Published: November 07, 2009 08:47 pm      

Our Readers Speak - Nov. 8, 2009

Evaluate teachers, board members



Some of our Fayette County Board of Education members are asking the public to come up with a plan of action now that the bond has been defeated. Excuse me, isn’t that why you were elected by your district to listen to and to represent their school needs?

This whole bond issue wasn’t totally aimed at education; it was merely a chance to put some stars in people’s crowns. The public saw through the plan and voted it down. Buildings don’t teach students; teachers do. So isn’t that where the healing begins?

We have to acknowledge three types of students in our school system — above average, average and at-risk students. Each student type has particular needs in order to achieve.

Turn off the cell phones, the calculators and the computers for one day and try the communicating of teacher with student.

We need more hands-on teaching and less worksheet teaching. Many students are expressing the need for more one-on-one teaching in the classroom. Start evaluating our teachers according to their teaching ability, not by averaging test scores. Students are much more than test scores used to boost their teachers’ ego.

Working together is a good plan but that means a good, honest and open form of communication, not a dictatorship.

Some of our board members need to evaluate themselves as possibly being one reason the bond failed. How can people trust those who have openly deceived them?

Mr. Arritt mentioned upcoming board elections. I can see it now, another massacre for political power and promises. Somehow, I don’t think the voters of Fayette County will be “blinded by the campaign light” this time around, “if only we could turn back time.”



Peggy Farmer

Oak Hill



Gun ownership does not solve problems



Why do people keep spreading the word we are only safe when we have our shotgun? Some live a full rich life without ever owning a gun. The crime rate was really low in the days of the wild west, wasn’t it? The phrase people kill people is true due to the fact the weapon is readily available. Many times in the heat of passion a murder would not have taken place if the gun was not there. All people cannot use common sense so add a gun and what have you got?

Guns really controlled the situation on 9/11. All the weapons in the U.S. were to no avail. The false rumors Obama would take away your guns only fueled sales for gun manufacturers, which the rumor-mongers most likely owned stock in. They are laughing all the way to the bank while you hunters pay out the nose for your guns and ammo, if you can find it available.

All my life I’ve been told how to vote so my guns won’t be taken away. Nothing has changed since I was born; I still can buy a gun if I can afford it. Oh yes, the world was coming to an end and I’m still waiting. A gun does not mean you will not die; any soldier can attest to that. Yes, I depend on law enforcement to protect me; that’s the civilized way to true freedom.



Ralph D. Marlow

Beckley



Construction workers should get prevailing wage



In response to Bill Mahaffey’s letter on prevailing wage, I wonder where he works? Apparently he does not know what the poor construction worker has to go through. I do because I used to be one. The construction worker does not have the benefits that state workers take for granted.

When the construction worker gets sick, he can’t call in and get paid the same. If he doesn’t work, he doesn’t get paid. He probably doesn’t get paid holidays either; I didn’t. He can’t retire at 55 with a good pension check every month. He has no retirement. If he or she doesn’t save up enough, all he has to depend on is a little Social Security check, if there is anything left by the time he or she is 65+. They have to work in the cold, the heat and on rainy days they go home without pay.

The poor construction worker deserves prevailing wage and a lot more as far as I’m concerned.

They build schools and other public buildings that we all use. We enjoy good jobs while standing around the water coolers or coffee machines complaining about everything, that doesn’t mean crap.



Archie Vance

Glen Jean