were in high school, finished college with flying colors, went on to get advanced degrees, and whatever jobs they hold at any given time (including now) get about 150 percent from them. They are active in their respective churches. They vote, but not necessarily the same way. All three are still married to their original spouses and, as far as I can tell, they are doing a good job of raising their kids. But what do I know? I am the grandmother.
I recently moved to Roanoke for one reason only: to be closer to my baby-boomer kids. Whatever they have cost me in money, time and anxiety over the years, they have more than repaid in their adult years. They do not deserve to be left high and dry without viable Social Security when they are my age, and I certainly hope they won't be. Of course, I am hoping they won't have to rely on it either.
Oh - and they almost never whine. KAY KOEHLER ROANOKE
Property owners had little input
ON OCT. 24, the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries approved a controversial proposal that bans the use of live bait while fishing the Jackson River below the Gathright Dam. The department conducted 10 public hearings across the state for public input.
Once again, property owners along the Jackson River are having regulations shoved down their throats by this department.
Meetings for public input are very important, but what about a meeting with property owners for their input? What about the property owners who have children who fish? How many children can fly fish? How many elderly people can fly fish? It appears to me that the department has paid off an IOU to Trout Unlimited.
The Supreme Court of Virginia recently ruled that fishing rights belong to property owners along the Jackson River who have traced their ownership back to king's grants. This ruling not only affects those on a 3-mile stretch immediately below the Gathright Dam, but numerous other property owners who have already traced their ownership back to king's grants.
I think the name of the department should be changed to the Department of Game and Trout Unlimited. JOYCE BOTKINS COVINGTON
Cutting costs at patients' expense
I AM not a nurse, but I have read with interest and frustration about Roanoke Memorial Hospital's recent difficulties and the consideration some of its nurses are giving to joining a union.
During the past 2 1/2 years, my mother has spent time in all three of the valley's hospitals and two of its nursing facilities. I have seen how patient care suffers when one person is required to do the work of four. Once, I received a frantic early morning call from my mother because - although she had rung for help more than once - no one had come to help her to the bathroom. I drove to the hospital and helped her myself.
I have heard nurses say that they were responsible for more than 30 patients. I have seen a patient beg a passerby for water; have known a nursing-home resident to wait an hour for a staffer to find time to put him to bed; and have heard it said that the only time a local facility was adequately staffed was when there was an inspector on the premises. It frightens me to think that a nurse or aide who has been at work for 12 hours or more, frustrated and overworked - who has to reapply for his or her own job, and then take a pay cut - is trying to make good decisions about my mother's medical and personal care.
Now Carilion is having to back away from implementing a program that some nursing professionals - the people on the front lines - feel jeopardizes patient care even further.
I feel sure there is a way to strike a balance between profitability and quality patient care, but having one person do the work of several to save on pay and benefits isn't it. Patient care will suffer as long as the bottom line in health care is how much money the hospital makes each day. ANNE SAMPSON ROANOKE
Airport foes poised to strike again
THE OPPONENTS of an airport in Rockbridge County are probably still celebrating. The group called Concerned Citizens Coalition would more appropriately be named "Croson's Conniving Cronies."
Using half-truths and untruths, the group was able to lead Rockbridge County citizens like sheep to a slaughter. Statements such as the "airport will benefit less than 1 percent of population'' and "our money, in some way, will be used to construct an airport" certainly stretched the truth. The money referred to taxes on airline tickets, air freight, etc.
While it's true that money is needed for schools, education, etc., the money earmarked for airports cannot be used for any other purpose. Some other fortunate area can thank this committee for the money it will receive to enhance the lives of the people in that area.
The defeat of the airport referendum is a perfect example of a political appeal to emotions rather than intellect.
Let's take a brief look into the past and see what a group such as the Concerned Citizens Coalition could have done. If the group had existed and if a referendum could have stopped the construction of Interstates 81 and 64, perhaps the area would be blessed not to have these major roads. After all, look at all the fatalities that have occurred on these highways. Also, look at the land that was taken to build these roads.
Rockbridge County citizens need to be prepared to face new activities from the coalition. At the organizational meeting I attended, Darrell Croson said the group wasn't just a group to stop the building of an airport. As soon as that was accomplished, they would go after something else they didn't like.
This group of self-appointed watchdogs has already caused irreparable harm to the future of Rockbridge County. Do not permit this group to keep the county from moving forward. TOM WELLS LEXINGTON
Smoking ban should apply to all
REGARDING selective enforcement of the Roanoke Civic Center's no-smoking policy:
In October, the Roanoke Civic Center announced that it was adopting a facility-wide no-smoking policy (Oct. 19 news article, ``Smokers - take it outside''). This announcement was cheered by many - myself included - and cursed by some. All patrons at events held at the facility are now required to go outside to smoke. All patrons, that is, except the majority-interest owner of the Roanoke Express.
At the hockey game on Nov. 1, I observed John Gagnon sitting in the press box and smoking on at least three occasions. He appeared to be aware of the smoking ban because he was attempting to hide while smoking. (I had also observed him smoking in areas other than the assigned indoor-smoking section last year.) When I reported this to the Civic Center office, the lady behind the counter said that she worked for the Civic Center, not the Roanoke Express.
The no-smoking policy is a Civic Center rule. While I am not a smoker, I protest the fact that Gagnon is exempt from the smoking ban while the fans who pay for seats, parking and spend hard-earned money at the concession stands are forced to stand out in the elements to smoke. Is he perceived by Civic Center employees to be better than the public? Or does he assume that, because he has a majority interest in the hockey team, the rules apply to everyone but him? ROBERT J. BEISHIR ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 137 linesby CNB