ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, December 8, 1996 TAG: 9612100008
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
McCoy road project raises concerns
I am a concerned citizen living in the McCoy community of Montgomery County on Quartz Lane.
For the past several months, construction has been in progress on this road. The incline on this new construction is reportedly to be 18 percent - a steeper grade than any other local road.
There are 13 households on Quartz Lane. We have made calls to the resident engineer, Dan Brugh, and have voiced our concern to our county supervisor, Ira Long, and to Del. James Shuler, as well as made calls to the Virginia Department of Transportation in Richmond.
A school bus picks up children and takes them back down this steep incline and would have no way to stop without colliding into residences if its brakes failed or the road were slippery.
I have a very difficult time understanding how someone could engineer the construction of a road making it more dangerously unsafe than the previous road. I am at a loss knowing where else to turn for help on this matter.
Emily M. Hart
Blacksburg
Pulaski wreck prompted good Samaritan's help
I wanted to express my thankfulness this holiday season for a special lady. Last August, I was in a terrible head-on collision on U.S. 11 in Pulaski County. I survived thanks to my seat belt and air bag.
A woman who witnessed my accident came over to calm me while I was pinned in my sports car. Her soothing voice, calm demeanor and kind words made me believe there are good Samaritans left in the world. She placed her hand carefully on my shoulder and even once tried reaching for my hand to hold while I was crying and terrified in my car. This kind woman had a cellular phone and called my fiancee about my accident. Many times during my rehabilitation I have wondered who she is and how I could thank her.
When the police questioned the witnesses about the accident, this woman never told how she helped me at the scene. Perhaps it is your wish to stay anonymous. Although you may never come forward, I will never forget you. I hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe holiday. In honor of this woman who helped me, I will be sure to offer any assistance I can as she did for me in my time of need.
My accident also made me an advocate for seat belt and air bag safety. Please buckle up!
Kathleen E. Jones
Blacksburg
Infant's death compared to issue of abortion
A young couple who are charged with destroying their newborn baby will undoubtedly be tried for a felony. News stories have even suggested they could face the death penalty.
Last fall, Congress passed a bill that would have made partial-birth abortion illegal. President Clinton vetoed the bill. Although the Senate voted to override the veto, the House of Representatives sustained it with its vote supporting the veto. My congressman, Rick Boucher, voted to sustain the veto.
The same day the president vetoed the bill, the director of the Washington office of the Presbyterian Church USA, my church, issued a statement praising the president's decision.
It seems to me that the law should be the same for everybody. Either anyone who wants to can destroy a newborn baby and go free or nobody can.
W.M. Guthrie
Dublin
LENGTH: Medium: 68 linesby CNB