Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 27, 1994 TAG: 9403010163
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Granted, growth will provide a larger tax base, but I've yet to hear anyone mention the much larger demand placed upon these tax dollars, such as schools, landfills and public services. I've not heard about or seen any area experiencing growth where the tax rate has decreased. Increased demand placed upon limited resources, such as land and housing, makes them even more valuable, thus raising living costs and taxable value.
This expected growth will place increased stress on most of us. Experience in overcrowding of animals and people has shown the result to be increased aggression, hostility and more violence. Roanoke can perhaps get a clearer view of its future by examining Richmond. Frightening, isn't it? We may like to believe that we're smarter and could thus avoid or solve problems they've grown into. I fear this isn't the case. History has shown that very rarely do we learn from others' mistakes.
Another point to be considered is the outrageous additional expense of bringing I-73 through this area. Even though a large portion of the money is federal, it still comes from our pockets. Blunders such as this have placed our public debt at its present level.
U.S. 220 could use some improvement. However, from Boones Mill south, it's a good road, soon to be four lanes into the Greensboro area, a large portion of it recently constructed. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, U.S. 220 is at approximately 50 percent capacity.
I feel ashamed for not gleefully expressing this proposed project's virtues, but have discovered others who feel growth - simply to be larger - is a foolish move. We realize for each new, desirable job created, there'll still be a long line of people from whom to choose.
We should attempt to achieve progress, a word not associated with growth's definition. Simply put, let's increase the standard of living for those already in this area.
TERRY N. LOVELL
ROCKY MOUNT
Longer school year makes more sense
TONY WILLIAMS' Feb. 8 letter to the editor (``Liberalize the 180-day mandate'') was very consistent in its view. Every single item has an economic base. No mention was made of the academic effects of fewer school days.
Should economic considerations rule our school systems? Not if we want our children to have a first-class education.
Academically advantaged students would find little problem with a shortened year. With motivation from home and a good rapport with their teachers, they'll make it. However, ``at risk'' children need every classroom hour they can get. Without that incentive, they'll sink quickly into lower scholastic standings. School is their only source of support, and their teachers are their only source of help. These are the ones we must consider before monkeying around with such things as the number of required classroom hours. Why risk further deterioration in their scholastic attainment by giving them less classroom exposure than they get now?
Should we put first our future generations' education or the tourist industry's financial well-being? There aren't many industrial or government leaders worldwide who'd give it a second thought. School comes first!
It would make sense to go the other way and consider trimester school years. This program would make better use of school facilities, teachers' time and taxpayers' dollars. Why should expensive classroom space be dormant for a third of the year? Do teachers need more vacation than other professionals?
If Virginia and the United States are going to compete in the world during the next century, children will have to learn to learn. No one can predict what we'll have to know about in the years to come. Should we make children educational cripples because someone will suffer economically if the school year is extended to include a few holidays? Where are our priorities?
DON TERP
ROANOKE
North's excuse doesn't hold up
DOES OLIVER North plan to bring his paper shredder to the Senate?
It was confirmed during the Iran-Contra hearings that he shredded documents that might have been used as evidence of criminal activity, including financial gain, against himself and others.
North blames his actions then on his superiors. As an officer in the United States Marine Corps, he should have been aware of alternate avenues to take when asked to do something illegal.
Sen. Warner has shown a lot of character by not supporting North for the Senate.
Surely, Virginians, we deserve better.
LEWIS HYPES
ROANOKE
One malcontent isn't a story
JOHN Kent's honorable and outstanding service as Bedford County's superintendent of schools speaks for itself. He doesn't need me to fight the attack in your Jan. 28 news article by staff writer Karen Barnes, ``School chief's call causes confusion.''
Of the thousands of people living in Bedford County, your reporter found one malcontent and built a story to make it appear as if our school administrators had just arrived on a turnip wagon.
I'm a retired meteorologist, so I know something about weather. I served as superintendent of the U.S. Navy Weather Schools and know a few things about administration of complex organizations. Also, I'm a volunteer who works with teens at risk.
As an authority in meteorology, I submit that although weather was a factor, the bus incident was a minor incident. Why didn't you report on the activities of 125 buses whose professional drivers made it through the day without experiencing an accident? Non-story!
Although I'm not an employee of the school system, I attend school with a teen-ager who doesn't mix well in society. I've also attended several School Board meetings.
The quote in the news article, ``I'd like to see the man fired.... Everybody was confused. He does this all the time, but this takes the cake,'' is pure balderdash!
JACK MILLS
MONETA
Europe always cries for Uncle Sam
I, LIKE many Americans, am fed up with Europeans hollering for the United States every time they get into trouble. Our sacrifice of blood bailed them out during World War I, World War II, and more recently we went into Iraq to secure their oil supply.
Now, they've got a problem in their back yard, and they're hollering again for us to come to their rescue. There's a sad situation in Bosnia that should be dealt with, but the responsibility lies in Europe's lap. We aren't the world's policeman; we have no basic interest in this region.
We went to Somalia and faced a native, backward, uneducated, poorly equipped people and our accomplishments there have been few. If we face these well-equipped, battle-hardened souls in the Baltic region, we're in for a loss of men and machines.
Europe, pull yourself up by your own bootstraps and quit hollering for America.
EDWIN R. ROBERTSON
PEARISBURG
Sound investment with Disney
CONCERNING the request of the Disney Corp. for the commonwealth to improve roads in the area of Disney's recently announced theme park in Northern Virginia (Jan. 16 Associated Press story, ``Consultant says park would force 10-laning I-66''):
I don't really understand the problem with not doing so. There's a far greater chance for taxpayers in the commonwealth to enjoy a financial (tax) return on investment in this project than with the Hotel Roanoke project.
JAMES L. KRANTZ
ROANOKE
Give Apco workers a break
IN A Feb. 14 news article by Mary Bishop (``Time to make quilts ... or just use them''), some complained because they saw an Appalachian Power Co. worker sleeping in his truck. I think he was sleeping because he might have been called in from another state. Even if that wasn't the case, he might have worked for 48 hours or more.
Another complained because he saw a worker eating during lunch hour. It's a free country, so isn't he allowed to eat?
We should thank them for all the work they've done, not criticize them for taking a break.
WILL KESLER
BLACKSBURG
by CNB