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

DATE: THURSDAY, August 10, 1995                   TAG: 9508100031
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VIRGINIANS

WHAT TO make of the results of a state poll, sponsored by The Roanoke Times and our sister newspaper in Norfolk, The Virginian-Pilot? More than half of those polled think George Allen is doing a good or excellent job as governor, yet a majority seems to disagree with his positions on just about every major issue.

Nope, two-thirds said, state government is not wasteful and inefficient; it does a better job than it gets credit for. Nope, the state income tax isn't too high, though they think federal and local taxes are.

Yep, it is a critical priority of the state to protect citizens from crime - an issue Allen identified and ran with successfully in his campaign. But in choosing spending priorities, the Republican governor and the Virginians polled split again, with most putting public schools, colleges and universities, and roads and transportation ahead of building prisons, the linchpin of Allen's "no parole" policy.

Still, slightly more folks said they were leaning toward voting Republican than Democratic in the next, crucial General Assembly election. Cynics might suggest voters are won over by the boyish grin the governor flashes when he talks about smashing soft teeth down whiney throats. A better possibility is that people will tolerate a fair amount of disagreement on issues if a politician comes off as a principled leader with strong convictions and a desire to make changes.

It is easier, in any case, to understand the relative satisfaction that residents of the Roanoke and New River valleys express about living in Virginia. Forty-eight percent said it is an excellent place to live, compared to a statewide average of 37 percent and a mere 28 percent in Hampton Roads.

The Virginia Commonwealth University pollster expressed astonishment at that result, and attributed it to the high percentage of people who have lived in our part of the state all their lives. One reason for this: No economic boom is attracting hordes of newcomers to Western Virginia.

But there is a lot, beyond the pollster's speculation, that is special about this place. And even more people who grew up here would stay, we'd wager, if more career opportunities were available.

The results reflect a crucial challenge facing our region: attracting economic development to assure prosperity without allowing unguided, sprawling growth to strangle the scenic beauty and quality of life that people cherish.

by CNB