Dress Code, Fighting Fat & Fighting Brothers

THUMBS UP TO:

School dress code discussion in Bristol, Tenn.

During a candidate forum this week, Nelson Pyle, a candidate for the Bristol Tennessee Board of Education, said the system should consider adopting a dress code. We agree. Any school needs rules about what is expected of students and what is not allowed.

But Pyle, a former principal at Tennessee High School, went too far in saying he’s inclined to “look at the school uniform issue” and that “if you do it right, you can really develop a framework where it benefits everybody.”

We support his efforts to adopt a dress code, but not in supporting school uniforms. Students and parents need a clear expectation of acceptable dress for school that is laid out in a dress code and enforced by school officials. This often means no short-shorts for either gender, no spaghetti straps or strapless tops for girls, no muscle T-shirts for boys.

The school system can determine exactly what they want the code to say and what penalties will exist for breaking the rules.

Pyle will be on the board soon because he is running unopposed for the city’s Third District seat. Kelly Buskell and Aaron Brooks face each other for the board’s First District seat and Jason Rush faces incumbent Tony Turner in the Fourth District.

None of the other candidates took a public stand on the dress code issue and Rush said a dress code could be avoided if the school system improves the way it communicates with parents.

We favor direct communication by way of a dress code, so there is no ambiguity, combined with regular enforcement by school officials.

Using a fork, exercise to fight obesity

The Southeast Culinary and Hospitality College of Bristol, Va., has formed a program to combat childhood obesity, improve nutrition, help local citizens in job training and aid local hunger programs. It’s called the Community Hospitality Outreach Program, or CHOP, according to Chef Richard Erskine.

The program will partner with local school systems, the YMCA, the YWCA and other health groups.

The aim is to teach children healthier eating habits, better nutrition and the importance of increased exercise. We are thrilled to see the local culinary college take a lead on this front.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, 19 percent of children ages 6 to 11 were obese in 2004, compared to just 4 percent in 1971. The department says 32 percent of people younger than 18 are overweight and 90 percent of those children have at least one risk factor for heart disease.

CHOP will work to encourage more local production of healthy food by local farmers and partner with local extension agents to market healthy products in low-income neighborhoods. The program also will start a summer food program and teach after-school classes.

We’re excited to see this program at work. While food is a passion for many, our children’s weight is example enough that they must be taught better habits for healthier living.

Mulling options on historic Robert E. Lee Motel sign

This week the Washington County Board of Supervisors unanimously agreed to demolish the historic Robert E. Lee Motel, which has fallen into terrible disrepair and has become a danger to public safety.

A separate issue is what will happen to the motel’s sign, which features a picture of the Civil War general and namesake of the motel. George Winn, a historian who works in the sign business, traveled from Kannapolis, N.C., to the meeting Tuesday to ask that the sign be donated to the American Sign Museum in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He offered to bring a work crew to the region to dismantle the sign and transport it to Cincinnati.

The board took no action on that request, but voted unanimously to direct County Administrator Mark Reeter to look into what should be done with the building’s historic sign.

At least one speaker wanted the sign to stay in Virginia. While it might be the right decision to add the sign to the American Sign Museum, the board is correct to consider its options before acting.

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Alcohol, arguing, aggravated battery by brother

The Associated Press reported a story this week of a sibling fight that turned particularly ugly. In Gilliam, La., a 54-year-old man stabbed his 63-year-old brother during an argument over a can of pork and beans.

Sheriff’s spokeswoman Cindy Chadwick said the suspect was booked Tuesday on one count of aggravated battery.

The brother was treated at a medical center for stab wounds in his left arm and shoulder blade.

Deputy Jairo Rivera said the two brothers had been drinking and the suspect picked up a kitchen knife after his brother threw a punch at him but missed.

Who wants to visit these two for Thanksgiving dinner?