Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, December 8, 1994 TAG: 9412230099
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-18 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Several months ago, at his request, Virginia abolished parole without first determining a mechanism for funding the estimated $2 billion in costs.
Now he's proposed cutting Virginia state taxes by about the same amount of $2.1 billion.
In several more months, the governor regretfully will announce that he's unable to cut taxes after all, but will use the $2.1 billion saved toward funding the $2 billion costs of abolishing parole. It's a stroke of genius.
MARTIN WEGBREIT
ABINGDON
Vicious, and a turn-off
A BIG mouth doesn't a smart politician make. Take Sen. Jesse ``McCarthy'' Helms, please!
His inane, stupid, un-American remarks are an example of what to expect of the upcoming regime. Saying his remarks were a joke is a joke. They were, as he meant them to be, vicious, just as he's always been. Folks, that's your Foreign Relations chairman-to-be.
Thanks to whoever invented the television in which they included an off button on the set.
I'd much rather have a ``lame duck'' president than a ``lame duck'' Republican majority.
JOE LOCKHART
ROANOKE
What's Tech got to do with it?
REPORTERS often tell me that editors, not reporters, write headlines to news stories. Once again it seems an editor neglected to read the reporter's story on Nov. 19, ``Guess who paid for train to Tech.''
The cross-state train trip was an event for, and sponsored by, Radford University's Alumni Association. Although Virginia Tech was involved in a similar venture two years ago, this year's trip wasn't affiliated with the university in any way. Had Radford not sponsored the train, legislators would have traveled to Blacksburg via personal transportation.
LARRY HINCKER
Director, University Relations
Virginia Tech
BLACKSBURG
Editor's note: The story was correct; the headline was wrong. The train trip was to Radford University, not Tech. Legislators were bused to Tech from Radford.
Why the higher water rates?
A NOV. 28 letter by Lee Eddy (``Water and sewer rates are justified'') offered an explanation of the somewhat high charges for water in Roanoke County, and also reminded us that water rates would be increased another 10 percent next year.
On Nov. 23, a news story (``Intersection to get traffic guards") reported that ``the board approved `lending' $2.5 million from the county water fund to the county sewer fund.'' This loan is to be repaid over the next 20 years.
With $2.5 million not presently needed to finance the water project, why the need to increase water rates another 10 percent next year? Could this increase be delayed? How much money is presently available for loan from the water fund? Will what appears to be excess funds continue to accumulate?
JOHN BOSTIAN
HOLLINS
Not a good time to be poor
IN RESPONSE to recent comments, Clinton-bashing, and the self-serving attitude by the new Republican leadership of the House and Senate:
For all intents and purposes, what one hears, sees and reads by way of the news media is that there's a declared war on the poor, and the rich man's bank account will become even bigger.
As for the great hoopla over term limits, according to the GOP, there's less need at this time to proceed with it. Why? They've taken over the power, so people can rest easy. Bull dung. The Republican Party has been crying the blues ever since Franklin Roosevelt won four straight terms.
As for the working class, the poor and so forth: All should now start a major penny-saving effort. The children, our most precious resource, continue to go hungry and are abused and neglected.
For Washington, D.C., and all the powers that be - with your inflated salaries, perks and the best health care money can buy, regardless of what party - just think for a moment: By putting more burden on the poor and slashing funding for this and that, you all can take more trips to the Bahamas, drink more whiskey, and live high on the hog.
The two years ahead will be only sideshows, political bickering, and bragging rights for the 1996 election. The only thing left to say is: Out with the poor and in with the rich.
MITCHELL ROBINSON
GALAX
Memo: ***CORRECTION***