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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 9, 1990                   TAG: 9005100479
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SAND MINE OPPOSED IN FRANKLIN COUNTY

WE READ with interest the story April 22 about the land dealings of Real-Vest Inc. and the affiliated entities owned by Meteney, Deyerle and the Deans. It was especially timely that this article was published on Earth Day, when the consciousness of our community was focused on preventing abuses of the environment.

For the past 18 months, the residents of the Burnt Chimney area of Franklin County have opposed the development of a sand mine by Real-Vest on a lovely property in a residential/agricultural area. In January 1989, the Franklin County Board of Supervisors was presented a petition of more than 200 signatures and denied the zoning variance necessary for Real-Vest to proceed with the mining project.

Subsequently Real-Vest applied to the Division of Mines for a permit for this project and offered to donate the land to the county after the mining had taken place.

After reading your article, we are even more skeptical of their motives. A mining project in this beautiful, rural, residential location is not optimal land use. It is apparently inspired by the "quick dollar" mentality that has characterized the other activities of these individuals.

There are many aesthetic and environmental impact issues unaddressed in the application for this mining permit. One point, however, is clear. The residents in the Burnt Chimney area do not want Real-Vest to exploit the countryside of our expense.

\ F. LEE TUCKER\ MARY LYNN TUCKER\ WIRTZ

by CNB