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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 13, 1993                   TAG: 9305130503
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

VISION MEANS BUILDING CHARACTER

NO GREATER words are so true as those printed in big, bold letters concerning the vision for Roanoke. If there is no vision, it is usually the fault of the leaders.

Who has a vision to build beautiful characters over beautiful buildings? Who has a vision to destroy the habit of the crack or cocaine addict, turning the addiction into integrity and self-respect? Who has vision to destroy the prostitute's desire for pleasure sex and the love of the almighty dollar; or the homosexual's desire to do things that are against nature?

Who has a vision that will destroy the politician's quest for more power and cause him or her to understand the purpose of power and leadership? Who can bring politicians to understand that the chief of all must be the servant of all?

Who has a vision to clean up our city, to stop the wrong and provoke the right, to end racism so that it will no longer divide? And who has a vision to destroy greed where it will no longer cause one to cry out, because of oppression or poverty?

I believe this to be the vision that Roanoke needs from its leaders. For where there is no vision, people perish. TONY TAYLOR ROANOKE

by CNB