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

DATE: FRIDAY, July 30, 1993                   TAG: 9307300400
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PETTY ATTEMPT TO SUBVERT DEMOCRACY

LEE EDDY'S letter to the editor (July 22, "A choice in Roanoke County") concerning the school-board issue, and his declaration on democracy caused me to ponder his motives. Will politicians stoop to any low to obtain or regain power? The people of Virginia have had enough of these bickering, self-serving, perpetual office-seeking politicians.

His proposal offering a third choice (selection by a governing body) is nothing more than an attempt to obtain power by diluting the voter response to the elected school-board issue. The Board of Supervisors would most certainly like to have the power to pass along these prestigious political plums to those who please the current incumbents.

Surely, the people of Roanoke County can see through this ploy. The very idea that the Board of Supervisors should authorize a referendum at this late date speaks for itself. As long as I have lived in Virginia, the option for school-board appointments by either governing body or judicially selected committee has been present, and the board could have authorized this option at any time. Why did Mr. Eddy wait until now? This petty attempt to subvert the democratic desires of the citizens to rid themselves of the current paternalistic system is apparent.

I have led the Bedford County elected school-board petition drive to a successful conclusion, and I am looking forward to November 1993 when the people will have the opportunity to express their preference. I have every confidence that the people of Bedford County will pass this issue by a wide margin. I have spoken to literally thousands of people and have kept track of opposing views. There were 13 people who were strongly opposed; there were about two dozen who were uncertain as to the advisability of change; there were five school-board employees who expressed support, but were reluctant to sign due to an expressed fear of being fired; and there were at least a dozen teachers who expressed support but stated that it was politically incorrect for them to sign. These were the most discouraging responses. How can they teach civics when they don't practice citizenship?

The overwhelming support for an elected school board is obvious. The people are tired of government by the government and are demanding a return to government for and by the people. WILTON L. PERDUE VINTON

by CNB