Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, May 15, 1994 TAG: 9405170016
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The letter-writer asks a number of pertinent, if irreverent, questions.
The city suffers from suburban, or neighborhood commercial development, which discourages shoppers from coming downtown. But what about those who work downtown or live near the city core?
Downtown suffers from having too many places where you can buy a candle snuffer and not enough places selling daily needs, from razor blades to groceries to hardware. We need at least one supermarket where office workers can shop during lunch or immediately after work en route home, a five-and-dime, a hardware store, a couple of brand-name discount stores, another drugstore or two, and at least one movie theater (perhaps in the old cafeteria building on Church Avenue). Why not a small Division of Motor Vehicles office where walk-in needs such as vehicle registration and the purchase of license plates can be met on a lunch hour? Why isn't there a Bell Atlantic office downtown where bills can be paid and service needs discussed? Why do shops close at 5 p.m.?
What isn't adequately grasped by the business community is that downtown is the center of the metropolitan area. It's the obvious location for most retail trade other than that dependent on acres of parking, which is not the requisite for business success it's often thought to be.
RANDOLPH GREGG
ROANOKE
Review tooted the wrong horn
AS A PARTICIPANT, along with about 380 choristers and two wonderful soloists, in the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra performance April 25 of Mahler's Second Symphony, I was deeply ingratiated by correspondent Seth Williamson's enthusiastic review (April 27 Extra section, ``Mahler propelled by chorus, RSO'').
With nearly 500 performers on stage, I was flattered to find myself singled out for praise regarding solo trumpet passages in the third movement. Since I did enjoy responsibility for such solo work with the orchestra for more than 16 years, and since I was occasionally on stage during this performance, it was logical for him to presume that I was responsible for these passages. As much as I'd like to take credit for this marvelous playing, I cannot. The passages were the work of my good friend, colleague and acting principal trumpet of the RSO, Jim Kluesner.
I resigned as principal trumpet some time ago. I teach in Virgina Tech's Department of Music where new priorities for higher education are demanding more time for development of more efficient instructional delivery systems. It's an exciting and challenging time to be in higher education, but I no longer have the time and energy that a regular commitment to the RSO requires. On this occasion, I was pleased to be one of the numerous extra trumpet players required to perform this monumental symphony.
Once again, thanks, but I must tip my hat to Kluesner for his excellent work.
ALLEN H. BACHELDER
NEW CASTLE
Scorn heaped on Nixon to the end
LIKE MANY readers, I often find myself not in accord with this newspaper's editorials. I usually don't feel any desire to comment, but your April 26 editorial on Richard Nixon (``The irrepressible, tragic American'') was an exception. The overall tone was too mean-spirited, the ``facts'' were biased, and the whole text dripped scorn and invective.
Although I and many other Americans didn't applaud every Nixon policy or practice, he was, nevertheless, a great world leader, a true statesman and an effective politician. Our present leaders pale in comparison, lacking a vision as broad and a backbone as firm.
Now that he's gone, perhaps you can let go of your petty carping and allow him to rest in peace.
BILL MODICA
SALEM
Liberals also fight for their country
IN ANSWER to Noah Mills April 26 letter to the editor, ``Warner in the sack with liberals'':
Because I think Oliver North is unfit to serve in the U.S. Senate, does that make me a liberal? Well, maybe I am. If so, I'm a liberal who spent three years in the U.S. Navy, two of which were at sea, and took part in two major battles. So much for the theory or belief that only conservatives fight for their country.
Charles Robb is as unfit to serve in the Senate as is North, even though, like North, Robb was a Marine and is a Vietnam veteran.
As for Mills' assertion that conservative Republicans are this nation's only true patriots and defenders, some questions arise. How much combat did Ronald Reagan take part in between making training films in World War II? How much action did Dan Quayle see between writing stories for the National Guard? What stopped Rush Limbaugh, archconservative and spokesman for the far right, from volunteering his services during the Vietnam War? What kept superconservative John Wayne from doing his part in World War II? Could it be these last two were closet liberals?
Mills needs to remember that liberals wave flags, charge up hills and die, too. As for protecting individual rights, they do a better job.
PHILIP ROSDOL
ROANOKE
Extra benefits for nursing moms
REGARDING Jane Brody's article in the April 12 Extra section, ``With all the reasons to breastfeed, too few do'':
I'd like to correct a statement she made about the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children. This is a federally funded program in all states. She stated that ``no special supplements are offered to those who nurse.'' There are special supplements and benefits offered to women who breast-feed their infants. The Virginia WIC policy states that breast-feeding women are at a higher level in the priority system than those who don't.
Also, breast-feeding women receive WIC benefits for up to one year while others are eligible for only six months. In addition, WIC offers a greater variety and quantity of foods to breast-feeding participants than to non-breast-feeding participants.
The local health department has WIC nutritionists, public-health nurses and breast-feeding peer counselors who are always available to WIC mothers and can answer any questions they may have.
Thanks to Brody for bringing this topic to the public.
JEAN ROBBINS
Registered Dietitian
ROANOKE
Happy to wait for the mail
I WOULD hope the U.S. Postal Service would downsize to five days of mail delivery to keep postage low. At one time, there was a need for six days, but with Federal Express and overnight mailing, the need is gone. I'm sure most customers, like me, wouldn't mind the inconvenience. They could adjust routes to assure the same great service we receive now and lower cost considerably. Government has a problem with adjusting, and costs are going to rise in the future.
RONALD G. BALDWIN
RADFORD
A preacher who's also a huckster
I WAS watching television recently and saw the Rev. Jerry Falwell selling video tapes about President and Mrs. Clinton. Do you suppose Falwell isn't getting enough money from his members, so he's selling tapes to make it?
I don't think a preacher can be a preacher and also a politician.
THOMAS VICTORY
ROANOKE
Waco, Texas, has claim to formula
REGARDING the April 30 letter by Curtis D. Thomas, ``Legendary formula found in Wythe'':
My current copy of the Texas State Travel Guide says this about the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco:
``A fountain drink mixed in The Old Corner Drug Store in the 1880's was dubbed Dr Pepper. R.S. Lazenby, Waco beverage chemist and patron of the drug store, became interested in the new drink and began extensive research. In 1885, after some two years of testing, blending and processing, the new flavor was originated and put on sale commercially. So perfect was Lazenby's work that the formula has remained basically unchanged. Museum, housed in original 1906 bottling plant, is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.''
NANCY MITCHELL
HUDDLESTON
by CNB