Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502150009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
I also want to thank my many friends, customers and family members who took time out of their busy lives to assist me: by circulating and signing petitions encouraging the rezoning, by attending the meetings with the Board of Supervisors, and by voicing their support of my request at those meetings. I hope they feel as I do that ``the system'' works for us - as it should when we participate.
To those who opposed my rezoning request, I believe you will find that you feared the unknown of change and that the actual result will be a positive addition to my county and yours.
Finally, I encourage all the people of Montgomery County to learn more about the county's comprehensive plan and to participate in its development - because it affects all of us in very important ways.
Lawrence R. Price Jr.
Blacksburg
Volunteers can help build park
The citizens of Christiansburg should ask the Town Council to proceed with the proposed Parks and Recreation Area. It is time Christiansburg gave the children (and adults) something to say YES to! If it were not for the Christiansburg Kiwanis Club and the Montgomery County School System, the young people would not have a ball field or basketball court on which to play.
We realize money is always a drawback, so why not encourage groups, business employees and others to volunteer time to build the park in sections or pods? The grading could be done by town employees, while the cleaning of the brush could be done by jail inmates. (Yes, this can be done.) Next, interested people could show up on planned dates and be directed by a volunteer coordinator. Blacksburg assembled a nice play area in much the same way.
The park should be named the Terry L. Griffith Memorial Park. We can attempt to repay the dedication of a good man who died before his time. Terry went to school with a lot of young people who I know would work on this park.
Businesses could be approached to donate building supplies, sand and concrete block. Senior citizen groups would help by passing out drinks and sandwiches. While we build a park, we will, in fact, build a community. As the downtown area has been torn down, so has the feeling of being a community. We must unite to help the children, adults, senior citizens and, yes, honor a young man who gave up seeing his children grow up and play softball as he did only a few years ago.
There is no greater investment than an active recreation program.
Larry and Clara Sowers
Christiansburg
Not all want to share wealth
I recently went from a job that paid $60,000 a year to one that pays $24,000, and I need help with my budget. I just can't find anyplace to make cuts. A few examples: Every two years I must have a new car. I must have a new computer - mine is last year's model. We can't move from our house. I have an image to keep up, you know. I must have meat at every meal and a glass of wine at dinner. This summer, my wife and I have to go to Hawaii - we promised ourselves. There's just no place to make any cuts.
Oh, there are those radicals who say there's lots of places for improvement, but we know better, don't we? Wait! I've got an idea. I could get my neighbors to contribute; I'm sure they will understand. There will probably be a few people who don't, but I'll just have to overlook those mean-spirited people, won't I? After all, they make more than I do. I understand our government much better now, too. Don't you?
Joseph E. Schroer
Elliston
Budget cuts may hit 4-H hard
Gov. George Allen's proposed spending cuts are deep and far reaching. Virginia Cooperative Extension will be especially hard-hit. These cuts threaten the 4-H youth education program. The program offers youth the chance to develop useful skills, to excel individually and to work with others.
I have been a 4-H'er for eight years, during which I have represented my county, district and state at various competitions and conferences. I have also taken rewarding trips that would not have been possible without financial help from 4-H and Extension. Most importantly, however, I have developed self-confidence and leadership skills that I will use for a lifetime. I hope that 4-H will continue to be able to give these experiences to other youth for many years to come, but as budgets are cut, that will be increasingly difficult to do.
Robin Guynn
Montgomery County
by CNB