LETTERS: DON'T GET ANGRY; GET PROACTIVE

To the editor:

I am writing in regard to the recent articles about the kidnapping and torture of a youth in Jackson. After the school board meeting, I feel it is necessary to get back on focus. This event happened last March but is just now being publicized in detail. I know how the public feels. At the beginning of the summer, I was told of the events that had taken place and was absolutely repulsed. I still today am repulsed and mystified that such a thing could happen and especially that adults were involved. I also believe that we as the citizens of Jackson need to stay on focus. We can't change what happened. One thing we can change is the attitude and the mishandling of this situation by the Jackson school system.

The first issue is that the boys who committed the crime are being allowed to participate in extracurricular activities at school. This is a privilege, not a right. We need to lobby the school board to get this changed, not only for this situation, but also for future offenders. Any student representing our school should earn that privilege by good grades, good attitude and good citizenship.

The second issue is the videotape that was shown in class. It should not matter whether it was two seconds or the whole tape. Action needs to be taken, and to my knowledge an investigation is all that has been done. How hard is it to sit everyone down who was in the class and question them? This happened at the end of last school year. The investigation, in my opinion, should have been wrapped up at the time it was brought to the school's attention last year. What can we do about this as citizens of Jackson? We need to demand answers.

There is also an issue I have with the school system's allowing a parent who was involved to continue to be a substitute teacher in our school system. I do not want someone with such low moral standards teaching our children. Do you?

If we want to help the Venables heal from this, let's not just get angry. Let's get proactive and show our support for rectifying these issues in a positive manner. I don't want Jackson to be a great town because problems are silenced and no one hears about them. I want Jackson to be a great town because we absolutely do not tolerate behavior that will ruin our town's good image. Jackson's citizens, law enforcement and schools should take action against anyone who hurts others and the integrity of our community.

JANE LYSELL

Jackson