Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 13, 1991 TAG: 9103130438
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I refer specifically to this newspaper. The current publisher (for reasons best known to himself) has been stirring up racial dissent since the day he came to Roanoke. I don't think Jesse Jackson could have exceeded his performance in this regard.
The most recent offering has been an attack on the ably manned and managed city police department under Chief M. David Hooper. This, of course, stemmed from the recent confrontation of a black antagonist who was clearly interfering with white officers who were simply doing their job.
The news account of this matter portrayed the police as racist brutes, and there was absolutely no censure of the antagonist. In my view, had the man been white, he would have been given his just deserts: a heavy fine and/or jail sentence. The police probably would have been editorially commended for doing their job of maintaining law and order.
Surely, this needless harassment of our city officials has not gone unnoticed by valley residents outside our city. To dismiss the failure of the consolidation effort and the declining Roanoke city population as in no way connected to this newspaper's anti-establishment campaign would, in my opinion, require a real stretch of the facts.
Another editorial voice in support of the establishment would, indeed, be a refreshing treat to most valley residents. Surely there must be a county publisher who can offer some firm, alternative views as to what is in our valley's best interests. I feel certain that he would be applauded and supported in this endeavor. AUBREY HOWELL ROANOKE
by CNB