DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711130012

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  105 lines

LETTERS TO EDITOR -- THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

ELECTION '97

Kid's Vote teaches

an important lesson

The city of Norfolk should be commended for setting aside an area for children to vote during the recent election via Kid's Vote. Each of my three children ``voted'' during the day and happily related their experiences to the children in their school.

This Kid's Vote action prompted a serious discussion on the meaning of civic responsibility and the issues surrounding the elections. We even discussed why we voted for whom. My children, who attend school in Portsmouth, proudly sported a round sticker on their chests attesting to the fact that they had cast a ballot.

Actions of this nature teach our children about the right to vote and are a positive approach to educating the next generation. Kudos to Norfolk's inclusion of the next generation.

Jincy Hayes

Norfolk, Nov. 5, 1997

Your Voice, Your Vote

a helpful forum, too

Over the past several months, WVEC, WHRO, LNC and The Virginian-Pilot conducted an experiment - Your Voice, Your Vote. As a participant of the citizens panel, I wish to express my appreciation to this partnership for providing this forum for ordinary citizens to address issues the citizens were concerned about and to have an open and candid conversation with the two candidates for governor.

It was a pleasure to participate in the discussions, where a broad spectrum of ideas and concepts were debated. I hope the partnership continues this forum.

James Koziana

Suffolk, Nov. 5, 1997

PARENTING

Spread the word:

Adoption's an option

As a prospective adoptive parent, it has become increasingly more difficult to read about young parents and baby sitters shaking to death infants for crying or soiling their diapers. It is also truly upsetting to read about young girls who think that their lives are ruined because they are pregnant and think that the only solution is to ``get rid of it.'' Every time I read about these babies being thrown in trash cans or hidden in closets, I wish there was some way I could help these young mothers realize that there are hundreds of couples, including my husband and me, who would be happy to adopt these children and love them as their own.

Some people still have the image of birth mothers hiding out, having their babies whisked away before they ever see them and spending the rest of their lives being tormented by their ``secret.'' But the adoption process has come a long way since those days.

A new and refreshing option is the open-adoption process. Birth parents can actually choose and meet with the prospective adoptive parents to discuss the child's future, exchange critical information and come to an agreement regarding how much contact will be comfortable for everyone. This contact can be as simple as the adoptive family providing pictures and progress reports to the birth parents or can even include future visits, depending on the circumstances.

As a member of Families Through Adoption, a local adoption support group, I have seen firsthand how wonderful the adoption process can be when it is the right solution for everyone involved. Any woman or young girl facing this situation should at least consider the option of adoption.

Tracey Antley

Chesapeake, Nov. 5, 1997

PRISONS

Taking a ``bite''

out of crime run amok

During a short trip to Richmond, I was appalled to see Patrick Guerney, warden of Powhatan Correctional Center, in handcuffs on the evening news. The far-reaching hand of ``tough on crime,'' in its overzealous nature, has now entered the home for this Department of Corrections administrative staff member. Guerney is charged with biting his wife and 7-year-old stepson.

As responsible citizens, we are guilty of overlooking too many DOC incidents, unacceptable behaviors of employees, vast amounts of dollars poured into prisons instead of schools and an excess of beds in the near future. We have permitted political rhetoric and fear tactics to run our lives in the name of public safety. Governor Allen is now espousing that crime is down in Virginia because of his ``no parole'' plan. In fact, beginning in 1993, crime was already on the decline across the nation. For the past several years, adult crime has declined (because of the age variable, not a legislative act), and juvenile crime has skyrocketed.

Many of us are putting the Department of Corrections as well as the courts on notice that we are closely watching the disposition of this case, as well as the fact that Mr. Guerney is on paid vacation leave. Biting is an act of violence, pure and simple. We expect Corrections and the courts to be as quick to find justice and use truth in sentencing in this man's life as it is with every other human being charged accordingly.

Al Steinmeier

Chesapeake, Oct. 23, 1997

WASH DAY

20 years has made a big difference

Regarding the photograph of lingerie hanging to dry aboard the Theodore Roosevelt which recently appeared in The Virginian-Pilot, I thought you might enjoy the enclosed cartoon which I have saved for 20 years.

Robert T. Sollenberger

Captain, U.S. Navy (ret.)

Virginia Beach, Oct. 21, 1997

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu