ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: MONDAY, June 7, 1993                   TAG: 9306070130
SECTION: A-4 EDITORIAL                    PAGE:    EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GAINSBORO IS STANDING PROUD

JASMIN R. Haley, a student at William Fleming High School, is my granddaughter, and I am exceptionally proud of her accomplishments there and in our community. During Student Government Day, she taught each of us a lesson about pride, dignity and the courage to stand up and speak for what we believe. Jasmin has respect and pride for her black heritage and Gainsboro, the self-assurance to express her opinions and the courage to question Vice Mayor Fitzpatrick during Student Government Day activities. This is what democracy is all about, and a true reflection of why her great-grandfather (who reared his family in Gainsboro) and many other relatives fought in the military abroad and for civil rights at home.

Children are our most loved and prized citizens because they are our future. We adults, and especially elected representatives, should show and not tell them how to respect, be compassionate for and concerned about all people. I believe our elected officials should be held responsible for their words. Fitzpatrick is aware that citizens are offended by his remarks, but he has not offered an apology or expressed regret at saying anything that might have hurt people he has been elected to represent.

In my opinion, his responses about Gainsboro were sad, shocking and disrespectful. Sad, because in the many, many, many months that Historic Gainsboro Preservation District Coalition has been asking questions at hearings and City Council meetings, Fitzpatrick (or any other council member, for that matter) has not offered a comment or explanation. Shocking and disrespectful, because I believe his words and manner conveyed both an underlying attitude/message that (1) our Gainsboro community, which is mostly elderly, working poor and black, is not a desirable segment of Roanoke's population; and (2) my sister, Evelyn D. Bethel, is an outsider and troublemaker. Evelyn was born and reared here in Gainsboro. After serving our federal government more than 30 years in various states and the District of Columbia, she came back home and is voluntarily making positive contributions in several phases of this community. Through her efforts and leadership skills in unifying people, the true historical significance of Gainsboro has been researched, documented, confirmed and publicized, but not officially recognized.

I thank God, as should the entire Roanoke Valley, because she, Jasmin and others like them are attempting to enrich our quality of life and make Roanoke and the valley better places in which we all can live. HELEN E. DAVIS ROANOKE 


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