Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 24, 1994 TAG: 9404260001
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
According to Wells, he was advised to set up the account in this manner. According to numerous past audits, it must have been acceptable to use this practice. Only since last April has it been illegal to do this, and he changed the procedure months prior to that.
My understanding is that he offered to give up the interest before the investigation began. What a shame the Bedford County Board of Supervisors didn't want it then. To hire lawyers and pay them more than the board can hope to recover smacks of publicity-seeking, a ``cover your ass-ets'' mentality. I've read and heard that several supervisors feel Wells has done no wrong. If they feel that way, why hire the lawyer? And just because he's been hired, doesn't mean he can't be fired. (I believe that also applies to supervisors at voting time.)
From my perspective, this is a no-win situation for the Bedford County Board of Supervisors. This taxpayer can think of more useful ways to spend our hard-earned tax dollars than flushing them down the toilet, trying to prosecute an unwinnable case.
BARBARA HOWELL VINTON
Interstate proposal needs fine-tuning
NOW THAT the basic route for Interstate 73 has been proposed, a lot of fine-tuning can begin. In my comments to the Virginia Department of Transportation, I've done some of that.
I propose connecting I-73 with the ``smart road'' at Ironto, have it follow the south side of the Roanoke River to a point where it can be taken over the eastern shoulder of Twelve O'Clock Knob Road, using the Knob Road corridor over to U.S. 221 near the foot of Bent Mountain, and taking it from there in some way to where it can parallel U.S. 220, avoiding the mountain.
I'd like to see a continuation of it built across U.S. 220, east and north to I-81 at Cloverdale - the eastern bypass of Roanoke already suggested. In combination with I-81, these roads would form an outer perimeter for the valley.
Also: Extend I-581 south to the point where the continuation road crossed U.S. 220. Build connectors between I-81 and I-73 just west of Glenvar, and by extending Virginia 112 (Horner Lane) south across the river, at either end of an existing business area on U.S. 11. This would help define and make it an attractive location for motels and other businesses catering to tourists.
There may be businesses that haven't thought of selling to tourists that would do well in that area. For example, Old Virginia Brick Co. makes fine molded brick. Why couldn't it make molded brick bookends, doorstops, bird baths, candlesticks and other objects and sell to tourists in a shop adjacent to the factory. It could also stock molded brick in various colors to sell to do-it-yourselfers to use for steps, stoops, patios and entry halls.
These are just a few examples of fine-tuning that can make I-73 more valuable to the valley and have it avoid areas where it's not wanted.
McCLUER SHERRARD MARTINSVILLE
North, and Senate's 91 percent majority
CONGRATULATIONS to you for publishing a March 26 letter to the editor by Tom Taylor, a Roanoke bookkeeper, entitled ``Oliver North's `lie' was the only honorable course'' and a March 28 commentary by Richard Alvarez, a former White House writer for President Reagan, entitled ``Miller is savaging the Republican Party.'' These gentlemen aren't only intelligent, but knowledgeable. That's more than I can say for most who are quick to condemn Oliver North.
It's been my opinion that North would make a better U.S. senator than 90 percent of those making up the Senate at the present time. However, based on Sen. Warner's announcement, the above-mentioned percentage is now 91 percent.
Should I ever vote for an independent candidate for a U.S. Senate seat from Virginia, it would be if Warner runs again and the Democratic candidate didn't measure up to the independent candidate.
BILL MASON ROANOKE
Laughing in the face of the legal system
THE ROANOKE Times & World-News' series of ``Times Up'' news articles by staff writer Ron Brown is indeed a way of ``thinking'' that makes me wonder why we have laws.
Growing up in the '40s and as a teen in the '50s, I was taught to obey the law and not ``think'' of creative ways to circumvent the legal system under which we're to live, especially if that legal system is to be our protection. We've really reached the bottom of the barrel, decadence at its worst, when those responsible for upholding the law - the complete legal system - laugh in the face of the law. No, it's not ``cute,'' ``smart,'' ``something to do'' and it ``is not laughable.'' Instead, it speaks to today's generation the message: Do what you want; some will get caught. But if you have money, you don't have to worry.
DORIS GROSS TROUTVILLE
by CNB