ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, December 2, 1995 TAG: 9512050097
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-9 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RECENT issues of the newspaper, concern has been expressed about the upkeep of rental property in different areas of Roanoke city. Those of us in the Roundhill/Oakland Boulevard neighborhood share that concern. We see single-family homes turned into two, three and sometimes four apartments. The first problem this creates is parking. When driveway and street parking isn't sufficient, the only place left is on the sidewalks and in front yards. This breaks up the sidewalks and turns yards into mudholes.
Second, lawns are neglected and grass becomes a thing of the past. Yards become overgrown with weeds, and the only way to get them cut is to call the city. This involves several phone calls and letters. Third, these houses are often in need of repair. You can spot rental homes in a neighborhood at a glance.
Landlords need to be held acountable. They're allowed to depreciate their rental property on their tax forms while they depreciate the value of the property around them. Most of these landlords wouldn't want to live beside the mess they create. The value of rental property isn't in keeping them up for resale, but in the ongoing monthly income and depreciation. Then, of course, the less money spent on upkeep, the more the profit. It would be fairer to let people living beside rental property have the depreciation deduction than the landlords who are making money out of it.
Slumlording has its advantages!
DAVID A. FRASER
ROANOKE
Medicare needs cost controls
IN RESPONSE to the Nov. 14 letter to the editor (``Seniors will be glad to swap checks'') by Roger Shelton, who was upset with the Washington bureaucrats cutting his Medicare:
I'm not unsympathetic to those who need Medicare to supplement their medical needs, but I feel compelled to address two issues raised by Shelton. I fail to see how ``trading paychecks'' with legislators has anything to do with Medicare. I would love to trade paychecks with Tom Hanks, Shaq O'Neil, Michael Jordan or Bill Gates. But I have neither the skills they possess nor the desire for the public scrutiny they undergo daily. Also, would Shelton like to trade his Medicare check for mine in about 15 years when I'll need it? If we don't do something very soon, there will be no Medicare fund for me or my grandchildren!
He has also been taken in by media rhetoric about cuts. Please explain to me how an almost 6 percent increase per year in benefits is a cut. I believe current Medicare proposals include this annual increase. This is almost three times the current rate of inflation. I'd love to be guaranteed a 6 percent pay raise every year.
As I mentioned, I'm not unsympathetic to the plight of older Americans who need Medicare to survive, but I resent the insinuation that trying to get Medicare and the budget deficit under control somehow means that this country is going down the tubes. I feel that our senators and representatives would be shirking their elected duties if they didn't attempt to get control of the budget.
KENT CARTNER
ROANOKE
Supervisors' minds were already set
AS I listened to citizens give their pleas against the Greenfield Industrial Park, I had the uneasy feeling that this was a total sham. It was pure play-acting on the part of the Board of Supervisors. Members feigned expressions of concern and interest, but the attitude was "Let's get this over with and bring it to the inevitable conclusion.'' Some earnestly took notes, but I really don't know why, for it seemed that in seconds after the last impassioned citizen spoke, the amendment to the comprehensive land plan was unanimously passed.
I thought of the Norman Rockwell "Freedom of Speech" painting. All those wonderful Rockwell faces were there, but there was one distinct difference - no one really listened to the citizens.
It was also disturbing to watch businessmen come forward with their endorsement of Greenfield, and many of them weren't even Botetourt County residents.
Board members keep speaking of this project being compatible and in keeping with the rural character and natural beauty of the county. My definition of compatible must come from a different dictionary. However, I believe we would have the same definition if their homes and areas were to be affected by such an enormous project.
They will take our natural beauty, serenity and heritage for a few tax dollars. They have presented us this fait accompli from secret sessions. Citizens protest this sham of government and a comprehensive five-year plan that can be manipulated as supervisors please. We're not stupid, and we do pay the bills.
PATRICIA MANKIN
FINCASTLE
LENGTH: Medium: 91 linesby CNB