ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 9, 1997 TAG: 9703110050
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Get on with renewal of Henry Street
SOME MONTHS ago I attended a meeting at Addison Magnet School concerning the redoing of Henry Street. A faction there was adamantly opposed to the plan from Hill Studio that was proposed by the city. In speaking for the proposal, I was told to sit down and shut up.
I am sure there are others in the black community who have a positive attitude about the city's proposal, but they are reluctant to speak out. They are afraid of being embarrassed - and justifiably so.
If Henry Street isn't improved by the city, it will continue to be an eyesore for years to come. Henry Street served its purpose for blacks. When we couldn't go downtown to the movies, theaters, hotels or restaurants, we had our own. When integration came, Henry Street died. It was no longer necessary.
Now there's a proposal to bring it back to life. Not like it was, and I don't believe anyone would want it that way. But the plan is to make it a viable asset - to First Baptist Church, Hotel Roanoke, St. Andrew's, Gainsboro Library, and to neighbors in that area and the whole city. As it is now, it isn't an asset to anything.
If opponents disagree with the plan, let them present a proposal with financial support, and I am sure the city would take a look at it. If there had been no opposition, Henry Street's renewal might be nearly finished by now. I can hardly wait until it's done.
Now, I will sit down and maybe shut up.
GEORGE ROGERS
ROANOKE
Euthanasia is about human dignity
PEOPLE who are against euthanasia talk about human dignity. But as an advocate of euthanasia, I want to talk about human dignity seen from a different point of view.
For me, to respect somebody's dignity means to acknowledge that person's right to manage and choose his or her own life, and to help the person not to suffer from pain that is impossible to alleviate. Who dares to force the patient to withstand the suffering until the uncertain fatal day?
Take Dr. Kevorkian's cases. Families who supported a patient's decision to ask the doctor for euthanasia testify that that was the best and only way for their loved one.
Of course, there would be some side effects. Some people may too easily give up their precious lives, and some evil people may take advantage of the permission to take a life. But if we make the law related to this issue clear and proper, we can prohibit - or at least minimize - such side effects. The law should spell out conditions under which patients would be allowed to die, the procedure that doctors should go through, and so on.
NAM YOUNG PARK
BLACKSBURG
Washington inspired Danville teachers
I THOROUGHLY enjoyed Richard La Pointe's Feb. 17 commentary, ``Washington, the first `education president'.''
In 1940, our history teacher at George Washington High School in Danville added a challenge to a test: Anyone who could quote the inscription over the front door of this school would get 100 on the test. No one could.
To be prepared for another such opportunity, which never came, I memorized that inscription. La Pointe cited it:
``Promote then as an object of primary importance institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge. G. Washington.''
Among my classmates of the Class of 1941 there is complete agreement: Because of the wonderful teachers we had, Washington's desire was accomplished there.
JAMES A. HANCOCK JR.
BUCHANAN
Lime Kiln theater will survive
IN LIGHT of recent publicity we have received, I feel compelled to respond to those folks who got the impression that the Theater at Lime Kiln has a limited future following the final installment of a generous grant.
It's true we will face more financial challenges in the next couple of years, but that is nothing new. Most recently, we were dramatically affected by the National Endowment for the Arts' huge reduction in funding. But we met that challenge through the most successful season in Lime Kiln history.
The end of the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Fund Theater for New Audience Program grant will be another challenge to face in the near future. I'd like to thank the National Education Association and the Readers Digest Fund for all they have allowed us to accomplish. The artist-in-residence programs in the schools, Lime Kiln's playwriting contest and work such as ``Glory Bound'' would never have happened without their support.
With every challenge comes opportunity. Plans for the summer season are in full swing: the world premier of a new play, Shakespeare under the stars, the 13th season of ``Stonewall Country'' and, of course, fabulous concerts featuring treasured favorites and new talents. It's the perfect time to assess what we do and identify areas where we can grow. Change is inevitable and, met squarely, is the most exciting thrill in life.
Theater at Lime Kiln will be here as long as our community wants us. Last summer more people attended our theater, and our touring and residencies reached more people, than ever before in our history, thanks to the support of hundreds of people and businesses. With the continued help of our supporters, we will be building on that success as we meet our current challenges.
BARRY MINES
Artistic Director, Lime Kiln Arts Inc.
LEXINGTON
Child-safety laws must be enforced
SINCE RETURNING to Roanoke last year, I've noticed an appalling number of infants and small children riding unrestrained in trucks and automobiles throughout the city.
I am a mother of an irreplaceable 4-year-old, and have been nicknamed ``Safety Mom'' by those who know me because of my strictness in efforts to enforce my own child-safety rules. I am, indeed, a safety nut.
Therefore, I was delighted to come across a stack of ``Please Be Seated'' mail-in notification cards at a local shop. The cards are to be used to notify the Virginia Department of Health when children are seen riding unrestrained or improperly restrained in vehicles. The department will look up the vehicle-license information and send a letter reminding the car's owner of the state's child-safety laws. I was excited to think that by mailing the cards I might be helping to save a life.
Imagine my shock when your Feb. 24 news article, ``Please Be Seated safety letters fall victim to Please Butt Out,'' told me that the processing of the cards was stopped in August 1996. It cited a concern for privacy.
Privacy? Is it OK to break the law and then scream privacy when someone other than a police officer reports you? What is the purpose of having laws to protect those who cannot protect themselves if the laws aren't enforced? Besides, the issue here is a polite, informative letter - not a summons to appear in court or a ticket for the offense.
If I received a letter telling me that a child had been seen in my car unrestrained, I wouldn't take the attitude that it's no one's business. I would be grateful that someone took the time to notice and do something about it.
The focus should be less on privacy and more on how to protect the lives of those too young to care for themselves.
LYNDA KNEZOVICH
ROANOKE
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