LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

By Staff Reports

Published: January 1, 2009

County Should Consider Alternative Solutions

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Though I don't agree with all of the recommendations, I respect the work that has gone into addressing them. The three areas where I would want to consider further innovation are:

(1) The accepted use of trailers (253 trailers in our schools). Trailers are a temporary tool, not a solution.

(2) The development of alternatives to bricks-and-mortar schools; consider including parents in the solution. Has anyone considered providing parents who would like to stay home and teach their children the tools and incentives necessary to do so? It seems to me Chesterfield owes a debt of gratitude to those parents who currently homeschool their kids.

(3) The need to increase resources through taxes and/or a bond referendum. Given today's economic situation, which in my opinion will be with us for some time, we should be identifying ways to live within our budget -- not finding ways to expand it.

You can find the task force's presentation at http://www.chesterfieldk12.va.us.

Douglas Williams. Midlothian.

Stop Trying to Blame Va. Tech Administration

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

It is human nature to second-guess any tragedy. There are always things that would be done differently if all the facts and the eventual outcome were known before a disaster occurs. Trying to dig up and point blame after the fact serves no useful purpose.

One person and one person alone bears the responsibility for the shootings at Virginia Tech. That person is Seung-Hui Cho. It is time to cease the crusade against a school that has grieved like no other university in American history. The entire Tech family has worked tirelessly to care for and counsel the loved ones and families of the victims. As a parent, I would feel the same loss and emotions. I have complete empathy for their feelings and I grieve with them and for them.

Virginia Tech, its administration, and Steger deserve better from a newspaper that I have enjoyed reading for more than 70 years. A free press is important, but it needs to be a responsible free press.

Cecil R. Maxson Jr. Henrico.

More Green Jobs Would Boost Economy

Editor, Times-Dispatch:

The phrase may be new, but green jobs aren't. They're in fields of technology, construction, manufacturing, and many more. The focus of any green job is to revitalize the sagging economy by investing in repowering, rebuilding, and refueling America for the 21st century.

Right now millions of Americans are considered green-collar workers, and with the right steps, millions more could join them in the industry instead of joining the unemployment line.

Green jobs are incredibly important because not only do they help the person bringing home a paycheck, but all of us benefit by getting a country that's self-sufficient. Right now, our oil is imported, our coal has to be mined by literally blowing up mountains, and even 70 percent of our windmills are made overseas.

Instead of relying on foreign power and resources that are close to running out, I hope we'll get investments to manufacture and install clean energy that makes us independent and, frankly, smart.

Jay C. Ford. Richmond.