ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, October 8, 1996 TAG: 9610080076
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: what's on your mind?
SOURCE: RAY REED
Q: What's the deal with the proliferation of groundhogs? It seems that not long ago they weren't nearly so plentiful. Now, you drive a couple of hundred yards, and there's a fat groundhog standing beside the road.
S.A., Roanoke
A: Most likely, groundhog population is about the same as always, says Jay Jeffreys, a biologist with the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
We have to qualify this report by saying "most likely" because nobody bothers to do a census on groundhogs, dead or alive.
There are enough of them to be a nuisance, and hunting these critters is legal year round except Sundays and in cities or suburbs where shooting is not allowed.
Why have they moved out to the road?
Roadsides provide excellent habitat. Food, cover and water - the groundhog's basic needs - are there.
The grass holds lots of moisture because it's mowed every couple of months. Leafy clover flourishes, and groundhogs relish it.
In addition, traces of the salt and calcium chloride put down on icy roads linger into the summer and satisfy some of the groundhog's mineral needs.
Groundhogs have adapted readily to vehicle noise. When they lived in farm fields, they'd run back to the hole at almost any sound.
Now, it almost takes a miss from a 30.06 rifle to make a groundhog panic.
Average nonexistent
Q: What is "average income" in government terminology? Who's included and who's left out in calculating these figures?
D.J., Roanoke
A: Average income is more a journalist's phrase than a government term.
There are lots of "average incomes" for groups of people, such as teachers, retirees or college graduates. Figures, though, often aren't given.
The U.S. government calculates per-capita income, which is the annual total income of all residents, divided by a state's population on July 1. (Virginia's was $21,653 in 1993.)
But hey, average incomes can be lots more interesting. Let's take a look at the "average income" of a major-league baseball player: $1,176,967 on Opening Day, 1995.
This figure is misleading, though, skewed upward by the 241 millionaires. There were 527 players earning less than $1 million on the active rosters and disabled lists.
They were listening
Q: For the last two years, construction equipment has parked in what used to be a nice area of grass and trees beside Exit 156 in Botetourt County. Some of us who live there would like to see the blacktop taken up and the grass put back. We've talked to the Virginia Department of Transportation without any reply.
J.H., Troutville
A: Somebody must have heard you.
Although others suggested that this site on Virginia 640 remain paved for a commuter park-and-drive lot, the pavement was being taken up Monday.
It's to be restored with fresh dirt and grass seeding.
Got a question about something that might affect other people, too? Something you've come across and wondered about? Call us at 981-3118. Or, e-mail RayR@Roanoke.Infi.Net. Maybe we can find the answer.
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