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

DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994                   TAG: 9405190119
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: TAMMY L. BELINSKY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ALLEN FOLLOWS REAGAN'S FOOLISH STEPS

JOHN Goolrick's May 4 commentary, ``By George, Allen just might have what it takes,'' overlooked a significant parallel for his comparison of Gov. George Allen to former President Ronald Reagan.

Reagan's economic policies left the economies of California and the country in tailspins. In just a few months since his inauguration, Allen has started the commonwealth down a frightfully similar path.

The Piedmont Environmental Council has reported that the economic study prepared by Disney Corp., to support Disney's efforts to locate a theme park in Northern Virginia, is flawed and shortsighted. This has confirmed Virginia taxpayers' fears that Disney really won't be good for Virginians.

Similarly, Allen's administration is standing fast by its recommendation to the U.S. Congress to route a National Highway System's proposed highway off course and bring it toward, but not quite to, the Roanoke Valley. The Virginia Department of Transportation's proposed route for Interstate 73 through Virginia is nothing more than an attempt to get pork out of American taxpayers' hides.

The VDOT's own economic studies, prepared to justify the selected Route 6A, admit that the only jobs that can be predicted are those generated at interchanges from development of motels, restaurants and gas stations.

The studies document that the reason the selected corridor ranked well for job creation was that, since it is the proposed route that will break the most new ground, it would have the greatest potential for interchange-related development. That is, new motels, restaurants and gas stations.

Conducting a professional analysis of VDOT's economic justification isn't necessary to reveal its shortsightedness. The study itself says so in black and white.

In the end, it seems all Southwest Virginia has to look forward to if VDOT's proposed route for I-73 is adopted by Congress is higher taxes, a federal-deficit increase, and a decrease in the quality of life. Yep, sounds like Reaganomics to me.

Goolrick believes Allen's only weakness, relative to Reagan's abilities, is his speechmaking skills. Let's hope, for the sake of our children and grandchildren, that Allen isn't able to improve his speechmaking skills. America can't afford to be fooled again.

=\ Tammy L. Belinsky lives in Copper Hill.

by CNB