Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 18, 1993 TAG: 9309120273
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Just as Don Quixote left home to tilt at windmills, Bowers has mounted his trusty consolidation steed and taken his show on the road. Instead of contacting elected representatives of Roanoke County citizens, he has bypassed the governing body, meeting with county citizens to ``hear what they're thinking.''
If county residents have truly changed their minds, doesn't he think consolidation would be an issue in the three supervisors' races this year? Doesn't he think that representatives of these people would know? Our citizens are intelligent and articulate, and they have never, in my years on the board, been unable or unwilling to communicate their feelings and desires.
Doesn't Roanoke city have enough problems without beating this dead horse? Shouldn't the mayor be looking for solutions to the city's problems, instead of greedily eyeing county land as the answer? Roanoke is already one of the largest cities, in square miles, in the state. Hasn't it taken enough from us already? Why is Bowers so intent on destroying the county, which gave the city its life? What bothers him so much about the fact that we continue to exist and function as a government? I'm beginning to get the feeling that he doesn't like us!
The mayor knows as well as I do that there are a variety of projects that we have been able to address together - the new landfill, regional airport, sewage-treatment plant, to name a few. He should stop burning bridges to cooperation that we have so painstakingly built. Let's all turn our attention to learning to live together.
Time, money and resources, which have already been spent on consolidation, could have been put to much better use. Let's not make the same mistake twice.
BOB L. JOHNSON
Roanoke County Board of Supervisors
Hollins Magisterial District
ROANOKE
\ Too-wild blue yonders
REGARDING Robert A. Heller's Aug. 9 letter to the editor entitled ``Navy's jets also pose threat'':
At approximately 2 p.m. on Aug. 9, two Navy A6 Intruders flew over the Smith Mountain Lake area at treetop level. I realize these pilots need to practice. The Navy keeps reminding the public of this fact, even when they have pilots crash into the side of mountains. But, despite the fact that flying at altitudes below 3,000 feet is prohibited by Navy regulations and Federal Aviation Administration law, the practice continues.
About two to three times a month, these rogue jet-jockies get their jollies (in $50 million toys) by scaring the bejesus out of a bunch of civilians.
If anyone thinks its funny, or is necessary training to remain combat-ready, to be buzzed by the loudest jet aircraft in the Navy arsenal, they should experience it just once.
This is a populated area; small aircraft are legally in the air over the lake. It is simply miraculous that a real tragedy has not occurred. If Navy or other government action is not taken to stop this juvenility, it won't be a question of whether it will happen, but a question of when.
MYRON R. WAY
MONETA
\ More pain, but little gain
ACCORDING to the Aug. 4 editorial, ``Pass the budget, please,'' the editorial staff claims that President Clinton's budget plan ``is a realistic attempt to rein in federal debt.''
If reining in the federal debt means having it increase by $1 trillion over the next four years, then I would agree it may realistically achieve its end. However, I consider this unacceptable.
I'm not sure when, but at some point in history many of my fellow Americans began to view the United States government as an unfairly downtrodden, ever-needy case for charitable contributions. Today, this belief almost seems to be a litmus test for patriotism.
Think of me what you will, but I'm against rewarding the irresponsibility of those who have mismanaged my money in the past. I do not desire to experience the ``pain'' of higher taxes, which the editorial staff claims to be a necessity.
If America must experience pain in order to rein in federal debt, I propose that pain come in the form of real budget cuts.
President Clinton claims his budget plan contains more than $200 billion in cuts. How is it, then, that overall spending will increase? Because the United States government defines a ``spending cut'' as a cut in spending growth. There are no cuts in real dollars.
In five years, we will be doing this ``contribution'' thing all over again. And it will likely continue until we realize the problem is not rooted in a shortage of revenues, but in irresponsible spending.
TONY DEIBLER
CHRISTIANSBURG
\ Volunteers discouraged
AS I LISTEN to the fire trucks rolling down Hardy Road, with sirens going, someone needs help! Yes, our volunteers are responding again.
The people of Vinton should stop and think about the nice, warm, comfort we are enjoying at this time within our homes. I have always known that if we needed help, our fire department would be there. This investigation of the department - men and women who volunteer their time and skills to help others - is so sad for our community.
About 11 months ago, my son expressed an interest in volunteering his time with the department. Together, we proceeded to inquire as to the procedures and training he would need to help others. I find it disheartening because he and other young men and women would like to give of themselves to the Vinton community where many grew up, and are now being discouraged.
His wife, as well as other spouses, has sat home while her husband was training or helping someone in need. They, too, have sacrificed of their time and family life.
It hurts to think that one bitter individual could instigate such an effort to smear the department and Vinton, especially when we know the good work being done by these people. Of course, the news media love it - it sells papers and commercials!
If this unknown person wrote that letter to hurt our volunteers, I hope he or she has found a peace. I will sign my letter, because I am very proud of all who volunteer.
NANCY E. McGUIRE
VINTON
\ Underrating 'Free Willy'
REGARDING the wire story from the Los Angeles Times printed on Aug. 12 in this newspaper, ``Movie renews debate over killer whales in captivity'':
The 1.5 star rating (poor) of the movie, ``Free Willy,'' was poor judgment. How could they have so poorly judged this fine movie? When we went, nobody walked out until the credits were over, because of the gorgeous pictures of free whales.
This movie does not deserve a 1.5 star rating. Next time, they better watch what they're doing!
ELIZABETH and PRISCILLA WADE
ROANOKE
\ A petty act by an ingrate
ISN'T it interesting that an anonymous call to social-welfare agencies or Child Protective Services goes unanswered and uninvestigated, while an anonymous letter concerning funds raised to benefit volunteer firefighters is immediately acted upon and rumors fly?
Volunteers who serve their communities in lifesaving capacities should be awarded and rewarded for putting their lives on the line to save the lives and properties of total strangers. It should not be a crime that some funds raised by volunteer organizations are used to purchase gifts for family members and the men and women who risk their lives. In fact, as I heard one volunteer fireman's wife phrase it so perfectly, ``They should all worship the ground that they walk on. None of those people realize what me and my children go through when he's on call. And he's not even getting paid for it.''
The time, money and effort that will be spent on the investigation of the Vinton volunteer fire department's funding allowances could be better spent investigating cases of child abuse. Shame on the sorry individual who felt so slighted as to pen an anonymous letter and cause those who willingly put their lives on hold to save others to think twice about their calling.
Without volunteers, fire and rescue units would never be able to afford the manpower to meet the demands that arise. Houses would burn to the ground, accident victims would die and Mrs. Fanny`s cat would starve to death up in that tree if all volunteers serving our area were to up and quit tomorrow. My children's lives are worth a few toys and gift certificates.
LISA MURPHY
ROANOKE
\ Leaving job unfinished
WHEN A street is closed, why is it that it is just halfway fixed? The street at Shaffer's Crossing was closed recently for work at the underpass. Well, when it re-opened, I came by there and it was only partly done and all the trash was still there. Why didn't they clean it up when they had the road closed? They just patched it. Why not do the job right when you have it closed?
LOIS G. STALLARD
ROANOKE
by CNB