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

DATE: SATURDAY, April 13, 1991                   TAG: 9104160440
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-11   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

TAYLOR'S RECORD ONE OF DISCORD, TROUBLEMAKING

AS MUCH AS I hate to agree with Whitey Taylor, he was right when he wrote (letter, April 2) that he is the problem. However, he was so busy feeling sorry for himself that he did not present the whole picture.

Victory Stadium was built for a small, holiday game, and today's stadiums must be built for year-round use to succeed. It may be that it is good for only non-sporting events; it certainly does not make any sense to do extensive rebuilding even if Mr. Taylor had the funds to do them.

Council's time and expense are needed for things that do not promote gambling; there are so many in need, such as the Presbyterian Center, the League of Older Americans and the Salvation Army. The demands on our agencies never stop.

The Center in the Square, with its extensive educational programs, has cut back to a dangerous level. People are trying to keep Mill Mountain a healthy recreational place, and policies to control pet population and humane work, like a decent habitat for Ruby, are struggling. And now the hospital that does so much for their patients to help them through physical and economic trouble will have to put up with this nerve-wracking noise.

When we lived on Franklin Road, it was like being inside a beehive. Unless they put mufflers on tires, this will be no different. It isn't as if there is no racing, for the fans can get to Starkey by using the main roads, and there is a variety of sports for local residents in the complex next to the stadium.

It is true that I live in South Roanoke now, but I do not recognize the people Jimmy Harvey would like you to believe live in this rarefied air. We are here because of proximity to stores, banks, jobs, etc. Roanokers in other sections live there for the same reasons.

However, if I lived on the moon but paid Roanoke taxes, I would object to Whitey Taylor's having a church meeting with silent prayer on city property. When will council stop spending our money on people with a track record like his? We have had years of his troublemaking, and when this falls through like all the other grand plans, he will walk away again, leaving everyone in debt and at each other's throats. SUE COLLINS ROANOKE

by CNB