Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, September 18, 1995 TAG: 9509180119
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
In the several weeks of negotiations about placement of these billboards, Austin has blamed a number of different people for this decision. At first, he attributed the decision to his national offices, saying that ``this decision came from the highest authority - Charlie Lamar III.'' When his regional manager was contacted, it became obvious that this was a local decision, by Austin.
Next, he said some of his workers were offended last year by having to put up the ``Celebrate Diversity'' ads. Later, he attributed his decision to pressure from unnamed ``local politicians.'' After that, he expressed concern that people who lease land to his company would object. Finally, when confronted by the press, he claimed his decision not to run the ad was in response to sentiments of a majority of Roanoke Valley citizens.
The truth is that Austin is responsible for this uncivil act. And as head of the only short-term billboard company in the Roanoke Valley, he has considerable power - indeed, too much power for someone not elected by our citizens. If he wants to operate as a professional business manager, then let him act like one. If he runs billboard ads that offend some, let him remind them that his business must be open to serve all, and that they're free in this country to state their views through his medium. But if he wants to judge who is an ``acceptable'' member of the community and what civic messages are appropriate, then let him run for public office. Then we can decide whether his character and values qualify him for this lofty role.
MYER S. REED
ROANOKE
Encouragement for home teachers
I JUST want to comment on Beth Macy's Sept. 7 article (``Home schooling: More than a bumper sticker'') about home education and her interview with Diana Howell. I really appreciated it.
This is our first year at home educating, and it was wonderful to see encouragement and the acknowledgment that last week was our first week at school as well as those in the public and private schools. It was a wonderfully written article and very open-minded.
We are very encouraged by the newspaper's approach to home education, and look forward to seeing more articles like that.
KIM BLANKENSHIP
SALEM
Others also have works in progress
CONGRATULATIONS to The Roanoke Times (indeed, to all American journalism) for the meticulous care taken to identify Laura Hart McKinny, of the O.J. soap opera, as a ``screenwriter.'' I trust that if ever I should break into the columns of this estimable journal, you'll identify me as ``Edmund Arnold, novelist.'' (I do suppose that ``great American'' novelist would be a bit grandiose.)
McKinny and I share so many credentials. Although neither of us has as yet been published, that's more a reflection of lamentable American literary taste than of the merits of our labors. She has devoted one-fourth of her life to her screenplay; I've devoted 75 percent of mine to my opus.
We've both occupied the witness chair. Granted, she was in a high-profile case, but I point out that I was a key witness in a parking-ticket trial that was the talk of my Michigan village for at least three weeks.
EDMUND C. ARNOLD
ROANOKE
Another reason for Powell to run
IF HOUSE Speaker Newt Gingrich says that an independent presidency would be ``a disaster for the country'' and ``a joke'' (Sept. 11 Associated Press article, ``Gingrich: No 3rd party, Powell''), then all I can say is: Run, Powell, Run!
PAGE CHICHESTER
ROANOKE
They'll grow up to be responsible
OUR thanks to staff writer Mary Bishop for an informative and unbiased article concerning our young people and the City Market (Sept. 4, ``Somewhere to hang''). These youngsters will probably have to pay for some of the city's white elephants (Hotel Roanoke and the glass bridge), so treat them gently.
All youngsters and young adults need to express themselves in various ways. Most of them will grow to be responsible people.
BETTY M. BUSH
ROANOKE
Shuler takes his cue from Cranwell
I READ with great interest Jim Marchman's Sept. 7 letter to the editor (``Allen must be denied a majority'') concerning the differences between Larry Linkous and Jim Shuler. Marchman implies that we should disregard all that Linkous has done as a public official and as a private citizen to make our community a better place to live because we cannot ``give Allen control of the legislature and control over our lives.''
Linkous has a record of independence, accomplishment and standing up for the people of our area - even Marchman admits that. But the difference, according to Marchman, is that Shuler is more capable of being an independent thinker who puts our interests ahead of his party bosses in Richmond. The facts prove otherwise.
I did some research into Shuler's activities in Richmond, and it turns out that he votes in lock step with his party bosses. Even more disturbing to those of us who care about the well-being of the New River Valley, he votes the way House Majority Leader Dick Cranwell tells him to more than 95 percent of the time! So much for independence.
So if one were to follow Marchman's reasoning, we have the choice this November between Linkous, who has a consistent record of independence and willingness to stand up for the people of our area, even if that means publicly going against the governor, and the current incumbent who, over the past two years, has chosen to be Cranwell's representative rather than ours.
APRILE GIZZI
CHRISTIANSBURG
Ramps don't solve all the problems
IN RESPONSE to the Sept. 8 letter to the editor by Emily Domalski (``Eatery was given an unfair rap'') about the accessibility of the Buck Mountain Grille:
Just because there's a ramp doesn't mean the building is accessible to all people with disabilities. The ramp isn't usable by all wheelchair users. The set of doors do not have enough space between them to allow a wheelchair user to get through and hold the door. The bathrooms are completely inaccessible. When the temporarily able-bodied speak about accessibility, they should know what they're talking about.
Also, we're people with disabilities, not physically challenged.
MARCI BOONE
ROANOKE
Children need to know bad news, too
AUSTIN Spruill's Sept. 12 letter to the editor (``Articles need to be family sensitive'') suggested a special ``PG'' section in the newspaper for all sensitive material, such as stories about rape, murder, sodomy and molestation. As a mother of four, I can't agree with his idea.
Children turn on a television for entertainment. Such things as murder and rape aren't entertaining, and I agree with family-sensitive programming on television.
However, the news is the news. It's real and, like it or not, it's part of our world - pleasant or not.
``Family values'' to me is teaching my children to make the right choices and decisions. They need to know about the evil that's out there so they can learn to deal with it. My child will be much safer if he understands why strangers are dangerous. My teen-age daughter is less likely to walk across a parking lot alone if she knows how many young girls are raped each year.
I want my children to know that there are bad people and evil things in this world. And most importantly, I want them to learn the difference. This newspaper would be doing a great injustice to our young if it hid the truth from them.
SALLY FOUTZ
TROUTVILLE
by CNB