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

DATE: MONDAY, June 13, 1994                   TAG: 9406270124
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ALLEN IS HONORING HIS MANDATE

You seem to imply that some agency directors' positions are, or should be, off-limits when there is a change of political parties. If that were the case, the legislature would have, by now, exempted individuals in those positions from serving at the governor's pleasure.

As you know, the governor's appointive powers are very limited in Virginia. A Virginia governor is only able to put his team into place in a few instances, unlike the federal system that allows the executive wide latitude in selecting his team.

The positions you mentioned are most interesting. For instance, who would doubt that the governor needs to have his own person in charge of the Department of Health at a time when he's battling the Clinton administration on Mrs. Clinton's misguided health-care plan? And at the Department of Environmental Quality, the governor needs someone in charge who'll work hard to overcome many misguided mandates that Clinton's Environmental Protection Agency is attempting to impose on Virginia.

The Virginia Lottery is certainly not immune from change. I'm sure voters won't forget that a major issue in the last election was the $20 million lottery ``palace'' to be built with taxpayer funds. This was an idea the governor campaigned against.

You imply that these agency supervisors should have remained in their jobs because they were, in your words, ``nonpartisan career workers.'' But that's simply not correct.

All those holding the positions were fine gentlemen, indeed. The governor recognized their work on behalf of the commonwealth by granting them a two-week transition period (which has not usually been the case in previous administrations), and by giving them a full one-month salary as severance.

But the fact is all of them were appointed to their jobs as directors of their agencies by a Democratic governor to promote the philosophy, agenda and policies of that governor - and they've done that well.

Last November, voters mandated change in state government, with the overwhelming election of George Allen. Seven months later, it should come as no surprise to anyone, including the affected agency heads, that the governor is once again making good on a campaign pledge by making changes. To effectuate that change, his philosophy must be shared by agency directors within his administration. He certainly was not elected to keep things as they were. Gov. Allen is doing exactly what the people of Virginia hired him to do.

JAY TIMMONS

Chief of Staff

Office of the Governor

RICHMOND

A melody that would linger on

I'VE FOLLOWED with much interest the continuing controversy about our state song, ``Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,'' and have sounded out a fair number of people on the subject. It seems that, despite the determined stand of traditional-minded folks, no amount of tinkering with the words, or even new words with the old tune, will be acceptable to a sizable proportion of our population.

That being the case, I propose we consider a change of front. In existence, there's a melody so sweet and harmonious, so admirably suited for modern lyrics, that I wonder why no one has suggested it before. It's the old 19th-century love song ``Lorena,'' perhaps not unfamiliar to Southern music buffs. It was enormously popular with Northern and Southern soldiers during the Civil War, and I'm certain that some enterprising lyricist could fashion a set of words that many now-discontented citizens could sing with pride and fervor.

I'm aware the name has generated some lurid headlines, but that's a mere coincidence, to be forgotten in a year. I've written some new words to the old tune, and I hope they'll be given a fair hearing. As to my credentials, I'm a retired member of the Virginia National Guard, a military historian, a lifelong Civil War buff and a published poet.

RICHARD RAYMOND III

ROANOKE

Spirit needed for sing-along

WHEN ``Music for Americans'' began, no auditions were required to sing in the chorus. All that was needed was enthusiasm and a sincere desire to express one's joy at being an American.

If this is a community project, it's improper to hold auditions. Understandably, such organizations as the Roanoke Valley Choral Society require them, but auditions to sing for the July 4 celebration? I think not!

I sing in the finest choir in the Roanoke Valley and am in no way fearful of auditions. I believe that there are folks who would love to be a part of this celebration, but who are prohibited because the desire is for a proper choral sound rather than a true patriotic celebration.

ANNE WEAVER

ROANOKE