ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190017
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A10 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTER
I APPLAUD and agree with Jeff Artis' Sept. 12 commentary (``Kids need team sports'') on the place of competitive athletics in middle schools.
It's ironic that it appeared the same day as a news article on sagging school attendance (``Teachers take fight against skipping to mom and dad''). Most schools and coaches have strict rules on attendance and participation: You must practice and attend to play.
I disagree with The Roanoke Times' position (Sept. 10 editorial, ``Sack the plea to add football'') on this issue for many of Artis' reasons, and would like to add one further observation.
As a coach, I don't fully measure a team's success on wins and losses in a season. It's growth that counts. What is more meaningful to me is the success the young ladies on my teams go on to after high school. It's the teachers, coaches, nurses, doctors and parents they go on to become that gratifies me.
Please don't ignore the broader picture Artis paints.
SPIKE HARRISON
County Supervisor Catawba District
ROANOKE COUNTY
A third choice for the 5th District
WHAT WITH the only two candidates in the 5th District congressional race being part of the machines that brought us the North American Free Trade Agreement, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, government shutdowns and the messes we are mired in, the VIP-Reform Party has an opportunity to put some independent-minded person on the ballot to replace Gary Thomas, who withdrew as the VIP candidate.
The party needs an independent-minded civic servant with a track record of positive results against long odds, someone not encumbered by partisan politics and the deal-making that has left most of us out.
The 5th District has someone who has, in effect, already made more federal law than the current candidates, and he's still doing it. Tex Wood is a decorated Marine combat veteran. He is well-educated, with a background in education, business and journalism.
Without an attorney, he has consistently beaten the Virginia attorney general's office in federal court in a case of national significance involving ballot access. As far as I know, he hasn't profited a whit, and he's still at it.
The VIP-Reform Party may not like Wood's independence, but he's popular, and he manages to get things done that we know need to be done. If he will agree to it, I'd like to see the party put him on the ballot for Congress.
The current mess we're in should show us that we have been wasting our votes for years. Wood would get things done in Congress, and he would sure add some interest to a rather dull campaign.
BRAD MANLEY
MARTINSVILLE
End the tax bite on our paychecks
I COMMEND Dan Eitner on his letter to the editor (Sept. 6, ``Tax cut will help the rich and poor'') concerning tax cuts. I couldn't agree more. Let us keep our money!
I am continually amazed at the number of people who gleefully look forward to tax-refund time. They act like they are getting a gift from the government.
If people had to write a check at the end of the year for the total taxes owed for that year, they would realize just how much of their paycheck is taken by the government.
Instead, we have a "painless" deduction taken out each week, and then we get the "privilege" of getting back a small amount after we have let the government use our money - interest free - all year.
Look at your paycheck. Imagine what you could do with the extra funds if you were taking home anything close to your gross earnings.
This November, I will vote for the candidate who plans on a tax cut. I hope everyone else will too.
PAUL BISBEE
BEDFORD
Cleanup efforts aren't appreciated
ON AUG. 28, I helped my father clean up the highway in the Litton Fibercom Adopt-a-Highway zone, which is on Hershberger Road and the on-ramp to Interstate 581. We spent all afternoon making the place look clean and neat.
The next morning - not even 24 hours after we had cleaned it up - it was covered with trash, especially beer bottles.
It's not fair for me to put so much time and effort into helping to clean it up and then see that people would be stupid enough to litter the only planet we have.
ADAM ALBERTSON
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 89 linesby CNB