Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, September 14, 1993 TAG: 9310280327
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DALE ALLEN
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
In response to two letters to the editor on Sept. 29, one by Mae Jones entitled "Assumptions are wrong," and the other by Nancy Eanes, "Time to listen to city voters," I'd like to make the following comments:
First, there was misunderstanding by some Southeast residents concerning the mayor's and city administration's involvement in the process concerning the possible closing of the 9th Street branch of First Union. Mayor Bowers did respond to the invitation by the Southeast Action Forum to attend the public meeting, which was held for Southeast Roanoke residents and First Union officials. He was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, but did indicate his support of our efforts.
Phillip Sparks, in the city's economic-development office, was also contacted. He offered the services of his office to help retain current banking services in the area or to help seek replacement services. Acting as a representative of the city manager and the mayor, he contacted First Union and other banking institutions concerning the matter. Sparks attended our meetinga and reported directly to the mayor and city manager. The support of Roanoke city for Southeast's effort to keep banking services in this community was sincerely given by the mayor and city manager via the economic-development office.
Second, Southeast Roanoke and the Southeast Action Forum received a good bit of media exposure during the First Union branch study. Not all statements made by all parties concerned were accurate accounts of what Southeast is today. For the record, I would like to emphasize that Southeast did not die as a community when the American Viscose Corporation shut down its Roanoke operation in 1958.
Southeast Roanoke residents are a viable cross section of all social, economic, racial and age groups. There are a number of elderly and low-income people in our community, and their well-being is a major concern of this neighborhood. However, statements made in recent news articles would lead the public to believe that the community is made up almost entirely of low-income people, clinging to existence through the good will of government and charitable organizations. This is not true.
We are an inner-city business-and-residential neighborhood, providing a major tax base to Roanoke. These residents are from all economic and social backgrounds, and residences range from private estates to public housing. We are home to both small businesses and large corporations, and there are still some small farming operations within this section of the city.
A check with city government on building permits and tax records will confirm that the area is a growing revenue producer. Southeast is a friend to the homeowner, tenant and business operator, as well as all who choose to see the community as the sum of its parts. We embrace all our residents and businesses as neighbors and acknowledge all challenges facing our neighborhood.
We choose not to be stereotyped, pigeonholed or incorrectly classified by those who use flawed demographics and undocumented research to perpetuate an image that enhances their story angle or business decision.
To see any neighborhood, one must see the whole area, not a few isolated blocks and people. A closer look at our neighborhood will dispel most misconceptions about the people, places and things that are Southeast Roanoke.
\ Dale Allen of Roanoke is president of the Southeast Action Forum.
by CNB