Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 2, 1995 TAG: 9507050015
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
At the May 16 Christiansburg Town Council meeting, neighborhood residents presented council with a petition to control speeding cars on Park Street. Signed by more than 100 citizens, the petition requested several remedies, including four-way stop signs at the intersections of Park and Craig streets and Park and Lester streets.
Many families with small children have moved into the neighborhood while traffic has continued to increase. Drivers use Park Street to avoid Roanoke Street. Business and light industrial development have also increased truck traffic at the east end of Park.
Cars - and trucks - drive this route at speeds well in excess of the 25 mph limit. While town police officers periodically set up radar, this has not slowed the traffic.
In June, council voted to post two additional 25 mph speed limit signs and two ``Watch Children,'' signs. Additional such signs will not slow the traffic. Nor can we afford to station police officers on Park Street around the clock. Four-way stop signs are a cost-effective and reasonable way to slow traffic.
I am very disappointed in Town Council's inability to adequately address the legitimate concerns of town residents. If we are to ensure that Christiansburg remain an attractive and safe environment in which to raise our families, then the council must be responsive to the needs and concerns of citizens on these matters.
Harry S. Carver
Christiansburg
Schools applauded for strings efforts
As a parent of two string players, I would like to applaud the efforts of Linda Waggaman with the Office of the Gifted, Montgomery County Schools, Carol Stone, violin teacher, and the many children and supportive teachers who have come together to create the bright beginnings of a local string orchestra.
The Blacksburg Youth Strings is a much-needed addition to the proliferation of a variety of music programs and individual teachers in the area.
The Youth Strings is unique because it offers at no cost the opportunity for all New River Valley string students of a minimal proficiency to join together to share music.
Let us hope that the Montgomery County Schools and the School Board continue to support this important community venture.
Linda O'Brien
Blacksburg
Memo: ***CORRECTION***