ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Monday, April 8, 1996                  TAG: 9604080076
SECTION: EDITORIAL                PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: READERS' FORUM

WHAT ISSUE IS MOST IMPORTANT IN MAY'S COUNCIL ELECTIONS?

THE LONG-range economy of Roanoke city and the valley is one of the most important issues in the May election for City Council.

Relocation of industry, corporate downsizing and technological changes have created a critical need to examine the financial resources and needs of each government for the next 10-year period.

An independent study should be commissioned with each participating government having input, but not control. The project would be financed on a population basis. The final results would be simultaneously released to the elected officials to be utilized as they may jointly agree.

Without a sound and impartial financial analysis of the income and needs of the area, our valley leaders cannot properly address future capital-infrastructure demands and related bond issues, except on a hit-and-miss basis. Capital needs transcend boundary lines; however, the response of the valley community is limited to the combined wealth of the valley.

The May election would be an excellent time for the city to assume a leadership role in assuring sound, long-range economic planning for the valley.

HAMPTON W. THOMAS

ROANOKE

Glasgow urgently needs flood relief

WITH flood-tired Glasgow desperately seeking avenues of remedial action and flood-preventive measures, as well as options of home relocation or selling out, our May council election will be the most crucial in our town's history.

We're fortunate to have the opportunity to re-elect some of our dedicated incumbents, and will also be filling the seat of Gil Lunsford, a loyal, long-time councilman who is retiring.

Among the newcomers running, we're blessed to have a veteran flood victim, William ``Billy'' Grover Walker Jr. As a 6-year-old, Walker lost all his toys, along with his family's other possessions, in a flood. Three more times, he lost everything to floods. In the June 1995 flood, he lost most of his Glasgow video and outdoor-merchandise store. Walker is fully aware of the urgency to solve Glasgow's problems and meet its needs - in order to save our town!

Yes, our May council elections mean everything to this town fighting to survive the ravages of the Maury and the James rivers, and now the mountain timber cutoff.

SUE CAMPBELL WALKER

GLASGOW

Elected leaders mustn't lose touch

I THINK one of the most important issues for a member of a local-government council is to live up to his or her promises.

When running for City Council, candidates promise those of us in neighborhoods that they'll visit, check on our needs, and be our council person. If any member of Roanoke City Council has visited the Northeast neighborhood to date, I'm not aware of it. At least, they haven't contacted me.

They get so caught up in ``downtown'' Roanoke that we in the neighborhoods are forgotten.

ROY STROOP

President, Wildwood Civic League

ROANOKE

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