ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608190122
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
WHY ARE local developers allowed to pave or bulldoze every open field? All Roanokers must live with the consequences: increased traffic congestion, eyesore construction, and a bewildering maze of signs and billboards. Do we care so little what Roanoke looks like?
Current zoning regulations encourage exploitation of one of Roanoke's charms: its scenery. The Dillon Rule for zoning and development in Virginia ignores aesthetic appeal. It provides for safe building construction only. There are few obstacles to the spread of vast parking lots, abandoned offices, unneeded malls and other visual detractions. Often this urban sprawl has no long-term economic benefits for the community, and drives tourism away. If Roanoke looks like Everywhere, U.S.A., why make a special effort to visit?
Home-rule zoning laws in other states have enhanced cities. These laws set critical standards for architecture, the use of space and preservation of parks and greenways. They encourage bicycle and pedestrian traffic. They don't sacrifice inspiration for convenience.
Roanokers opposed to the spread of urban sprawl should lobby to change current zoning laws.
THOMAS C. KIRKWOOD
ROANOKE
Quit picking on President Clinton
I AM SO sick of politics and politicians I could scream. I am sick of seeing President Clinton and his family being ripped to shreds. If he was involved in any wrongdoing in Whitewater, it happened before he became president. If he had an affair, that's between him and his family, not the public.
Doesn't anyone remember what Nixon and Reagan did while in the White House? Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows Reagan was guilty in the Iran-Contra affair. Nixon did have enough decency to resign.
Government is out of control and something needs to be done. Why don't politicians cut their huge salaries, give up their perks and pay that the hard-working person has to pay for? President Clinton wants and tries to help the less fortunate, but he's blocked every way he turns and tries.
If Bob Dole is elected, God help us all, for only the wealthy will survive. I have all the praise in the world for Gen. Colin Powell for not getting involved in the Washington mess. As former Sen. Barry Goldwater said, ``Quit your nit pickin' and let the president get on with his job.''
I like President Clinton, and will vote for him. He has done a good job considering what he has had to deal with, namely the Senate and House of Representatives.
IRENE GROVES
ROANOKE
Freedom to behave like animals?
ALMOST TIME for school. Students will be streaming to the classroom in search of truth - the truth of mathematics, for example. But there will be several classes that will teach the theory of evolution.
There are other theories that could be taught as well, but our schools do not allow theories to be taught as facts of life. So, humans are animals. And we reap the rewards of being such. We propagate like animals since we've taught children for the past 30 years that ``you're just animals.''
The AIDS virus sprang from this wonderful age of educational ``enlightenment'' and freedom. Yes, it's easy to scream freedom when the kid down the street contracts a deadly disease, or some other guy's young girl has a baby with no father in sight. Freedom of speech. Freedom to view active sex on television and the Internet. We have become a nation ruled by movie actors and actresses.
WOODROW RILEY
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 72 linesby CNB