ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606100005
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on JUne 11, 1996.
Virginia R. Kirk of Christiansburg wrote a letter to the editor in
Sunday's New River Current about the "smart" road. The middle initial of
her name was listed incorrectly following the letter.
I and the majority of those who have written or spoken on the "smart" road for several years now have heard all the arguments in favor of this road and seen the maps and plans describing its development. The more we hear and see of this unpleasant idea, the less we like it.
A few who live in the Ellett Valley and would be directly affected by the road spoke clearly in the The Roanoke Times on Tuesday in the article "Only wise decision is no, farmers said." Many more who live in this area realize the impact the road would have on the environment. We oppose the road for this and other reasons. Roads destroy thousands of trees, fragment wildlife habitat, bring noise and air pollution, and accidents.
While the ``smart'' road might be a windfall for a few with vested interests, for the rest of us it would be a disaster, diminishing what makes this area a special place to live.
I hope the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors on whom this decision rests will respond to the request for the ``smart'' road by just saying no.
A.M. Moss
Blacksburg
Road could set area's economic future
As a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the "smart" road, I was out of state May 23 when the committee passed a resolution claiming the project would adversely affect a Montgomery County agricultural and forestal district.
When former Roanoke County Supervisor Dick Robers presented the idea of a smart road to link Blacksburg and Roanoke in the late 1980s, he set the wheels in motion for what could be one of the greatest economic development projects in the history of Western Virginia.
Millions of dollars have been spent on planning and environmental impact statements, and scores of federal, state and local government agencies helped determine the route with the most acceptable environmental impact. Yet on Monday night, the county Board of Supervisors will deliberate once again on the worthiness of the project. The board can provide the green light, create a roadblock or stall the smart road. Here are four reasons to support the project:
1. Construction of the road will create an estimated 318 jobs for eight years. It will attract an estimated $100 million worth of research to Virginia Tech, and spin off an estimated $300 million in associated economic development over the next 20 years from high-technology research companies interested in intelligent transportation research.
2. Research conducted on the smart road will enable transportation engineers to design roadways and systems that will save lives and conserve natural resources in the 21st century. This technology is coming, and we have an opportunity to get in on the ground floor.
3. It will create a more direct route between the state's largest university and Western Virginia's largest city. Alternative 3A, the U.S. 460 bypass connector, does not address this objective of the smart road.
4. Western Virginia needs a project like this to put it on the map. The smart road can help integrate the New Century Region with the rest of the state's emerging status as a national center for high technology industry.
When I hear opponents claim the project is designed to serve the "special interests" of a few, instead of all the people in the region, I find myself asking, what special interests? Do they define the commonwealth's largest public university as a special interest? Surely they realize that Virginia Tech is the largest economic engine in Western Virginia. Its successes and failures reverberate throughout the mountains and valleys of our region.
And when I hear them claim that the area doesn't need the development and economic boost the smart road will provide, I find myself remembering how things used to be. I remember when the arsenal employed 10,000 people, when Western Electric [later AT&T] employed 2,000, when Burlington plants employed almost a thousand. Those jobs are gone. Despite aggressive efforts to recruit major industries over the past decade, we have not been very successful.
The smart road can help create a future where public education, health, transportation, social services and, yes, employment opportunities provide a decent quality of life. Decisions like these should be made on the basis of what creates the greatest good for the greatest amount of people. Our leaders can make a bold statement about a better tomorrow.
Jeffrey Douglas
Christiansburg
Decision overdue on road project
Six long years have passed since plans were announced for a road to relieve traffic on U.S. 460. With all these years of meetings, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors cannot seem to make a decision. I am in full agreement with Vice Chairman Ira Long that there is no need for a further 60-day extension.
The people who live in the path of the long discussed road will have to relocate and need to know something definite so they can get on with their lives.
This could go on for years as the traffic worsens. These meetings seem just a pretense. It is not easy to relocate, but it is especially difficult in the winter and if you only have limited time.
I am writing on behalf of myself and others who may be as unfortunate as I.
Virginia A. Kirk
Christiansburg
Miller deserves GOP support
It is obvious Sen. John Warner, R-Va., is uneasy of the outcome in the June 11 primary for the Senate, and why not? The Republican Party made up of honest conservatives, who remain faithful to the party's nominee, are not ignorant or brain dead.
We remember well June 4, 1994, at the Republican Convention - Oliver North won the nomination for the Senate fair and square. Jim Miller was naturally disappointed, however, being faithful to his party, he congratulated North and promised his support. Warner has spoken out against two of his party nominees, North and Mike Farris, without a reason.
Loyal conservative Republicans must vote for Jim Miller June 11.
Ernestine B. Frith
Radford
Blacksburg bus drivers underpaid
As the spouse of a Blacksburg Transit bus operator, I have been following closely the recent article and letters about their wages. I would like to clarify a few points.
A bus operator is responsible for the safety of the passengers on his/her bus while driving in all weather and traffic conditions, sometimes for as long as nine or more hours per day. A bus operator must obtain a commercial driver's license at personal expense, take defensive driving courses, become certified in CPR and first aid, and may be subjected to drug testing.
In addition to job requirements, bus operators face hazards. They have to drive in snow, sleet, and freezing rain. On weekends many drivers have been subjected to drunk passengers who vomit in the bus. Some bus operators have been cursed, threatened and beaten by unruly (usually drunk) passengers. Buses have had objects thrown at them, and have been kicked and scraped, while the bus operator is inside.
There was a wage increase in 1989-90, however, this increase was mandated by a nationwide minimum wage increase. Those few drivers at the top of the pay scale, those who had driven the most hours for several years, received only a 5-cent raise. The pay scale was reduced from 10 steps to seven steps.
These dedicated employees take their job seriously. As a result Blacksburg Transit has received numerous awards at local, state and national levels. These bus operators can never make more than $5.35 an hour. They are allowed no sick days. Some operators haven't had a pay increase in over five years. Is this reasonable compensation?
Sherrie Mason
Blacksburg
Recycling bins not for garbage
On May 28, Clyde Farmer and I were putting recyclable items in the recycling bins on the Kroger parking lot in Pulaski. He noticed that some people are using that area as a dumpster - setting items outside the bins even when they are not full. We've also observed trash blowing from that area toward other stores and restaurants in the mall.
Please help conserve our landfill by recycling items, and help keep our town clean of trash at the recycling bins.
Doris M. Larson
Pulaski
Turn lane needed near preschool
We are parents of a child at Noah's Ark Preschool on South Main Street in Blacksburg. If you are coming from town and need to turn into the school, you have to go past the school to the U-turn at Ardmore Street. This is very dangerous. It is a tight turn and has to be made slowly.
If the town can put up a useless stop light in front of Harris Teeter then they should seriously consider putting a turning lane in for more direct access to the school's entrance for the safety of our kids, as well as a slower speed limit with a flashing school sign.
Eric and Kim Gentry
McCoy
LENGTH: Long : 167 linesby CNB