Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 11, 1995 TAG: 9506140009
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Despite proponents' arguments that reducing the mortgage-interest deduction would affect only wealthy homeowners, over time, limiting the home mortgage deduction will encourage a shift away from home-ownership investments for everyone. Younger home buyers will be thwarted by the ensuing rise in the cost of home ownership. Older homeowners, who have invested their savings and the security of their retirement in their homes, will be demoralized by the reduction in their homes' value. The American dream of home ownership will vanish in the face of an inevitable housing recession. And since real estate typically leads the economy, the resultant implications are disastrous.
Any attempts to modify the current tax treatment of mortgage interest should be viewed as hidden tax increases that will ultimately fund the debt of government spending. As a Realtor committed to protecting homeowners' rights, I think the public must strive to ensure that the federal government finds other ways to face its $200 billion deficit than in taking money out of homeowners' pockets.
DON CONSTABLE
President, Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors
ROANOKE
Parole policies are unfair to families
INMATES' family members, who haven't committed a crime, are being punished by being kept on an emotional roller coaster. Virginia law states that their loved ones are eligible for parole; then the Parole Board states that he/she isn't suitable for parole release based solely on "the serious nature and circumstances of the offense."
Also, family members aren't afforded an interview with any of the new Parole Board members on behalf of their loved ones.
Abolishment of parole is meant to pertain to only those who committed a crime on or after Jan. 1. Yet with Parole Board members not completely reviewing individual cases or interviewing inmates - just saying no, no matter the case - they are effectively abolishing discretionary parole for everyone.
The Virginia Parole Board doesn't grant mandatory parole. The six-months mandatory parole is a must in accordance with Virginia law; that is, when an individual is within six months of completing his/her sentence. For this to be included in with statistics of individuals being released on parole is misleading. The Parole Board only grants or denies discretionary parole. The backlog of felony inmates being held in local jails has increased sevenfold since the new Parole Board took over in May 1994. This should indicate the true statistics.
Benjamin Disraeli, British prime minister, once said: ``There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.''
JOSEPH LEWIS FORSYTH JR.
STATE FARM
A modern, safe highway is needed
KUDOS to the Virginia Department of Transportation! Its local managers and staff members are devoting much time and effort to getting citizens' inputs regarding U.S. 221 improvements in the Poages Mill/Back Creek area.
Unfortunately, survey figures are somewhat misleading. For example, promoters of certain road options are known to collect signatures from those who don't even live in the area in question. It's somewhat ludicrous that someone living in Salem, Vinton, Utah or wherever would have valid inputs compared with those who for years have lived, worked and done volunteer projects in the section that's being analyzed.
For 23 years, my wife and I have lived alongside the existing corridor, observing and hearing crashes and cries of accident victims landing in the creek.
Developers have already built, and will continue to build, hundreds of houses in the Back Creek area. Parkway supporters frown on putting down more visible asphalt. But as tourists travel the Blue Ridge Parkway, would they rather see a well-designed local roadway that eases traffic problems or view fields of crowded-together housing units?
Yes, let's leave quaint U.S. 221 just the way it is, and go ahead and build a modern, safe roadway as per proposed alignment "C.'' It's the least expensive, and displaces the fewest existing homes.
BING GRINDLE
ROANOKE
School-bus safety can be improved
REGARDING the school-bus accident in Vinton in which a little girl was killed.
I don't take the position that some do - that it's too bad, but look at how many are transported to and from destinations without injury. Neither do I take the position that we already are spending too much or all we should to bus children to school.
I believe each child can be safely delivered. Being a part of a corporate America, we can too easily be drawn into a managed-loss-reduction mentality. We have to drive school buses with a zero-loss goal, and spend whatever is necessary to ensure safe delivery to and from school.
I believe buses shouldn't move until children being let off are visually in sight, and are beyond a perimeter from which they can run back to the area around the bus, for whatever reason. Sensors should be placed on buses, more mirrors and television cameras, if need be. Not being able to see the child is the reason for the death of the last two children in local school-bus incidents.
I don't blame either of the two bus drivers involved in these two fatalities. They followed instructions given to them at that point in time. It's today and tomorrow that we can do something about.
LYNN T. JONES JR.
BUCHANAN
Roanoke can be proud of Fleming
REGARDING the exchange between the Roanoke Times & World-News and William Fleming High School (June 4 commentaries, ``Truancy article betrayed an anti-Fleming bias'' by Candace Beamer, and ``Good point: Success, too, should be reported'' by William K. Warren):
Let's hope for improved relationships.
William Fleming High School is one of my favorite schools at which to be a substitute teacher. The atmosphere is pleasant, students are cordial, the faculty is hard-working and the campus is clean.
The citizens of Roanoke have a great high school, of which to be proud. Our community must emphasize the positive and work on ways to correct the negative, which all schools must confront.
MARJORIE SMITHEY
ROANOKE
A tribute to those `first in' firefighters
REGARDING your May 29 article (``They know all too well what fire can do'') about Roanoke City, Station 2 firefighters:
Thanks to this newspaper and staff writer Mary Bishop. It's rewarding to anyone in public safety to occasionally have positive recognition for our work.
A group of city firefighters not mentioned in the article should receive special recognition. They are the men of Engines 3, 5 and 6 and Ladder 1 on all three shifts. These companies are located in the heart of the city, and of the 14 city stations, they have the highest number of runs. On most occasions when the Roanoke Fire Department has a working fire, one of these companies will, in all probability, be the first to arrive.
The recent rash of fires in the city was no exception. On the majority of these fires, one of these companies was the ``first in'' company. Arriving first means you're the last to leave the scene; you get the full brunt of the initial attack; you'll probably do more work and take twice the physical beating. Firefighting is tough, and arriving first is tougher still.
Engines 3, 5 and 6 and Ladder 1 are due considerable recognition for their contribution to the safety of the citizens of Roanoke, especially during the recent fires. My helmet is off to them.
BILLY OBENCHAIN
Captain
Roanoke Fire Department, Station 2
VINTON
by CNB