Fund Teachers -- Not Snowplows
Editor, Times-Dispatch: The big story recently was about the less than lightening-fast cleanup of Richmond city streets following the recent snowstorm and Mayor Dwight Jones's proposed solution to this problem. Given the relative infrequency of significant snowfall in Richmond, I suggest we consider whether the money might be better spent elsewhere.
Recently, a much less prominent story detailed a proposal to cut a Spanish immersion program from city schools. It's interesting that the savings from the Spanish program ($200,000) is just about the same as the cost of the proposed additional snow-removal equipment and manpower.
I don't know whether a Spanish immersion program for kindergartners and first graders is worth that much money, but these two stories illustrate a problem with our priorities. Most thinking people would agree that teachers are worth more than snowplows that won't get used most years. Come on, folks, is a street that is cleaned a single day earlier really more important than your children's education?
Henrico Warriors Are a Proud Tribe
Editor, Times-Dispatch: I take issue with Katy Jackman's letter, "Don't Give Sculpture to Henrico High School," and her comment that the use of a warrior as a school mascot somehow makes the location of the beautiful piece of art, "Connecticut," inappropriate. The word warrior is racially neutral. It denotes a battle veteran or a soldier.
Henrico is peppered with Native American references on streets, parks, and schools. The choice of a Native American image to be associated with Henrico High was not done to mock or belittle, but to represent the nobility of the fight against surmountable odds.
There are many good reasons to choose Henrico High for the exhibition of the wonderful sculpture. It would symbolize the impact of art as it towers over the Center for the Arts at the school. It would be seen by thousands as they exit the countless events held at the Richmond Raceway complex. But more important, it would be a constant reminder of perseverance and strength that the Native American symbolizes.
As a former history teacher, I am forever grateful that the students at John Marshall, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry know about the contributions and the positive attributes that their namesakes had on our history.
Visible reminders are necessary to keep history alive. It would be a mistake to bury all cultural references to Native Americans. The Warriors of Henrico High regard all people, both past and present, as having worth and dignity. Connecticut could not find a better home. Nancy LaVier.
Richmond.
Va. Senators Made Well-Informed Votes
Editor, Times-Dispatch: Recently you have published many letters questioning the ethics of Sens. Mark Warner and Jim Webb because they voted for the Senate's imperfect health insurance reform bill. The criticism gives the appearance of an orchestrated campaign against any change in the health system.
Perhaps the senators' ethics were informed by the fact that more than 30 million additional Americans will have access to health coverage. Perhaps their ethics were informed by the fact that, according to the Congressional Budget Office, the funding methods will reduce the budget deficit in 10 years by $109 billion more than sticking with the status quo. Perhaps their ethics were informed by the fact that denial of coverage due to pre-existing conditions, recission (refusal to honor signed insurance contracts), and other egregious abuses by insurance companies would be made illegal.
The ethics of Warner and Webb were informed by facts. Extending better insurance to more people is ethical, though Medicare for all would be better. The deals required to get the Senate health bill raise this ethical question: Why does it take 60 percent of the Senate to get things the majority wants, like the public option, but only 50 percent to get what wealthy corporations want?
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