ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604150006
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
Blacksburg enjoys a downtown that is still the center of the community. One major element of the business and civic mix that keeps it alive is Blacksburg Middle School.
Maintaining the school is as important to the integrity of Main Street as keeping the retail base intact. Vacant store fronts, including the impending loss of Grand Piano, can be devastating to the atmosphere of downtown. If the middle school moves to a remote location, deterioration will surely follow.
A proposed common site for both the middle and high schools claims the advantage of shared facilities. I believe any benefits would be outweighed by the social disadvantage of mixing age groups that clearly differ in maturity level. Peer pressure by upperclassmen may be too great for sixth-graders.
Currently, close proximity to the newly renovated library, bike trails and Virginia Tech offer middle school students access to positive influences after school hours.
Perhaps a new middle school could be built in front of the existing one, forming a courtyard or atrium between the two. Students could move into the addition while renovations to the old school take place. This would minimize class disruption, preserve the athletic fields and maintain the center of town.
Susan B. Hunter
Blacksburg
Strong laws needed to protect the abused
Many well-deserved tributes have been written about Angie Knowles. This letter focuses on the cause rather than tribute.
Our law enforcement officers have undoubtedly endured much scrutiny in the aftermath of Angie's death. I do not hold them accountable. They are functioning powerlessly within a justice system that is woefully lacking in its ability to protect these abused innocents. Daily, hundreds of women and children suffer in the terror of domestic abuse. Significant intervention cannot occur unless there is proven physical harm. Many women, such as Angie Knowles, do not survive this horrific lifestyle.
Something must be done for these innocent people. Laws must be changed and new ones enacted that will guarantee adequate protection when they seek help. Our legislators can institute such laws. This will not magically happen. Write to your elected officials and demand that stronger protection laws for the abused be established. Enable our law officers rather than casting blame on them.
We cannot change past events. It is much too late for Angie Knowles. Let us instead work together as a united community to prevent a repeat of this tragedy. Your letter could make a tremendous difference. Even in death, Angie is encouraging many of us to become involved.
Terri Wright
Christiansburg
Leave middle school at downtown location
The Montgomery County School Board voted last June, with little or no community input, to build a new Blacksburg middle school on the edge of town. The School Board is now collecting new information and will vote one more time at its meeting on Thursday. If the present school is abandoned and pupils are bused out of downtown, we will contribute to the abandonment of any sense of "town."
Blacksburg is very much like a neighborhood in the larger community of Montgomery County. It is important that we don't fragment our community's environment by expelling our school and children.
There is enough land on the downtown site to construct either a new school or construct a major addition and renovate portions of the existing building. Many schools have been renovated in the Salem, Vinton, Roanoke, Roanoke County region, leaving the schools within their neighborhoods.
Tell our School Board, build new or renovate, but do it in downtown Blacksburg.
Jack Davis
Blacksburg
A debt of thanks due emergency workers
In the early morning hours of March 19, my husband "Buddy" suffered cardiac arrest.
After dialing 911, we had an immediate response from the Blacksburg Police Department and the Blacksburg Rescue Squad. Several volunteer rescue squad members quickly assessed this critical situation and with modern equipment were able to restart his heart.
All the rescue members exhibited expertise during these tense moments and also offered support to family members. The swift and excellent care Buddy received from both the Blacksburg Rescue Squad and Montgomery Regional Hospital staff saved his life.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all the volunteer squad members for their many, many hours of training and dedication to this town and surrounding area. I urge everyone to support your local emergency crews.
June McCoy and family
Blacksburg
'Wal-Mart mentality' gutting our downtowns
Blacksburg Middle School should not be moved from its downtown location. The "Wal-Mart mentality" is running rampant in our society, gutting our towns and leaving large hollow spaces.
The middle school is an integral part of our community. Keeping our children in our town's center teaches the children they are an integral part of the community.
Maintaining a strong sense of community helps citizens of Blacksburg take pride in their town. Blacksburg continues to make strides in being a premier community to live in. Just a few recent examples of this progress include the renovated downtown library, open-space planning and the Huckleberry Trail expansion. Keeping the middle school downtown is one more opportunity to secure a strong sense of community and a wonderful quality of life.
Cecile G. Newcomb
Townscape Committee
Blacksburg
LENGTH: Long : 110 linesby CNB