Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 15, 1995 TAG: 9504180003
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I had the misfortune of spending the past 21/2 years in Greensboro, N.C., and, believe me, North Carolina will never leave Virginia ``trailing.'' Fisher implied that if we could only be like North Carolina, we'd have it all. That needs some enlightening.
North Carolina's rapid pace of development appeared in every aspect like the ``devil's den'' - way too much, way too soon. The state has an extremely high violent-crime rate, which I feel can be attributed to this so-called progress, and it has left the attitude of the people fearful, callous and extremely unfriendly. Believe me, they have nothing over Virginia. I'm very thankful that I have no small children to educate in North Carolina. Progress in education simply wasn't there.
Since I've been there and experienced firsthand what North Carolinians' great progress has done, everyone in Roanoke and Virginia can say with pride to a Tar Heel: Virginia is my home, and you don't know what you're missing.
MAGGIE ANNARINO
ROANOKE
Creating jobs that nobody wants
WHEN I read ``The changing countryside'' article (March 7) on Christiansburg, I was reminded that the more things change, the more they stay the same. U.S. 460 has changed. But in the New River Valley for working people, things stay the same.
Dan Brugh, resident engineer for the Virginia Department of Transportation, said that development of U.S. 460 created new jobs, but this type of jobs we can do without. We have no leadership in the New River Valley to try and create high-paying jobs. We have no industrial jobs to speak of. The ones that have settled here start at just above minimum wage and go to around $6 per hour. Undoubtedly, these people who see a growing economy and good jobs being created don't work.
Here in the valley, both parents must work just to make ends meet. A single person doesn't stand a chance unless he or she has parents to live with, has roommates to share living expenses or is working two jobs that, in the long run, cost in work and health. We pay too heavy a price for the type of jobs this kind of development brings because of poor leadership from the local, state and national level.
A growing economy with high-paying jobs. Where?
LEWIS A. CRAGET
CHRISTIANSBURG
Winner's success was downsized
I HAVE subscribed to your newspaper for many years, and look forward to reading it on most occasions.
As I looked through the April 2 edition, I read the article about your spelling bee (``Franklin County teen-ager takes tough spelling bee'').
Jena Jaminson is a student in the school where I work, and I was overwhelmed to see that she had won the bee that went into overtime. The thing that caught my eye was the small, minute picture of her and the large one of the third-place winner that was published. Students who excel in one way or another should be recognized, and to me Jaminson deserved the winner's place in terms of the photographs. Since you were there to take a picture of the third-place winner, you also could have taken one of the first-place winner.
I'm not the only one concerned about this. Quite a few have asked what happened. I realize it is your newspaper, and that you sponsored the spelling bee, but fair is fair.
EVELYN T. CUNDIFF
MONETA
Easter story is now contraband
THE IMPACT of religion being prohibited in school has finally hit home. Not being involved with schools for the past 31 years, I didn't give it much thought until recently.
My 5-year-old granddaughter took a child's book on ``The Story of Easter'' to school. It couldn't be read, much to her disappointment. She had wanted to share the story with her classmates. It's sad.
When I attended the seven grades at Cloverdale Elementary School, I remember we had prayer and the pledge of allegiance to the flag before we started our day. I don't feel it hurt me. In fact, I may be a better person for it. If the young people of today had more prayer and attention, I feel they wouldn't be in the trouble that they're in.
KATHRYN I. SCHMITT
ROANOKE
Don't base merger vote on hearsay
AS A CITIZEN of Bedford city, I attended the April 5 informational meeting on consolidation. The meeting was very informative.
It gave citizens the opportunity to ask questions and express concerns about consolidating governments and the effect it will have on the citizens of both jurisdictions. Unfortunately, there appears to be a lot of talk on the streets, in restaurants, at work, etc., about the agreement. And in some cases, people are forming opinions without knowing all the facts.
Elected officials and staff of both the city and county have spent countless hours and hard work in developing the plan, and are to be commended for taking on this difficult task. It is hoped the voters will vote based on their own knowledge of the consolidation agreement, and not on mere hearsay.
BARBARA H. RING
BEDFORD
by CNB