Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502100029
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: G-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The photographs brought to life the pain, hurt and, in some cases, joy described by individuals - verifying to a degree that ``a picture is worth a thousand words.'' The aerial photographs and the block-by-block map were eye-boggling and mind-shattering!
This written and visual documentation shows all who aren't so blind that they will not see that a large part of Roanoke city was built upon the destruction of black neighborhoods.
As sad as is Roanoke's history, it's even sadder that our elected and appointed representatives are still insisting upon actions and making plans that will destroy our communities.
Will Roanoke continue to grow should the plan, be it deliberate or ``accidental,'' to remove black communities succeed? Or is Roanoke's growth based solely on a ``black thing'' we don't understand?
HELEN E. DAVIS
ROANOKE
Cranwell's interests vs. constituents'
THE JAN. 24 story ``Cranwell rips charter schools'' is a blatant example of how our legislators are being paid by the taxpayers to make decisions that aren't in their constituents' best interests, the taxpayers. My wife and I work very hard and pay taxes. We make less than $30,000 combined annually.
Three years ago, we removed our son from the public-school system. It wasn't providing a level of education that we considered to be adequate. When we asked for help for him, we were told that he didn't need it because he could meet the state minimum income, and there were other children in more need of help. I'm sorry, but the state minimum isn't always enough.
Our son is now in a private school that provides him with enrichment, a level of education and experience superior to that of public schools. We as parents and taxpayers are encouraged to participate in his learning. We pay for our child's education as well as for a school system that doesn't provide a service to us.
It appears that Del. Richard Cranwell, D-Roanoke County, is definitely far departed from those for whom he allegedly is enacting legislation. We're among those he accuses of being part of special-interest groups that would create elite schools, dividing society by class and race, and he lumps us with criminals who resort to violence toward abortion providers. We don't meet any of the criteria that Cranwell describes.
This only proves that Cranwell, the paid servant of the taxpayers, doesn't really act as a proxy for all of his constituents. If this were private industry, I, the paying customer, would be able to take my money to a business that gave me value for my money.
Since Virginia legislators apparently don't act in my best interest, please give this taxpayer his money back so I can pay myself to get a level of education for my child that meets my family's needs.
LOUIE CROSS
ROANOKE
Keeping an eye on Warner's goals
I READ with some interest the Jan. 24 story in your newspaper entitled ``Warner top Va. politico.'' Your staff writer reported on a recent poll that allegedly shows Sen. John Warner to be Virginia's top politico. The closing statement quotes Warner's chief of staff Susan Magill: ``I just hope Virginia Republicans keep their eye on the goal, which is to keep this Senate seat Republican.''
Perhaps she and the senator have as their goal only one Republican senator from Virginia, and therefore are satisfied with his recent activities that helped return a Democrat to the Senate.
THOMAS L. TRICE
ROCKY MOUNT
Don't risk getting organized crime
I DON'T believe the Jan. 25 commentary by Jack Roper IV (``Riverboats would create jobs, tourism in Virginia'') concerning riverboat gambling is factual. As usual, anything that someone advocates is purported to create jobs and bring in revenue.
Yes, riverboat gambling will bring something into the state - organized crime. It will also divert money that could be spent elsewhere into the casinos. Any revenue obtained from gambling will need to be used for prisons and the police force to combat the criminal element introduced into Virginia.
I'm opposed to gambling for moral and religious reasons, but the hard facts are that riverboat gambling would be detrimental to Virginia for practical reasons.
JANE LAM ORANGE
BOONES MILL
Edmonds didn't suffer; his victim did
I WAS surprised to see people standing in a circle and praying for Dana Ray Edmonds, not because they're praying for him but because they're death-penalty opponents (Jan. 26, front-page photograph).
Edmonds died within 15 minutes. His head wasn't bashed in with a brick, no blood, no bruises, no cuts, and he didn't suffer as much as John Eliott, the man he killed in 1983.
QUAN T. CHONG
ROANOKE
Memo: ***CORRECTION***