The Current Online

I’m writing in the concern of the new smoking rule at Longview. The recent post of no smoking outside the Science and Technology building and the main entrance of the Campus Center-(doors that when you walk in the Admissions, FA, Access Offices are on that level) are being ignored. Even though there is a sign that says No Smoking, people are still smoking in that area. I have a class in the S& T building and it is very annoying to walk through the smoke just to get to my class and leave each morning. I complained the first time to the dean when the post was first posted and I was told that security would monitor it, yet I still walked out of my class today to find people smoking in front of the building. Yesterday, there were multiple people smoking outside the Main entrance of the Campus Center and even positioned right by the sign that clearly states no smoking in that area. The smell of the smoke bothers me because it hinders my breathing. Personally, I refuse to inhale the smoke because it makes me nauseous. My plea is that something is done to stop the negligence. There are two areas on campus where smoking is allowed: the area outside the Liberal Arts building & small area outside the café doors of the Campus center. If people can’t go to these areas to smoke then I believe it’s a personal choice to ignore a simple rule.

~Name Withheld

Dear Editor:

The March 6 edition of The Current featured a front page article on the proposed addition of two baseball fields on the MCC-Longview campus. As with most proposed changes in the status quo, those in opposition or in favor come forward to express their thoughts. As the Athletic Director who oversees the program that these fields would benefit, I’d like to expand on the positive aspects that this project would provide to MCC-Longview.    [...]

Dear Editor:

The headline of the March 6 edition of The Current trumpeted, “LV debates baseball proposal.” The Ban Johnson Baseball League plans to raise money, at least $6 million, to build two fields on Longview College property, with that and more, an indoor training facility, and if ten million is raised, then they will get around to putting artificial turf on the current Lakers Field. [...]

How about a follow-up with a dose of reality?

Last issue (Sep. 12, 2009) you wrote, “Preying on the weak…It is 7:57 a.m., and now I have been pulled over for speeding on View High Drive on my way to class.”

You know that in reality, it is your own fault!  

Accountability is a precious commodity that is taught by every school, and we are introduced to the concept in kindergarten and first grade! We were taught that there is a time and place for each event, and not very much leeway is given. Recess, lunch, and the end of the school day were each at the exact same time, as we breathlessly anticipated the exact moment that the bell would ring.

IN THE REAL WORLD, we are encouraged to be on time. An employer will give you your schedule and you will be expected to be on time each day to work.  I do not expect to be allowed to keep a job if I cannot be on time each day. Let’s all get REAL!  If I desire to be on time every day, then a little planning is in order. I may get stuck in traffic on any given day, so I must allow extra time each day to cover that contingency instead changing into PANIC mode (because the traffic slowed me down today).  The WORST thing that could happen is that I might get a reputation for always being on time.

I have noticed that the odds of getting to class on time is poor if I ARRIVE on campus at 7:55 a.m. for an 8:00 a.m. class … because I expect that I will spend a minimum of

10 minutes finding a parking spot, parking, and I will need an additional 5-10 minutes to walk to my class. It sure seems easy to blame the police … but consider THE IDIOT that attempts (usually successfully) to merge into the right lane at 3rd St. and View High Drive at the last possible moment, swerving brazenly into the right lane and cutting off those that chose to get into the lane to wait their turn.  I place this kind of inconsiderate driver into the very same category as those who ‘speed’ up View High Drive – in both cases, a little consideration and planning goes a long way.  Maybe the police can move to that area and ticket for aggressive driving or WORSE.

REALITY is that we have rules of the road in place for everyone’s safety. “Barely pushing the limits (September 12, 2008, Opinion page) still equates to breaking the rules. Whether or not you like the rules, I personally have never gotten ticketed for obeying the posted speed limit. I don’t have to worry about having points assessed against my license. I do not have to think about hiring a lawyer to help me out in court (at additional personal cost). I note that the “average” driver on View High Drive, regardless of the time of day, exceeds the posted speed limit – that’s why the police set up the speed ‘traps’.

For me (and for most of us), the bottom line is this: If I get ticketed three times for speeding, on the same road, at a minimum cost of $115 per ticket (plus the increase in my insurance rates), I’d certainly consider altering my habit of speeding and my schedule instead of continuing to get fined (and eventually losing my driving privileges) and be late for class or work.
By the way, I have never been ticketed for speeding. Following the speed limit works every time it’s tried.

-Anonymous