ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, November 18, 1996 TAG: 9611180101
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
IN RESPONSE to Genevieve Waring's Nov. 7 letter to the editor, ``An accounting is due from the lottery'':
Contrary to some beliefs, Virginia Lottery customers come from many different socioeconomic classifications. Every two years, the Lottery commissions a benchmark study of player and nonplayer attitudes and demographics. From July 13, 1995, to June 13, 1996, an independent research firm asked 9,600 Virginians a variety of questions about the Lottery. It found that more than 70 percent of Virginians have played the Lottery, and 84 percent of those who play have an income of $15,000 and above. In these households are adults who enjoy freedoms and choices afforded to all Virginians. One of those adult choices is whether to participate in Virginia Lottery games.
The primary purpose of the Lottery is to raise revenue for Virginia. It also gives players an opportunity for entertainment. We restrict our advertising to humor that entertains and informs players about our products. We do not offer players false promises or other inducements.
Waring, writing on behalf of the Roanoke Meeting of Friends, cited concerns about placing Lottery terminals in businesses. The Lottery carefully chooses its retail locations to ensure adult supervision. Minors are prohibited from purchasing tickets by law. Lottery retailers do not promote the Lottery to minors in any way.
Since 1988, the Lottery has publicly reported its income and expenses each year, shortly after the fiscal year ends June 30. On average, 50 percent to 55 percent of the Lottery's income is returned to players in the form of prizes; 5 percent to 6 percent goes to retailers; 6 percent to 8 percent is used for administration; and 34 percent to 36 percent is revenue for the state. This past year the Lottery contributed $332.6 million to our state's economic well-being. By law, this money will be used for public education.
As to the Lottery's effectiveness, that's hard to dispute. Since its inception, the Virginia Lottery has accomplished the goals of its mission: to operate with integrity while producing revenue for public purposes.
PENELOPE W. KYLE
Virginia Lottery director
RICHMOND
Library offers political diversity
REGARDING Bob Wilhelms' Nov. 3 letter to the editor, ``Library may be stacked politically'':
I am happy to report that since Oct. 7 four copies of Gary Aldrich's ``Unlimited Access'' have been available to Wilhelms and anyone else who uses the Bedford Public Library System, along with several other books highly critical of Bill Clinton. Also available are copies of ``Trusting the People'' by Bob Dole and Jack Kemp, and ``Between Hope and History'' by Bill Clinton.
The library system also contains a wide variety of magazines, newspapers, CD-Rom, online databases and the Internet, all of which contain a wealth of information on all political candidates. Trained staff at all locations will help you find the information you need.
The Bedford Public Library System strives to obtain the highest-quality materials reflecting all viewpoints on subjects that promote lifelong learning and lifelong enjoyment for the Bedford community. We welcome Wilhelms' input into the selection process, and invite other comments and suggestions from our users to help us maintain a balanced collection.
TOM HEHMAN
Director, Bedford Public Library System
BEDFORD
A mouse's view of evolution
APROPOS: Cal Thomas and the pope (Oct. 30 column, ``The evolution of the pope'').
One day while out walking, a lion came upon a mouse. They fell to talking and, in time, the lion remarked, ``All animals, even you and me, have evolved from lower forms of life.'' But the mouse cried out in distress, ``Maybe you, but not me. God made me just as I am.'' End of story.
NAT BACK
ROANOKE
Underpass is paved with dead pigeons
CONGRATULATIONS to Roanoke city on the 24th Street underpass renovation. I am appalled, however, that it's being ``paved'' with dying pigeons. I have contacted Roanoke City Animal Control, the Roanoke Valley Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Wildlife Rescue of Roanoke. I pass through there every day, and there are more dead and dying pigeons each time. Obviously, no one cares.
Pigeons may not be everyone's favorite bird, but they're God's creation - just as other birds are. I've seen no response to find out what has happened to kill them. The only response I've seen is when the street sweeper cleans them up.
GARY K. GREER
SALEM
LENGTH: Medium: 92 linesby CNB