ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607250013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to your July 18 article, ``Should council have hot time on your dime?'':
I had a peanut-butter sandwich for dinner on July 16, a far cry from the herb-rubbed roasted prime rib that our elected officials and others dined on.
I have to work overtime in April each year to pay my personal-property taxes, not to pay for meals for people I don't even know!
But I would like to know what's significant about who paid for the champagne at this City Council gala. Does it make it any less right or wrong who paid for the champagne?
By the way, Elizabeth Bowles will be OK. Remember, she voted for - and will receive - her 2-for-1 pension, so her 20 years of council service equals 40.
|STEPHEN D. VASSAR |ROANOKE
No (Cuban) cigar |
for the professor|
I WAS amazed and surprised by the amount of space given to Glen T. Martin, professor of philosophy and religious studies at Radford University (July 6 letter to the editor, ``Bedford job loss: another sacrifice to the god of profit''). It's obvious to me that he's a Marxist, and it's quite disconcerting that he's teaching and influencing our younger generation.
Martin doesn't seem to understand the capitalist system at all. He feels profits are bad, workers are exploited (regardless of their pay and benefits), and he doesn't seem to realize that the profits he abhors are the capital seed for new jobs. The professor seems to feel that Cuba is the ideal place to live with ``people enjoying health care, universal education, and a decent standard of living.''
He spent most of his letter trashing our country for being involved in Latin America, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, etc. - all because large U.S. corporations want us there, as he sees it. He doesn't name any corporations with holdings in these countries. I feel certain there are no American holdings in Cuba, where Castro ``exploited'' quite a few of his citizens by firing squad, or in Cambodia where Pol Pot ``exploited'' some 3 million of his citizens by torture and death to establish himself as leader.
Martin writes ``our god ... is a global system whereby those who possess wealth are legally institutionalized to exploit poor people.'' He goes on to say that ``this is glorified in the exalted images of the flag, the nation, free enterprise, military strength, law and order, and even democracy.''
I am certain Martin's salary doesn't approach that of the basketball coach at Radford University. Therefore, under his terms, he must be an exploited individual. As such, I might suggest that he apply for a job in his ideal country at the University of Havana. It would certainly be a change to have migration to Cuba rather than vice versa.
|FREEMAN W. JENRETTE |BEDFORD
Baptists stood up|
for their beliefs|
IN RESPONSE to Roger D. Lewis' July 3 letter to the editor, "Southern Baptists show intolerance":
I don't agree with his use of the word "bigot" to describe the denomination's members. If standing up for what's right in God's eyes and caring about America's future and where we're headed labels me as a "bigot," then I am proud to be one.
The Southern Baptist Convention was showing its support for family values by doing what it did. I think the next time Lewis thinks about describing a person, group or denomination as "a bunch of bigots," he first ought to look at what they're trying to accomplish and what they're standing up for.
|DAVID RAKESTRAW |COPPER HILL
SPCA facility|
is not a threat|
THE RECENT debate (July 13 article, ``SPCA to fight for new digs'') over placement of the Roanoke Valley SPCA shelter reminds me of the years before there was any facility at all. I don't think anyone wants to return to alleys and back yards littered with sick and dying animals, broken-hearted owners who have no central source of information when their pets are lost, and animal lovers who just don't have room for another stray, but have exhausted their list of kind friends who will take one more animal.
Before the Eastern Avenue building, there were people like Jim Hart and Ramsey Arrington who helped with health and rescue matters. Many of us used basements and back yards for temporary shelter, but still many animals suffered. A town overrun with feral animals isn't a pleasant place to live.
I can truthfully say to those who live next to this property that I wouldn't object if it were in my neighborhood. In fact, I live inside a miniature version of an animal shelter, and it's never a source of pollution for my neighbors.
It's a full-time job to clean up and care for animals, but the staff at the old site does a wonderful job and could be counted on to do the same (easier) job at the new state-of-the-art building. It's a mystery to me why this development is considered heavy industry, and why zoning can't be re-evaluated so those who fear it's a foot in the door for worse things wouldn't worry. If this isn't the right place, the community needs to find a new one.
Those who care for the lesser of God's creatures are the same ones who serve his greatest creations. If anyone needs evidence, look up the history of the man who founded the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Children and you'll find where he got the experience to do this noble work.
|SUE COLLINS |ROANOKE
Many depend on|
public bus service|
REGARDING Henry Wiesen's July 20 letter to the editor, ``Public bus service isn't practical'':
Many of the city's services, like planting flowers in pots, aren't practical. I think if he weren't allowed to use his car and had no way to get about but by taxis and buses, he'd change his mind about the buses.
For years, until I had my surgery and was allowed to drive, I depended on buses. It wasn't convenient standing around in the rain, cold and sun, and it wasn't always fun, but it was a way to get around.
We must realize that all municipal services aren't practical.
|NORENA ROBERTSON |ROANOKE
State agency can|
help the fire chief|
REGARDING your July 7 article (``Fighting fire with fewer?'') on the Roanoke Fire Department:
Chief James Grigsby has the authority and responsibility to organize the Roanoke Fire Department to accomplish its mission of protecting life and property. This authority and responsibility is provided by the Code of Virginia governing fire protection, the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Department of Health, Emergency Medical Service Regulations, etc.
However, it appears there's strong opposition to the proposed reorganization and some of the data that he cited in support of his plan.
I suggest that Grigsby utilize the services of the Virginia Department of Fire Programs to conduct an evaluation of the Roanoke Fire Department. This service has been provided to many fire departments in Virginia, including Franklin, Bedford and Allegheny counties and the city of Covington.
There's no mandate to make any changes based on the evaluation and there's no fee. The only cost to Roanoke would be lodging, food and travel. The evaluation results are provided only to Grigsby and his designees, i.e., the city manager. This would provide Grigsby with information to support or modify his proposed reorganization.
|KEN LUSSEN |Retired executive director |Virginia Fire Commission |(Department of Fire Programs) |ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 145 linesby CNB