Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 24, 1991 TAG: 9103250236
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Rural areas and smaller cities and counties like Roanoke are at a disadvantage when the budget and other legislation are debated. It is only because of the coalitions that Del. Cranwell has formed that the balance of power has been regained. As a result, millions of dollars have come to the Roanoke Valley for transportation, education, jobs, and tax revenues for localities.
I have never seen or heard that Cranwell opposed legislation that would benefit the city. Any legislation offered for his jurisdiction affects and, most often, includes Roanoke city. He has often introduced legislative initiatives on behalf of the city and surrounding jurisdictions. Center in the Square, the Science Museum, the Virginia Water Project and tourism projects are thriving because of Del. Cranwell and his colleagues. We should be proud of their efforts and successes.
When voters decided against consolidation, I believe the message was clear: We do not want to consolidate governments and services, but we do want cooperative relationships between governments and service-providers. We've made great progress and can work together to continue this for all our citizens.
We must not perceive disagreements as uncooperativeness, and we must be willing to compromise, or Roanoke Valley as a whole will suffer. The current fiscal restraints and teetering economy dictate this. LIN S. ATKINS ROANOKE
by CNB