Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, February 19, 1995 TAG: 9502180009
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: G2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It's a specious argument Small makes that the many shouldn't be taxed to support the few. As he knows, we all support directly or indirectly government services we don't use or even like. If he wonders why, he should reread the preamble to the Constitution or look up ``E Pluribus Unum'' in his Webster's.
Public television has been popular and successful because its programming is ``commercially unacceptable'' - that is, not as profitable as ``Married With Children.'' It's commercial television that many, particularly parents, find unacceptable.
Like Small, I consider A&E, Discovery and The Learning Channel exceptional. But in the stampede to privatize and save a buck, he and his fellows trample the point that differentiates public and pay television. Public television is free - subsidized by all and available to all. A boon and a service to those who can't afford pay television, to those who can't splurge on a New York trip to see Pavarotti, and to those who are homebound and hate to watch drivel, or read it. And it is a wonderful free resource to sorely underfunded public schools.
To budget cutters: Cut where it will mean something. Less than one-third of 1 percent of the federal budget goes to public broadcasting - $286 million. That's about $1.10 for every American, and it provides a lot of bang for the buck. If Small wants a tax cut so badly, I'd be happy to give him a rebate on his $1.10.
WILLIAM R. GILL JR. ROANOKE
TAP helps break welfare cycle
I'M 33 years old and happily married for the second time, and I have two beautiful daughters. I've been on and off welfare most of my adult life, so I know what it's like. I also know that a good job is hard to find without an education or job skills. I cannot begin to count the number of times doors have been slammed in my face.
All of that changed when I found out about Total Action Against Poverty's Employment Training Services. It offers low-income people like me an opportunity to obtain a high-school equivalency certificate and job skills that are needed to obtain a good job. I started classes in October 1993 in the custom-training program. This program offers computer skills, typing, accounting, business math, business English, office procedures and shorthand. It also offers workshops on how to present yourself at a job interview and how to fill out a resume, and advice on family issues. The program's leaders are the finest. They go out of their way to support you in any way possible.
I met a gentleman at our job fair in December 1993 from Allstate Insurance Co. A few weeks later I sent in an application and resume to Allstate, was called in for an interview, and became a full-time employee on March 7, 1994.
Budget cuts to community-action programs such as TAP and the services it provides will eliminate any hope for people like me who want to get off and stay off welfare. Please think about it!
LISA CAMPBELL ROANOKE
Sodomized child is twice victimized
I'M AT a loss to understand why Roanoke Circuit Court Judge Richard Pattisall would allow Reiko Smith to remain free on bond after Smith admitted sodomizing an 18-month-old child (Feb. 1 article, ``Man who sodomized toddler remains free''). A child who could neither defend himself nor communicate the nature of this terrible crime to others has now been victimized by the court system as well as by Smith.
Trust is an integral part of our judicial system. I trust as a parent that those who sit in judgment of such cases will make safety and protection of each child within their jurisdiction the highest priority. I now feel there has been a breach of that trust.
LYNDA RIDDLEBARGER SCOTT VINTON
Legislature uses common sense
YOUR FEB. 7 editorial (``The wrong context for Allen's plan'') was an accurate analysis of issues surrounding the governor's ill-conceived, destructive budget amendments. General Assembly members are to be commended for repudiating Gov. Allen's efforts to advance his own ambitions at the expense of Virginia citizens.
Since Allen portrays himself as a spokesman for Virginia taxpayers, perhaps it should be pointed out that the thousands of citizens who spoke out against his plans to dismantle a wide range of social, cultural and educational programs also happen to be taxpayers of the commonwealth. We're fortunate that common sense and sound judgment prevailed in the end.
ALAN GLICK BLACKSBURG
Tenacity in pursuit of the truth
I COMMEND Mary Bishop for the excellent documentation of the true impact of urban renewal on black neighborhoods, businesses and families in Roanoke (Jan. 29 article, ``Urban renewal's untold stories''). Her tenacity and relentless pursuit of the truth is journalism at its best. Without her perseverance, the story might have gone untold.
Congratulations to the Roanoke Times & World-News for supporting her efforts and publishing the article.
TED EDLICH President Total Action Against Poverty ROANOKE
GOP should listen to moderate voices
AFTER READING the Feb. 1 commentary piece by Peter Flaherty (``Sen. Warner must be replaced''), I was struck with the sad realization that the far right in Virginia is sorely out of touch with the rest of the state.
I consider myself a moderate conservative. I place my vote based upon the individual, and to all but the blindly faithful it was evident that Oliver North wasn't the right man for the Senate job. So, along with other moderate conservatives, I voted my conscience. It should be noted that Warner did the same.
If Virginia's Republican Party wishes to avoid another disaster like North, it needs to listen to the voices emanating from its center. It seems to me those voices are saying, ``We're scared as hell, and we're not going to take it anymore.''
JOHN LEFTWICH HUDDLESTON
Flatten the tax for a better fix
A LINE-ITEM veto is only half the battle!
Let's have a straight 10 percent tax on all income. Nothing off - no deductions, no exemptions, no loopholes. A drop from 14 percent to 10 percent! Make more, pay more; make less, pay less.
RAY CONNELLY TROUTVILLE
North Carolina gets our airport business
I'VE LIVED in the Roanoke Valley for the past 29 years and really feel like a native Roanoker.
One concern I've had for several years now is that of our airport. It's a nice facility, but recently as we were deplaning, I overheard a businessman say to a colleague, ``This is such a cute, little airport - so quaint.'' My heart sank at the word ``quaint.'' My dictionary defines ``quaint'' as ``pleasingly different, fanciful, or old-fashioned; unusual, odd or curious.'' I want to be proud of our airport. What can be done?
With such a limit on land space, and the inconvenience of having only one main airline servicing the area, many Roanokers go to Greensboro to fly. It's such a shame that the demand is going to North Carolina when the supply is already here. Consider the revenue that we're losing. Something needs to be done. Politics and greed should be set aside, and change needs to take place. Roanoke needs to come up to the times!
I sometimes feel that I need leave Roanoke and move to Greensboro because our governing bodies refuse to improve the economics, and want things to remain the same as they've been for years and years. Roanoke needs to wake up and get with the program, or it will forever stay ``quaint.''
JOY W. WRIGHT GOODVIEW
by CNB