ROANOKE TIMES 

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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 22, 1993                   TAG: 9307220699
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

A CHOICE IN ROANOKE COUNTY

YOUR JULY 16 editorial on school-board selection methods in Roanoke County ("The third choice is the charm") accurately described the relative merits and drawbacks of the three available options.

In 1992, the unanimous success of local referenda on elected school boards in 42 Virginia localities clearly demonstrated the popularity of this concept. Citizens want more input and more choice. There is no doubt in my mind that enough petition signatures will be obtained to place the elected-school-board issue on the Roanoke County ballot in 1993.

I suggested that the Board of Supervisors authorize a referendum on appointment of school-board members by the governing body to give county voters a clear choice in this important matter.

Having two options on the ballot, in the same year that three seats on the Board of Supervisors are up for election, should promote full public discussion and debate on the school-board question. As an incumbent and a candidate, I will do my best to present the issues related to the various methods of school-board selection objectively and unemotionally.

Then the voters can decide, in true democratic fashion.

LEE B. EDDY\ ROANOKE 


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