ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, April 14, 1997 TAG: 9704140131
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
What do you think of Roanoke's turning the Mill Mountain Star red after DUI fatalities?
Star shouldn't be broadcasting death and gloom
ROANOKE'S Mill Mountain Star is the symbol of the city and should never be used for any other purpose!
The sight of the star should never remind viewers of anything negative - certainly not death on the highway, regardless of cause.
This symbol belongs to the city and its citizens, and no individual or group should be permitted to use it for any reason.
The Mothers Against Drunk Drivers campaign has failed to raise the desired awareness of drug- or alcohol-related traffic fatalities due in part to the lack of a public-information plan. Numerous times the star has shown red without any mention in local broadcast or print media. Besides, MADD's efforts should be directed at preventing traffic fatalities - not telling us about them after they have happened!
I don't like the star burning red. And I hope that Roanoke City Council, the New Century Council, MADD and all the ``visioning people'' will give up this idea once and for all - and as soon as possible.
JEFF HUNT
ROANOKE
Kids are getting the star's message
KEEP ON with the red star. My children and their friends do notice, and they also know the meaning. There is a possibility that it may have an impact on them, since they are all of driving age. It lets them know that alcohol is a killer.
THERESA DOYLE
ROANOKE
Don't single out these violent deaths
LEAVE the star white at night.
I don't think the loss of a life as a result of a drug- or alcohol-related car accident rates any more attention than death by any other act of violence. The loss is certainly no less to loved ones.
JACKIE BLEDSOE
ROANOKE
Awareness leads to positive changes
I WAS VERY impressed that Roanoke city chose the significant Mill Mountain Star as a symbol for awareness of the serious problems we have in our valley due to drug and alcohol use and abuse.
I am sorry that lives have been taken in automobile fatalities due to drinking and driving. However, if the star weren't illuminated with each loss, the awareness of how serious this problem is would continue to be overlooked except by the families who have been victimized.
I hope the city will continue to illuminate the star red so that we will continue to make changes in our lives and in the lives of others in the hopes of reducing and eliminating drinking and driving. With more awareness, better decisions and better changes will be made.
MARY GWEN PARKER
ROANOKE
A reminder to pray for the victims
AS A FAIRLY new resident in Roanoke, I noticed the star being red for the first time this past Christmas. Upon mentioning this to some folks, they informed me of the meaning.
I am all for the color change. It makes us aware of a tragedy and reminds us to remember the family and friends of the victim(s) in our prayers.
JANIE FERRIS
ROANOKE
The bone chill is a good reminder
YES, YES, YES - anything to remind all folks not to drink, then drive.
Our star on the mountain, whose color turns red, sends chills through our bones with thoughts for the dead.
CAROL GROVES
ROANOKE
Hurt means work to ease the pain
ALTHOUGH I hate to see the star red, I think it's an excellent policy.
I believe we must do everything possible to raise awareness of the serious impact of this tragic problem in our country. Conventional approaches do not always work effectively. Therefore, we have a moral obligation to use whatever creative (and ethical) options are available.
The truth hurts because it should. If it hurts us to see the star red, then we should continue to work to change the statistics so that the star will stay white.
I wonder whether the people who oppose having the star red would have a different perspective if they had been personally, permanently impacted by a driver who was under the influence.
KRISTINA K. SCHWARZ
WILLIS
Star should promote only civic pride
I DISAGREE with our star being used to denote negative occurrences such as drugs or death.
As a child in Roanoke, I watched the star being built, and I have always felt pride being from the ``Star City of the South.''
I believe the star was placed there to promote a positive feeling of pride in our city, and that it has brought a lot of recognition to Southwest Virginia and Roanoke.
JOYCE L. McCARTY
ROANOKE
White star has inspired many
PLEASE keep the star white at all times. It's so inspiring to be able to look at Mill Mountain and see the white star.
MARGARET E. MORGAN
ROANOKE
Let it be, just let it be
LEAVE the star alone!
MARY LOU HIATT
ROANOKE
A needed reflection on serious problems
WE LIKE it very much, and feel it must certainly cause everyone to reflect on the consequence of the accident, which is broadcast to the valley by the bright red color change of our Mill Mountain Star.
ROBERT and JOANNE SAYRE
ROANOKE
Think of it as a floral tribute
THE star's color is a matter of taste. Perhaps those who object to the red color would find it more agreeable if they think of it as an inspirational flag flown at half-staff or flowers in tribute to the dead.
Reminding people not to drink and drive is certainly a worthy cause, and the change is temporary.
We do have great problems on the mountain, and we shouldn't let personal preferences divide us. Lately, we have found that those of us who would be on the same side are being pitted against each other. This is a good reason to see red.
SUE COLLINS
ROANOKE
It makes us pay attention to the issue
YES, TURN the star red - bright red - and let it glow.
Maybe it will get some people's attention. Oh, how useless these deaths, how useless the tears.
Anyone who is guilty of this crime should be made to attend the funeral of those he or she killed.
EDWIN R. ROBERTSON
PEARISBURG
Battle must continue against drunken driving
YES, I think the star should be red following all drug- or alcohol-related fatalities.
This will serve as a reminder to other drivers, and, it is hoped, make an impact on youth who haven't started driving yet.
If you observe the number of beer bottles, liquor bottles, etc., along the roadside, you realize that we're still losing our battle against drunken drivers. We have a long way to go!
CINDY ROMANO
BLACKSBURG
Better to simply save the energy
TURNING the star red is utterly stupid.
This is based on the naive assumption that seeing a red star will cause drunks and druggies to correct their evil ways. If you believe that, I have a viaduct ramp downtown that I will sell you.
It would be better to turn the star off and save energy.
AL STEWART
ROANOKE
It may prompt improved behavior
THE RED star sends a message that someone in the vicinity has lost a life as a result of drinking and driving.
It's wise to remind us. Just maybe, it will be the means for saving a few lives, even though a drunken driver isn't likely to be very reasonable. At least, it tends to make the rest of us think.
MARY JANE VADEN
ROANOKE
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