ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250002
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-13 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAWN D. HEARP
I AM DISAPPOINTED that the Roanoke County bond referendum did not pass. I believe we not only failed to provide the funds to improve the quality of facilities and technologies that our children desperately need to guarantee the best quality of their education, but we sent a negative signal to our children and to prospective businesses who might be considering locating in our marvelous valley.
There were definite shortcomings by Roanoke County in providing voters with sufficient information, but voters who voted ``no'' probably would have anyway. Their excuses included: no more taxes, our section isn't getting our share, remodel or make additions, etc. I have no children in the county schools, but own a home and a business, pay taxes, and was willing to pay my share for the children.
Southwest County received only about 25 percent of the $39 million spent on school improvements over the past 10 years, but has 40.2 percent of the county's total school population. Should Southwest County have whined about that ``unfairness?'' No, let's assume others' needs were more pressing then. We should work together for our mutual good.
Remodeling or additions are only Band-Aids and won't cure the problems - and in some cases are not feasible. These problems will not go away.
It's too bad that so many failed to vote. No vote was even worse than a ``no'' vote.
Life will move on. Students will continue to graduate and leave this valley, most never to return to live. We'll never know:
How many businesses chose to locate elsewhere instead of investing in our valley (since Roanoke County residents wouldn't invest in themselves or their children)?
How many of our young would have found jobs in these businesses and returned to the valley after college?
How many of you who voted ``no'' might have found a better job in one of these new companies?
How much tax revenue would have come from these businesses?
How much did the negative statement of this vote really affected the children?
What I do know is that things don't stay the same - they either improve or deteriorate. Which will it be for Roanoke County?
Dawn D. Hearp is a homemaker and longtime resident of Roanoke County, where her two children were educated.
LENGTH: Medium: 57 linesby CNB