To the editor:

In reference to the letter titled “Avoidable loss” (Public Forum, Sept. 3) we wish to set the record straight regarding its author, who is of no acquaintance or relation to us.

The bright and caring high school student of the same name, with whom our household is shared, did not pen that letter. Our Chris is an intelligent and good-natured young man who enjoys life, friends and family.

This Heath family has the utmost respect and admiration for Chief Ron Olin and the men and women of the Lawrence Police Department as well as all of our law enforcement, fire, emergency-medical and military personnel. These dedicated professionals risk their lives every day to protect and to serve the citizens of this country. It is a very sad testament to our society that they must do so with little support or recognition and at inexcusable wage and benefit levels.

We must, as a community and a nation, make a concerted effort to show how much we appreciate what these people do for us and to show that we care by helping them in any way we can. Let’s sit down and talk if we need to. Name-calling and leveling unsubstantiated allegations are merely unintelligent, mean-spirited and counterproductive.

We have received many unexpected calls with various viewpoints from our citizenry about that letter, but one thing came through loud and clear about the age-old question “What’s in a name?” In this case, a lot!

Thomas Alan Heath,

Pamela Ann Heath, Lawrence