ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 24, 1996 TAG: 9603250004
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
I have followed closely the letters to the newspaper complaining about the downtown parking problem. I applaud Colleen Redman's points [March 10 Current] about all concerned working together to alleviate the problem. What gives downtown businesses the right to "take over" downtown parking? Even if parking spaces are restricted along the streets of downtown Blacksburg, one should be able to park behind the businesses.
I drive to Roanoke daily, and there is no comparison to how downtown Roanoke handles parking and how Blacksburg does. Free parking for one hour and only $5 tickets.
Maybe this is why Roanoke's Market Square receives awards and Blacksburg's downtown area receives laughs and jeers. I would rather drive an hour to comfortably visit downtown Roanoke, rather than five minutes to make mad dashes to Blacksburg's business community.
Jim Dooley
Blacksburg
Campaign reform would benefit all
Congress must act to restore public confidence in our political system. Special interests dominate in paying for congressional elections. The public knows these special interests often influence the legislative process. The current system is unfair.
Fortunately, a strong, comprehensive campaign finance reform bill has recently been introduced in the House of Representatives that would correct some of these problems. It will help move the special interests out and bring the American people back into the political system.
The legislation sets voluntary spending limits for House campaigns. It provides more affordable ways for candidates to communicate responsibly with the public. It puts new controls on "soft money" contributions, which operate outside the limits of federal law. And it controls special interests by limiting large individual contributions and cutting political action committee donations.
The 1994 congressional election was the most expensive in history, costing nearly $741 million. Incumbents have unfair advantages over challengers. House bill 2566 will help change this deeply flawed system. It is time for congressional leadership to respond to the public and pass this comprehensive reform measure.
Mary Swiger
president, League of Women Voters of Montgomery County
Teens could pay debt by cleaning up
Concerning the two girls who faked the bridge jump in Pembroke, I don't think the parents should have to pay. These girls are old enough to be responsible for themselves. Give them 200 hours of community service each and make them clean trucks, cars and pick up trash.
Ron Baldwin
Blacksburg
County has no need to take property
On March 11, the the Montgomery County Supervisors' meeting was dominated by discussion about the forcible confiscation of Ron Salmons' land for a public school in Riner. From the 16 speakers, I heard about the showpiece a centralized campus might be, the desire that each child receive a perfect education, and the value of athletic programs. I was moved by the comments of Ron Salmons.
What I did not hear about was respect for property rights or a man's right to maintain his legitimate livelihood, nor was there adequate criticism of the process by which Montgomery County decided that only Ron Salmons' land would suit the needs of the community.
A summary of the procedures and conclusions of the county's site committee showed it failed to gather all necessary information and made unverified assumptions. Interviewing parents and teachers about what they would like does not serve the community at large, only those with school-age children and those in public education. The arrogant behavior of the School Board in selecting Salmons' land, and the Board of Supervisors in condemning it when he refused the county's inadequate offer, are examples of governmental abuse of power. Eminent domain does not require a local government to consider only land a property owner does not wish to sell.
Our Constitution requires just compensation. The supervisors' offer to Salmons was not just, nor was their attempt to "quick-take" his land and avoid lengthy condemnation procedures ethical.
Following a series of poor decisions and a 20-year history of inadequate planning, the county will not be adversely affected by taking time to explore options other than stealing Ron Salmons' land and permanently hampering his ability to pursue his chosen career. The inability of our county leaders to acknowledge their accountability for this outcome is not good or responsible government.
A.H. Jones
Riner
At any Price, it's interesting history
I read with interest the article about Price Mountain in the March 3 New River Current. After reading the timeline on Price Mountain, stating that it was named in 1754 for four brothers who bought land there, I re-read the lineage of the Price history.
Being a direct descendant of the four Price brothers on my daddy's side (the late Robert C. Price Sr.), I find that the four Price brothers were named: John Michael Price, age 18; and minor brothers, William Augustine Price, age 16; Henry Price, age 14; and Daniel Price, age 12. They arrived in the United States on Sept. 5, 1738, coming from the Palatinate, Germany, because of religious persecutions.
Prices Fork was also named for the Price brothers. At one time, the brothers owned 120,000 acres of land, including the mountains and land on the New River.
Goldie Price Spaur
Pearisburg
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