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

DATE: THURSDAY, December 22, 1994                   TAG: 9412220081
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CRITICS OF NS SHOULD TRY DO-IT-YOURSELF

Superhighways and airports, both funded by taxpayers, took Americans, for the most part, from rails. They gave us the convenience and speed we wanted. Evidence of the flight from rails is as close as Amtrak.

If steam buffs and rail fans want their steam runs, why can't they get with the proposers of greenway systems, and build and run their own? Then perhaps they may realize just what it takes to do what they ask a private company, in business to make a profit, to do. If interest in steam excursions and railroads is high, this should be easy to do.

It's like a lot of other things in this day and time. We want it, but we want someone else to do the work.

BOB BOSTIAN

ROANOKE

Much to like in Allen's agenda

GOV. GEORGE Allen has accomplished much since taking office in January. There have been needed education reforms such as eliminating students' and parents' book-rental fees.

Education in public schools should be a free-enterprise system and in agreement with state constitutional law. Quantitative education doesn't relatively support quality education, no matter in which state you reside. Should one support the theory of privatization of schools over academics practiced through public education, there'd be only a small percentage who could afford this opportunity.

Allen announced that he and state legislature united will cut taxes, end parole and overhaul welfare, among other things. (Details of the agenda will be presented when the new General Assembly session begins.) Democrats have responded by saying that cutting taxes in a state where they're at their lowest on a national level doesn't make sense.

Increasing taxes on a pay-as-you-go system hasn't produced a reasonable existence for those in the low- to moderate-income tax base, nor has it gained proficiency in crime reduction or reduced dependency on the welfare system. Reducing taxes won't necessarily reduce educational opportunities statewide. Virginians consistently seek out-of-state education to meet their needs.

Allen will do well to present his agenda to the General Assembly, and Virginia's state legislative body would do well to review and pass most of it.

JUNE A. THOMPSON

BUCHANAN

Good riddance to a mean-spirited year

I'M GLAD this year is almost over. It was the year of backbiting, and something was in the air that escalated hostility and caused meanness of spirit to be admired.

It's a proven fact that stifling spirit leads to hate-filled deeds, which are a learned behavior.

As a voter, I try to remember what Dante said 700 years ago. He said that those who live by intellect and reason and who are endowed with certain divine liberty aren't constrained by any poisonous remarks.

It's also to our benefit to remember George Washington's prayer. He said: ``Almighty God, cultivate our spirit of subordination and obedient to our laws, dispose all to do justice, to love mercy, to demean ourselves with that charity and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another.''

ZEMONE K. McMANAWAY

ROANOKE

Sympathy, but also disbelief

MY HEART goes out to the Cliff Decker family in their loss. I cannot believe that a family would buy a .22-rifle for a troubled youth who had so much trouble with the law and proper conduct.

JEFF BEINHORN

GRUNDY