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Published: November 19, 2008 09:12 pm
Our Readers Speak, Thursday, Nov. 20, 2008
Judge gave doctor the correct sentence
I would like to take Ms. Pablic up on her offer to voice an opinion regarding Dr. Velazquez. Dr. Velazquez is probably a good physician who made poor decisions for which there are consequences.
The facts are these as listed in The Register-Herald 4/1/08 and 9/15/08 editions:
Dr. Velazquez knowingly falsified his tax returns in 2001 stating he earned $22,190 when he actually earned over $800,000 and in 2002 reported $44,457 when he earned over $900,000 (Register-Herald April 1). This mathematical error is more than just poor addition; it is fraud.
He admitted that he diverted money from his practice and set up various trusts in which he used the money for personal assets, cars, mortgages and credit cards. Again, this is fraud (Register-Herald Sept. 15).
Yes, he may have been helpful with information regarding the tax trust plan he was involved with, but was this after the fact? The Honorable Judge David A. Faber said the sentence imposed on Dr. Velazquez was a departure from the sentencing guidelines due to substantial motions filed by the United States as a result of his assistance with pending prosecutions against promoters and accountants in the fraudulent trust scheme (Register Herald 9/15/08). He could have received six years in prison and a $500,000 fine; instead received a one-year sentence and a $50,000 fine, which I feel is quite fair. Just because he cooperated does not absolve him of personal responsibility.
If your job is in jeopardy or patients are inconvenienced, it is because of his poor decisions and choices. Maybe in addition to an open letter to the judge in this case, also send an open letter to Dr. Velazquez whom you should be angry with for putting his family, practice and patients in this position to begin with.
Judge Faber did his job correctly and with great leniency. Maybe he should be commended.
Michael Johnson
Beckley
Remember those who are battling cancer
Two years have passed since my first cancer diagnosis and one year since my family, friends and I suffered the tragic loss of a special person, Greg Campbell. These past two years have been ones that held sadness and sorrow, along with happiness, determination and the will to continue.
I know that along the way, I failed to acknowledge the outpouring of love, support and generosity given to me. For that, I am deeply sorry. To all who in some way, whether through your smiles, hugs, cards, calls, gifts, donations of blood, support of Jump Rope for Heart or Relay for Life, putting that smile on a child through the Christmas Adopt A Family, you have done more than I will ever be able to repay.
Thank you for helping my family and I through difficult times and to memorialize someone we continue to hold dear. A special thank you to Jim, Cathy, Jay and Jill Justice, a family who not only is always there for myself and my endeavors, but all who are in need.
To each of you, Bluestone Industries, Ramey’s, Coach Lilly and WWHS football team, Beckley City Police Department, Randy Snuffer and Universal Coal Filters, my Beckley Little League family, my fellow Raleigh County Crimestoppers Board, Scott and Red Cross, Jennifer and Starbucks, Wachovia, Eddie and Papa Johns, Dawn Dayton and Beckley Newspapers, Cindy Whitlock and family, Angie and Subway, David and Martha Baker best neighbors in the world, The Cooks, lifeguards of Maxwell Woods, Denise and Dollar Tree, Frank and Angela Priddy, Seneca and Lisa Webb, Andrea, Hannah and Bentley Kinzer, the Bowden and Roop families and everyone who has shown an expression of sorrow that I have briefly forgotten, I extend a special thank you.
To my mom, dad, sisters and families; my daughter, Stacey and sons; my son, Mel and family stationed in North Pole, Alaska; and son Curtis who serves in the Persian Gulf, thank you for your patience and unconditional love. To my loyal five, Edith Hall, Tammy Hopkins, Tracey Shumate, Wes Bowden and Lee Myles, the rocks that I stand on. For your daily generosity, sacrifices, lifting of my spirits, and calmness when life overwhelms me, thank you.
Please continue to support the Cancer Society, Heart Association, Adopt A Family and Red Cross — not only in memory of Greg or in honor of myself, but for each of us who deserves a second chance at life.
In memory of Greg, hold loved ones close today, whisper in their ear, tell them how much you love them and you’ll always hold them dear. Take time to say “I’m sorry,” “Thank you” or “It’s OK.” And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.
Lee Ann Campbell
Beckley
Return the Bible to our schools
“In contemplating the political institutions of the United States, I lament that we waste so much time and money in punishing crimes, and take so little pains to prevent them. We profess to be Republicans and yet we neglect the only means of establishing and perpetuating our republican forms of government; that is, the universal education of our youth in the principles of Christianity by means of the Bible.” — Dr. Benjamin Rush (Father of Public Schools) In essay on, “Defense of the Use of the Bible as a School Book.”
We only need to look at the moral condition of this country; murder, rape, pornography, homosexuality, abortion, corrupt politicians, etc, and see that if we had heeded Dr. Rush’s words we would be a much better nation.
In a letter to John Armstrong dated March 19, 1783, Dr. Rush wrote: “Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind.”
It is not too late. I urge everyone to contact their elected officials and demand that the Bible be put back into our public schools. Do not fall for the false claim of “Separation of Church and State.” It does not exist in the Constitution. If you will take the time to read the words of our Founding Fathers, you will soon realize that the Separation of Church and State is a falsehood being perpetrated by the ACLU and other liberal organizations.
It is time to take back our country and return its original principles.
Harry McClung
Daniels
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