The News Journal from Wilmington, Delaware • Page 21

FRIDAY. APRIL 27. 1990 THE NEWS JOURNAL M9 Winners and losers Figuring the score after Red Clay vote FOR OPENERS ANOTHER OPINION SNEAKERS LEAD TO CRIME The enormous cost of designer sneakers and the Reebok vs. Nike "pumps" TV commercials should compel us to ask what message is being fed to our youth. Most designer sneakers cost $50 to $110, and the "pumps' start at $170.

My immediate response to the morbid Reebok "pump" commercial was shock! The ad, which has been pulled from the air, showed two.men jumping from a bridge with huge rubber bands wrapped tightly around their sneakers. One wore Reebok and the other Nike. The man wearing Reebok survived, the man wearing Nike did not. A kid viewing that commercial might attempt the jump and kill himself. I don't know of many young adults who can afford to buy own four or five pairs of these designer sneaks without doing something negative.

Designer sneaks create peer pressure, which may lead to drug involvement. I am a counselor at Glen Mills School and interact with children daily. When asked why they ever got involved with selling drugs, the answer is often, "Because I saw my friend with a pair of pumps, so I had to get a pair. Mom couldn't afford them, so 1 1 did what I had to do." These sneakers are taking the place of "trunk jewelry bulky medallions and rope chains. They promote violence.

Teen-agers will point a knife or gun at each other to obtain a pair of the sneakers. Frank Burton Jr. Wilmington "Since we took over your country 50 years ago, we own all land and buildings. You must buy back from us entire country, at what we say is fair market value. Cash, dollars only.

No rubles; rubles we got more than we want already." Rule No. 2 may go something like this: "All Lithuanians born since 1950 belong to the Soviet Union under international mineral rights. You will pay us head tax to depart, just as in capitalist airports. Price depends on what is inside head: state secrets, lessons learned in Soviet schools, gold tggth Total bill will come to about two thousand trillion dollars, payable in one easy installment. No credit cards accepted.

No checks. Then, "Of course you are free to go." Norman L. Macht Greenville RYAN WHITE COURAGEOUS It was with great sadness that our class noted the passing of Ryan White. We followed his story for many months and sympathized with him and his family. We admired his courage and humanity toward those who condemned and ridiculed him.

He was an outspoken young leader who championed dignity and equality. David C. Kuehnell Class representative Newspaper class of New Horizon Prep Bear 6,569 to 6,101. For those of us who believed in the need for the money, it was a disappointing loss. It is difficult to think about the program cuts that will affect our children for the entire 1990-1991 school year.

However, we are strongly committed to our goal of increased funding for our schools and will work even harder to ensure a successful referendum next time. We are also encouraged by the many residents who voted for this much needed tax increase. We hope we can count on continued support in the future when we undertake a new campaign to convince other parents and residents of the importance of adequate funding for our schools. Antoinette T. Eaton Referendum coordinator Heritage Elementary School Wilmington LESSON FOR LITHUANIANS I could have told the Lithuanians what to expect.

Several years ago my wife and I were in Moscow. We wanted to visit another city, Zagorsk. "Of course, you are free to go," said the tourism official. When we got to the railroad station we learned that we needed a permit. We were never able to find anyone who knew how to issue the permit.

We didn't go. The Soviets tell Lithuanian, "Of course you are free to go your own way. Just follow the rules." What rules? "Wait, we haven't made them up yet." When and if they ever get around to making up the rules, No. 1 will probably be: Thomas H. Carnwath cate a lack of understanding as to the benefits and opportunities made available to today's children through sound, quality education.

I hope those who voted against the increase continue to voice their concerns when the district elects new board members this May and continue to stay involved, even when pocketbook propositions are not at issue. If they feel this strongly about tax increases, the board elections should be of equal importance because it is the board that decides where resources are allocated. They can be certain that 6,101 of us in the district will be watching. It is my desire to attain the best for my two children. It is my desire to make certain that the public school system works and provides for the educational needs of my children and the community's.

I am committed to work for Red Clay's continued improvement and development. Our children can expect no less of us, and I will work to convince the 6,569 individuals who stood together to defeat the referendum that a tax increase is sound, just and necessary for our children's future. also learned, very effectively, how to harness the wealth and influence of the special-interest groups and political action committees for his own benefit. What next? C. Cheseronl Wilmington REFERENDUM FORESEEN On April 4, the residents of the Red Clay school district turned down a referendum to raise additional revenues for our schools.

