The readers' forum

Not in vain

Once again a dedicated law-enforcement officer of the Winston-Salem Police Department has lost his life because of a senseless and brutal criminal act ("Loss ‘not in vain,' " Oct. 13). But Sgt. Mickey Hutchens' supreme sacrifice was not in vain, as has been said many times before and will be said again, when a call comes in and a police officer responds as Sgt. Hutchens did. There is no doubt that he saved the lives of others when he put himself in harm's way.

I would like it to be remembered that Sgt. Hutchens was more than a police officer; he was a human being, with a family and friends who have been left behind.

Thank God for the often thankless job he did every day; for his service and protection of the law-abiding public.

DANEHY A. CARSON

Lexington

Thoughtful and deliberative

The Oct. 12 letter "Didn't rule it out" from a supporter of Ted Shipley, the opponent to Winston-Salem City Council member Dan Besse, took Besse to task for, in essence, being thoughtful and deliberative as an elected representative. The writer criticized Besse because "he would not rule out" one of many possible solutions to a funding problem facing the council.

Research and common sense show that effective public-policy decision-making requires elected officials to brainstorm all options, including some unpalatable ones. By entertaining all ideas without prejudgment, new and better solutions tend to arise. We need public servants who are open-minded enough to allow all ideas to be placed on the table for debate. Otherwise we get a mess like the one that has developed in Washington.

Dan Besse had the integrity and courage to tell the truth -- that he would consider all options. Winston-Salem needs him -- not someone who will refuse to consider some options just to get a few more votes.

JOHN K. MOTSINGER SR.

Walkertown

Owning domestic violence

How many times must I hear people say, "Thank God, there's no domestic violence affecting my family." One of the sad realities is that domestic violence is, in fact, affecting all of our families and potentially can cost innocent lives.

Truly, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens is a victim of domestic violence. Patrons of Bojangles' the day of the shooting were victims and potential casualties of domestic violence. And all those who loved and worked with Sgt. Hutchens and his family are victims of domestic violence.

Our hearts go out to the families of Sgt. Hutchens and Officer Daniel Clark at this time. But just as important, it is time to commit to prevent as well as end domestic violence in our community.

Family Services has been addressing the issues of domestic violence in this community for nearly 40 years by offering a safe shelter, counseling and social support to families. But to truly impact this issue, every resident, young and old, needs to own it as something that is his or her business. No one can really say it's not their problem any longer. We are the hidden victims of this problem. Join us in addressing this issue and preventing victims from becoming casualties. We can't do it alone.

AL RENNA

PRESIDENT & CEO

FAMILY SERVICES INC.

Winston-Salem

Lack of meaningful dialogue

People struggle to derive value in things unfamiliar and uncomfortable. Art, especially contemporary art, should push a dialogue about the state of man and culture, good or bad. Speaking at Reynolda House Museum of American Art last month, Mark Jenkins noted that the "absurdity" of his installations should give reasonable people cause to think it through.

We live in a reactionary world where people tend to opt for instant gratification perpetuated by fear, a desire for the sensational and our technologies of convenience -- desire enabled and rewarded throughout our media-driven culture. Contemplation is evidently not ingrained in the human perspective.

Readers of Tom Patterson's column "Testing the limits" (Oct. 11) likely wondered where the art at Reynolda went. Many arts supporters undoubtedly shrugged and said, "It doesn't affect me." Apathy may be indicative of the city's sentiment toward art. Apathy is the biggest obstacle in preventing the City of the Arts (and Innovation) from living up to its moniker, especially regarding public art.

Patterson nailed the real problem: a distinct lack of meaningful dialogue between the municipality, arts agencies and the public. Citizens will always question any approach to public art. The notion that it is acceptable to have something visually or intellectually challenging in public view seems to be one that Winston-Salem can't quite embrace.

Public art advances human culture, enriches societies and speaks to the inhabitants or visitors where that art exists, saying that this is a progressive, forward-thinking culture not entrenched in an archaic idea of aesthetics.

MARK GRAVES

Kernersville