ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 1, 1994                   TAG: 9402010247
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long


AIRPORT WISELY OPTED FOR SAFETY

I HAD intended to write a letter commending our airport for closing during the recent weather emergency, but, like most people, I simply let it pass. Then I read Jack Burke's Jan. 25 letter to the editor (``Mail service, airport took a holiday'') complaining about the necessary closing as if the airport and airlines made money or got a big kick out of being closed for the week. I sincerely think people are nuts.

As one of the most frequent flyers from the Roanoke Airport, I was delighted that common sense prevailed. I, too, had to miss meetings that had been scheduled in other places. But if the airport makes a mistake, lives can be both lost and ruined. Prudence is a great watchword. I hope that any time there's a question of air safety, precaution and prudence prevail. I wish drivers felt the same way.

There are such things as emergencies and inconvenience; there are such things as the difficult but right thing to do. I support the airport's decision any time it makes the hard choice. Life is perilous enough without throwing ourselves into a danger simply because we don't want to admit that humans, like all living things, are subject to the laws of nature.

NIKKI GIOVANNI

CHRISTIANSBURG

Abortion shouldn't cost taxpayers

REGARDING the Jan. 22 letter to the editor, ``Leave abortion issue to women'' by Mara Bradburn:

Letting women choose is fine, but not with my money. I don't believe in abortions, and those who choose to have one should do it out of their own appropriations. Why should I and others who don't believe in abortions pay for someone's stupid mentality?

If Congress repeals the Hyde amendment to allow federal funding for all abortions, everyone who shares my belief should stop paying taxes and revolt with votes to get those sicko, money-hungry politicians out of office.

HERB KREBS

ROANOKE

Clinton restores citizens' confidence

THANKS to President Clinton for his efforts and understanding of our nation's needs. We're so fortunate to have a person with such a brilliant mind to represent us. We've never had a president who's been as active and knowledgeable in all fields.

His pleasant manner disarms the old grouch-bags. They'll try everything in the book to put him down. Jealousy is a destructive element that comes out in mean people with a desire to destroy.

We need Clinton's help; there's no one who could fill his shoes. I feel safe once again. I'm confident in his decision-making. I can see why he hated war; he's seeking peace. I like his quiet, confident approach to the enormous problems he inherited, for which he'll receive little thanks.

I'm so happy Mrs. Clinton is overseeing reform of the health system. She's criticized for speaking out on things she believes are wrong, but that's what we need.

My prayers go with our president and with Vice President Al Gore. If they last long enough, they may be able to turn things around.

HELEN ANDERSON

SALEM

Retirees ask state to play fair

REGARDING the Jan. 11 news article entitled ``The ruling: No refunds'' by staff writer Bonnie V. Winston:

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Virginia had illegally collected taxes from federal retirees. Why should Alexandria Judge Kent rule now that we aren't entitled to a refund? He contends that the pensioners ``could have gone to court to challenge the taxes before paying them.'' Maybe the state shouldn't have accepted that money?

Mary Sue Terry also said: ``Where were those people in 1942?'' Where was she? I can tell her where ``they'' were. My husband was in England, preparing for the Normandy invasion. Did anyone send those people word of new laws being passed in this country while they were overseas? I doubt it.

As for the state maybe paying us back eventually, we'll be dead by then!

Also, your Jan. 20 editorial (``Wimpiness on retirees' taxes'') takes the cake. Wimpiness indeed!

When my husband died after a career in the military, his pension died with him. Fortunately, he had paid into an annuity, but that's only half of what his retirement income was. And I've paid state taxes on that, too.

At age 65, military pensioners lose their health benefits (CHAMPUS) and are put on Medicare, which means paying full price on all prescription drugs. And Medicare pays only 80 percent of approved care. Meanwhile, the widows' real-estate taxes, house maintenance, etc., are the same, or go up.

This pensioner is mad, and her blood pressure is up. Wimpy? I think not! Just wanting fairness.

GERMAINE BALDWIN

BLACKSBURG

Lack of facilities isn't recognized

SOMEONE MENTIONED to me recently that the idea of a multipurpose ballpark in downtown Roanoke was thought-provoking. But he also acknowledged that there was a problem with my proposal. I was told that my ballpark was a solution to a problem that was never perceived.

The soothsayer was right! Citizens of Roanoke had never said, ``Gee Mac, our kids have f+inoo adequate facilities to play football, baseball or to run track! We think there is a problem, and we want our two high schools to be as competitive as any area school, and as any in the state. We think it would be much less expensive to provide a multipurpose facility for them that could also serve as a coliseum for concerts and special events, or even a festival site for the Roanoke Valley or f+iouro Commonwealth Games.''

Until it's perceived that ``we'' in Roanoke city have a problem, then the ``as yet to be proposed'' stadium (Dec. 28 news article, ``Developer is serious about his ballpark,'' and Jan. 11 news article, ``In other City Council action'') is a ``field of dreams.''

DELVIS O. McCADDEN

Roanoke City Council Member

ROANOKE



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