Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Too few maintenance funds to keep schools safe
Letters to the Editor
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Too few maintenance funds to keep schools safe
After reading the article "Teen dies of MRSA infection" (Oct. 16) and learning of the school's actions to prevent this from happening again, I felt inclined as a former Staunton River High student to state that this cleanup should have occurred much earlier.
As a senior in college, I am far removed from this high school but remember the issues that went unfixed in the past.
In 2002 Jefferson Forest closed at the end of the year, without exams, because of mold.
Staunton River's remodeling and lack of maintenance can encourage growth of bacteria and possibly threaten students' health. The locker rooms' cleanliness has been questioned for many years.
Most problems in public schools come from lack of funding. With proper funding, needed renovations and maintenance could be provided not as a superficial benefit but perhaps for the health of students.
It has not been determined if the infection took place at the school. But it is apparent that the protest made by students and the actions made by Bedford County officials signal that there is a problem.
This problem should be taken into account by the county and state when allocating funding to our public school systems.
City can't keep time
About six weeks ago, downtown Roanoke lost power for a little over an hour. Since then the downtown clock (located at Salem Avenue and Wall Street) has been wrong. Who is responsible for its maintenance?
In the time that is has been incorrect, we've had four Virginia Tech home games and numerous conventions at Hotel Roanoke. The civic center brings business to downtown. I wonder what visitors think when such details are overlooked.
Are we waiting for daylight saving time to end? At least on Nov. 4, the grand, old clock will be off by only a few minutes.
Ware represents the district well
The news article on Oct. 23, "Ware says career is effort to fulfill God's special plan," exposed Onzlee Ware as a man of integrity and honesty, with the life experience to represent everyone in the 11th District.
When matters require solutions, his decisions will be based on a wealth of knowledge that few in authority possess. His decisions will positively influence the poor, those who made past bad decisions, educated professionals and the financially secure. He is an undeniable example of potential and perseverance.
That article deepened my respect for Ware. He made no excuses nor blamed anyone else for his past. He decided he wanted a better life and set new goals and did all the hard work necessary to effect the changes that he desired.
Ware is an educated, articulate and well-rounded human being who has overcome overwhelming obstacles with his dignity intact. Those qualities allowed us to vote him into the House of Delegates four years ago.
Allow him to continue to represent the strength, decency and goodness in all of us who have the desire for the 11th District to continue to focus on the future, positive and fair.
We are hastening our own demise
The destruction of man from Earth is imminent.
Without man, its climate was already swinging between global warming and global cooling that geologists say resulted in eons of completely melted ice caps followed by ice ages. The Earth without man's influence was already a climate see-saw, a see-saw that now holds close to 6.6 billion humans on one side plus billions more weight from herds of livestock we raise to feed us.
Do the math, then add in the mined metal ore (that without us would have remained where it belonged), erecting it into solar energy-soaking skyscrapers and energy-soaking, asphalt-paved interstates over once-open farm country that exhaled life-sustaining oxygen.
Grasslands that used to evaporate water into the air are now gone (droughts), and roads and buildings are not giving anything back into the climate equation.
Plus, China is bringing two or more coal-fired power plants into production every week, the soot pollution resulting in an added aspect: global dimming, which if we lower makes the see-saw sprout wings.
Little we do in America can balance such an out-of-our-control equation. We're about to become extinct.
Thomas' intelligence is needed in Richmond
The good people of the 6th District have an opportunity to positively affect their community on Nov. 6. With Bill Thomas, they will be represented in Richmond by a person with the greatest ability to do the most.
Retired from the judicial system after more than 20 years, Thomas remains a strong advocate for safe and healthy families, educational opportunities for all citizens and forward-thinking economic development policies.
He is a listener, thinker, negotiator and compromiser. With his intelligence, these attributes will speak loudest for constituents.
Thomas says, "I believe that leadership is listening to the concerns of everyday people." Having known Thomas and his good works all of our lives, we can assure you that no one can say that with more conviction or honesty. Thomas' entire career is a testament to that statement. No one running for any public office anywhere today has more respect, integrity or people knowledge than Thomas.
Do not miss this opportunity to do something good for yourself and your community. We wholeheartedly endorse Thomas and ask our friends and those who might not know us so well to do the same.
Coulter must be one happy person
Re: Leonard Pitts' column "Ignoring Ann Coulter doesn't work" (Oct. 23):
If ignorance is indeed bliss, then Ann Coulter must be ecstatic.
Medicare coverage is a big gamble
My dentist suggested that I see an oral surgeon to have a growth removed from my lip.
I called the clinic to ask if they took Medicare and if Medicare would cover the procedure. I was told they could file the claim but would not know if Medicare would pay until the claim was processed.
I searched the official Medicare Web site for information but had no luck.
I finally called 1-800-MEDICARE and talked to a helpful representative. I asked if Medicare would pay for the surgical removal of a fibroma from my lip. I was told that it did cover 80 percent of the cost of outpatient surgery if it were a medical necessity. I then asked if removal of the fibroma would be considered a necessity. I was told the determination could not be made until the claim had been filed.
Just like shooting dice, you don't know whether you pay until the numbers come up.
Would you put your car in the shop if the insurance company told you they would decide whether or not they would pay for the repairs after the repairs were made?
