letters to the editor – Friday (1-1-10)

Published 12:00 am Thursday, December 31, 2009

New law unfairly targets smokers
Yes, I am a smoker! What do I think of the new smoking ban? Is this a land of the free? We send our sons and daughters to war to fight for our freedom! You can’t smoke in a restaurant, but you can drink alcoholic beverages and get behind a wheel and drive. The last time I smoked a cigarette, I was not impaired. I have never read a headline in the paper that stated “Family killed by a cigarette smoker.” I would rather sit in a restaurant with my son beside a smoker than beside of a drunk cussing and saying vulgar things. It is not that I am against drinkers; there are a lot of responsible people out there who drink. Robin Hager wrote in a letter that she wanted a law passed about adults being charged for child abuse for smoking around their children. Get a life! You must have voted for our new worthless governor.
You can have an abortion and take a life, but you can’t smoke a cigarette in public. Now you know what I think of the smoking ban. It sucks!
ó Jimmy Benson
Cleveland
Loving care
Regarding the Dec. 28 article “Red Cross program will help caregivers cope”:
I find Deborah Lineberger’s comment, “They (family) have something that none of the nursing home employees can give and that’s love,” callous and offensive.
I have been a nursing home administrator for more than 30 years. I was drawn to this profession not just to help and serve those in need but also to work with others who have the same compassion and love for the residents we serve. It takes someone very special and loving to work everyday giving direct care and services to residents.
The finest people I have ever met in my life are the nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, housekeeping and dietary staff and all the others who care enough to make a difference in a resident’s life and place their needs above their own needs.
Nursing home staff are families of caregivers who want and work for the same care for our residents as the family wants for their relatives ó loving care every day that gives family peace of mind.
Ms. Lineberger has a standing invitation to visit my facility and observe the love and attention my staff gives.
ó Glenn R. Terry
Salisbury
Terry is the administrator of Autumn Care of Salisbury.Online poll
Do you support the indoor smoking ban in bars and restaurants that will go into effect Jan. 2?- Yes, I support the ban.
– No, I do not support the ban.
– I didn’t know anything about the ban until seeing this poll.
– I’m not sure how I feel about the ban.
To respond, go to www.salisburypost.com, click on any local story and scroll down to find the poll on the right side of your screen.