Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 5, 1993 TAG: 9306070117
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: EVELYN D. BETHEL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Thank you so much for pointing out that I signed a letter containing an incorrect belief that John Bradshaw's company had the contract for the Wells Avenue widening. (Mr. Bradshaw is a member of the Roanoke Planning Commission and a partner in Hayes, Seay, Mattern and Mattern.) For that error, I apologize to both Bradshaw and your readers. I applaud your paper for not publishing incorrect letters.
I do not apologize for defending Gainsboro residents by pointing out who they are and what is "over there" (here). Can you tell your readers what facts within my statement are in error? Can you tell your readers what Vice Mayor Fitzpatrick actually said to the high-school students? Let his comments be correctly and completely released.
The following are excerpts from comments that I made before City Council on May 24:
Mayor Bowers, Vice Mayor Fitzpatrick, and [members] of Roanoke City Council, I am Evelyn D. Bethel, a resident of the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District. My home is located at 35 Patton Ave. NW, one of the last remaining residential areas of Northeast Gainsboro.
It saddens me tremendously to appear before you today because I believe last week was indeed one of the saddest in our city's recent history. Our brightest young students were exposed to the worst of "politics in action." It occurred when one of Roanoke's elected officials publicly showed disrespect and complete disregard toward residents of the Gainsboro community by offering disparaging remarks, which could be considered racist. Therefore, it is my obligation to speak for the community I represent by reminding you of a few facts about what - other than the music center - is "over there" in Gainsboro, the birthplace of Roanoke and its oldest neighborhood.
By virtue of its architectural, historical and cultural significance to the city of Roanoke, Gainsboro has been declared by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources to be eligible for the National Historic Landmarks Register. "Over there" in Gainsboro are hard-working families, living there for four to five generations, paying taxes and fees, abiding by the law and voting for representation. "Over there" in Gainsboro are the St. Andrew's Catholic Church, Arts Place at Old First occupying a former worship site, and a Head Start day-care center. Each of these sites is on both the National and Virginia Landmark registers. These landmarks are living tribute to the fact that "over there" in Gainsboro people of differing faiths and races have and continue to live together successfully. "Over there" in Gainsboro is another building pending historical landmark designation - the Gainsboro library. This is a living manifestation of the positive and inspirational predominant presence of blacks "over there" in Gainsboro since the early 1920s. The day-care center shows that there are future generations on the rise "over there."
Unless moved within the last few hours, "over there" in Gainsboro are the [Norfolk Southern] and Old Stone Printing buildings and, can you believe it - Hotel Roanoke! Isn't this the structure Roanoke has received federal funds and millions from the private sector to try to reopen? Surely, you need not be reminded that the proposed conference center will be located "over there" in Gainsboro. So, not only are there people and buildings of prominence, but new development of all types is proposed. A lot of this development is against the wishes of residents and the community, but apparently City Council wants the developments "over there" in Gainsboro.
In conclusion, we residents in Gainsboro respectfully request that all people, and especially our elected officials, give facts about what is "over there" in Gainsboro.
Evelyn D. Bethel, a Gainsboro resident, is president of Historic Gainsboro Preservation District, Inc., and of Historic Gainsboro Preservation District Coalition.
by CNB