Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 30, 1995 TAG: 9510300005
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
It's just not true that the state is currently spending ``$7,000 on each student in the public schools.'' Garland may be using a figure that he has seen come from certain Northern Virginia school districts as their per-pupil expenditure, but that figure has little to do with the average per-pupil expenditure in the state, and it has no bearing whatsoever on the average per-pupil expenditure in Southwest Virginia. Indeed, the expenditure around here is more nearly half of the figure he cited.
Garland has evidently decided to give credence to Gov. George Allen's and Sen. Brandon Bell's charter-school proposal without having really looked deeply at their rationale. Bell has tried to sell his idea with his assertion that public schools are being ``held back'' and aren't performing to their potential due to burdensome state regulations and various mandates of the General Assembly.
If that is indeed the case, why not free all public schools of those burdensome regulations and mandates, and give everyone a level playing field instead of setting up charter schools with a clear advantage over the rest? If the goal is to improve education for Virginia's young people, don't all children deserve a fair shake?
To argue that giving the wealthy a tax break on private-school tuition is an issue of ``fairness'' defies reason. Those who send their children to private and parochial schools do so willingly and voluntarily, for whatever reasons they may have, and obviously the expense isn't a prohibitive factor. Rather than give them a tax break, which would weaken the public-school system even further than it has been weakened, it makes more sense for the state to provide the kind of funding that would make Virginia's schools the best in the nation. Yes, that does take taxpayer money, but there's no better investment that can be made.
KIT REAVIS
Special Education teacher for Roanoke County
ROANOKE
Allen misread his so-called mandate
I AM pondering how I'll spend my tax refund from the state. I don't know how much I might get, but I would certainly opt to continue to have my few dollars and, yes, those of my fellow citizens pooled to fund many of the programs that add so much to the quality of life in Virginia.
Come to think of it, I'd better not count on too much extra disposable income, because in case you've missed it, localities are being told to take over programs the state is dropping, and churches, which are already doing yeoman service, are being told to pick up the slack.
If Virginia were one of the higher-taxed states, the rationale for all the rhetoric about taxes might be understandable, but since we're near the very lowest level of total taxation, I can only wonder why this administration is determined to dismantle an infrastructure so many Virginians value.
What are the hallmarks of the Allen administration?
Pandering to the ideologues who have long held control of the Republican Party.
A simplistic solution - build more prisons - as the only answer to citizens' fear of crime.
No support is given to early education or social programs for young children that might later deter criminal activity. And funding was cut for local police.
While welfare recipients are being told to have no more children, public-health services, including family planning, are at risk.
Did George Allen read his election victory against a weak opponent who ran an incredibly inept campaign as a mandate to slash and burn?
In less than two years, and with the moderating effect of a Democratic majority in the General Assembly, the Allen administration has managed to undermine many programs in higher education that took many years of bipartisan efforts to establish. What would it do with a Republican majority? One thing would be to transfer leadership power to Northern Virginia.
This election must not be about political parties, personality or which candidate has the most time and energy to walk the neighborhoods. This election could, and probably will, be the determining factor in Virginia's future for years to come.
Are we so needy, greedy or just so apathetic that we'll agree to be willing co-conspirators in the dissolution of the many cultural, educational, environmental and social organizations that enhance so many lives?
NANCY R. EDDY
ROANOKE
Marye should read up on the law
ON A local TV station, Sen. Madison Marye said it's a shame Virginians have to carry guns to the post office and other places to have self-protection. I agree with him, but that's the way things are nowadays. That's why our General Assembly passed the Personal Protection Act.
However, before he bashes the concealed-weapons carrying law, he should do his homework on it. Nobody can carry any firearms on post-office property except postal inspectors and postal police. If you're a postal employee, you're fired - no ifs or buts.
You also cannot carry firearms on the Blue Ridge Parkway, in federal buildings or in national forests except during pistol-hunting season.
MARTIN CARLE
ROANOKE
Krantz is known for fairness, honesty
I OFFER my unqualified support of Randy Krantz for commonwealth's attorney. I've known him for the past five years in several capacities.
He served as my medical platoon leader for the Virginia Army National Guard. His outstanding service earned him the Army achievement and commendation medals in 1994. Krantz left the medical platoon to become chief of criminal law for the 29th Infantry Division of the National Guard, where he has served with distinction.
His National Guard activities are in addition to his regular position as the former chief assistant commonwealth's attorney from 1992 to 1995 and as the present commonwealth's attorney for Bedford. As a commonwealth's attorney, his fairness and honesty have earned him respect from defense attorneys and plaintiffs.
CHRISTOPHER M. HICKS
BEDFORD
Fresh Air's cancellation stinks
WVTF'S muddle-headed defense of its decision to drop what the station refers to as the ``offensive'' program ``Fresh Air'' is yet another example of the irrational fear engendered whenever there's a hint of the existence of genuine diversity in our community (Oct. 12 article, ``WVTF defends decision to drop `offensive' show''). This decision reflects censorship of a most odious ilk.
First we have the spectacle of a billboard company, which enjoys a monopoly on long-term advertising space, trembling and quaking at the thought of someone being offended by a ``Diversity Enriches'' ad only because it's sponsored by a group of gays and straights.
And now we have the spectacle of a public radio station running for cover because of what appears to be an even more irrational fear of putting homosexuality on a pedestal - whatever in the world that means.
If WVTF keeps canceling programs that a tiny, shrill, conservative constituency is able to find ``offensive,'' what will be left? One supposes even more repeats of rebroadcasts of rebroadcasts of ``Prairie Home Companion.''
JOHN A. SABEAN
RICHMOND
Rush is right on the issues
THE VOTERS of Montgomery County's District B need to re-elect Supervisor Nick Rush.
He has supported education and two new elementary schools, and he opposes wasteful spending of our tax dollars. Rush voted to reduce the tax rate from 72 cents to 69 cents, and works to bring new industry to our area.
We're very fortunate to have this fine young man represent us.
ALICE C. HODGE
CHRISTIANSBURG
by CNB