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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 7, 1990                   TAG: 9006080714
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

JAREA'S JOB NEEDS ARE OVERLOOKED DUE TO INFIGHTING

AFTER READING recent articles in the Roanoke Times & World-News about Richard Cranwell and Harry Nickens, I know now that our politicians in the Roanoke Valley for years have placed their personal vendettas above the best interests of our far-lagging Roanoke Valley. It's a shame and disgrace.

We have poor leadership. Let's elect a clean slate of statesmen valleywide.

Historically, our young have left this area for better jobs while our politicians have fought personal battles - not in the best interest of this area. Good companies have left or decided not to locate here because we have made bad decisions and continue to do so.

Why are so many other areas down the road taking our young assets, and we are doing nothing about it but fighting one another?

Why do I feel that when something good happens in Roanoke City, the county and Salem are saddened, and when something bad happens in Roanoke City, the county and Salem folks are happy about it? We are not good neighbors, period.

We are not setting good examples for our young people who have not yet left.

While Roanoke County is spending 60 percent of its time trying to hold Roanoke City back, the people in Greensboro, Charlotte and Richmond are taking our young and our jobs, and laughing at us while we feud.

Until we get our act together, I will continue to advise young people to leave this area for better life. S. PHILLIPS ROANOKE

by CNB