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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 29, 1991                   TAG: 9103290643
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THINK MORE ABOUT VALLEY'S POSITIVES

I WANT to thank the Metro Basketball Committee, Virginia Tech, Convention of Visitors Bureau and all other supporters for their hard work in securing the Metro Tournament for the Roanoke area. The positive economic impact for our valley is apparent. The entire event makes Roanoke realize that new businesses can be found in many different ways.

We housed the Memphis State team and supporters. We heard rave reviews about our area's hospitality and the tournament. It is indeed unfortunate that the media chose to feature a few merchants who could not see the benefits of the tournament. Anyone who could not see the economic impact obviously does not realize that new dollars turn over in the community several times.

We could dwell on the empty seats, the cost of tickets and other supposed negatives, but isn't it time we celebrate the positives? Mr. Shamy and Mr. Brill need a good lesson in the powers of positive thinking. They did nothing to help celebrate the "Rally in the Valley." Those of us who concentrate on the good things that happen here need to speak out more often to counter the endless stream of negativism from the media. GERALD CARTER General Manager Holiday Inn Tanglewood ROANOKE

by CNB