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

DATE: SUNDAY, April 2, 1995                   TAG: 9503310112
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: G-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LANCE O. HUNT, Vinton
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BIG CITY BLUNDERS

Thank you for this opportunity to comment on your story, "Urban Renewal's Untold Stories." What a great piece! I have seen references made to what happened during this part of Roanoke's history, but have never been able to find out what really happened. It was great to read the complete story. There are a few points I would like to make:

1) What a sad and tragic thing Roanoke did, destroying those people, those neighborhoods, and so much of her history, all at once.

2) That sense of "community" is so lacking all over this country today. This city, in partnership with the federal government, destroyed that which is so badly needed.

3) Why was this done? Follow the money trail! Who benefited? Certainly not those poor citizens! The government did it to grow government, a larger tax base, more revenue, a feather in someone's cap. The government makes more money to hire more people to do other projects to make more money to hire more people.

4) This is a shining example of a typical government project. The whole project is totally screwed up, millions of dollars are dumped somewhere (only the people that put it in their pockets know where), government grows larger, a few people have nice things to write on their resume, and the hard-working, tax-paying citizens who built this city and this country are left out in the cold.

5) When are we going to learn that this is what happens to whatever the federal government touches?

6) When is Roanoke going to stop trying to be something it is not? Why is Roanoke trying so hard to be "big city?" Why doesn't this city announce proudly to the world that this is a beautiful, quiet little valley where you can live peacefully and raise a family? When will Roanoke learn to take advantage of what it has to offer, rather than trying to be like Charlotte or Greensboro?

I know lots of people who live and work here because they like what is here. Lots of people retire to this area because the "little city" in the rural area, with the big lake nearby, is extremely attractive. Maybe City Hall will consider this story and other such things that have happened and decide to take care of her people. Stop trying to find more ways to tax the people so government can grow bigger, and Roanoke can become a BIG CITY!

by CNB