Sound off! Sept. 10, 09

An apology from the editor

My mother taught me to always apologize when you error, even if it was unintentional. In Wednesday’s edition, we ran a Sound off! submission criticizing the judging philosophy of the Roanoke Valley Junior Miss competition. While the discussion of the criteria and application of subjective standards is proper fodder for Sound off! debate, we inadvertently allowed lines directly critical of a very talented and bright young lady whom after months of hard work was chosen by an out-of-town judging panel as the winner. This was an error on our part. It should not have run. Each young lady who participates in the program is a winner. The one chosen as Miss Roanoke Valley in the perspective of the judges was shown to be the best of the best. We apologize for allowing any reference, which may have demeaned her accomplishments or those of any other of the contestants.

John F. Moeur

Managing Editor

Mother speaks out

As the mother of a former Junior Miss contestant I was appalled your paper published the article in the first place allowing a jealous mother to vent in your forum and not deleting the lines which were a direct attack on Roanoke Valley Junior Miss 2010. The judges for this event are not only qualified to judge scholarship pageants such as RVJM, but none of them are local or have any ties to this area. Allowing this to run unedited was an insult not only to the winner, but to all former participants and to the program itself. The person who submitted the article to Sound off!, although she did not clarify this, directly quoted the Junior Miss program book in describing the program in the beginning but went on to say too much emphasis was given to grades. If she had quoted the same book further she would have been forced to admit scholastic achievement only accounts for 20 percent of the overall score. The winner of Roanoke Valley Junior Miss won not only because of grades, but she placed in every category of the pageant.

Controlling health care costs

Everyone in the political arena continues to discuss how health care can and will be paid for. I have yet to hear any suggestions of how health care costs can be controlled. If you have to go to the hospital you don’t shop for a room as you do with a motel. If you need surgery you don’t get bids on the cost of the operation from different surgeons. How should the prices charged for medical care be controlled? I have yet to hear it discussed .

Nothing is free

Recently, several people have sounded off about the privileged and well to do who have health insurance and are opposed to reform which benefits others. Leading national political leaders have taken the same approach, or was it the message was promulgated down? Have you considered that a vast majority of people went and took jobs which paid health and medical benefits? The choice was medical benefits instead of more pay at the end of the week. Some people opt for more instant pay and do not have such benefits. Or they opt for not getting more education or in not getting off their addictions or not getting off their lazy butts. I support taxpayer funded health benefits for helpless children (regardless of how they got that way), the really poor and those with “pre-existing” conditions, which most conditions are. I do not support free health care for illegals, the lazy parasitic bunch or Congress. We have some problems which can all be corrected in a more affordable manner than the party in power and President are pushing. Those of us privileged are also going to be the ones paying for the unfortunate. We are not your enemy. But there is a limit to what you can get without effort. You get what you work for. Nothing is really free, regardless of what people running for office might say.

A job well done

To Officer (Chris) Woodruff, your service to this community is beyond satisfactory. Your eagerness to provide the Valley with K-9 protection is very much admirable. As a firefighter in the county I’d like to extend my deepest gratitude. I remember nights listening to the emergency band and a foot chase would ensue. Someone would say “Someone call Chris and get Brando down here.” What seemed like literally a few minutes someone else would advise code 4. You’d make it a point to get out of your bed at whatever time of day or night to see to it we can all sleep peacefully. I’d be honored to scratch Brando’s belly let alone own him. Your partner. Your friend. A million thanks because no one can ever replace that wonderful dog. Take care!

Attention Seaboard:

Citizens of Seaboard, the wool is being pulled over eyes and the wolf is guarding the chicken house.

Health plan needed

It is disgusting for someone who has health insurance to imply someone who does not is irresponsible. Are those people who are thrown out of work and lose their insurance irresponsible? Are those people and families barely making above the minimum wage who can’t afford health insurance premiums, irresponsible? Are those whose insurance is canceled because of their health irresponsible? America needs a national health plan.

Clean up the park

When is the city going to clean up Emry Park?

Congressman wrong

Congressman G.K. Butterfield needs to get his facts straight … He’s the one offering misconceptions.

Parking owes

Something needs to be done about the parking at the medical facility across from the high school … I couldn’t get in for my doctors appointment because of all the people waiting for their youngsters. Something must be done.

Earned it

I am on Social Security and Medicare and I worked 40 years to earn it.