Social Worker’s Tragic Death
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As a retired teacher of the mentally retarded and emotionally disturbed for 18 years, I mourn the death of Robbyn Panitch. During my tenure as teacher, I was attacked several times, one time requiring stitches. It goes with the job. Working in a state institution I had ample protection with peers, psychiatric technicians and security nearby. I don’t think a gun would have availed Ms. Panitch. Attacks come swift and unannounced.
As a Democrat, I join Allan Panitch, Robbyn’s father, when he faulted the passage of Proposition 13 as the underlying cause of Ms. Panitch’s death. His daughter was sacrificed at the budget alter. Ms. Panitch’s death is another one of Reagan-Bush’s hidden taxes.
The mentally retarded and the mentally ill wandering our city streets must be returned to the institutions. The institutions afford the medication and professional staffing needed to control the illness. And we must take a serious look at Proposition 13. It may have outlived its objectives. Perhaps Ms. Panitch’s death will spearhead our attention in this direction.
Only a serious examination of Proposition 13 will prevent any further such deaths from happening in the future.
S.M. ROSEN
Newberry Park
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