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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 12, 1992                   TAG: 9201130240
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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SADNESS AMID HOLIDAY JOY

DURING THE holiday season, downtown Roanoke was a festive sight, with beautiful decorations lining the streets, the Municipal Building's Christmas tree, and the beautiful Dominion Tower watching over downtown.

Even as the New Year approached, the Roanoke Transportation Museum went through a transformation to the "Party Place." The huge tent and the outstanding celebration left a lasting impression in the hearts of hundreds.

This holiday season bought sadness to the hearts of many people in the Star City; they had no home. In several spots in Roanoke, people slept in the street, and not much is being done about it.

My New Year's wish is that all the elected officials depart the Municipal Building via the same route - Third Street to Salem Avenue - and after traveling three blocks look to the right. There stands the Samaritan Inn, with the homeless sleeping on the sidewalk.

Better yet, why not have the next City Council meeting in front of the Samaritan Inn. As the mayor calls the meeting to order, please remember these words: "To know how sweet your home may be, just go away but keep the key." ADRIAN LEWIS ROANOKE

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