ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, April 5, 1996 TAG: 9604050027
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
ON APRIL 1, the Rockbridge County School Board voted no on Goals 2000. School Board members had spent time studying the federal program, and realized the tremendous cost it would shift to local taxpayers five years hence when government withdraws support. Rockbridge County residents are most fortunate.
Any school district accepting this ill-conceived piece of bureaucracy misleads the public. It must be remembered that government produces nothing that earns income. Every nickel it spends has to be taxed. Money granted by Goals 2000 isn't ``free money.''
It's inconceivable to me that citizens in the land of the free and the home of the brave would willingly hand over their freedoms, gained by the sacrifice of so many, to invite the federal government to micromanage their lives.
We should realize that freedoms lost are never regained. Government's insatiable quest for power never ceases. The writers of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights were very aware of the nature of government, making certain every American citizen would have protection from government.
What a tragedy it would be to pay for this dangled carrot with the exorbitant price of bondage to federal bureaucracy.
ELINOR D. WRIGHT
LEXINGTON
Labrador retrievers are pacifists
REGARDING your March 5 article, ``2 Roanoke men arrested at dog fight,'' concerning those who were charged in connection with a dog fight between a pit bull terrier and a Labrador retriever:
A pit bull's fighting reputation is disgustingly well-known. As for Labs, these dogs are among the best-loved animals in the world. (I have three.) They're compassionate, gentle, and are rarely, if ever, known to fight. To force one of these dogs into a fight with a pit bull is sickening. The poor Lab would most likely lose its life trying to save it!
If found guilty, I hope the judge will render a sentence appropriate to this dastardly deed.
CHARLES E. RIDGE
HILLSVILLE
Don't tie helping hands with red tape
REGARDING your school-counseling article (March 3, ``Counseling not just about classes''):
As a mother of three children who attended Roanoke County schools, I was always happy to know that there was someone there for them who would show concern if they needed it. This idea of having to get the parents' permission before you can help a crying child or even talk to children is absurd. I pray that no such law is mandated by the General Assembly.
Please let our school personnel do their jobs, and our school counselors do as they have been trained - to be there for our children when they need them.
KATHLEEN VIA
ROANOKE COUNTY
Graffiti art can be respectable
IN REGARDS to your March 25 news article, "Graffiti leaves its mark":
These three young men are not artists. They go around putting up their "tags," which have no style or artistic value. Real graffiti art is beautiful, colorful and, most of all, respectable. It's a true art form.
The three young men will look at the article as more publicity, and may be happy about it. But I don't respect them or feel any pity for them.
Rob Callahan, head of the Market Area Committee of Downtown Roanoke Inc., stated that the committee had discussed a wall designated for graffiti art. I think this idea would be a good chance to show the public what true graffiti art is. It's not what these shameful boys have used the title for.
SCOTT GARNETT
ROANOKE
Macher doesn't do the cooking, either
IN RESPONSE to Sandra Manetta's March 6 letter to the editor, ``How can careless landlords sleep?'':
I want her and others who might have the wrong information to know that Macado's restaurants are not owned or operated by Spanky Macher (as I've heard so many people assume). I wouldn't want anyone to stop enjoying these restaurants because they were misinformed about the ownership. Manetta can continue to eat at Macado's restaurants knowing that Macher has nothing at all to do with their ownership or operation.
Bon appetite!
JOAN CUSTER
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 86 linesby CNB