Letters for 06-28-2009

Universities play valuable roles
During the summer months, much of the hustle and bustle of backpack-clad college students on our campuses is replaced with the pitter patter of cleats and tennis shoes as younger students attend a myriad of camps. This is just one of the many ways University of Louisiana System schools open their doors to Louisiana’s communities.

On average, there are 100 events going on every day of the year at the eight universities. Last year, over 3.7 million people attended cultural, science, public policy, training, economic development, athletic, agriculture and special events.

Whether it is the Martin Luther King Musical Tribute Celebration at Grambling State University or Space Days at Louisiana Tech University, these events and many others bring local, national and international experiences to Louisiana’s citizens.

The communities where our campuses reside rely on the universities to serve as the hub for cultural programming, family-friendly activities and community-building events above and beyond university activities. Through hosting these various events, our universities enhance lives and generate revenue for local and state economies. Last year, campus visitors spent $275 million on items such as food, gas and lodging.

In addition, when Louisiana is threatened by hurricanes, our universities serve as vital resources through special needs shelters, medical personnel and volunteers.

So, the next time you are on one of our eight campuses for any of these aforementioned reasons, please let this serve as a reminder of all the valuable roles a university plays.

States that invest in higher education thrive both economically and culturally.

Randy Moffett, President
University of Louisiana System


Resident supports guns on campus
The one argument I have heard most frequently against allowing concealed carry on campus is that the presence of law-abiding citizens with guns might make discernment of the threat difficult for police. This argument favors police but does not favor the victims who are being attacked before police arrive.

As honorable and beneficial as police offiers’ years of experience undoubtedly are, their training is absolutely worthless until they are on the scene, which is not always as prompt as they might hope to be. This isn’t a slight, it’s simply a reality, and if you were able to ask the five people who were killed at the shooting at Northern Illinois University before police were able to arrive, I’m sure they’d agree.

Also, the vast majority of scenarios in which a victim has had to draw and fire his weapon in self-defense are over in a matter of seconds, making it highly unlikely that police would arrive while there is still shooting. Historically, discernment of the threat has not been a problem for police in similar off-campus situations.

While I sympathize with police for wanting to reduce confusion, when I’m being shot at, I’m worried about one thing only — survival. Yet I’m supposed to remain defenseless in such a situation and wait until police arrive? I experience a substantial amount of indignation at such an absurd proposition. Since I can’t carry a policeman with over 20 years of experience for protection, the next best option is a handgun.

Matthew Kirby
Ruston

Davison thanked for creating jobs
Dianne and James Davison and their family have been friends of my family since the beginning.

With the apparent successful completion of the project involving the former Guide Plant in Monroe and the creation of more than 1,500 jobs, it is my hope that James Davison and his family will be mostly appreciated and remembered for bringing jobs to our area of Louisiana.
I have always been in awe of his political savvy and his generosity but now have even more respect and admiration for him giving hope to so many families.

The Davison family has always helped create good jobs in north Louisiana — the payoff being the opportunity for workers to support their families, provide a roof over their heads, send their children to good schools and take them to church.

Good jobs give dignity to people.

Thank you, James and all who were involved in helping to make this such a positive event for the community. You always give back generously.
I believe the good Lord will surely say; “Well done good and faithful servants.”

Johnny Maxwell
Ruston

Fundraiser was a community effort
I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who was involved in making the 2009 March of Dimes March for Babies such a success. The event raised nearly $44,000 and was one of our best efforts yet! Despite the threatening rain, over 300 people showed up at Lambright Intramural Center to walk in the gym to honor babies! Special thanks to Jason Gisclair of World Of Wings, who provided the hotdogs, hamburgers and chips for the walkers. Bell Blue Ice Cream and Super One Foods provided ice cream and the birthday cake for our birthday party.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Celebrity Theatres. Their loyalty to March of Dimes is so greatly appreciated. Major sponsors included Motorcycle Tires and Accessories, Art Innovations and Princeton Place Assisted Living. Other sponsors were Centerpoint Energy;Steven Davison, attorney at law; The Woman’s Clinic of Ruston; Cathy Allen and Associates; Blue Cross/Blue Shield; Bank of Ruston; A+ Computers; El Jaritto, Mexican Grill; Northern Louisiana Medical Center; La. Campaign for Tobacco Free Living; Corner Drug Store; John Ward, DDS; John and Liz Hood and Lincoln Builders.

Thanks, too, to all of our teams! We had an awesome group whose enthusiasm was contagious. A big thank you goes to all our team captains for the great job they did in leading our teams to such great success.

Thank you to the Ruston Daily Leader and the radio stations KXKZ107.5 and KPCH for providing the wonderful coverage of not only our March for Babies, but for public service announcements concerning the teams’ fundraising events held prior to the March. Thanks to Community Trust Bank for providing a place for us to hold our meetings. Thanks to Johnny’s Pizza for so generously providing lunch at each of our team captain meetings.

As you can see, the wonderful success of the 2009 March for Babies is a result of a community effort and for that, the volunteers and staff of March of Dimes are very grateful. We are proud to be a part of such a giving and caring community. Northeast Louisiana ranks highest in the nation in premature births (one in four), which is an urgent health concern. It is good to know so many people care about the fate of these tiny infants, who cannot help themselves.

Please remember the March of Dimes will not stop working until the day comes when every baby born is healthy! I urge you to participate and support all March of Dimes activities!

Mike Womack, March for Babies
chairman
Nancy Darland, March for Babies
co-chair