This Thursday, from 5:30 to 8 p.m., an important community conversation will be held in the gymnasium at the Holton Career and Resource Center.
For the past nine months, community and neighborhood partners have come together to learn about the ambitious model used by the Harlem Children's Zone to achieve strong academic outcomes. The key to the success in Harlem is a continuum of services for children and families starting at birth and continuing through high school.
The East Durham area has been selected as the focus neighborhood with the feeder pattern of schools being Y.E. Smith, Neal Middle School and Southern High School. While there have been numerous meetings with existing neighborhood groups in the area, we need to broaden the conversation.
The main topic will be: How can we assure that the children of East Durham graduate from high school ready for college or career? If you live in East Durham or care about East Durham's future, please join us for this conversation. For more information and to RSVP, go to www.eastdurhamchildrensinitiative.org or call 560-3668.
ELLEN RECKHOW
Durham
The writer is vice chairman of the Durham County Board of Commissioners.
Leave Afghanistan
While President Obama debates what to do in Afghanistan, let me offer my opinion. How about getting out? Since George Bush declared victory several years ago in a needless war, thousands of our troops have died. For what?
Afghanistan is mountains and desert. If it was nuked, it would still be mountains and desert. Days ago, we needlessly lost eight more of our troops who were ordered to defend a post that was no longer needed and was determined "unoperational." Why are we leaving a winless Iraq to now send more of our kids to their death in Afghanistan?
This country needs to quit playing God. Who anointed us king of the Earth? If people on the other side of the world want to kill each other, let them. We can't stop it. We have almost 20 percent of our folks here unemployed, with many living in the streets. We have enough to take care of here in this country.
There will come a day when our military will be needed here. That day is not far away. They won't be here. What will you do then?
My son is a proud member of our Air Force. I fully support our troops, but I greatly disagree with what they are being forced to do. If you voted for change, how do you like it now?
MIKE COTTON
Durham
Misunderstanding
In response to the editorial ("Questions on city med staff") on this page on Oct. 12, I wanted to clarify one issue. Yes, I did write a letter to Ray Gronberg in response to his article about the proposed city medical staff lay-offs.
But in my letter I did not say, nor did I mean to imply malingering is a problem among city workers. In my nearly nine years as a city employee, I never saw malingering as an issue and I have no reason to feel any differently today.
I can see where the writer of the editorial might misconstrue my message but I know from personal experience that city workers are as dedicated and hard working as anyone. I have only respect for city workers and deeply regret the statements which were wrongfully attributed to me in the editorial.
BILL TAYLOR
Durham
Volunteers valued
I am writing in response to a letter published in the Oct. 3 Herald-Sun regarding the process for volunteering at Duke University Hospital.
Volunteers serve a vital role in our ability to care for our patients. Their unique talents and experience provide support to the entire medical center and a helping hand to our patients and their families.
Given the sensitive situations and information being handled by our volunteers, we have standards in place to ensure that each volunteer is able to provide the reliable and compassionate care that is the foundation of the medical center. Our process for screening volunteers also has been carefully constructed to meet regulatory agency requirements.
Becoming a volunteer at Duke University Hospital involves an application process, followed by volunteer training sessions to provide important information about the hospital and department where the individual will be volunteering. The entire process takes approximately one to three weeks to complete.
As a safety precaution for our patients, employees and the volunteer, a basic health review is conducted, including obtaining an immunization history. Should immunizations be needed, the majority are provided at no expense by Duke Volunteer Services.
Approximately 1,400 volunteers are dedicating their time throughout the health system and we regularly receive feedback about the friendships formed and countless rewards obtained from helping others. Several programs are seeking volunteers, so we welcome and encourage the community to become involved.
BRENDA RADFORD
Durham
The writer is director of Guest Services, Duke University Hospital.
Ponzi scheme
Most polls show that the American people reject the idea of single-payer, government-run health insurance. Nor will they accept Obamacare because it takes the doctors out of the decision loop, and requires a host of new taxes to pay for it. Most doctors rightly believe their decisions will be overruled by bureaucrats, and they'll be compensated at the much lower Medicaid rates.
Now we learn that Sen. Harry Reid has attached his own amended version of Obamacare to a bill that has already passed the Senate, and will ram it through the system using complicated, arcane parliamentary tricks to force it onto the floor of the Senate with no input from the American people. Such shenanigans are necessary only because the majority of people detest this program.
The Democrats are not concerned with our health care. They see it as an opportunity to take control of a large portion of the economy and to assume more control of our daily lives.
LYNN E. CARROLL
Durham
Good job on audit
In regard to the article "Sources: Deputy Police Chief Council relieved of duties Tuesday" on 9/30/2009 -- I think that this was a great job of the auditors. If they didn't do this it might lead to more people taking advantage of overtime pay and no one would enforce rules about honesty. This would probably total in hundreds of thousands of dollars coming out in our taxes.
I think in the end, the police officer who "earned" all this money will get fired and end up in court or just get fired.
DAVID BURNS
Durham
Tort reform needed
With regard to the Oct. 9 article, "Three suggestions to improve health care legislation" by Donald Taylor and Frank Hill, as well as an Oct. 10 letter from Nathan Guerin, who is correctly desiring insurance reform, they are remiss to ignore the huge impact that malpractice lawsuits have on our system.
Tort reform is seldom regarded as a major criterion when considering ways to improve our health care system. We are quick to find ways to hamstring doctors in the care they give, yet allow lawyers little regulation in their defense of clients in massively crippling lawsuit awards.
I just heard on the news that President Obama might consider some kind of tort reform. Might consider? I say we better do something now.
I pray for our leaders to be very cautious as they go forward with health care reform, keeping in mind that our government has enough on its plate without adding another public option for insuring people (remember Medicare is going broke).
We need to judiciously break down the different issues in need of fixing and work with the private sector to make improvements, without tearing down a very successful and ever-improving system of health care delivery.
JOANNE LIDDLE
Durham
