ROANOKE TIMES

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

DATE: MONDAY, September 4, 1995                   TAG: 9509070091
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-6   EDITION: HOLIDAY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium


BILLBOARDS ARE HIDING THE SCENERY

THE NAME ``Westlake Corners'' has finally been chosen for the intersection of Routes 122 and 616.

We moved to Smith Mountain Lake because of its natural beauty. Since moving here, we've noticed more and more billboards appearing. They're getting bigger and uglier, and they distract from the hills and mountains.

The lake area may eventually be called ``Billboard County.'' Residents should be concerned about the increasing number of these imposing billboards. This is such a contrast to the Warrenton area where billboards aren't permitted.

Small, attractive and professional signs would certainly improve the situation. There should be some regulations.

ANGIE DALY

MONETA

Brown can deal with city-slick crime

I AM writing to express my strong support for Mike Brown for sheriff of Bedford County.

Bedford County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the commonwealth. For years, our county has enjoyed relatively low crime rates.

However, with the continued growth, as well as the soaring crime rates in neighboring jurisdictions like Roanoke and Lynchburg, Bedford County cannot maintain a low crime rate with the status quo. In fact, the number of crimes being committed in our county is increasing. We must stand prepared to fight this surge in crime! The only candidate qualified and capable of providing such law enforcement in Bedford County is Brown.

He has 29 years of law-enforcement experience in a wide range of areas. I find his work as a tactical officer in the Special Operations Division of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, D.C., quite compelling.

As Bedford grows, more sophisticated and city-slick crime is taking place in our fair county. I cannot imagine any criminal tricking Brown in light of his experience in Washington, where he no doubt fought against some fairly sophisticated criminals.

ROBERT U. PAULEY JR.

BEDFORD

Marye works for better government

IN THE 22 years that Sen. Madison Marye has served the people of Southwest Virginia, he has established himself as a forceful and responsible voice for good government. From his position on the Senate Finance Committee, he has become a powerful spokesman in support of education, the preservation of a liveable environment, and for fiscal responsibility. He was steadfast in opposing Gov. George Allen's efforts to slash funding for Virginia Tech, including the Extension Division, as well as funds for Radford University.

At a time when many in power are disposed to take a chain saw to every piece of progressive legislation of the past 25 years, Marye has refused to be stampeded into ritual and sterile damnation of government generally. While no friend of red tape, and by no means blind to the many flaws of government programs, he's committed to the notion that government can be made - indeed must be made - to work for all of us. Daily, he strives in unassuming but effective ways to make it happen.

As many political campaigns become little more than gas bags exchanging invective with each other, Marye sticks to the issues - and does it with a smile and good manners. His first-rate intelligence, combined with a thorough grounding in the problems and opportunities within the commonwealth, makes him a prized public servant indeed. Let's re-elect this fine man to the Senate.

BETTY and FRANK STEWART

MARION

Pigskin prayers should be benched

WHAT MAKES the Rev. Jerry Falwell think he and his school are so special (Sept. 1 article, ``End-zone kneeling: It's judge's call'')?

The NCAA's rule states that a player may return to the bench to celebrate. Why can't Falwell's players return to the bench to pray? This is within the team concept that, I would think, would be one of his teachings.

J.R. SCHLEIFER

ROANOKE



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