Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 11, 1994 TAG: 9409090002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A16 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
What we need instead of $25 parking tickets is to repeal the personal-property tax - just do away with it completely! We pay federal income taxes, state income taxes, Social Security taxes, unemployment taxes, real-estate taxes, sales taxes, gasoline taxes, cigarette taxes, real-estate taxes and many other taxes. To pay personal-property taxes every year on our cars, trucks, tractors, riding lawn mowers, etc., should be the last straw.
City Council members rejoice every time there's a new business to pay thousands of dollars a year in taxes. But would they ever think of lowering our taxes? Not on your life!
This country is ripe for a taxpayer revolt. Let's hope it comes before government takes all our money.
RUTH ANN ASSAID ROANOKE
Zoo maintains high fund-raiser ethics
IN RESPONSE to your Aug. 3 news article, ``Oops, zoo tops state's warning list'':
We'd like to reassure your readers of the Mill Mountain Zoo's commitment to maintaining the highest ethical standards in fund raising. While it failed to file a report with the state Division of Consumer Affairs in a timely manner, this oversight was corrected, well in advance of our Aug. 15 extension deadline. We're deeply embarrassed by our mistake.
We wish to assure our patrons, members, contributors and the public that the division's press release cited only the failure to file an administrative report. No audit or investigation has alleged any impropriety. The Blue Ridge Zoological Society of Virginia was formed in 1976 as a nonprofit corporation to run Mill Mountain Zoo. Since that time, the zoo hasn't received any complaints on our fund-raising efforts or handling of contributed funds.
In recent years, the zoo has made great strides in promoting our mission of wildlife conservation and education. At the American Center for Rare and Endangered Species, we began raising our first litter of American Red Wolf pups. In downtown Roanoke, we've released endangered peregrine falcons into the wild. In the education arena, we work with more than 15,000 school children annually, in addition to our 60,000 regular patrons. In perhaps our most visible effort, we've built a new habitat for our Siberian tiger, Ruby. In the future, we have many exciting plans to build upon these triumphs.
These and other accomplishments wouldn't have been possible without the support of the people of Western Virginia. We regret any actions that may have raised questions with the public, and vow to continue our efforts to improve the quality of life in Western Virginia.
KENNETH O. ROBISON II President MICHAEL J. HATCHER Treasurer Mill Mountain Zoo ROANOKE
Children in Haiti are starving, too
AFTER SEEING and reading about the terrible conditions in Haiti, I think it's the height of hypocrisy to be sending all possible aid to Rwanda while, by our own government policies, we're starving children to death in Haiti. Neither the children nor the general populace of Haiti care who is in control. Haitians just want to feed their families. Their rulers aren't going hungry, and neither is Aristide.
We won't allow them to leave, and we won't allow them to have food. How can we, as Americans, justify or condone such action on the part of our government?
MILDRED OVERSTREET MONETA
U.S. 221 safety can't wait until '98
AS HOMEOWNERS in Southwest Roanoke County, my wife and I have seen much growth throughout our area over the past several years. Numerous subdivisions have popped up, with several more currently in the planning or construction stage.
The Virginia Department of Transportation recently began public hearings on proposed changes to the long-overdue upgrade of U.S. 221, which is the primary outlet for all this new development. Old-timers and newcomers to the Back Creek area have much to gain or lose with the board's ultimate decision. This project will cost several million dollars, and is finally becoming a priority for the overburdened officials at VDOT.
Unfortunately, another tragic incident recently occurred on a sharply curved section of U.S. 221. It claimed the life of an elderly gentleman. After numerous accidents, we've asked officials about possible measures that could be taken to alert motorists to the dangerous curves. I've seen other areas where grooved pavement, in-road reflectors, flashing signals, etc., are used to slow vehicular traffic and promote drivers' awareness. The response to our queries has been, ``Well, we'll look into it.''
No real changes have been made to U.S. 221 south of its latest renovation since its initial construction. Now we have the promise that construction will start by 1998?
What do we do until then? Will county zoning officials continue to allow unrestricted development and growth, and force even greater amounts of traffic onto the road that was outdated 15 years ago? Will VDOT continue to ignore temporary improvements that need not be costly, yet might save lives? What price are we paying for progress in Roanoke County?
JOE KEPHART ROANOKE
by CNB