Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 20, 1994 TAG: 9405210007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Judging by results of the recent council election, it seems those in Boones Mill have finally seen the light, and it's not on top of the police car! I often wondered how such a small town could afford to support a full-time police officer and two vehicles, when it had to borrow money to upgrade the water system.
I'd like to set the record straight on one quote in the article. Mr. Dale Fisher was quoted as being amused that statements were made during the campaigns to put an end to disputes and bickering by the very ones (Mr. Steve Palmer and Ms. Virginia Carroll) now causing the friction. I followed this election closely, and didn't come across any information that either Palmer or Carroll had made reference to ending bickering or disputes. The issues repeatedly addressed by both candidates were related to the town's water system, decreasing expenses and avoiding the wasting of taxpayers' money.
It appears that Mayor-elect Palmer and Councilwoman Carroll would like to save taxpayers some money by controlling the town's spending. I applaud them for this, even if their proposed solutions cause friction. Eliminating the police officer (and his generous salary) by installing a traffic light on U.S. 220 would save the town a considerable amount. The light would also solve problems motorists have when trying to enter U.S. 220 from Virginia 739 or Virginia 684.
The townspeople have finally taken a step toward solving their problems by electing representatives who appear conscientious about working toward what's best for their town.
TAMMY M. THOMPSON
ROANOKE
Sylvia Clute is being overlooked
DWAYNE Yancey wrote in his May 2 ``Inside Virginia'' column, ``Like many Virginians, [Dan Clemente is] dissatisfied with the prospect of having to choose between Charles Robb and Oliver North in this fall's Senate race.'' Yancey proceeds to write the ``fact'' that the choice at this point is between Robb and North. Nowhere is Sylvia Clute mentioned. Although not in the General Assembly, she's promoted much-needed legislation for abused children and women, has proved herself in the fields of banking and law, and has an unsullied reputation. She's contributed greatly to making this a better Virginia.
Overlooking her excellent qualifications for the Senate has occurred several times in news articles in this newspaper concerning the candidates. Although you had one very good news article on Clute (April 18, ``Diligent Clute quietly campaigns for Senate'' by staff writer Greg Schneider), there's been more coverage of the other candidates.
She should be recognized as a quality candidate for the U.S. Senate.
MARY JANE ZODY
BLACKSBURG
Road agency swills at the public trough
ALTHOUGH it was early in my veterinary career that I received training in swine medicine, I can still recognize pork when I see it.
The Virginia Department of Transportation's proposed routing of Interstate 73 in the U.S.460/U.S. 220 corridor over Bent Mountain is an unabashed grab for pork from the federal larder. Its own studies indicate this route will cost nearly a half-billion dollars more than the most economical route along I-77.
With today's taxpayers demanding fiscal responsibility from all levels and agencies of government, why does VDOT propose such an extravagant expenditure of public funds?
Such swilling at the public trough needs to be stopped. After all, it's your money.
BILL ROSOLOWSKY
BENT MOUNTAIN
Sanity missing in justice system
ANY JUDICIAL system that spends thousands of taxpayer dollars and takes 14 years to give a lethal injection to a moral pervert, rapist and vicious mass murderer like John Wayne Gacy is an unadulterated insult to every United States citizen.
The American Civil Liberties Union to the contrary, the lethal injection given him was certainly a Sunday School picnic when compared to the fear and awful pain suffered by his victims. Doesn't true justice call for an eye-for-an-eye treatment?
Though President Clinton and our pathetic judicial system may not agree, it would appear that Singapore could teach us some very healthy lessons on the values of a sane judicial system.
DON W. HILLIS
ROANOKE
Local pharmacies help patients' health
REGARDING your May 13 editorial, ``Consumer `choice' - or is it?'':
When signed, the Freedom of Choice drug bill, H.B. 840, will benefit Virginians more than any recent legislation. It will give the patient the right to buy prescriptions wherever he or she chooses. If the patient visits a local pharmacy and needs more information regarding medication, the pharmacist is there to help. Better drug therapy is maintained when the patient talks to his or her pharmacist about health problems. Our state legislators thought so, since they voted overwhelmingly for the bill.
The root problem regarding higher cost of medications at the local level is discriminatory pricing by drug manufacturers who don't offer discounts to wholesalers and retailers on equal terms, even when quantities purchased and payment terms are equal.
Vetoing this bill would be another nail in the coffin of independent drugstores. The fate of ``Dr. Pepper's Pharmacy'' is a case in point. The pharmacy, founded by Dr. Charles Pepper and cited as the birthplace of the soft drink bearing his name, closed last month. A pharmacist at the Rural Retreat drugstore cited dwindling reimbursements from insurance companies for its demise. ``The real loss is to the 972 people who call Rural Retreat home,'' wrote The Washington Post. ``They now will have to order prescriptions from strangers by phone or drive 13 miles to Wytheville, where about 13,000 people live.''
Mail-order drug providers and big business suppliers, who evidently influence this newspaper, aren't as concerned with patients' welfare as they are about costs. They don't consider that drug misuse or noncompliance by the patient often causes unnecessary costs. When the pharmacist applies his drug knowledge and expertise in dispensing a medication, counsels with the patient about usage, and monitors other drugs the patient is taking, the patient benefits at no additional cost.
Gov. Allen should abide by the wishes of our representatives and sign this bill.
LANDON R. LOVELACE
ROANOKE
Martinsville area faces peril, promise
I WANT to commend this newspaper for the excellent Peril and Promise series you're publishing on various topics regarding economic development. You're doing a great service to your community by informing readers about current issues and realities, as well as the future economic-growth opportunities for your region.
Fortunately, you're also helping those in the Martinsville and Henry County area understand the same realities and opportunities regarding similar economic development in our region.
Thanks! We look forward to your next article.
FRANK E. NOVAKOWSKI
Executive Director
Martinsville-Henry County Economic Development Corporation
MARTINSVILLE
Background checks are working
WHILE LOOKING for deals on shop equipment in a local pawn shop, I was drawn into a conversation with the owner and two local police officers on the topic of gun control.
The owner was upset with existing rules requiring him to do a State Police background check on customers who want to pick up pawned firearms. His concern was that the customer already owned the firearm, and that if State Police declines to let the the owner repossess his or her property, the customer becomes unhappy, which has occurred.
The officers and I exchanged smiles. There's one less firearm in the hands of a felon.
Instant background checks work. Good law!
WILLIAM G. MILLINGTON
MONTVALE
by CNB