Letters to the editor

Thanks for listening

Thank you, Waynesboro School Board, for listening to and taking into consideration the input from the citizens of Waynesboro regarding the possible renaming of Kate Collins Middle School.

I think there is a feeling that some of our elected officials do not really listen to opposing viewpoints and that if they do, it does not change their actions.

The Waynesboro School Board, to its credit, listened and acted accordingly.

The decision to keep the name of Kate Collins is surely the appropriate one under these circumstances. Miss Kate Collins was a good friend of my grandmother's, and I remember her from my childhood.

However, I, and I am sure many others in our community, have learned a great deal more about her in the last month or so.

I think every student and every faculty and staff member, as well as every central office administrator should surely know why their school or schools bear the names that they do, whether it be for location, Indian lore or a person who contributed significantly to education.

It should be part of the "first-day" orientation and should be reviewed each and every year.

Anne D. Shifflett
Retired teacher
Waynesboro Public Schools

Pet stewardship is our duty

With common sense and frequent reminders we might stay tuned to heat's damaging effects, especially to our animals.

Always remember: Available water and fresh air. Animals depend upon us. In return, they give us unconditional love.

As stewards of this planet, it is our solemn duty to maintain the highest level of animal welfare possible.
Recently, I saw a man beat his dog for jumping out of a steel-floored pickup bed that must have been in excess of 125 degrees.

I asked the man to put his hand on the steel floor. He screamed, "Wow, I never thought!"
Another car was left with a dog inside with less than an inch crack in one window on an 83-degree day. The dog was slobbering and beginning to suffer when the owner returned.

I asked her to sit in the car for five minutes without air conditioning and windows not opened.

She got in the car, started it and as she drove off yelled out some nasty remark.

People simply don't think. Give yourself the hard test: Pretend that you are the animal.
Imagine that you are unable to help yourself and that you have no idea when someone (your master) will rescue you.

If you do this sincerely, I do not believe you will ever leave another dog in an overheated vehicle.

Furthermore, you will come to the rescue of an animal trapped in this situation.

Please remember that on a mildly warm day an animal is much better off at home.

On a hot day, if you go shopping with your pet, you demonstrate arrogant disregard and ignorance for your animal's welfare, period.

Bob Parrott
Waynesboro