Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 10, 1994 TAG: 9402100259
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
A big "Thank you" to the fire departments, rescue squads, letter and newspaper carriers for dedication to their jobs during the recent "Big Freeze."\
Rosie Aders \ 1150 Vinyard Road\ Vinton\
Dear Neighbors:
I got up at my usual 5 a.m on Jan. 25 to find the water pressure in my Southwest Roanoke home reduced to a virtual trickle.
Having gone through this on at least two prior occasions and knowing that the problems resulted from problems in the city water line system, I called the Roanoke Water Department's emergency number listed in the telephone directory's blue pages. I had hoped to get a status report on the problem or perhaps make the city aware of the problem.
But there was no answer - not a person, not even a recorded message.
What is the purpose of having an emergency number if it is not answered 24 hours a day?
Appalachian Power Company answers its emergency line around the clock. So does Roanoke Gas Company. Water is just as important as electricity and gas, so why does the city not find it necessary to staff its emergency line at all times? (Incidentally, I dialed the number at least 10 times between 5 and 6 a.m.)
The previous week, during the snow and ice, we called the trash collection department to find out if trash would be picked up on the regular day. We were told that if our street was passable, trash would be collected on schedule. Since our street was in good condition, many residents set their trash at the curb in anticipation of it being picked up. It was not.
With the city's new curbside collection policy, many of us have left our trash at the curb. After all, we do not know when the city might take a notion to pick it up.
Recently, there has been a marked decline in the quality of services provided by Roanoke. But, there certainly has been no reduction in taxes. One has to ask why. Has the time come for City Council to take a good, hard look at who is sitting in the manager's seat?\ Jerry A. Stone\ 2616 Northview Drive S.W.\ Roanoke\
Dear Neighbors:
This is in regard to receiving medical help on a day before a holiday. On New Year's Eve, my nephew called his regular doctor and received the answering system that gave him the name of a doctor who was suppose to be taking his calls.
On calling that doctor, my nephew got another answering system that told him to go to the emergency room at Lewis-Gale Hospital. He did, arriving at the hospital at 9:30 a.m. and had to wait in the emergency room full of people.
Finally, a very nice doctor, the only one on duty for the holiday, was able to see him and after examination and X-rays, said my nephew had pneumonia.
The serious question is why do all doctors take the same time off? I realize they deserve time off. But not all offices should be closed at the same time.
I really hope that President Bill Clinton has some news for the medical professionals as they really need help of some kind.
And, yes, my nephew finally got back home at 4 p.m.\ Ruth Cunningham\ 8528 Pinehurst Circle Roanoke\ Dear Neighbors:
The week of Jan. 17 was a treacherous week for driving in the Roanoke Valley. Everywhere you went you experienced ice that would not go away.
I travel past the airport everyday on Aviation Drive and right onto Municipal Drive. On the first day of ice, a Monday, I noticed someone had lost control on that turn and knocked the yield signs almost to the ground. On Tuesday, I lost control on that turn and found myself with all four wheels up the curb into the median! I missed knocking the signs all the way to the ground by two feet.
On Wednesday, when I came to this turn, the signs were all the way down and pulled out of the ground. The curb was full of black marks from so many people hitting it. And, on Friday as I was slowly approaching at my usual 10 mph, I had to wait momentarily for the two vehicles ahead of me to recover from their spin and go on their way.
Why was there no sign put up temporarily warning drivers of the danger of this turn? Day after day people were having trouble maneuvering this turn, but not once was there any additional gravel put down or any other aid.
I salute anyone who survived this road and all the other dangerous situations. But please, let's get these repetitive spins stopped by using signs or even plowing the next time.
By the way, someone lost a hubcap and needs to go back and pick it up.\ Libbie McCutcheon\ 6803 Fair Oaks Road\ Roanoke\ Dear Neighbors:
The Jefferson Center Foundation has been kind enough to send me its latest progress report. I share the pleasure in this enterprise with former Jefferson High students and other Roanokers.
I enclose a little paraphrased ditty that can be sung as a jingle or commercial for the center. This may inspire readers and singers to further support.\ JEFF THE MAGIC CENTER (Tune: Puff the Magic Dragon)
Jeff the Magic Center lives on as you can see It headquarters many functions for the Roanoke community: Public access TV, JC's and schools en route Mingle with Opera Roanoke and the musically astute. Jeff the Magic Center, proud as it can be Home to the Choral Society and Roanoke Symphony. Police Academy training leads on to new directions: Mental Health, Habitat, and also Court Corrections. These activities carry forward the good Jefferson name. We grads of that grand school hope that you will feel the same. Pride, sense of accomplishment and joyous elation Watching the magic growth of the Jefferson Center Foundation.\ W.S. Lyon\ Jefferson High School '39\ 7007 Rockingham Drive\ Knoxville, Tenn.
by CNB