Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994 TAG: 9401100244
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Another very rare Virginia plant, the Virginia Round-leaf Birch, found only near Sugar Grove in Smyth County, has successfully been brought back from certain extinction. It was placed on the federal endangered-species list in 1978, when there were only 26 trees growing in the wild. Now there are more than 1,400 in 20 new populations, the plant is cultivated in many places, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed that it no longer be considered endangered. The aim of the Endangered Species Act is not just to determine which species are endangered or threatened; it also mandates that attempts be made to aid in their recoveries from the brink of extinction.
Most of the research on the Peters Mountain Mallow, the rarest plant in North America, and the Virginia Round-leaf Birch has resulted from cooperative agreements between Virginia Tech and the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Species Program of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This program is mandated by state law with the responsibility for identifying and listing plant and insect species that are in danger of extinction, and then taking steps to ensure their survival. It works closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, its federal counterpart. So far, 14 endangered and one threatened plant species are listed, of the 60 endangered and 11 threatened species that have been identified. Another 400 species are rare enough to be monitored to make sure they do not become threatened or endangered in Virginia.
Unfortunately, this important work on Virginia's natural heritage may stop July 1, as the program has been eliminated from the proposed budget that Gov. Wilder has sent to the General Assembly. The funds for this successful program must be restored. Virginia must not celebrate the 20th anniversary of the passing of the Endangered Species Act by eliminating the most successful part of its own endangered-species program.
DUNCAN M. PORTER
BLACKSBURG
Unneeded tax notices a waste
I'VE BEEN a resident of Bedford County since 1955. It wasn't until Norma Edwards was voted into office in 1992 (thank goodness I didn't vote for her) that taxpayers started getting a notice reminding us to pay the second half of our real-estate taxes. This notice was mailed in October 1992 and again in October 1993.
I received the reminder on Oct. 9, and the very next week I received my personal-property tax bill with another reminder. Both real-estate and personal-property payments go to her at the same post office box number. Why, if she's so determined to mail this reminder, couldn't they have been mailed in the same envelope?
A member of the Bedford County Board of Supervisors told me that there are approximately 60,000 parcels of real estate in our county. The postage on the envelope was 24.8 cents, which multiplied by 60,000 amounts to $14,880. This means that the extra mailing in 1992 and 1993 cost taxpayers nearly $30,000 in postage alone. This doesn't include the cost of printing the reminder nor the cost of the legal-size envelopes.
I've talked to several county residents, and they're just as disgusted with Ms. Edwards as I am. We are well aware that we owe this second half. I don't know who she's trying to impress, but she can be assured that taxpayers will not forget her wastefulness come Election Day.
AUDREY W. SMOOT
LYNCHBURG
Most woes traced to spiritual decline
IN HIS Jan. 4 letter to the editor (``Pride in self is the answer''), Jesse H. Gearhart Jr. of Roanoke wrote that self-esteem is the answer to teen pregnancy.
In his book, ``Why Johnny Can't Tell Right From Wrong,'' William Kilpatrick writes that our children are being taught to make their own rules instead of receiving an education in character. No wonder there's so much immorality, crime and violence in our nation. And it amazes me that our leaders in government and education don't seem to see that most of our problems are spiritual in nature. Our legislatures can pass all the gun laws they want, but until our nation gets right with God it will continue to decline. I'm sorry that so many of our leaders don't have the divine wisdom that our forefathers had.
ROBERT S. McCORMICK JR.
LEXINGTON
Get control of unruly government
AT THE PRESENT time, we seem to have governments at all levels in the United States that are out of control and out of touch. They create programs and bureaucracies that assume lives of their own, because of the pressure applied by special-interest groups. Billions of dollars are being spent, and yet roads and bridges crumble around us, schools are failing to educate and the quality of life in the United States continues to decline. Is it any wonder that average citizens feel their lives are frustrating and their futures are uncertain?
Since the '30s, there's been an increased borrowing by the government against the future. Bills are now coming due, but, as usual, government leaders are hiding with their heads in the sand like ostriches. Why are they behaving this way? These are not stupid people. The reason is simple: They hide their heads because they perceive that it's in their own best interest.
We get the kind of government that we deserve, it's been said. Until we tell elected officials to shape up, we'll never be able to control these monster governments that have been created. First, we must place the government on a pay-as-you-go basis. If we cannot pay for it, we don't need it. Then we must get the government to set priorities. If it's not high on the priority list, it will just have to wait. We cannot have everything! We all know this from running our own budgets, but we do not apply the same standards to our governments. We must hold them to the same standards.
WILLIAM E. PHARIS
HARDY
Faith anchored in biblical truth
THE RECENT articles about what Jesus said, whether or not the Bible gives an accurate portrayal of what he said, and whether it really makes any difference, have predictably brought a lot of comment. The consensus of the articles seems to be that Jesus probably didn't say much of anything that indicates that he was (and is) God, but that his statements about loving one's enemies, turning the other cheek, etc., are authentic. It's interesting to note that the second series of statements have little value if the first set is false.
Cody Lowe's comments (Dec. 19 ``The Back Pew'' column entitled ``Does f+iwhato Jesus said really matter?'') are typical of modern thought: ``All that Christians should expect is that the Bibles we use are reasonably accurate reflections of the teachings of the founders of our faith'' and ``What will matter to them is that the spirit of this Jesus continues to be reborn in them every year ... '' The idea expressed is that it doesn't matter whether Jesus actually said or did anything, died on the cross, rose from the dead, or even existed. All that matters is that his life gives us a good example and that we have faith in him. Such comments show a woeful lack of understanding of the true meaning and foundation of Christianity.
The problem with this line of reasoning is that what Jesus said and did f+idoeso matter. Truth always matters.
At its foundation, Christianity stands or falls on the authenticity of Jesus Christ, his death on the cross as man's substitute for the just penalty for sin, and his resurrection from the dead.
Anyone who has faith in something he or she knows or believes to be untrue is a fool. That would be like believing in Santa Claus. Unfortunately, many people take that approach to Jesus Christ. They claim that the record about him is error-filled, that he didn't say anything that would set him apart from the rest of humanity, that he didn't rise from the dead. Yet they still say we should follow him. But if they're right about him, why follow him?
If the Bible is not true, millions of Christians believe and follow a lie, there's no solution for man's sin, and we've good reason to be miserable. But, if it's true, then man must bow his knee before the sovereign Lord of the universe.
ROBERT B. COPENHAVER
DUBLIN
Looking after city workers' health
STAFF writer Joel Turner's Jan. 1 news article on Marquita Brown was right on target (``2,000 city workers receive her TLC''). As an employee of Roanoke city, I'm fortunate to have access to Ms. Brown whenever I need a shot or have a question concerning my health and wellness. She works very hard at her job and the city is fortunate to have her.
Thanks to Ms. Brown for all she has done for the health of Roanoke's municipal employees, and my thanks to the city for employing such a caring, wonderful person.
JAY STEPHENS
Librarian II
Roanoke City Public
Library System
ROANOKE
by CNB