Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 5, 1993 TAG: 9310280320
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
If I remember, we had two, vote for consolidation and become a part of Vinton, completely removed from the loop, or vote no and remain part of Roanoke County. I believe it was basically the same options for West county voters in respect to territory. Possibly these choices were given to us by design.
When I first moved here 20 years ago, it did not take long to realize there were too many cooks in the kitchen. ourse, Norfolk and Western, General Electric, ITT and other corporate giants were in their heyday. Times are changing!
In 1960, the population of Roanoke city was 97,110. If I'm correct, the population did not rise above 100,000 in the 1990 census. True, lack of power to annex has severely curtailed the city's growth.
Maybe everyone does not want to bear someone else's burden, as has been mentioned in some articles. I would hate to think how some people would treat their family members if they were in this situation. We have neighbors and family in the valley. What affects one affects all. We all are part of this valley. Our families depend upon the existence of one another.
Maybe the mayor is doing the right thing. Moses sent 12 spies into the land of Canaan. Ten came back with a negative response and two returned with a positive attitude. The people rebelled against the two, and the children of Israel wandered for 40 years.
Folks, we don't have 40 years. Maybe the olive branch that county Supervisor Bob Johnson offered (Aug 25 news article by David Poole, "Johnson: It's time for county-city talks") will be accepted in good faith.
JOE KEININGHAM
VINTON
Terry flunks on school issue
THE COMMENT has been made that George Allen would make a better choice for governor because he has a family with children in the school system. Mary Sue Terry is single and childless.
How much did we, as parents, care about the specifics in the schools before we were parents?
Case in point: A few weeks back both candidates were asked where they stand on the issue of outcome-based education, also known as common-core of learning or world-class education. Ms. Terry seemed not to know what this was about. She dodged the question by talking about guns in the schools, then stated she would find out more before she would approve such education programs. She should already know what outcome-based education is this late in the campaign!
Allen, on the other hand, is totally involved with this controversial matter that could have devastating results if allowed to enter our schools.
LIBBIE McCUTCHEON
ROANOKE
The people also spoke in 1990
RECENTLY, Mayor David Bowers said that "the people of Roanoke have spoken ... loud and clear" in reference to the Roanoke Gas Co. takeover by the city. Yet, he does not see or want to see that the people of Roanoke County have also spoken loud and clear - by overwhelmingly rejecting consolidation in 1990.
The mayor should know that every time he comes into the county to continue his efforts to promote consolidation, by whatever means, with his fist-in-the- face approach, it's a slap in the face at approximately 75 percent of county voters who rejected consolidation. His continued forays to discuss consolidation will only hinder future valley cooperation.
County residents do not want to be part of the city nor do they want to pay higher taxes to help the city deal with its many admitted problems.
CHARLES L. LANDIS
ROANOKE COUNTY
Crackdown needed at city hall
ONE YEAR ago last August, our city's elected officials and the administration were battling with the citizenry over the "two-for-one" dirty trick.
This August, the citizens found out from the Roanoke Gas Co. that our City Council, the city manager and his administration had been planning in secret session yet another dirty trick: to buy out the Roanoke Gas Co. so they could gouge the citizens for more money.
Thankfully, the citizens' uprising was so immense, and the opinions of our business leaders and our state delegates were so against this action, that the city retreated from this fiasco, but, I might add, with $60,000 less in the till because it was paid out for a consulting fee. What a waste of taxpayer dollars!
It's a matter of trust and we can no longer trust City Council, the mayor and the city manager. It's time council deal with the administration. If this is not done in a timely manner, the voters will deal with council very harshly.
EARL V. GILLESPIE JR.
ROANOKE
Raze downtown's eyesores
ROANOKE City Council's vision of progress should be extended to see the old dilapidated buildings at the entrance to Salem Avenue from Williamson Road. Council members should blush each time they pass this eyesore.
They are behind the Dominion Tower, and it is lovely, but the setting for it is like a huge bouquet of dead flowers around a gorgeous pompon. What a sight for tourists to see, and with the old viaduct looking like a sore arm extended. Another job unfinished, or half done!
A vision should be initiated for the inmates in the "Roanoke Hilton," to introduce them to some work. Let them help demolish the old buildings on Salem Avenue, instead of being coddled in a useless lifestyle of being waited on, cleaned after, fed three good meals a day, and lying around watching television in cool, comfortable surroundings that they don't want to leave.
They should be making restitution to the public for crimes they've committed and doing something for themselves, as well as for society.
VIRGINIA MITCHELL
ROANOKE
The issue is potential violence
RECENT mailings in the Roanoke area by the Pro-Life Action Coalition of Covington make no pretense of a constructive approach to the issue of abortion. Statements made to the Roanoke Times & World-News by spokesman Ron Hedlund repeatedly deny advocacy of violence and they describe the mailed postcards as purely informational (Aug. 21 news story by Cody Lowe, "Anti-abortionist regrets timing"). Hedlund's denials are, at best, incredibly naive and clearly are contradicted by Hedlund's prompt appreciation of the ties between his work and the recent shootings in Kansas.
The Medical Society of Virginia regards these happenings not as a question of abortion, but of potential physical violence. We are deeply concerned about current social trends toward violence in the home, on the streets, in sports - whether mindless or considered but misguided. The entire sequence in Roanoke demonstrates the dangers of such loose-cannon activity that proceeds publicly without consideration of the full consequences.
Hedlund's actions unfairly taint all anti-abortion groups. His tactics only can be condemned, whether they involve abortion, animal research, alternative lifestyles, ethnic discrimination, ecology or war. We trust the community of Roanoke and the commonwealth of Virginia will respond to them in their true perspective.
GEORGE E. BROMAN, M.D.
President
The Medical Society of Virginia
RICHMOND
Won't go to club that discriminates
I'M UPSET with the Lake Drive Swim and Dance Club after hearing that it was discriminating against people. I used to have fun visiting there with friends, but I don't think I will ever go back.
The manager should think about what God thinks about discrimination. I cannot believe someone would discriminate against others because of their skin color.
DENISE ASPELL
VINTON
Give more facts on South Africa
REGARDING the tragic death of Amy Elizabeth Biehl (``In the end, South Africa's hatred was too strong" by Barbara Koh and Melody Petersen of Knight- Ridder/Tribune):
The murder of defenseless women in South Africa is certainly not new. Many have gone before her just as senselessly for skin color, for tribal affiliation or for defying a strike or boycott.
Terrorism comes in every color. I call on the press to give us all the information we need to make balanced judgments about South Africa. Please don't make it politically correct before you pass it on to us - that's not what we're paying for.
KEVIN SEBRING
BLACKSBURG
by CNB