DEMOCRACY ERODED BY UNRULY CROWDS

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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, January 20, 1993                   TAG: 9301200343
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
DEMOCRACY ERODED BY UNRULY CROWDS
THREE TIMES in the past three months the media have brought to our citizenry instances of mob-intimidation of local governing bodies in Virginia. I refer to zoning at a Franklin County Board of Supervisors meeting, to the naming of school holidays at a Montgomery County Board of Supervisors meeting, and to a resolution on gun control at a Chesapeake City Council meeting.
In all three instances, some people's emotions were out of control and the elected officials capitulated to fear. Holding a position in government is not all for the honor of it. If individuals are going to offer themselves for election, they must be willing to stand courageously in the face of intimidation. Thankfully, Charles Ellis of Franklin County has signaled leadership to bring his board back to that point. May we look for others to do so?
The flip side of this disturbing trend is our populace. What is happening to a segment of the citizens of this commonwealth? Are we going into mob rule? Every person should live responsibly, safe-guarding freedom for himself/herself and for those who hold an opposing view. Moreover, each of us can lend greater efforts to calming those who are getting carried away emotionally.
Not one of us can rest, allowing basic democracy to be eroded by an unruly meeting. JAMES W. REYNOLDS SALEM

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB