ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, February 22, 1997 TAG: 9702240005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Judge Bounds gives kids value lessons
REGARDING your Feb. 15 news article about Judge Joseph Bounds, ``Some say he's crossed a line'':
I believe the public is entitled to a clearer picture of their Juvenile Court judge.
Bounds indeed crosses lines. He effectively crosses the line into many of the juveniles' minds to firmly remind them of constructive priorities and values this commonwealth seeks to uphold.
To take out of its proper context his statement that a young lady was ``so cute he'd take her home in a New York minute'' is an act of tricky semantics, of which the press is often guilty. In the quote's proper context, it's a direct form of positive reinforcement, which I am sure Bounds and others who work with youths realize is helpful in giving people the necessary confidence and ambition to reform.
Although his statement was clearly not to be taken literally, I know the girl would have been fortunate to be ``taken home in a New York minute'' by Bounds and his family because he symbolizes the necessary quality-upbringing that we all deserve.
It's a shame that more citizens in our city cannot meet this judge for themselves and make a more accurate judgment about this noble man.
ROBERT P. FRALIN
ROANOKE
Many enjoy peaceful retreat
MILL MOUNTAIN Garden Club members have a special relationship with Mill Mountain, and we feel strongly about its future. We want it to continue to be Roanoke Valley's centerpiece. Keep it as is.
Remember how unique was Crossroads, the valley's first shopping mall, when it was built? Is it unique now? We don't want Mill Mountain to look like any other place. We want its integrity to remain.
In 1974, Carl Andrews, chairman of the Mill Mountain Development Committee, approached our garden club to help design and maintain a wildflower garden on 21/2 acres of land on top of the mountain. Under the leadership of Betty Winfree, Loulie Eggleston and Emily Ann Mason, the land became an outdoor laboratory where conservation methods were practiced. These included composting leaves to make soil, transplanting native wildflowers from nearby lands that were being developed for housing and roadways, and propagating plants through seed collection and division of plants. The garden has received awards from the Garden Club of America and the Garden Club of Virginia. It is still funded and maintained by our members.
Our members also give tours to groups that come here to see a wildflower garden of indigenous species in a natural setting in the middle of a city. The mountain has become a peaceful retreat for visitors. People from as far away as Germany have enjoyed its uniqueness. The comments are always the same: Keep the mountain as a natural preserve.
We're fortunate that our valley leaders have had the insight to prohibit commercial development. The railway incline and Rockledge Inn, the first home of Mill Mountain Theater, are gone. The theater properly moved off the mountain, and is now a mainstay of Center in the Square, another treasured Roanoke landmark.
Mill Mountain has the zoo, the star, its vistas, our garden, wilderness trails, wild animals and plants. We hope it will also become an integral part of the greenways system. But it isn't a place for commercial development. It's a physical and spiritual place for Roanokers to share among themselves and with visitors, and to preserve for future generations to come.
BELLE SMITH
President
ANNE JENNINGS
Conservation Chairman
Mill Mountain Garden Club
ROANOKE
Tabloid treatment of Habitat
THE MISSION statement of Habitat for Humanity of the Roanoke Valley is ``to improve the lives of God's families in need by providing affordable, quality homes in partnership with homeowners and volunteers for the enhancement of our community.''
Happily, our organization fulfills this mission well. But we're constantly searching for additional sponsors, manpower and financial support.
In a package of Associated Press articles that ran on Feb. 9, one story from Buffalo, N.Y., was entitled, ``My life was fine until they [HFH] got into it.'' The headline suggests tabloid sensationalism at its very worst. The biased presentation didn't become less offensive until after more than just one brief reading. Most likely, many readers didn't realize that this article referred to an unusual exception to the rule as well as to a deeply disturbed woman.
The entire Habitat for Humanity organization - dedicated and hard-working volunteers, personnel and homeowners - is a very special asset to our valley. It makes me sad to see such negative journalism about Habitat highlighted in this newspaper.
SANDY LIGHT
Board of Directors member
Habitat for Humanity
ROANOKE
Government has become a threat
THE NEW England Journal of Medicine calls the threat of government action against doctors who prescribe marijuana ``inhumane.''
What else might we expect from Attorney General Janet Reno? She gave the OK for the incineration of men, women and children at Waco.
I do not use marijuana; I do not suffer from intractable pain or nausea; and I am not a follower of any cult. However, this administration preaches a good game of compassion and practices tyranny.
JUDITH N. CATES
BLACKSBURG
LENGTH: Long : 108 linesby CNB