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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 28, 1993                   TAG: 9304280515
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

WHY SHOULD DANVILLE SUPPORT EXPLORE?

I READ with interest the April 12 article entitled "Who will pay for Explore?" I am quite concerned about the River Foundation's effort to have the state government finance the operating expenses of this project. With the tightening of the state budget and projected shortfalls, taxpayers at the local level will ultimately be asked to pay for this project if adopted by the state.

Having just completed our budget process for the community of Danville, we know we will receive less funding for education from the state in the upcoming fiscal year. In addition, unfunded but mandated state requirements in education, landfills and other projects continue to put added burdens on localities. Ultimately, localities have to finance these requirements through increased taxes, fees, etc. Of course, most of our citizens think that local government is out of control and do not understand that much of the increased burden is beyond local control.

While the Explore project may be valid in many respects, from this part of the state I consider it a luxury in current economic times. I hope that I am not forced to ask local Danville taxpayers to finance this project on your behalf. MARK GIGNAC Danville City Council member DANVILLE

by CNB