Published: September 23, 2009 07:42 am      

Letters to the Editor: September 23, 2009

Use rear-facing seats as long as possible

The first year of life is a time when babies are most vulnerable to injuries. Rear-facing child safety seats are proven life-savers _ reducing the risk of death by 71 percent for infants riding in passenger cars.

At a minimum, infants should ride rear-facing until they reach 1 year old and weigh at least 20 pounds. Babies have heavy heads and fragile necks.

If facing forward and involved in a frontal crash, the baby's body is held back by the harness straps, but the head is not. The head is thrust forward, causing serious injury to the spinal cord.

When a baby rides rear-facing, the seat supports the infant's whole body avoiding stress on the neck and trauma to the head and spinal cord in a frontal crash.

A research study conducted by the Center for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia found that children ages 1 to 2 were five times safer when riding in rear-facing child safety seats compared to forward-facing child safety seats. Many convertible child safety seats have higher weight limits, which allow children to ride rear-facing for a longer period of time.

Statistics show that eight out of 10 car seats are not used properly. The Otsego County Health Department has a child safety seat fitting station where parents can schedule an appointment to have their car seats checked by a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician.

I urge all who transport children in any type of car seat or booster seat to call the Health Department at 547-4230.

Kathy Chase

Cooperstown

Chase is an Otsego County public health nurse and certified child passenger safety technician.

Vote for Getman for city court judge

I am writing to urge the citizens of Oneonta to vote for Michael Getman for city court judge. I met Mr. Getman and his family in January 2000 when our family moved to Oneonta and our children were at Center Street School together.

For eight years, I had the privilege of observing, firsthand, his dedication to the city through my professional interactions with him while I was employed as State University College at Oneonta's director of Student Judicial Affairs. Mr. Getman and I were able to work collegially to promote student awareness of their responsibility as members of the Oneonta community and hold those who broke the law accountable for their behavior. The Michael Getman who I interacted with was a consummate professional, a tireless worker with a keen sense of fundamental fairness.

The Oneonta City Court needs a judge with the experience, the education and the tenacity that Mr. Getman exudes. Choosing a city court judge is a serious decision. On Election Day, I ask you to make the choice that guarantees a judge who is genuinely concerned for the safety of the residents of Oneonta and is dedicated to making a difference as a public servant; vote for Mike Getman. Thank you.

Mary A. Logan

Frisco, Texas