Let's support methadone clinic's director

I sometimes have to look around and ask, "Why can't we look for the good in a situation? Why can't we be happy for a person when he or she gets a break in life or that promotion or job that will make the difference in their life? Why must we always look for something negative to discredit the individual?"

I am talking about the recent announcement from CRC Health Corp. concerning the appointment of a director for the proposed methadone clinic. I, like many others in Northwest Roanoke, are disturbed about the proposed clinic. I have attended meetings to show and voice my concerns, but I have become resigned to the fact that it is going to happen. The law is on the side of the methadone clinic.

After attending a meeting about two months ago, a couple of other pastors and I asked, if the clinic opens, what job opportunities would there be for minorities? Would the faces of the staff reflect the community? The answer was that if we can find persons in our community who are qualified, every effort would be made to hire them.

Well, that has happened. Letitia E. Malone has been hired as the director. She has been a member of our community since 1997 working in our judicial system. A native of New York, having held positions of corrections officer and youth specialist for juvenile offenders in Atlanta and St. Louis. She has served as juvenile justice administrator in Roanoke. She holds a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice, Masters of Arts in legal studies and paralegal certification and is currently working on her Doctorate. She is no stranger to hard work. She is acutely aware of the community's reservations concerning the clinic and knows the ramifications if something goes wrong. That is a lot of pressure to place on an individual and yet she steps up to the plate and takes the challenge.

Aside from the clinic not opening, what more can we ask? She has already committed to "running a tight ship." She has a vision for youth and community programs during the clinic's off hours. She has a desire to make a difference in this community.

What has disturbed me is that some of us have raised questions about her personally because of her perceived associations. I cry foul. All of us have gotten to where we are because of the help of somebody else. None of us have pulled ourselves up by our own bootstraps. Who has not asked a relative to put our name in for a position at the plant? Who has not asked a friend to put in a good word for us at Human Relations? It is done all the time. The only question that has to be answered is if the applicant is qualified. The answer in this situation is unequivocally "yes."

I am impressed because Ms. Malone is not walking into a situation scratching her head. She has suggested to CRC Health Corp. recommendations on how to make this methadone clinic work and how to become a good neighbor. I say let's give the sister a chance -- and not only give her a chance but unite behind her and give her our support.