Published: May 18, 2008 09:08 pm         

Our Readers Speak - Monday, May 19, 2008

WVU, W.Va. do not need further insult



Your characterizations of this debacle as a “small earthquake” and concern about it as “minor aftershocks” shouldn’t bother me. But they do.

Just one alumni’s opinion, mind you, but for any of us to claim all this is a minor occurrence or that there’s no lasting damage suggests lack of understanding of the impact of this situation.

What’s happened to and at my alma mater isn’t just a black eye. Yes, those do heal, typically without scars.

But who or what will undo the long-term academic derision WVU has earned? Will its current administration? Will any staff or faculty participant in this mess? Will politicians? No.

Nor will editorials with trivializing statements like yours that politics are influential at other universities. Who cares? That doesn’t validate, excuse or alleviate what occurred and is occurring in Morgantown.

The people of West Virginia, whose university WVU is or should be, as well as WVU faculty, students and alumni — distinguished, valued or otherwise — deserve better resolution of this issue. They don’t deserve the insult of how it’s been handled thus far.

Wasn’t there enough ridicule coming toward the Mountain State, without tainting current or future WVU diplomas and the university’s reputation? Apparently not.



C. Kenna Amos

Princeton



ATV group supports restrictive safety rules



Your recent series on ATV safety highlighted some of what the ATV Safety Institute considers to be the Golden Rules for ATV safety: Always wear a helmet and other protective gear, stay off of paved and public roads, and never ride impaired by alcohol or other drugs. The ATV industry strongly supports the enactment and enforcement of state legislation that enhances ATV rider safety, and has long promoted the Specialty Vehicle Institute of America’s model state legislation that, among other things, mandates helmet use, prohibits operation on public roads, prohibits use while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and prohibits the carrying of passengers on a single-rider vehicle.

It should also be clarified that while North Carolina was at one time among a handful of states with absolutely no ATV safety legislation in place, as of December 2005 it became the state with arguably the most comprehensive ATV safety law in the nation, based almost entirely on SVIA’s model legislation.

National statistics show that the vast majority of ATV-related crashes occur from misuse of the vehicle and are easily preventable. It is important that all riders follow several basic safety recommendations every time they ride. These include taking an approved training course (visit www.atvsafety.org for courses in your area), riding an ATV that’s right for your age, actively supervising kids under 16, wearing proper protective gear, not carrying passengers on a single-rider ATV, and riding only on designated trails or areas in a responsible manner.



Kathy Van Kleeck

Specialty Vehicle Institute of America

Arlington, Va.