Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, March 4, 1994 TAG: 9403040232
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Although doubt was expressed as to the effectiveness of the program, the Roanoke County/Salem Health Department feels that it's certainly worth a trial in the present climate of shortages of state funding. It's not the intent to replace the work and responsibility of state health inspectors, but only to supplement their efforts. An opinion stated by the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Industry's vice president was that using volunteers to do health inspections is ``not in the public's best interest.'' This lacks credibility considering that some preliminary inspection by volunteers can reveal problems in food handling and preparation that will be referred to qualified state health inspectors for resolution.
Please don't denigrate the work of volunteers. Leaders at all levels of government - including past presidents - have commended the work of volunteers and the contributions they've made to their communities, improving the quality of life for all. In the Roanoke Valley alone, there are 125 agencies utilizing volunteers' work. We're richly endowed with many individuals living here who have experience and versatility, and are willing to help their community by donating their free time.
If the effort being planned by the health department identifies just one unsafe condition that could cause a food-borne illness, then surely that effort's been worthwhile and we can all feel more comfortable in eating out.
MOLLY L. RUTLEDGE
Director, Alleghany Health District
JOHN L. SHONE
Volunteer Coordinator
LTFINCASTLE
Senate candidate with paper shredder
THREE cheers for your Feb. 1 editorial, ``The celebrity candidate.'' I also admire Sen. Warner for saying ``no convicted felon had ever served in the Senate.'' Warner depicted Ollie North as a criminal who lied to Congress about the Iran-Contra scandal and then got off on a technicality. The convictions of North and John Poindexter were overturned because Congress had granted the aides immunity for their congressional testimony in which they admitted to lies, crimes and cover-ups, not to mention subversion of the Constitution.
If North is elected, God help Virginia. I wonder if he'll take his paper shredder with him to the Senate.
EXALEE CUNNINGHAM
CHRISTIANSBURG
Don't pollute Catawba Valley
THERE'S discussion currently about where a proposed interstate highway - I-73 - between Michigan and South Carolina will cross Virginia. One alternative for the proposed I-73 - alternative Route 6 - has caused concern among Catawba Valley residents and other area residents alike. This route presumably would put the new interstate down the ridge way that runs between Virginia Byway 785 and Mount Tabor Road (624).
This residential and farm community is appreciated and enjoyed, not only by those who live here but by thousands of area residents, including many Virginia Tech students, who seek recreation, sight-seeing or just a scenic drive in the countryside. It's already established as the largest and most expensive of the proposed routes. Why use public funds to pollute and disturb Catawba Valley while existing highway corridors aren't 10 miles away? Do New River Valley residents really need three major highway links between Blacksburg and Salem (I-81, the ``smart highway'' and perhaps I-73)? While some may favor alternative Route 6 as ``the most likely to serve the most people,'' we can't help but wonder who they are. Certainly not area residents or visitors.
Public support cannot be claimed for an interstate highway through Catawba Valley. People here just don't want this and will pursue the issue and strongly oppose this route as long as it continues to be considered by the Virginia Department of Transportation.
PETER and MARY
BAKKEN OZOLINS
BLACKSBURG
Railroad tracks aren't a playground
I HAD to wait recently at the railroad crossing at Southern States in Vinton for a long train to pass. As I was waiting, I saw a girl about 10 or 12 years old on the other side of the crossing. For at least five minutes, she tossed large rocks onto the tracks and pulled a handful of grass up and placed it on the tracks for the train to run over it, all the while holding onto the root ends. She also got close enough to touch the cars as they passed. There were cars on her side, and someone should have told her how dangerous this was. No one did. Had her parents ever told her how dangerous this was? Why was a child so young by herself? Maybe she was going to the convenience store across the tracks for a special treat or something for her mom.
We've read and heard so much about kids and adults being hurt or killed playing on or around railroad tracks. God forbid this little girl had been hurt or killed. I'm sure someone would have brought a suit, and it would f+inoto have been Norfolk Southern's fault. But the keepers of this little girl have so much to live for and so much to learn.
Wake up, parents, and teach your children that trains are fascinating, tracks are probably fun, but, like a loaded gun, they are not for play!
MARLENE WILKERSON
ROANOKE
by CNB