Letters to the Editor

Save Edisto tract

I first arrived in Charleston in 1968 while I was still on active duty with the Navy. When we were ready to pick a retirement home in 1975, my wife and I had the world to pick from. We chose Charleston, a decision we never regretted.

There were several key reasons for our selection: the wonderful friends we had made here; the ambience of old Charleston; and, last but not least, the irreplaceable forests, farmlands, wetlands/marshes and wildlife habitats that are such a significant part of the Lowcountry. These open and preserved spaces are what South Carolinians are very proud of, and rightfully so.

That's why many of us consider the advent of the recent plans for MeadWestvaco's East Edisto tract (72,000 acres abutting the incomparable ACE Basin) as presenting a unique opportunity to preserve land rather than lose it to intrusive or insensitive development.

South Carolina already loses about 200 acres a day to some kind of development. Of course, there will be development, but this is an opportunity to do it right, and MeadWestvaco apparently concurs.

In May, Hugh Lane Jr. proposed a unique and perceptive plan to purchase East Edisto outright, let it pay for itself with timber operations, save on infrastructure costs associated with development and protect the fragile Ace Basin with a significant buffer of preserved land. Sounds like a winner. Whatever the end game, I hope "Land Protection" is its name.

VICE ADM. DOUGLAS PLATE
U.S. Navy (Retired)
1 Bishop Gadsden Way, A 114

Cancer awareness

September has been designated Gynecological Cancer Awareness Month.

This is important, as more than 77,000 women in the United States will develop a gynecological cancer this year. In South Carolina, more than 1,100 women will have this diagnosis.

This past year, we have seen several advances that, hopefully, will impact our South Carolina residents. The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a major step in the prevention of cervical neoplasia. Although cervical cancers occur less frequently since the introductions of Pap smear screening, South Carolina, unfortunately, has one of the highest mortality rates from cervical cancer in the United States. The HPV vaccine also prevents pre-cancerous lesions (abnormal Pap smears), of which there are several thousand a year in South Carolina.

Earlier this year, the Gynecological Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists, and the American Cancer Society issued an ovarian cancer symptom consensus statement that addresses the symptoms of ovarian cancer. These include abdominal bloating, pelvic or abdominal pain, difficulty eating, feeling "full" quickly and increased urinary frequency. Women with these symptoms for more than a few weeks should see a physician. Prompt medical evaluation, including a pelvic examination, may lead to detection at the earliest possible stage of the disease. Early-stage diagnosis is associated with improved survival. Recognition of these symptoms is extremely important, as there is no screening test for ovarian cancer. An excellent Web site, wcn.org provides additional information.

The Division of Gynecologic Oncology at MUSC, along with the Hollings Cancer Center, is a member of the Gynecologic Oncology Group, a multi-institutional cooperative cancer group sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. This affiliation affords us the ability to offer our patients study protocols for the evaluation of new treatments. In addition, new drugs are available to us before they are commercially available. The Gynecologic Oncology Division is committed to excellent patient care, cutting-edge therapy, research and education.

WILLIAM T. CREASMAN, M.D.
MATTHEW F. KOHLER, M.D.
PAUL B. UNDERWOOD Jr., M.D.
Gynecologic Oncology Div.
MUSC
86 Jonathan Lucas St.

Fire blame

I am outraged by what I have been reading in the newspaper and seeing on the TV news regarding the tragic fire on June 18 at the Sofa Super Store. It was a horrific accident, which will never be forgotten by any Charlestonian. To now lay blame and call for resignations will not help anyone. After a tragic event, 20/20 hindsight cannot solve the problem.

It is time to learn from this tragedy and move forward. I have the utmost respect for Chief Rusty Thomas and Mayor Joseph Riley. I not only pray for them daily, but also for the fallen nine and their families. May we all learn a lesson and pull together as a community. I will continue to support our fire chief and our mayor.

JEANNIE HEFTI FANJOY
106 Wayfarer Lane

Head in sand

The recent comments in a Sept. 17 letter are just another example of how some people have put their heads in the sand when it concerns our firefighters.

The writer stated: "I commend Mayor Riley and Fire Chief Rusty Thomas for stepping up and making badly needed changes quickly."

I want to remind everyone that the mayor and the fire chief of Charleston fought against any change for firefighter safety, even after the loss of nine great men. Remember this quote from the chief: "Our firefighting techniques are not going to change in the city of Charleston Fire Department." He had to eat those words and many more.

Changes are now coming that have been needed for years, and they are coming only after the mayor was put under extreme pressure to do so. The mayor and the chief don't deserve a pat on the back. They deserve to have their walking papers handed to them.

If the chief would have performed his job properly over the years, we might not be talking about this now.

ROGER L. YOW
Capt., Charleston Fire Department (Retired)
265 Bristol St.
Moncks Corner
Yow is president of the local firefighters union.

Graffiti on walls

On Sept. 21, The Post and Courier published an article which deciphered signs and symbols in graffiti found on the walls of an aging shopping center in Summerville.

Whenever you find graffiti, whether in Summerville, Charleston, North Charleston or other communities, it means your neighborhood is deteriorating.

SANDRA PRIESTER
201 Fairfax Blvd
Goose Creek