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This time, select the right superintendent

Whenever we search for a new superintendent for the Roanoke schools, let's look for local talent.

There is bound to be someone from the Roanoke area who can meet the qualifications. If not, then we are in a pretty pickle when it comes to educating our children.

What the powers-that-be have done when selecting a leader for our schools is an unspeakable injustice to our children, their parents, dedicated teachers and the taxpayers.

Without meaning to offend anyone, I beg them to get it right this time. If they feel they cannot, then move on over and let someone else do the job. Please.

The stink on scents

Many people in the Roanoke Valley are unaware of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, though it is estimated to affect between 6 and 30 percent of the population. Individuals with MCS have a hypersensitive reaction to exposure to low levels of certain chemicals.

The hypersensitivity may manifest as an inability to tolerate, for example, scented products: perfumes, colognes, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, deodorants, shampoos, hair gels.

Symptoms involve multiple organ systems and may include irritated sinuses, itchy eyes, headache, earache, mental confusion, heart palpitations, aching joints, etc.

Why should you care if others suffer from your "mountain fresh" scented fabric softener? Because it may be affecting you, too.

You or family members may have headaches, "allergies," anxiety, difficulty learning in school, depression and irritability.

For most people, constant exposure leads to desensitization. You may be unwittingly poisoning yourself and your children.

It is no wonder a certain line of perfume is called "Poison." For those of us with MCS, that's precisely what it is.

Everyone should learn how to ask for help

In the wake of the massacre at Virginia Tech, I want to add a bit of advice to counselors and teachers.

Please help psychiatric clients and children discern how to ask for help. Asking for help is an art; it takes understanding your own needs and identifying who can help with your situation.

Often in society, we are taught to "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps." This independent thinking has its place, but it is essential that we work cooperatively as a society for the health and benefit of one another.

Perhaps Seung-Hui Cho wasn't practiced in asking for help. It may be that asking for help could have prevented the massacre.

Asking for help is a much better deterrent than gun control, and every child should be taught this and how to discern how to ask for help.

As much as we try to work independently, it is a comforting reality that we are all working and enjoying together. Let's learn how to do it well.

Embracing tradition and progression

Thank you for the heartwarming editorial (May 5, "Colors of mourning") on the Korean community pulling out of Local Colors this year. It truly expresses the importance of understanding and respecting each culture.

Local Colors' yearlong program was created with that mission, to be proud of our heritage and to keep our traditions alive, and at the same time to acclimate to life in America and become positive American citizens.

This is wherein lies the difference between the elders' traditional thinking and the younger second-generation's progressive thinking.

We are still seeking and working toward that delicate balance. The ultimate goal is for a peaceful and kinder world.

Founder/Executive Director

Local Colors

Filling the cavity of affordable dental care

I would like to commend all the dentists, nurses, hygienists, dental assistants and volunteers who gave their time and money to put on the dental clinic at the Roanoke Civic Center (May 5 Business section article, "Smiling with relief and healthy teeth").

I have thought for many years that something like that needed to be done. There are so many people, uninsured and/or underinsured, who are in dire need of some dental care.

A lot of people don't realize that if you have poor dental health, it affects your whole body. Those of us who are insured or have the funds to pay for dental care are very lucky.

I hope this will become an annual event or, better yet, that some type of regular dental clinic can be established for these patients. There is such a great need for it.

A need to speak of the unspeakable

Thank you, Mary Boenke, (May 6 letter to the editor, "Cho's family carries a terrible burden") for extending compassion to Seung-Hui Cho and his family, as we seek to embrace and understand others in order to become a community again.

I would like to suggest that the "unspeakable personal issues" mentioned in the letter might refer to what is often still considered a socially taboo topic -- childhood emotional, sexual and physical abuse, which quietly contributes immensely to adult populations in jails and mental hospitals and wreaks lasting harm in the lives of survivors.

The more we can speak about the unspeakable, the more we can learn, the more we can watch over children, the more we can intervene and heal, the more we can discover how to protect both children and the fragile fabric of community.

Reader finds balanced coverage in The Times

I see where one reader says The Roanoke Times is not a credible source of information (May 7 letter to the editor from Bill Austin, "Balance lacking in opinion column"). Seems he reads it and even takes the time to respond his disapproval.

That is good. At least the reader is thinking, although his thinking is very irrational. Maybe in time he will see his error.

Austin calls himself a conservative. There are rational conservatives, but I believe he falls into the category of "one who worships at the graves of yesterday's liberals."

America needs liberals. They stand up for liberty, justice for all, and have the good sense to let go of prejudicial philosophy.

I find The Times a balanced newspaper. I don't agree with everything, but don't expect to with a balanced reporting newspaper.

Men would step up if they had custody

Some assumptions:

n Most men don't want to support their children.

n They had their fun and just want off the hook.

n They must be forced to pay child support.

n Birth mothers are better parents and most biological fathers are just selfish, irresponsible people.

I challenge these assumptions.

Let's take a poll asking only one question: How many fathers would willingly support their children if they were given sole custody?

Will you help me with this?

Clearing the smoke on manly cigarettes

After reading the news article on Camel cigarettes for women (May 4, "Camel No. 9 doesn't quite smell like Chanel No. 9"), I wondered if anyone remembers a cigarette for women that came out around 1942?

I remember being in Miss Clara Black's drama class at Jefferson Senior High School that year and sitting in the auditorium watching a rehearsal of a play with her.

She was smoking a cigarette with a red tip and I was fascinated to see such an unusual cigarette. It was a Marlboro cigarette, and I guess the company had to come out with the Marlboro Man to counteract any idea that it was a woman's cigarette.