Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, January 1, 1995 TAG: 9501030015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The point is, Prices Fork Road serves as a primary road, but it receives secondary treatment. The people who live along the section that is to be widened are receiving secondary treatment. They are being pressured to take much less than market value for their land. They cannot afford the cost of going against the massive state Department of Transportation, with its unprecedented power.
So they must take whatever the state offers. Because that is less than market value, these people are forced to pay more than their share for the road improvements.
When the offers to the property owners on Prices Fork Road are compared with the offers to the landowners on another area project, a clear case of discrimination is revealed.
The Department of Transportation has so much discretionary power it need not respect the people and need not respect their property rights.
James V. Noonkester
Blacksburg
Thanks after United Way drive
I am overwhelmed with the support and commitment shown during this year's United Way Campaign. We exceeded the 1994 goal with a record total of $807,594 so far. As we have gone well beyond our $790,000 goal, there are still a few more companies to add to that final amount.
Without the generosity of our community, the hard work of the United Way Campaign Team and campaign volunteers, board members, and staff this could not have happened. I have learned so much and have been touched in so many ways during this campaign. There is a deep down warmth that is hard to describe when I think of the caring and unselfishness this community has shown for our neighbors. Giving truly is receiving.
This season is a time to think of others and remember the great sacrifice that was made for us all. Those who have made this campaign a success are truly special to our neighbors who must depend on the services provided by our 35 partner agencies all year round.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for helping people and changing lives here at home.
Jo Lynn Price, 1994 campaign chairwoman, United Way of Montgomery County and Radford
Christiansburg
School buses need seat belts, too
I am a concerned student at Christiansburg Middle School. In one of my health classes, we were studying about seat-belt safety. In one class discussion, a student asked one very good question: "How come school buses and two-town trolleys do not have seat belts?"
Did you know that most injury-related deaths are caused by motor vehicles? I am writing this letter for many concerned students at Christiansburg Middle School and to get one point across: Many people are injured or killed every year by motor vehicles, and it might be safer if buses had seat belts. It would mean a lot to me if you would print this in the paper.
Barett Lee
Christiansburg
69 kids now have warm winter jackets
The Radford Clothing Bank would like to thank everyone who helped with the "Coats for Kids" project. For the seventh year, the project, sponsored by Radford Clothing Bank and Cooks Clean Center, provided 69 children and youth with winter jackets at Radford High School, McHarg Primary School, Dalton Middle School, Radford Headstart and Riverlawn Elementary School.
Coordinator Sue Swindell was assisted by Bronte Foster, Jean Rockwell and Lura Alice Robertson. The volunteers contacted Radford City schools and Riverlawn Elementary School in Pulaski County. After the volunteers received a count from each participating school and were notified that Cooks Clean Center had completed the cleaning, they then sorted the jackets by size and delivered them in early December.
The project, started in 1987, moved a step forward this year when Cooks Clean Center agreed to accept donated jackets all year round, increasing the lead time for the project. Over 100 coats were cleaned and made available to school children. The excess coats were placed with the Radford Clothing Bank.
Cooks Clean Center and Radford Clothing Bank are happy to provide a warm Christmas for so many children.
Thora Jervey, chairman, Radford Clothing Bank
Radford
We should rethink child-custody deals
I'm writing to highlight the concerns of a noncustodial parent.
Unfortunately, the judicial system today is often asked to determine which parent is worthy to be the custodial parent. In my opinion, the system is heavily biased towards the mother in cases where both parents appear equally qualified.
Once the court has handed down the biased verdict, the next issue is what rights should it grant the noncustodial parent. The other parent most often receives standard visitation: every other weekend, a month during the summer, and one week at Christmas.
This represents approximately 23 percent of the total year. Why would a system concerned with a child's welfare allow a minimum of only 84 days a year with the other parent? Visitation is just a guideline for parents to follow, but it gives the custodial parent the legal right to prevent visitation beyond those 84 days. If the parents are equally qualified and live in the same town, why not order joint custody, which would be less damaging emotionally for the child?
Another example that shows the court's concern is child-support payments. By no means do I agree with parents who refuse to support their child, but I do understand. Many child custody documents state the other parent is legally obligated to pay monthly child support, but not to visit the child. Problems develop when that parent provides equal financial support, but does not receive equal consideration in decisions that affect the child's life. In essence, the court is primarily concerned with financial support, not emotional support. The court should recognize views of both parents.
One final area that needs reform is calculating support payments based on a parent's gross income. In the real world, families are provided for with disposable, or after-tax, income. Here again the judicial system reveals its primary goal of financial, not emotional, support.
Chris Nubern
Blacksburg
by CNB