Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, November 16, 1993 TAG: 9311170252
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Well, ducky! Just what we needed! The self-proclaimed voice of Southwest Virginia giving its regional leadership the shaft! Obviously, the state does end in Roanoke with both its western and southern boundaries.
In response to some of your assertions, all of southern Virginia appreciates being informed that we're right in the middle of ``nowhere.'' Unquestionably, the state's centers for fleecewear, other textiles, coal mining, furniture, peanuts and the East Coast's largest naval port are all ``nowheres.'' In addition, citizens of southern Virginia are pleased to inform you that, yes, we already have substantial tourist trade with our existing situation. The junction of the Blue Ridge Parkway and U.S. 58 at Meadows of Dan is the second most-used interchange on the parkway. However, we'd like to make travel to and from our part of the Old Dominion more accessible.
In reply to your tired reference, the ``assumption is that if we build it they will come,'' the declaration can be made that if we do not build, they surely will not come! When roads are so narrow that tractor-trailers are ticketed for being overwidth each time they use U.S. 58, it leaves little, if any, hope that new business or industry will locate here.
The most sensible part of your editorial was the reference to Interstate 73. Certainly, this proposal is a beacon in our future. Unfortunately, it's at best just that - the future. Meanwhile, now's the time to construct a vital link between the I-77 corridor to U.S. 220 (possibly I-73). Now's the time for Super 58.
Perhaps you're forgetting that U.S. 58 is used daily to deliver this newspaper and to travel to businesses that advertise in this newspaper. Remember, as was stated, ``the southern edge needs better connections to Raleigh and Greensboro to the south.'' Perhaps the first of these connections should be to the Greensboro News & Record.
DAVID M. RATLIFF
STUART
\ What was on writer's mind?
THERE IS some advantage in the anonymity that writers of letters to your ``What's On Your Mind?'' column enjoy. But I was fascinated by some questions raised by a letter to that column that appeared on Nov. 4.
The writer makes a statement concerning a display on a literature rack at the Roanoke Airport holding, what the writer called, ``partisan religious literature.'' The statement goes on: ``I found using public property to promote a partisan religious point of view absolutely unacceptable ... '' The writer mentions virginity, God and fidelity as among the literature's topics.
In addition to turning the First Amendment on its head, one can't help but wonder what state of mind could have induced such a vehement outburst against a fixed, inanimate object, and against a subject from which so many so easily turn their minds?
One has to wonder if the writer's ego so deeply resents the implication that there may be in the universe another God competitive to it? Or does it indicate such a deep sense of guilt that the writer cannot stand to be reminded that there will be a day of reckoning for each of us? Or is the writer so sure he or she is right that no one else has a right to think differently?
It is a puzzlement, but, in any case, thank God for the right to be wrong!
EDWARD H. LANE JR.
BLACKSBURG
Distinguish between licenses and tags
THE NOV. 7 letter to the editor (``Animal-control laws help animals, too'') from Walker Nelms, vice president of the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, demonstrates a need to distinguish between cat licensure and tags.
Localities in Virginia may now legally require cat licensure. (Prior to July 1, this wasn't so. Previously, this constituted an unlawful tax on cat owners. According to attorney Evelyn Staples of Arlington, whose expertise is in Virginia's comprehensive animal laws, all monies paid prior to July 1 will be refunded to cat owners because of the illegality of the law.)
When the license fee is paid, a tag is given to the owner. Localities, while they may require licensing, do not have authority to require cats to wear tags. Owners are not required to put collars on their cats since these may result in a variety of injuries or death.
Cat licensure brings in revenue. Throughout the country, those working for animal protection have been disappointed because money they had hoped to receive to alleviate animal suffering and overpopulation never reached their realm. It increased governments' general funds instead.
Cat licensure doesn't prevent pregnancy. Since it cannot decrease the cat population in a positive manner, the alternative is to trap and kill cats without a license.
I understand Nelms' concern for adherence to good, fair, honest, just, lawful laws. We must be ever mindful of our rights and the justice that our country, states, cities and towns are responsible for safeguarding for us - not taking from us instead.
DAWN HALE
Director, Roanoke Organization for Animal Rights
VINTON
Ma Nature doesn't want kitchen sinks
LIVING in the country is a wonderful way to live. The beauty is astounding, and watching nature do its thing is just amazing to me.
People are even more amazing in the way they treat their environment. You cantell when you're way back in the woods, away from everyone and just as far from civilization as you can get. The sounds in the woods overtake the highways' roar - nothing but you, nature and a dump!
Another clue is a ``no dumping'' sign usually put up after a collection of human refuse has come to be. I myself have noticed such a collection beginning to grow. First, an old washing machine. Then a sink with its counter, and even an old dish rag to complete the set. And recently, we have a broken television, an old console type. It kinda blends in with the ragweed; makes it seem homey. I ought to put up a sign to make it official - No Dumping!
My 4-year-old son says it makes him angry. He wants to know why people do that. I don't know what to tell him. It makes me angry, too. He wants the dumpster guys to come take it away.
CARTER SAWYER
RINER
Terry's free fall from 1989's high
IT WAS interesting to read the following quotation from the Roanoke Times & World-News concerning the election Nov. 2: ``Terry went from posting in 1989 the most votes ever won by a Virginia politician to suffer on Tuesday the worst defeat by a Democrat for governor in this century.''
This made me think of a passage in Proverbs 16:18: ``Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.''
RALPH W. FOSTER
ROANOKE
by CNB