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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 25, 1993                   TAG: 9302250378
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

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ROANOKE COUNTY PROPERTY DEVALUED

I HAVE been reading about the problems of land-zoning in Franklin County and was sympathizing with these landowners when I learned that our Roanoke County representatives recently have installed zoning, probably more restrictive than Franklin County had proposed, without any organized opposition.

It is doubtful that most landowners in Roanoke County realize just how far this abuse of power has gone in taking away our rights to use our property, yet representatives have the nerve to come along with a hefty new tax assessment.

The devaluation of our property because of zoning should be reflected in the new tax assessment to about 25 percent of its former value.

I suggest all landowners in the Roanoke County inform themselves on how their property is restricted and taxed, and let these people who represent us know they have gone too far this time. WES SOWDER ROANOKE

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