ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608020009
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
TODAY I picked up the newspaper to read about another young person whose life has come to an untimely end. (July 29 news article, ``Hurt Park resident killed.'')
My heart is sad and heavily burdened to watch what is supposed to be the future of our nation going down the tubes. AIDS, drugs and unnecessary violence are taking what could be productive, promising lives and turning them into complete ruin.
I am burdened for all our young people because we are all God's creation, but I am especially burdened for our African-American children. Our forefathers and mothers went through so much so that we could have better lives and, in some cases, all their efforts seem to have been for nothing. Is this what they intended?
Many of these young people are persons I know, or have known or am familiar with. Quite frankly, I am tired of it. I am tired of this self-destruction being accepted as the norm. I thank God for the youth who are leading good productive lives, but in my opinion one life that we lose or that goes astray on drugs is too many.
It is time for people who are sick and tired of this situation to come forth, and to find answers and solutions to these problems. Get involved. Don't be afraid to talk to our youth. If every concerned adult tries to help just one troubled youth, look how far we could get. Let's stop assuming that it is someone else's problem. The responsibility is ours. Our churches are too full on Saturday and Sunday mornings to have so much destruction on our streets during the week.
LAVERNE DICKERSON BASHAM
ROANOKE
Eyesores are in the beholders' mind
IN RESPONSE to Elissa McLenky's July 26 story, ``A Star is Born,'' I was fascinated to read that two complaints were filed over Sid Shaver's star barn. It was equally fascinating to see that town officials reacted so swiftly to harass this man.
I wonder if these whiners ever considered what an eyesore their very homes are, located on that once-beautiful rolling farmland.
ALAN SMITH
McCOY
Airlifting has saved many lives
I WOULD like to thank Mark Morrison for his very interesting and informative article of July 21,``The Golden Hour of Life-Guard 10.'' This is a wonderful service in the community. Stovall, Lovell, McKinney and all of the nurses, pilots and paramedics have a special thanks from our family.
While enjoying Smith Mountain Lake on Aug. 7, 1989, my son Michael was involved in an accident. He was pulled from the water unconscious with a head wound, transported to Rocky Mount Hospital, then airlifted to Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
I was able to thank the emergency-room staff and all who worked with Michael during his three days at the hospital. It's seven years later, and I'm still thanking the crew members who airlifted him. I hope that Life-Guard 10 members feel this appreciation. Michael is a healthy 16-year old because of their dedication.
CATHY NODINE
UNION HALL
All will benefit from power line
IN RESPONSE TO Margaret A. Roston's July 24 letter to the editor, ``Beauty is worth more than power'': I have no problem with a person writing letters about how he or she feels about a particular subject, but please do not include me as one of those you say you speak for in Southwest Virginia.
I find it very interesting that a person in the high-tech consultant business is so opposed to progress. I cannot help but wonder if Ms. Roston convinces her clients to throw away their computers and go back to their slide rules and mechanical calculators.
There are two new computer-chip plants due to open soon in Eastern and Northern Virginia - Motorola and IBM. A lot of kilowatts are required to maintain the environment clean enough to manufacture computer chips, which Ms. Roston presumably sells or recommends buying in computer applications. I suppose she does not favor the construction of these plants either.
How long will it take us to realize that we all live from the efforts of others, be it electric-power generation, transmission and distribution, or the computer industry? AEP, Motorola and IBM are all responsible profit-making companies and benefit a large segment of this country's working public. So please consider that what's good for these companies is going to be good for us in the long term.
JAMES A. KING, JR.
CLOVERDALE
College welcomes state's oversight
I WRITE to clarify recent news reports regarding actions taken by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia relating to the status of two academic programs at Virginia Western Community College.
The media accurately reported that SCHEV approved the termination of Virginia Western's architectural-technology program and will monitor the progress (in terms of graduation rates) of the college's radio-television production-technology curriculum.
Both actions were the result of Virginia Western's efforts to make all of its programming, on a continuing basis, more substantive and efficient. Regarding architectural technology, the college, after a lengthy assessment, merged this program with an existing civil-engineering technology curriculum. Research conducted by VWCC's engineering and industrial research division indicates this merger will prove much more responsive to both students and the surrounding business and industrial community. SCHEV simply validated this cost-effective merger.
Virginia Western will continue monitoring the progress of all its academic offerings, including the radio-television production technology curriculum. SCHEV's action regarding this program encourages a process that has been in place for decades, and one that is pursued vigorously at the local level by public colleges and universities throughout Virginia. VWCC will continue to refine and improve various elements of that program to ensure that it is responsive to a rapidly changing industry.
SCHEV's review of these important programs is expected and encouraged. Its actions validate Virginia Western's commitment to serve the citizens of this region in an effective and responsive manner.
WAYNE R. MICHIE
Division Chairman Virginia Western Community College
ROANOKE
Bias continues against motorcycles
AS I live in a country that no longer tolerates discrimination based on age, sex, race, religion or national origin, I am appalled that many businesses in the Roanoke Valley that will not serve people because of the type of vehicle they have.
Can you imagine the uproar if Valley View Mall refused to serve those who drove Fords? How would the public react to being told that people could no longer wear green shirts while shopping in Tanglewood Mall?
Unfortunately, this type of arbitrary discrimination is increasing. The number of establishments that will not allow motorcycles and/or motorcyclists on their premises becomes larger with each passing year.
Where is the justification for this bias? I cannot recall any media coverage in recent history of motorcyclists' misconduct in the Roanoke Valley. However, I do recall articles about motorcycle clubs and organizations that raise money for many charitable causes.
Motorcycling in today's environment - with the high cost of bikes, equipment and insurance - requires a stable lifestyle and a good-paying job. Are owners of these fine establishments aware of the median income for owners of large motorcycles? Do they have any idea how much disposable income they're refusing to allow through their doors? I doubt it.
The American Motorcyclist Association has gone to court in several localities to fight this type of discrimination. Let common sense and fair play prevail here. We ask not for special status, only to be judged on our individual merits.
MELVIN R. SMITH JR.
PENHOOK
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