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

DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990                   TAG: 9007070171
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: E1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ED SHAMY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

READERS' OPINIONS TRULY ARE AN EXERCISE IN POETIC LICENSE

It is as close to unanimous as it can get. With the exception of two women in Eagle Rock and a handful of others, every man, woman, child and sea cucumber in Virginia agrees that the commonwealth is in desperate need of new license plates.

Here's a sample of the opinions of Virginians during the Redesign Virginia's Tags and Be Famous Maybe Contest:

"Please review my designs and dispose of them in any manner you wish (presumably very quickly). I applaud your efforts to enhance the local driving experiences..." - J.R., Blacksburg

"I agree - Virginia's tag is BORING. I work at a tourist attraction and see lots of tags from lots of places . . . " - W.P., Natural Bridge

"Four years ago we moved to this wonderful place from overcrowded, overtaxed, and a lot more `overs', Long Island, N.Y. We were not at all upset with the license plates of Virginia . . . until you pointed out to us just how boring these plates really are. We took another look and totally agreed with you. We do have one worry, though. If our plates are so attractive, are we not inviting the problems we left behind? All of those `overs'? Can you imagine I-581 backed up for 6 miles . . . ?" - N. and B.K., Fincastle

"When I was making the plates, my father asked if I was planning on going to prison. I said no, that I was just trying to help my beloved home state . . . " - J.H., age 15, Wytheville

"Enclosed is my entry in the design-a-plate contest. As I made this while in jail, I went ahead and made the (aluminum) plate, too. Just kidding. I made it after I got out. If this design wins, please return the plate so that I might use it. It's cheaper than buying one." - B.L., Roanoke

"You are singing my song! I have complained to anyone who would listen about our Virginia license plates. Every time I venture onto the interstate I start comparing, and we are the dullest, plainest, even ordinary - past good taste . . ." - M.H., Marion

"Your column about changing Virginia's license plates really annoyed me . . . The plates we have are just fine, they're unique, and it won't cost thousands of dollars if we just leave them alone. It will be interesting to see what sort of silly entries your contest brings, but it will be terrible if the people in Richmond actually decide to change the Virginia license plate." - T.G., Blacksburg

by CNB