Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 12, 1995 TAG: 9506120003
SECTION: EDITORIALS PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
We seem to still struggle with the concept of open space and cluster developments. Randall Arnendt, recognized as a leader in Open Space communities, has been quoted at several of these meetings. From his book ``Designing Open Space Subdivisions'':
``In a typical subdivision, the number of house sites will be the same as previously zoned, as this process is density-neutral.'' To continue with his comments: ``By reducing lot sizes from one acre to one-half or one-third acre, the developer preserved more than half of the parcel in permanent open space while attaining the full density allowed by the original one-acre zoning.''
The next statement comes from ``The Changing Countryside'' series in your March 4 newspaper: ``Clustering is grouping new homes in subdivisions onto part of the parcel, with the rest preserved as open space. Because the number of houses in the clustered development stays the same as would be allowed in a traditional development, builders are not penalized economically for keeping open space.''
The concept of open space and cluster developments for subdivisions is a wonderful and practical way to preserve the rural atmosphere of this region, and to control growth so as to avoid urban sprawl and cookie-cutter developments.
But we have seen two Blacksburg developments that have taken advantage of the open space/clustering concept, and have doubled, tripled or quadrupled the existing density instead of being density-neutral. Density is also part of a rural environment.
Everyone likes a rural environment. But if developments such as Spring Valley and Patton's Grant continue to abuse the open-space concept, the rural atmosphere will no longer be here, and we will have lost what makes Blacksburg attractive.
MICHELLE LOWE
BLACKSBURG
Trashing away teen-agers' lives
RAVE (May 28 Extra section article, ``Rave'') is nothing but evil, and is direct from hell. Nothing good will ever come out of it. Parents who care will not let their teen-agers attend a Rave party. It's not cool, but is just plain stupid.
How sad to mess up a young person's life with such trash and filth. I'm no saint, but I try my best to live a decent, moral Christian life on a daily basis. It's difficult, but it can be done.
I see so many young people headed toward trouble, but who is home to listen? In Pearisburg and Giles County, young folks have little to do but drink and party. As a taxpayer, I'm in favor of hiring someone to run the Community Center full time. Saving one teen-ager would be worth the price.
Anyone renting a place to have a Rave party should be sent to jail for helping send so many souls to hell. How low down. Giving them a gun would be no worse.
People care, I care, and Jesus cares. I would set up all night talking to teen-agers if I knew they were headed for trouble. A 3 a.m. phone call would be no problem if I could help save one life.
May God bless and encourage all. Failure isn't final.
CHARLES W. HALL
PEARISBURG
Why can't adults be more like kids?
OK, LET me get this straight. High school has prom at Jefferson Center and leaves facility in good shape. Festival in the Park has black-tie gala at Jefferson Center and trashes the place.
Newspaper reporter (May 27 article, ``Party proved to be too hearty'') goes to scene of crime and reports large-scale destruction including hole in wall, confetti in chandelier, spilled drinks and evidence of general mayhem. Second reporter writes article (June 6 Mingling column, ``When partying at a gala we still need to act like guests'') absolving Festival gala of excessive revelry.
Is it just me or is there something wrong with this picture?
Let me tell you something from someone who has turned up more than he's turned down. There is no excuse for boorish, drunken behavior. Yes, maybe a frat party can get a break for an occasional moon here and there, but there's no excuse for getting blasted and tearing up anything. It's wrong. I shudder to think what would have been written had the high-school students done anything remotely resembling the actions of the Festival gala guests. Hands would have been a'wringin,' and an all-points bulletin issued for all psychologists to report immediately for emergency counseling of the youth of today.
No, I think a more apt response would be for all those who tied one on and trashed the joint to consider why they have to get bombed to have a good time. That is what's sad.
And the fact that the high school could have a prom without any problems? Congratulations, kids. Maybe you should be the ones telling mom and dad if they can have the car tonight.
ROBERT L. STEVENSON
ROANOKE
And they said it was a sellout
I WAS surprised by the May 30 Extra section article (``Few for the show'') on the poor attendence at the recent Bonnie Raitt concert at the Roanoke Civic Center. I called the ticketing service regarding this concert one week prior to the event, and was told that the orchestra section was a sellout - no seats left at all. They told me the only seats I could get were well back in the balcony. I decided to pass up the concert.
The article said that about 4,000 people attended this concert, only sparsely filling the 11,000-seat auditorium. I wonder how many other people were given the misinformation I was given. Maybe the problem with attendence at this event wasn't lack of interest.
JOHN M. CARROLL
BLACKSBURG
Coverage called on account of rain?
WHEN I read the May 28 article ``Boats sink; festival still afloat,'' I was disappointed. Only 10 out of 70 entries in the river race were mentioned. Were only 10 worth mentioning? I doubt that seriously, since I was present to see many entries prepare for the race.
Where was the list of winners? Who got the ``I Can't Believe It Floats'' award? Which organization got ``Best Nonprofit Entry''? Who won the ``People's Choice Award''? Which entry earned ``Fastest Craft on the River''? Lewis-Gale Hospital placed high in this category, and this fact wasn't mentioned. Was rain the factor in the lack of reporting? Is this newspaper a Fair Weather Newspaper?
With such limited reports on local events that draw many from all around the area, is it a wonder that more readers are turning to other media, i.e., local television stations, for local news?
ROBIN L. PILLOW
SALEM
Save the old bridge for pedestrians
I SUGGEST that when the new bridge is built over the Norfolk Southern railroad at Elliston, the old bridge near Hale's and Hall's mobile-home parks be left in place for a pedestrian bridge for children to walk to the Elliston Elementary School and to the store across the bridge from them.
If the bridge is removed, children will take shortcuts down the ravine and across the tracks. That would certainly pose a serious safety problem that need not be.
I lived near this bridge, and know that tragedy has already happened on this section of the track. Let's not encourage it to happen again.
HAROLD S. PENDLETON
SALEM
Off button might also be broke
REGARDING Jane Pilson's June 7 letter to the editor, ``Dave's nothing to lose sleep over'':
Well, she doesn't like Letterman. Then let's take him off the air, or maybe we could send someone over to her house to fix her television so that she can change the channel.
TIMOTHY C. CASTOR
CHRISTIANSBURG
by CNB