Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 28, 1995 TAG: 9510310006
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-11 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Let me first tell a bit about myself. I'm a life member of the National Rifle Association, a member of a local shooting club, an avid gun owner and collector and, most importantly, a voter.
Recently, I received my concealed-weapon carrying permit. Although I've never shot, killed, raped or harmed anyone, there are liberals in this country who believe since I now possess a concealed-weapon permit that I'll suddenly desire to do all these things.
The last thing I ever want to do is shoot another human being. I wouldn't fire at anyone over personal property. Insurance will replace the loss of property, but it can't replace the loss of life - mine, yours, your neighbor's or your politician's.
The only reason I would ever fire at any human being would be to protect innocent life. Although King doesn't feel I should have a concealed-weapon permit, if, God forbid, I should ever see her in a life-threatening situation, I believe that I would do everything within reason to ensure that she returns safely home to her family.
CHRISTOPHER HAGOOD
ROANOKE
Seniors know who their friends are
WHEN THE Social Security Act was passed, 99 percent of Republicans in Congress voted against it, and when Medicare was passed, 93 percent voted against that bill.
Republicans want to destroy Social Security and Medicare. They made their first move on Oct. 18. Senior citizens must act to defeat all Republicans - from the courthouse to the White House - and we can start by electing John Edwards to the state Senate and re-electing Dick Cranwell, Chip Woodrum and Vic Thomas to the House of Delegates.
Then we can go after Bob Goodlatte, who is a real enemy of senior citizens. If you watched C-Span on Oct. 18, you know it's true.
If you believe the Republican spin that they want to save Medicare and Social Security, I have a star on Mill Mountain that I'd like to sell you.
GERALD MOODY
ROANOKE
Falkinburg earned long-lasting respect
YOU HAVE heard a lot of rhetoric this campaign, and I have no doubt that you'll hear much more from the Democrats desperate to hold onto their 125-year reign of power in the General Assembly.
When Dr. Newell Falkinburg announced that he was going to run for the House of Delegates, I was the first one to volunteer to help. I have fond memories of him. When I was growing up, Falkinburg was my father's physician. I know firsthand what a talented and special person he is. It was because of his excellent skills as a physician that he was able to prolong my father's life two years. My mom and I have the highest respect for him because of his relationship to our family.
As the campaign progressed, I was able to join the campaign as the events coordinator. I presently work for Falkinburg on a part-time basis while I earn my bachelor's degree at Roanoke College.
Quite frankly, I'm tired of people who have never met him writing these untrue letters to the editor about him.
MICHELLE DOSS
Events Coordinator
Falkinburg for Delegatea
ROANOKE
Averill is in tune with district voters
BOTETOURT County voters have never elected Dick Cranwell. We inherited him through gerrymandering. And when given the choice two years ago, Botetourt voters turned him down.
Trixie Averill has true conservative values and is in tune with Botetourt County, as well as all of the 14th District, in her lifestyle, family values and her interest in education, economic development and the well-being of the people.
She has never been accused of dishonesty. She talks with you instead of to you.
On Nov. 7, let's say no to Cranwell, and tell this real bright, enthusiastic, quick-minded Averill that she's one of us and that we're sending her to Richmond to do our bidding.
SHIRLEY DUNCAN
TROUTVILLE
Be fair when making budget cuts
DURING each election campaign, we're constantly hearing about how bad the budget and runaway spending have become. Programs were originated with the intent to give certain Americans a hand up, not a handout. Now if one of these programs doesn't produce immediate results, it is targeted for budget cuts and labeled as a ``wasteful venture brought on by liberals.'' Unfortunately, these programs benefit those who are least able to fight back.
We periodically see or hear in the news media about some of the pork-barrel spending and useless projects. Let's take a fairer look at the budget, and not be so robotic that we would lean in the direction of the one who speaks the loudest.
BENJAMIN LAW
ROANOKE
Crouse doesn't speak for the party
IN RESPONSE to your Oct. 21 editorial (``For Roanoke County supervisor'') in which you endorsed Spike Harrison, the Democrat nominee for the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors:
I'd like to clarify one point. In your editorial, Bob Crouse, who is also running for the Board of Supervisors, was quoted as saying that he's running as an independent, but is actually a Republican. Crouse took himself out of the Republican Party when he signed a statement at the mass meeting saying that he would support the winner of the mass meeting, and then reneged on it. Therefore, he doesn't speak for the Republican Party in any way.
PAULINE JOHNSON
Vice-chair, Roanoke County
Republican Committee
ROANOKE
Branscom would build an empire
WE HAVE known Rob Hagan for many years. He has done a good job for Botetourt County as commonwealth's attorney.
We went to the candidates' forum at Colonial Elementary School recently, and were amazed at what his opponent had to say. Joel Branscom said that taxpayers would need to hire twice as much staff to help him to do Hagan's job! He wants a full-time victim/witness coordinator, a full-time assistant and another employee to collect court costs. He said that's the way he's learned it's done in Roanoke city.
We don't need to pay for more government bureaucracy.
Hagan is a good commonwealth's attorney. Let's keep him!
RICHARD B. JETER
NED JETER
BLUE RIDGE
Cranwell must take part of the blame
IN HIS currently running campaign ad, incumbent Democrat Dick Cranwell claims to be a champion for education. His ad bemoans the educational funding disparity between school districts in Southwest Virginia and Northern Virginia while telling the listener that he has fought to change this atrocity.
However, the questions left unanswered by his ad are these: Why is there such a disparity in the first place? Hasn't the Democratic Party, Cranwell's own, been the majority party in both houses of the Virginia General Assembly for the past 125 years (give or take a few)?
And prior to George Allen taking office in 1994, didn't the Democrats control not only the General Assembly but the governor's office as well for 12 years? And hasn't Cranwell been a member of that ruling party for the past 20 years, serving as majority leader within the House of Delegates for the past few years?
If there's disparity, if our children are ``at risk,'' who then should be held accountable? Who has been ``in charge'' while test scores plummeted, expenditures rose, and our children learned less each year? If not the Democratic Party of Virginia, then who? If not Majority Leader Cranwell, then who?
If one concedes that the Democrats or the legislature in general is to blame, but not Cranwell individually, then one must also concede that Cranwell has been less than effective as a party leader and/or representative for Southwest Virginia.
Isn't it time for a change in Richmond - time for a new majority, with fresh ideas and new approaches not only to education but also to crime, welfare and the full range of both private and governmental responsibilities?
MICHAEL STENBERG
ROANOKE
by CNB