Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 5, 1994 TAG: 9406060132
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: CURRENT2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Opponents of the tower share aesthetic concerns. We also fear, with good reason, that a horrible precedent would be set for Paris Mountain - perhaps for High Top as well. We foresee the possibility of fighting "permit battles," one by one, should this tower, in any form, be constructed.
Not noted at the public hearing was the fact that Ellett and Catawba valleys are part of the '76 scenic bike route, and provide a draw for both tourism (hiking, biking) and development. Great care should be taken, on all our parts, to preserve the unique beauty of this area.
Also not noted was the fact that car-phone service is not an accessible "public utility" as was stated by the first Contel representative on May 23.
Car phones are an expensive luxury provided by private companies to those few who want and can afford them. As such, car-phone service should not be granted the public access privileges of fundamental utilities like power, water, etc.
It is a sad irony for those of us who have made efforts to bury our power and phone lines, that we now face an intrusion like the Contel Cellular tower.
Most Ellett Valley residents, no matter the size and cost of their homes or where they live, feel a pleasurable and growing responsibility to this area. It would be a travesty to us, and an insult to the land, to build any communications tower on Paris Mountain.
|Janet Niewald |David Crane |Blacksburg
Clute the best|
choice for senator|
The best bumper sticker I've seen lately is an unofficial one. Its message: "Give Robb the Boot/Vote Sylvia Clute!" Why do I like it? Because I have been furious with Chuck Robb ever since he voted to confirm Clarence Thomas as a Supreme Court justice. But the more positive reason is this: Sylvia Clute understands the problems facing this country today. She is knowledgeable about national and international issues, and she has integrity. Let's make it happen on June 14 - vote for Sylvia Clute in the Democratic primary!
|Susan Lane Shome |Blacksburg
Kipps family worthy|
of legacy at school|
I firmly believed the new Blacksburg school would be named Kipps Elementary. I believed it because I have lived here all my life and grew up near the Kipps family farm.
There were three members of this family, and they all devoted their careers to education in this community. Mae and Florence "Pattie" Kipps taught at Blacksburg High School. They taught the children and grandchildren of their first students. Michael Kipps taught at Virginia Tech until he retired.
I could tell many glowing stories about these truly exceptional people, but there is neither time nor space, for they were special in so many ways. Through all those years of teaching, through all those years of change, they remained the same: loving and gentle, caring and understanding, firm when necessary.
There are many others in education who deserve recognition, but none more deserving than the Kipps family. The other reasons to name the school Kipps Elementary are the school property joins the family farm all along the south side and part of the farm was purchased for the school site.
If the school is not named for the Kippses, I will be hurt and embarrassed. Embarrassed because we could not do what we clearly should. And hurt because we could not give the Kippses this recognition for many years of faithful service. I believe many people share my sentiments.
|James Noonkester |Blacksburg
by CNB