Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994 TAG: 9406070049
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Perhaps he'll invade Southwest Virginia, marshaling his horde of rodents, but we'll fight him as he ascends up our quiet, tree-lined main streets. We'll fight him in the deep, green coolness of our mountains, in our open clover fields, our secure neighborhoods where children play safely and traffic is minimal, and along our country roads with wild honeysuckle and blackberry vines trailing beside a winding creek. He'll fling his garbage on our roadsides and the stench of his pollution will arise to God's nostrils. We'll stand as defender in front of our historic buildings, museums and churches.
Perhaps he'll beat us to the ground and pave over our blue-green Virginia mountains. He'll dry up our little streams for parking lots and seize our backyards for highways, so that we may never again hear the crickets.
As long as there's anyone left to remember, it will be said, ``That was Southwest Virginia's finest hour.''
PATRICIA P. WIDNER
WYTHEVILLE
Volunteers make impact on schools
BRAVO and three cheers to volunteers in Roanoke City Public Schools. More than 3,000 volunteers were honored May 26 by students and staff of the school system at a gala celebration. These individuals included parents, students from institutions of higher education, senior citizens, representatives of civic and church groups, business leaders and older public-school students who mentor younger students.
It's difficult to measure the impact these individual school volunteers have made. The hours of service they contribute, and the in-kind and financial support they provide far exceeds $1 million. If one translated the hours of service into additional staff resources, it would be the equivalent of 65 additional staff members. Statistics may capture the scope of the program, but other indicators better speak to the quality of the volunteer program. The difference can be seen in the instructional enrichment, personal attention and human touch that volunteers provide for children.
In a time when young people need role models, mentors and constructive alternatives, the contributions of our volunteers and educational partners deserve our greatest praise and appreciation.
LISSY RUNYON
Public Information Officer
Roanoke City Public Schools
ROANOKE
Goode's tactics turn off voters
EVERY TIME people find a candidate they think they can support, politics as usual takes over.
Virgil Goode, when he first announced for the U.S. Senate, seemed to be that candidate. I now think not! Instead of running on the issues and his own record, he's taken the road many others in the past have taken.
I assume Goode doesn't think his accomplishments distinguish him enough in the voters' eyes to run on that record. Therefore, he seems to be comfortable using the same old attacks, used by so many candidates before him, to put himself in the limelight. These tactics, which may cost him more votes than just mine, turn off more voters today than ever before.
STEVE CLAYMAN
ROANOKE
America already has too many police
ERIC Sheffield's May 28 letter to the editor (``Government won't be easily overthrown'') shows a naivete that could only be espoused by someone who's been conditioned by a government or educational system that teaches anything government does is correct.
If it became apparent that government was willing to use the Army against its population, then many would take to the mountains in guerrilla warfare to ensure that our nation survives. This could only be done if most of us have weapons to combat the tyranny.
He mentioned the Branch Davidians. If a deputy with a piece of paper had knocked on the door of the compound stating he had a warrant, the outcome may have been quite different.
A news item in this newspaper stated that several officers attempted to arrest a person for evaluation, and he shot many of them and his father while being taken into custody. One officer calmly talking to this person could have made a difference.
I know of which I speak. Disturbed people fear lots of people, especially those in uniform, and less is better. More policemen mean more mayhem. What's needed isn't more authority but less intimidation. The results would be dramatic. So, let's not take too much stock in comments from those who have no real experience in life-threatening situations.
Most say we haven't enough policemen. I say we have too many!
DOUGLAS CHANDLER GRAHAM
SALEM
Robb will help make Virginia safer
I'M HAPPY to have a person like Chuck Robb to represent me and the people of Virginia. His views bring the attention of many minds. Let's not have kids killing kids, and those who cannot share the outside and the beauty of our Virginia land.
It's time to give 100 percent support and stand behind this man, at all costs. This is a man who cares. I know, because I can look into his eyes and tell he's the man for Virginia. He'll support us and bring safety to the welfare of all Virginians.
ALVIN R. HUMES
CHRISTIANSBURG
by CNB