Letters to the Editor

Warning to parents

I joined the crowd of shoppers after Thanksgiving. The lines were long and tempers were short.

I passed in and out of the toy department several times and could not help but notice a boy about 4 years old destroying as many packages and boxes of toys as he could get his hands on. No parent was in sight.

Every Saturday night, while watching "America's Most Wanted," I am reminded of Adam Walsh, who was kidnapped and killed after being left to play in the toy department of a store.

IMOGENE THOMAS

Old Towne Road

Driving up rates

I wonder each morning on my commute how someone can get in an accident on a straight road with all traffic moving in the same direction. The answer, of course, is negligence and haste. Being born and raised here, I have listened to visitors complain about how we drive in South Carolina for many years. Now I have to weigh in.

I'm not sure if the poor driving skills are those of locals or the Northern imports, but I want to thank everyone for the response I received from my insurance company when I inquired about my rate increase, even though I have a stellar credit and driving history, which are major factors in rate prices.

I was told: "We understand your concern regarding your policy premium increase upon renewal. As our rates are based on expected future losses, we implemented an overall base-rate change for South Carolina-based auto policies."

Please, just pick a lane and ride in it, and then change when the traffic flow opens up. Do not cross all five lanes between Ashley Phosphate and Midland Park roads. I promise that you will get where you are going in close to the same time.

Bruce Dales

Product Support Manager

Developer Solutions

Blackbaud, Inc.

Daniel Island Drive

Harbor View Road

Harbor View Road improvements: Treating the symptoms for temporary relief.

Replacing the bridge and bypassing the curve at Mimi's: Curing the malady for a long-term solution.

Betty Sandifer

Parrot Creek Way

Bicycle rules of road

Recently, I had a flat while riding my bike. While waiting by the roadside for a friend to pick me up, I observed a near accident between a car and a bike. I saw a bike approach a stop sign, and then immediately turn into the pedestrian crossing lane and into the path of an oncoming car.

If the driver of the approaching car had not been alert and stopped within inches of the bike, it would have been a very bad accident.

I am a bicyclist and a driver. When I tell someone I ride a bike for transportation and exercise, I immediately get compared to the likes of this bicyclist. Yet, as a driver, no one compares me to the likes of bad drivers. I do not like this stereotyping of cyclists.

According to South Carolina law, bicycles are "vehicles." This quote is taken directly from the brochure titled, "It's as Easy as Riding a Bike," issued by the S.C. Department of Public Safety. It says that bicycles must follow the rules of the road; no riding on sidewalks (see division 3, section 19-122, municipal code 1975, and 33-177) nor riding the wrong way on a one-way street.

It's difficult to explain this to someone who is questioning why I am not riding on the sidewalk, when our own police department does not set a lawful example.

I firmly believe if we follow the rules of the road and teach our children through example, we will have safer drivers in the future.

D.S. SAYE

Paddlecreek Avenue

James Island

Premature births

Premature birth is the number one cause of infant deaths in the United States — more than 10,000 deaths occur each year. In addition, surviving pre-term infants frequently have serious, life-long health problems. Nearly half a million babies are born prematurely in the United States every year, with the number rising each year.

The health care associated with prematurity costs society billions of dollars annually.

According to a cost analysis published by the March of Dimes, the total national hospital bill for premature babies was $18.1 billion in 2002. Almost half of this was billed to employers and other private insurers. This analysis also found health care costs to employers for a premature baby during the first year of life average more than $41,610, compared to about $2,830 for a full-term baby. This information is disturbing and should be of concern to the entire community.

As with most Southern states, prematurity is particularly common in South Carolina, where 168 babies are born prematurely in an average week. That's 24 babies each day, or one every hour.

Those babies who are born weighing less than 3- 1/2 pounds ("very low birth weight" babies) are especially at risk for death or life-long disability. Again, South Carolina sees a disproportionate number of these tiny babies, and a mother in the tricounty area is 64 percent more likely to deliver a very low birth weight baby than the average American woman.

The March of Dimes is part of a national effort to save babies from premature births by funding research into the causes of premature birth and other serious threats to infant health. Funds raised will also support programs that provide information and comfort to families.

In December, or any time, visit marchofdimes.com/southcarolina and find out what you can do to give every baby a healthy start. You can also share your baby's story at marchofdimes.com/everybaby.

I would ask the people of the Lowcountry to join me and my colleagues at the Medical University of South Carolina in generously supporting the important work supported by the March of Dimes.

W. Michael Southgate Professor of Pediatrics

Medical Director

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

MUSC

Rehabilitation

The Nov. 18 article titled "Lock Down" left me at a complete loss. I strongly believe "if you do the crime, you do the time." But I want to know why, as citizens, we have to do the time with them. By saying citizens are doing time, I mean we will be forking over $108 million to expand the jail's capacity to 2,033 inmates.

In the article, an inmate states that he committed numerous crimes in order to be locked up so he could receive the medication he needed because while behind bars, the medication is free. I found this appalling.

Some inmates housed in the Charleston County Jail are locked up because they commit petty crimes in order to have a place to stay and food to eat. We need to find a way to open up rehabilitation programs that allow ex-convicts to re-enter society with some type of trade that allows them to be normal citizens and to make changes if they choose to.

If we are going to invest money in expanding jails, why not use it to better educate the inmates? We say we are rehabilitating them, but why are they unable to find jobs and shelter? These are questions citizens should be asking, rather than asking how much we should spend expanding the jail.

BENQUETTTA WHITE

Rice Drive Extension

Last days

My dad was Ray Snyder of North Charleston, and he had a unique quality that seemed to make complete strangers love him. Hospice of Charleston off Long Point Road has been a real blessing to my family during my dad's last days of life.

I think many people are apprehensive about using a hospice facility for a loved one's departure, but the staff at Hospice of Charleston was positive, loving and compassionate to our family.

Every staff member made an effort to see that our needs were met and that we were comfortable.

At the end of shifts, many staff members would come in to tell my dad goodbye. This personal touch combined with the expertise of their professionalism made us feel that our dad was receiving the best possible care, physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Thanks to everyone who took care of our dad and of us during this trying time, even providing a Thanksgiving meal. We are truly thankful for their care and concern. Their job is a spiritual calling, and they do it very well.

KATHY ROGERS

King Charles Circle

Summerville

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