Dear Source:
I noticed that you have published three readers' responses critical of the Lieutenant Governor since he has announced his candidacy for Governor. Hopefully this is not because of your personal advocacy for some other candidate.
Be that as it may, all three chose to get personal and in one case a bit obscene in their responses regarding the state of educational matters in the territory. I would suggest that thoughtful and civil augments be presented on your pages which after all reach a worldwide audience.
In the face of this criticism, it is ironic that just yesterday the extremely able and talented Commissioner of Education announced the initiative to obtain accreditation for the Junior and Middle schools in the territory. Furthermore, one of the High Schools on St. Croix won accreditation for the first time last year.
Educating kids and adults is a very complicated matter that involves socio-economic issues revolving around race and class and gender and attitudes. You need the input of the family, the community, civic groups, etc. What you don't need is mindless political criticism but constructive criticism along with creative ideas and personal involvement.
Vernald Turnbull
Hamilton, N.J.
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.