ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 3, 1996 TAG: 9603040003
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
The recent comments by Montgomery County Supervisor Nick Rush that "there are no secret meetings" [Current, Feb. 27] and the flip-flop on the Riner school site are good indicators that the proposed budget for the Montgomery County Schools will not see full funding, no matter how many people ask for the necessary tax increases.
The comment and the change of heart are just more examples of the arrogance of the supervisors and show how low they regard their constituents. Although there are strong indications that purchase of the land in Riner is a good course to follow for the long-term outlook in the county, several supervisors determined it wasn't in their interest to support it. Even though the supervisors have been taken to task for excluding the public from its meetings, members cling to the euphemism "executive session" to hide their secret meetings.
For many years, citizens in Montgomery County have been asking for increased local funding for public schools, improvements in public facilities such as the libraries and parks, and a better long-term look at development in the county. The pleas have fallen on deaf ears, as indicated by the board's voting record on such issues. The supervisors do what they want to do and the public be d
This year, the School Board listened to its constituents, and the board adopted a budget that fits with the goals of "Focus 2006." However, the public will probably see this effort go for naught when the supervisors bow to the wants of a minority and set yet another ridiculously low tax increase and slash local school funding.
There does not appear to be a solution to the problem, either. As long as there are county residents who still cling to the notion that Montgomery County is an agrarian utopia, instead of a rapidly urbanizing area, the citizens will be stuck with short-sighted, no-tax board members. It is unfortunate that it is our children who must pay the price.
Bruce B. Harper
Blacksburg
Let dog warden do the job
I am writing in response to the recent article about Mr. Terry Weaver and the kennel he is operating in Pulaski County. I would like to point out several areas of concern:
1) It sounds as if Mr. Weaver was doing more than caring for homeless dogs in the New River Valley. He states that he solicited for dogs in three states. And he is not just placing them in good homes; he is charging a fee of $30 per dog. He may call his facility a ``nonprofit, church-affiliated kennel,'' but the volume of animals he handles according to his own advertisement suggests he is operating a ``non-taxpaying, for-profit'' business.
2) Mr. Weaver says that all of the dogs at his facility are healthy, wormed and vaccinated. Healthy does not mean infected with parvo; wormed does not mean they carry several types of worms; vaccinated means he can provide the records to prove the dogs have been vaccinated. Several local veterinarians have questioned these assertions after examining dogs from his kennel.
3) Mr. Weaver has attended a Bible college and taken 17 correspondence courses. What in this man's educational background qualifies him to run a kennel of such proportions?
4) The citizens of Pulaski County have been done a great disservice by their ``taxpayer-funded'' officials. A dog warden, a police officer and a veterinarian have expressed concern about conditions in this kennel, yet the county officials hesitated to do anything. Even representatives from the state Department of Agriculture were baffled by the actions of county officials.
I encourage all residents of Pulaski County to call their supervisor and urge them to allow the dog warden to enforce the state's animal codes. The people of Pulaski County deserve to have officials who will do their job - after all, that is where a portion of their tax money goes. It is appalling to think that disregard for state codes is overlooked in any county in Virginia, much less in the New River Valley.
5) Mr. Weaver says that ``people who are concerned about the kennel conditions should volunteer to help with it.'' I disagree. I think people who are concerned about the conditions should write, call, and prompt county officials to monitor his procedures and report violations.
Julie Ligon
Blacksburg
Fight proposed tax increase
In response to Brian Kelley's article ``Someone's going to feel Montgomery budget pinch'' in the Current Feb. 22, this letter is directed at the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors and their consideration of a possible 19-cent increase in the tax rate for property owners.
I'm sure the recommended 10 percent pay raise for the supervisors will help offset any increase in their property taxes. Aren't there any new monies coming into the county from all of the new development of homes and businesses, specifically around New River Valley Mall and U.S. 460/Roanoke Road?
Will the supervisors also come up with a plan for retirees, senior citizens, widows and one-income families to pay this increase?
My wife and I both work. We live in a $100,000-plus home. But could we sell our home for the current assessment? The answer is ``no.''
It's about time someone started looking into the ``Fleecing of the Citizens of Montgomery County.'' Start at the courthouse - there are more assorted sheriff's vehicles than department staff. Any time of the day, drive by and count these vehicles.
Can the treasurer's office provide an accounting of ``outstanding'' taxes not paid by the good citizens for 1995?
Raising ``real estate and personal property taxes'' has been the easiest solution to the budget problem, but it is time that homeowners said ``enough.'' When is it going to end? Homeowners, speak out now.
Kenneth and Rebecca Brim
Christiansburg
Tickets drive away shoppers
I just read Judy Murray's rebuttal to Richard Hunter's letters about the frustrations of trying to shop and park downtown. I have to agree with Hunter. I, too, used to shop downtown Blacksburg and have seen the circling vultures swoop down on some unsuspecting shoppers. After witnessing a couple of these attacks, I have chosen not to patronize the downtown merchants.
Reed Buckland
Christiansburg
Let's take back public schools
During the past election, James Klagge came to my door asking my support of his candidacy for the Montgomery County School Board. I asked a very pointed question: ``Are you for the teachers union or the children?'' The answer: ``The children!'' Now, however, the truth of the matter becomes clear. The present School Board, with perhaps one or two exceptions, is in the grip of the teachers union.
A paid advertisement run by Klagge in the Current urging support for a $6 million increase in next year's school budget is a signal to all the citizens of Montgomery County that higher taxes are in the offing if the present board has its way. The narrow-mindedness of the present board assumes that ``quality education'' is the result of more money.
Billions have passed to the hands of the public schools, and illiteracy has increased steadily since the system of public education started. For decades, this has been a failed policy and has only enabled the system to become more firmly entrenched. Until the schools are back under the control of parents and out from under the control of government, the quality of education will continue to decline.
Take a good look at the present overall product of the public schools. They come in a poor distance to children schooled at home by loving parents or in private schools controlled by parents.
A small but powerful group stands behind this present movement in Montgomery County. The majority must speak up and vote down this elitist group and take back the education of our children.
Harold Wm. Taylor
Blacksburg
LENGTH: Long : 142 linesby CNB