ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 24, 1996 TAG: 9601240018
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: FRANK LONGAKER
NEXT TIME, The Roanoke Times should be more subtle in presenting selected facts so it isn't so obvious that you're leading your readers to the conclusions you want. Let me add to the facts you listed in your Jan. 20 ``news'' article (``For-profit schools seeking subsidies'') about Del. Dick Cranwell doing me a favor.
Not only did I ask Cranwell, but I have also asked many other legislators from Western and Southwestern Virginia to support efforts for our students to receive Tuition Assistance Grants. Over the years, my students have consistently - and insistently - asked me to work on their behalf to get these grants. In fact, many legislators weren't even aware that this college's students didn't receive TAGs, even though, as taxpayers, they're paying so others can go to the predominantly liberal-arts four-year private colleges.
It's true that I gave $3,200 to various candidates in parts of Virginia from which my students come. When financial constraints prevent supporting all local folks who are doing a good job, it wouldn't be too smart to support candidates from outside this region. Most of our legislators work hard for this region and their constituents. They need our help to get in office.
By the way, all the legislative candidates to whom I gave money aren't supporting this effort, and a whole lot to whom I didn't contribute are still trying to help these students who are their constituents.
You pointed out that Cranwell sponsored a bill several years ago that enabled National Business College students to sit for the state's certified-public-accountant examination.
May I again point out, as I have documented to The Roanoke Times on two occasions, that this bill was also supported by the State Council of Higher Education and the chancellor of the Virginia Community College System. The amendment to include National Business College graduates was suggested by a member of the Board of Accountancy, and the Virginia Society of CPAs assisted in crafting the language. In the future, you should point out that Cranwell also did all these people a favor in sponsoring this bill.
As your newspaper knows, this favoritism story was based on past comments of Vance Wilkins - the Republican leader of the House of Delegates and one of Cranwell's adversaries. I've previously provided your reporting staff with a copy of the letter Wilkins wrote to me in which he apologized for his statements. I think highly of him.
Frank Longaker is president of National Business College.
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