The vote was extremely close, All letters are subject to BE HERE EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION ATTENTION! HOTEL-MOTEL OWNER-OPERATORS, BUILDING CONTRACTORS, NURSING HOMES, SPECIAL CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO QUANTITY BUYERS. FREE LAYAWAY CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC ALL 3 PIECES INCLUDED! SOFA CHAIR COMPLETE CARPER MASTERS POLITICS Lo and behold! Tom Carper is a politician after all. For years we've seen him as the fair-haired boy, above the fray. But, now that he wants to be governor, he is learning to use the entire arsenal of political weaponry. First, he purged his party of all opponents in the name of reform.

Then he raised the art of grandstanding to a new level by refunding his pay increase, this too in the name of reform. Now we learn from your newspaper that he has coal The people have spoken but who won? I would like to commend the 6,101 Red Clay Consolidated School District voters who in April cast their ballots in favor of the proposed school-tax increase. As parents of the district's children, residents of the district and individuals committed to the district's and the nation's future, they voiced their belief in the necessity of increased resources for the district's plans to improve our schools. And what of the 6,569 district residents who chose not to support the tax increase? What have they won? Clearly, they have saved a few precious tax dollars, And what have the children gained from this defeat? Nothing. They have lost extracurricular activities, enrichment programs, improvements in the quality of instruction throughout the entire Curriculum.

They also face the potential loss of a year free of work stoppages or strikes. The district has no room to bargain on teacher contracts. To those who say school taxes are already high, by standards can they make this claim? Red Clay taxes are among the lowest in the county. Are they content with the status quo, even if their children cannot i read? Are they content with the status quo if their children have difficulty with simple mathematical equations? Are they content i I'll i i mat tneir cnimren lag Denina, educationally, most other children of industrialized nations? Yes to any of these would indi- Thomas Carnwath of Wilmina- ton has a daughter in third grade nn4 rnn in linrlafi'irtan in tho DaH anu a ovi I in ri i iuci yai lci i ic iu Clay district. Busing ignores iiuiiiaii imiurv The years go by and the papers are periodically filled with letters and articles showing the failure ot busing for racial quotas to pro- uiHo nnvthinc hut dissension and a deteriorating school system.

I am struck by the parallel of this situation to the bankrupt path of communism both based on an idealist approach to righting problems in society, but totally ignoring human nature. One ot the greatest pieces oi work in history was the Constitution. It provided for individual freedoms within a framework of checks and balances and accountability to the public that recognized the true nature of human beings. The present social engineering experiment applied to our schools bv the courts and activ- ists ignores what is perhaps the most fundamental of human instincts: the overwhelming drive to protect and improve the lot of our rhildren. Until school plan- i ners recognize that, the dislocations in local schools con- ofonflir nmotll Will VP ITIPt With OLIlllHJ V.

1 I-1 cries of frustration from the poor and flight by the affluent. When my own children were going through the school system before and during the busing decision, I remember the high degree of community participation and enthusiasm in support of the local schools. We felt we had a direct on the operation of the school and were building a better 1 education system for our children. With the advent of busing, all sense of local control seemed to and we watched many oi our earlier efforts be dissipated. Although many people are still working hard for the betterment 'of their schools, I find it difficult to believe that the earlier base of effective community support has been restored.

Providing for educational needs of all the children of New Castle County must first start with a structure that returns a sense of local control and the freedom for the community to provide the best education they can for their chil dren and other children wno may voluntarily wish to join them. Parents will be willing to bear the financial and labor costs for evening out the resources among communities. They will never set- i i 1 1. tie for a system tnat leavens uwu children's education to the lowest common denominator of mediocrity. As in too many of the public dialogues on social problems, our innate human instincts are ignored and, at times, treated as socially unacceptable.

Inevitably this leads to impractical and wasteful action. Must we, nse uie communists, pursue these idealis-' tif ovneriments for 70 vears until whole svstem is fully cor- runted and crashes? "ir Allan Cook, a Wilmington resident, is retired from the Du Pont Co. i zzr GUEST OPINION W. Allen Cook 11:1:71 Mil mm 1 PIECES ALL 4 HOLLY HILL 4-PIECE BEDROOM SET Features Rich Embossed Finish. Plenty of Storage ALL Space Included in Dresser, Framed Mirror.

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