ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, March 8, 1997 TAG: 9703100085
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
Don't take a chance on kids' care
REGARDING your March 1 Opinion page cartoon on home day care for children:
We realize that some people do take their chances with home day care. One or more bad apples can ruin the whole bushel.
However, we run state-licensed home day-care programs, and our state licensing specialist can come into our homes at any time, on any day, with or without prior notice. Parents of the children we keep know that we have an open-door policy. They are free to check on their child or children at any time.
Instead of more intrusive big-government meddling, maybe we need more parents who'll check the background and references of prospective day-care providers. Parents need to ask to see the report from the last licensing specialist's visit, and they need to ask questions and voice any of their concerns. After all, they're leaving their most prized possession in the care of someone they barely know. Our references and monitoring visits speak volumes about our abilities.
We feel Virginia is coming along very well in its requirements for home day-care providers. If the state gets any more stringent, it may push smaller, less-expensive home-care providers out of business.
The children in our care get one-on-one attention that may not be possible in one of those large, impersonal day-care centers.
ZONDRA BURDINE
SALEM
LISA BURNS
ROANOKE
Habitat's successes should be the focus
THE ASSOCIATED Press articles (Feb. 9 Horizon section) on Habitat for Humanity upset me deeply because they were so slanted. I serve on the board of directors for the Greater Lynchburg Habitat for Humanity, and my husband and I have sponsored several houses.
It was stated that 0.8 percent of Habitat homeowners default on their loans. If I were one of the 99.2 percent successful homeowners, I would be justifiably offended.
There is a long process before one becomes a Habitat homeowner. Expectations of home ownership are gone over many times before approval. Of course, some people fall on hard times, and Habitat makes every effort to help them work it out. How many banks would allow someone to be 10 payments late and still attempt to work something out?
If a homeowner cannot pay for the house, Habitat - which is in the business of selling affordable homes to the working poor - cannot give that house to them. It would be unfair to expect homeowner "Suzan" to pay for her house when "Sally" does not. Money collected from homeowners for their mortgages goes to build other houses for other needy families. Because of the way Habitat is structured, it works for 99.2 percent of those who buy homes.
I hope those biased articles didn't discourage any potential homeowners or sponsors. I will continue to support the program. If you gave as much coverage to the positive side of Habitat, it could get more support, and maybe one day all individuals could have a stable home of their own.
JEANETTE JACKSON
MONETA
Decision on song divides us again
IN RESPONSE to the Feb. 9 news article (``Symbols of Old South split races'') concerning our state Senate's decision to "retire" our state song, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginia'':
The decision was made because of the song's references to "old massa" and "darkies,'' which some found offensive. I find it disrespectful to the man who wrote the song. Evidently, he was proud enough of his heritage to write a song expressing his feelings during the time when our nation was splitting at the seams.
The song seemed to draw us together (to a certain extent) by showing that some slaves didn't resent their masters for what was going on. Now, we're again split over the recent decision to retire the song. It is a historic representation from that time period, so why take it away because some are offended at what happened to their ancestors?
ALLISON WHITE
CHRISTIANSBURG
LENGTH: Medium: 80 linesby CNB