ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603180009
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
In May, Christiansburg will select three Town Council members. The present Town Council can be proud of what it has accomplished the past several years, especially in expanding the town's commercial development. But, it is this same commercial development that causes me to say that I will not vote for any incumbent council member.
In the headlong quest to develop the area around Virginia 114 [Peppers Ferry Road] and U.S. 460, the quality of life has deteriorated for those of us who use 114 on a daily basis. It sometimes takes over 20 minutes to make the two miles from Belmont Farms to the 460 intersection due to the traffic.
Very soon the new super Wal-Mart will open with more stoplights and even greater traffic problems.
Another traffic problem was created for people leaving the Food Lion shopping center wanting to travel north on North Franklin Street. The town closed the access for people to get to the traffic light at Cambria and Franklin streets through the old Lowe's parking area. It's only a matter of time before this problem results in traffic accidents.
There may be a lot of talk but little action on the part of Town Council to solve the traffic problems, therefore, I will not vote for any incumbent until the traffic situation improves, and I will encourage my friends and neighbors to do the same.
Ned Letto
Christiansburg
Tek-Tow: Judge, jury and tow truck
Abdication of police powers?
I find the situation in Blacksburg quite serious. I, too, was towed from Raines Real Estate's empty parking lot without any warning. Yes, the signs are there - high on a pole, but often lot owners place these signs to protect themselves from liability claims - not to prevent occasional use by an unsuspecting citizen.
I find it unbelievable and probably illegal that the Blacksburg Town Council would approve of a plan to authorize Tek-Tow to haul vehicles away as a result of the unauthorized use of the parking lot.
Is this not giving the tow truck drivers police powers? No notice of violation, no opportunity to defend oneself in a court of law; and the demand for payment before allowing the owner to get the vehicle back.
It appears to me that the poorly marked and uncontrolled access parking lots fall into the category of "an attractive nuisance." Yes, the signs are there, but no sign as to how to recover your vehicle, a phone number or address of the tow lot. Yes, citizens should respect other's property; BUT, maybe the Town Council should require Raines to construct a fence around the lot, with gates controlled by keys or cards for the tenants. This would solve the problem of unauthorized use, and remove police powers from Tek-Tow, resolving this problem.
Does this problem need to be solved? Is it a serious problem? Yes, to both questions.
Harry Francis
Elliston
A few facts about epileptic seizures
I read with interest Kathy Loan's March 5 story of a Shawsville man who has troublesome seizures. They cause him to run, disoriented, from his home, and the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program has established a special fund to help purchase a monitoring device for the young man.
As coordinator of the Epilepsy Parents Network of the New River Valley, I would like readers to know that seizures are not a form of mental illness or mental retardation.
Seizures are short-lived bursts of uncontrolled electrical energy in the brain. Seizure disorders effect one in 100 to 150 people.
Though many people think of falling down "fits" when they think of epilepsy, there are over 20 different kinds of seizures. One kind causes inappropriate blinking or chewing. Some look like staring spells. Another kind can result in behaviors like running, picking at one's clothing or meandering in circles. These are the "partial" seizures which Loan describes, and they are the most common. Consciousness may or may not be impaired.
Use common sense when responding to a seizure. If the person has fallen to the ground, turn him on his side, loosen clothing about his neck and protect his head. Beware of trying to do too much. Do not restrain an individual who is walking or running but guide him or her away from obvious hazards. Above all, never put anything in the mouth of a person having a seizure. This outmoded practice has no medical basis and can cause choking or broken teeth.
There is no need for an ambulance unless the seizure lasts more than five minutes.
Readers who would like more information may call the Epilepsy Foundation of America at 1-800-EFA-1000.
Leslie Hager-Smith
Epilepsy Parents Network of the New River Valley
Business bucks fill voter vacuum
I write because it seems that we as voters don't make as much difference as money in who is elected to govern us. One of the promises of the Republican Party when it was a minority in Congress was campaign reform. We can hardly have representative government if only the rich can afford to run, or if a candidate has to get in bed with big business.
For example: Sen. Slade Gorton, R-Wash., has received close to half a million dollars from businesses. Later in a cynical quid pro quo, Gorton allowed industry lobbyists to draft a revision intended to weaken the Endangered Species Act.
In another case, Congress expanded the B-2 bomber program, despite opposition from the Joint Chiefs of Staff. This is no small coincidence after Northrop Grumman, which builds the plane, gave close to $300,000 in PAC money to U.S. representatives. Looking out for your own interest is human nature. I don't blame Grumman. I blame the more than one out of two eligible voters who failed to exercise his right to vote.
Do you know who "buys" your representation since you won't vote for it? Are corporate profits more important than health and environmental protection? Shouldn't candidates refuse contributions from businesses they will be regulating?
Cary Hopper
Blacksburg
LENGTH: Long : 113 linesby CNB