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About The Clackamas print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1989-2019 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 6, 2002)
Letters________ . Opinion 2002 Keep the children safe n the darkest of nights and of us don’t want to face is that the brightest of days, some of these kids will never nearly 2,000 children disap come home, pear, according to 2001 reports some from National Crime Information voices will Center. They were snatched away by strangers or just run SalenaDeLaCruz ning away Opinion Editor from who they were, but lost within our world none never be heard and some prayers will seem unanswered. If a child theless. Many will remember the story is a runaway, I hope for them to of Polly Klaas in California, ab call home just to say, “Yes, I’m ducted from what she and her alright,” just to ease the minds parents believed to be a safe ha of his or her loved ones. If they ven, her home; or perhaps the feel lost in the world with no family abduction of nine-year- money and want to go home, old Michael Thomas Carey in Greyhound Bus has a program April 2001 from Albany, Ore. that will allow runaways to get a Then there’s the sad truth of run free one-way ticket home. aways such as 17-year-old Yet, there is still one avenue Danielle Coryer from Medford, that could be taken. Though this last seen in June 2001. One of isn’t pleasing, it’s something I the most recent of cases involved wish nevertheless: For the voices Ashley Pond of Oregon City, last that can no longer cry out be seen Jan. 9, when she left the cause they are at home, because apartment she shares with her they have gone back to God. I mother and two sisters for her weep for them and their families; bus stop a half-mile away. Ta even though some have been some this may be new informa gone for many years, the fami tion, to others a new ache to add lies still hope and pray for their to the nation’s already crumbling safe return. Now, all I wish for heart. However, on a lighter note, them is closure. I’m quite sure 2001 saw a 4.1 percent drop from there are shallow, unmarked 2000 in missing person’s reports. graves throughout the world with What astonishes me is that bodies, but no names. I wish and more than 840,000 people disap pray in these saddest of circum peared last year, and I still see stances that the bodies are children ages five and up walk found and families are notified so ing the streets unsupervised. I they can finally say good-bye am not by any means saying that and I love you for the last time. I plea to everyone that if you we need to keep children under lock and key to protect them. I see a missing person’s poster, am saying vigilance where chil take one minute out of your busy dren are concerned is necessary. schedule to see if you’ve seen Safety is definitely in larger num that person. You may have seen bers. Make sure yourself, an that person and never thought other adult or a friend accompa about it. Take a moment now and reflect. nies your child. Tell your kids Wouldn’t you want there to be not to talk to strangers. Tell them that if they are approached by a help if someone you love disap suspicious person, to scream as pears? long and as loud as it takes for Questions or comments: them to feel safe. The hard reality of what many cccprint@clackamas.cc.or.us. All signed letters to the editor should be 500 words or less and wij considered for publication if submitted by 1 pm the Friday prio publication. Letters to the Editor are subject to editing. We reserve right to not publish any letter. "An Unamerican Soldier” I Say It Loud & Proud! ' ! ^C1 ac I<AMAS FViNT WATCH WHAT YOU DO. Letter to the Editor ... ’What has happened to Clackamas' switchboard?' To the Editor, What has happened to Clackamas’ switchboard, and why? This morning (Tuesday, Jan. 29) I called for the current school de- lay/closure information. In the past, that crucial information would have been the first words a caller would hear. Instead, I listened to a wordy message about how the switchboard was closed (as any one would know at 5:30 in the morning—the staff aren’t THAT dedicated!) and was finally given another extension to access for the desired information. Of even greater concern is the fact that the caller must wait through this entire message before being given any instructions about how to contact campus se curity. If I WERE in need of cam pus security, by the time the infor mation was presented I’d already be robbed, raped, or dead! Per haps this reflects a cost-cutting budget policy designed to avoid having to pay any “employee over- time” since they wouldn’t be needed any more at all. There has been a great deal of time and effort expended by C( staff to identify and improve “ci tomer service” opportunities their respective areas. The switc board is the public’s first conta with Clackamas’, and as su< should present helpful, efficie example of our college’s welcoi ing attitude. In my opinion, 11 current switchboard informatii system design has taken a gia leap backward in this respect. Elissa McGarry Secretary/T.A. Tri-City Alternative Program Harmony Site WEHE WATCHING TOP Business Manager: Editor-in-Chief: Nick Barron (x2578) Maggie Ji rase k (x2447) Opinion Editor/Production Coordinator Salena De La Cruz Copy Editor: Allison Gerfin Sports Editor: Elena Boryska Webmaster: Luke Mahan Staff: Jeff Heilman Bryan Davidson Jennifer Kane Jesse Gurzynski Erinn Lerten Elisabeth Meyer Willie Hendrix News Editor: Frank Jordan Photo Editor: Mike Pollock Secretary: 19600 S. City. O hqon 9704$ (905) 657-6956 ext 2509 M o I a II a A ve . O kçon C C C P * i N T @ C 1A C k A M A $ . C C . O * . U S JoAnne Gale A & E Editor: Daisy Bain Adviser: Patty Mamula (x2310) The Clackamas Print aims to report the news in an honest, unbiased, professional manner The opinions expressed in The Clackamas Prii do not necessarily reflect those of the studed body, college administration, its faculty, or 7% Clackamas Print advertisers. Products and ser vices advertised in The Clackamas Print ait not neccesarily endorsed by anyone associate! with The Clackamas Print. The advertising rate is $4.75 per column inch. The Clackamai Print is a weekly publication and is distributee every Wednesday except during Finals week. The Clackamas Print Copyright 2001.
