Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 13, 1994 TAG: 9408260003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
However, we feel obligated to comment on the achievement that was his proudest accomplishment:the establishment of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Southwest Virginia.
During the pre-World War II Depression era, he spent some of his teen-age years working in the Civilian Conservation Corps. He was stationed at the Speedwell Camp, located in what is now the Jefferson National Forest. Throughout his amazing rise to national prominence, this statesman never forgot the lessons of natural-resource stewardship learned with the CCC.
During the early '60s, Jennings worked diligently in Congress to obtain recognition of the Mount Rogers area as a major destination for outdoor recreation in the Jefferson National Forest. In 1966, he wrote and championed legislation that was signed into law establishing the 154,000-acre Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. His vision included stewardship of one of our nation's treasures, but he also felt careful development would produce badly needed economic benefits and jobs for his region.
The Mount Rogers National Recreation Area was one of the first four such areas established within the national forest system. His law was an exciting new concept, and we feel Jennings deserves recognition for his far-reaching vision. His support for the people and Southwest Virginia's resources was always foremost in his mind and efforts.
LIONEL MELANCON CHARLES A. BLANKENSHIP REGINALD L. KINMAN ROANOKE
Roanoke County follies amaze
IN RECENT years, there have been a few developments that fall into the category of ``Roanoke County Follies.'' These include:
The furor over the sheriff that resulted in the creation of the county's police department.
The mad rush to see that department heads and officers had plum jobs when it was possible that we might achieve a consolidated government.
The cat ordinance, which in itself is not so bad, but is a licensing program.
The county's animal-control officers are now under the direction of the police department. OK, but must they also attend the Police Academy. For what?
Elmer Hodge, county administrator, announces that due to the Dixie Caverns landfill debacle, there's no money for any improvements. But the county is hiring three new animal-control/police officers. With no money?
Now this: The Roanoke County School Board requests between $50 million and $88 million at a time of predicted enrollment decline. Supervisor Bob Johnson has stated that since Hodge and Police Chief John Cease have gotten everything they asked for, then the School Board's request should be granted.
While I certainly agree that Hodge and Cease have gotten more than their fair share, three wrongs do not make a right!
JAMES C. MARTIN VINTON
The evolution theory is not sacrosanct
YOUR Aug 1. editorial (``The Scopes trial, revisited'') was glaring evidence of the need for re-evaluating the decision that made a flawed theory the foundation of 70 years of science education.
Education has implied, through the absence of teaching any other theory, that evolution is the only possibility. In your explanation of the scientific process, you failed to mention that a theory can be proved invalid if it's counter to existing laws of science. Evolution theory is in contradiction to the second law of thermodynamics that says any system, without intelligent direction, will degrade to a more random state. Evolution is based on the theory that our universe moved from randomness to incredibly intricate order by chance. Either the law or the theory is wrong.
You claim evolution theory is ``confirmed by mountains of empirical data.'' That mountain of data is constructed from a few pebbles of evidence and mounds of inconsistent suppositions, surrounded by craters of unexplained gaps. The Institute of Creation Science has documentation for inquiring minds.
Seventy years of teaching theory as truth has created a pseudo-religious dogma - evolution - that needs to be challenged. Could the simple truth be ``In the beginning, God created ... ''?
LARRY NECESSARY DALEVILLE
Robb's votes show concern for future
THE ENDLESS refrain of Republican legislators is that Democrats only want to ``tax and spend.''
Yet when earthquakes occur in California, hurricanes in Florida, floods in the Midwest and Georgia, and forest fires burn out of control in the Western states, everyone calls on government for help, and expects to receive it. So, how are these and other needs - crime control, health care, welfare reform, education, highways and bridges, and infrastructure repairs in older cities - to be met without collecting taxes?
Also, let's not forget to include salaries and expense accounts of our senators and representatives in Congress. And not the least of the costs is paying off the national debt, which is now in the trillions.
In facing all these needs, Sen. Charles Robb has played a constructive and responsible role. By supporting the deficit-reduction plan that will reduce federal deficits by $500 billion over the next five years, he's shown deep concern for our country's future. Reductions have already been accomplished - from an estimated $291 billion budget in 1993 to an estimated $171 billion this year.
VIRGINIA M. CURRIE BLACKSBURG
by CNB