THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 14, 1995 TAG: 9505110209
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 34 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Long : 127 lines
In response to Robert V. ``Bobby'' Owens Jr.'s fatuous statement in the May 5 Virginian-Pilot that ``. . . Piping Plovers do not buy T-shirts,'' I would counter that there are enough hotels, taxpayers and T-shirt buyers on the Outer Banks. There are enough kite-fliers and off-road drivers. There are not enough nesting sites for the Plovers.
You imply that since the Plover's existence does not economically benefit Dare County, it does not deserve protection from our destructive enterprises. You are wrong. I find it disgraceful that the county's own chairman is so shortsighted. When the existence of a species hangs in the balance, it is time to put personal greed aside, Mr. Owens, and learn from our past mistakes. You are right about one thing, though: ``Enough is enough.'' Too many species have gone by the wayside in our foolish rush to make a fast buck. It is time to recognize that species do not have to justify their presence in terms of economic worth.
Share the beach.
Dale Ball
Moyock Somewhat vindicated
The unanimous decision of the North Carolina Appeals Court on May 2 somewhat vindicated those of us who believed the Edenton Seven were railroaded by the system of justice in North Carolina.
It is very difficult to fight off psychoneurosis that becomes epidemic - as it did in Edenton. One person with a vendetta can destroy all sense of reason in a community of normal people. A vendetta is very, very potent when it involves children and sex.
Attorney General Mike Easley and his team of prosecutors exploited the fact that courtrooms give children protections the rest of society is not entitled to. They took full advantage of a judge who allowed them to vilify the defendants. That's all! Two jury trials proved this strategy worked. BUT IT WAS NOT FAIR!
What are innocent people to do? Plea bargain? But you are innocent. And there are no reparations for persons falsely accused or imprisoned.
More than six years have passed. What would have happened had the Edenton Seven Committee and others interested in justice not protested this whole charade?
Wilbur A. Culpepper
Elizabeth City Still frightened
Fear recaptured the 9-year-old, much as it had six years ago when last he left Bob Kelly's day care. Lingering fears gripped many of Kelly's victims when the appellate court overturned his 99 guilty verdicts. So most of us parents focused on our first responsibility, taking care of our children, rather than dealing with media questions. A week later, the little boy is still too frightened to ride his bike around the block; but we have realized that we must speak.
Our children - and your children - are the reasons we choose to expose ourselves to a cynical press and a skeptical public once again. At the time Bob Kelly was brought to justice, it was too late to save our children. Whether or not we charged him for his horrific crimes, he was never going to hurt our children again. Yet, we had (and have) a moral duty to our children and other children. NONE of the ``editors,'' ``newscasters'' or ``journalists'' heard the whole truth like the jury did - which is why juries determine the verdicts.
Consider our criminal justice system. Its purpose should be to punish the criminals and protect society from their evils. The key to that system is the courage and integrity of the people. Now, the choice to be courageous is the choice to be persecuted and violated. We forget the victims - unless we live with them. Our wounds from media distortions heal. Our memories of Kelly's manipulation of ``the system'' fade. But the genuine fears of our sons and daughters persist.
We call on all parents and grandparents to stand in our situation. What would you do if you knew your little ones had been sexually abused? Would you seek justice? Would the evils be so overwhelming that no one would have the courage to stand for right with you? When remembering our ordeal, would you be able to endure the years of trauma and persecution? We implore our fellow North Carolinians to ponder those questions. Think of your own families. How would you react if they were victims? Join us in requesting that the North Carolina Supreme Court uphold these verdicts.
If the court denies the opinions of two separate juries that found both defendants guilty, the innocent victims will be under attack again. Do helpless child victims forget the brutality of rape, sodomy and crimes against nature? A more significant question is: Do we in North Carolina want to pry those agonizing details from them once more?
True, many are old enough to realize that Bob Kelly can't work his threatened evil to kill their families. But others still draw pictures of their visions of safety: pictures of heaven and guardian angels because they say, ``I know Mr. Bob won't be in Heaven.''
We must take a stand against re-victimization of the innocent. Don't interrupt the healing that is emerging in these courageous young ones. Refuse to allow the media to create a ``circus'' in our noble state. Child sexual abuse can no longer be allowed or excused in North Carolina.
Garry M. and Jean L. Smith
Audrey and Mark Stever
Chris and Grace Bean
Dillard and Susan Dixon
Randy and Margie Hollowell
Jay and Debbie Swicegood
Julie and Larry Spivey
Susan and Morris Small
Peggy Brooks
Parents of children involved in the Little Rascals sex-abuse case. Mayor says thanks
Very seldom do I write letters to the editor. However, I feel there are certain issues or events that merit such a response. One such event that has recently occurred in the town of Kill Devil Hills was the back-to-back fire calls at Miller's Restaurant and The Pet Gallery.
The response of the Kill Devil Hills' Fire Department, police department and all support groups including the animal control office was far above the norm. The result of this high level of response was the saving of both structures and the lives of many animals.
Appreciation is also in order for Harry Seymour, director of the county's Emergency Medical Service units. They certainly provide excellent support for the firefighters and everyone involved.
In speaking for the Board of Commissioners of the town of Kill Devil Hills, a word of thanks and a ``job well done'' are in order. All of you are truly an asset to not only the town, but the whole Outer Banks.
Terry Gray
Mayor
Kill Devil Hills by CNB