ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, January 7, 1997 TAG: 9701070049
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Radford U's role in world trade
I WAS very pleased to see your recent series of editorials on expanding international trade in Virginia. The final editorial on Dec. 17, ``How to boost the region's exports,'' specifically struck a chord.
Expanding international trade must be one of this region's major economic-development strategies, and I agree with your assertion that it is important for universities to play a significant role in implementing this strategy. Many of the programs located within Radford University's Business Assistance Center (BAC) have been helping businesses develop their trade capabilities for some time now.
One good example of BAC's effort to boost the region's exports is the creation of the International Trade Center of Western Virginia, which provides consulting services, an International Executive Training Program and an International Trade Certification Program.
BAC also provides International Trade Data Network (ITDN) database and software that enables business people to obtain current information on trade policies, market demographics, trade leads and much more on any market in any country in the world.
Thank you for reinforcing our belief that international trade will assume a greater role in the region's economy, and that universities such as Radford University will play an integral part in this economic expansion.
JERRY KOPF
RADFORD
Join the crusade for the mountain
BETTY Field should be commended for her efforts in trying to save the natural environment of Mill Mountain (Nov. 18 news article, ``Woman fights for Mill Mountain to stay the way it is - a mountain'').
Had she not been at the Dec. 16 meeting of Roanoke City Council's Water Resources Committee to speak out for the trees at the proposed expanded zoo site, that area might have been denuded of all its trees (Dec. 17 news article, ``Zoo plan to grow gets nod'').
Here's hoping that many people will come forward in 1997 and rally around Ms. Field's crusade to save Mill Mountain. The mountain needs all the help it can get. Ms. Field cannot do it alone.
LOUISE KEGLEY
ROANOKE
Negligent oversight of water quality
THE DEFINITIONS of conservative, conservator and conservationist all have common roots, and when it comes to protecting our environment, Gov. George Allen is no conservative. When he resists the Environmental Protection Agency's efforts to enforce federal air-pollution standards, refuses to file monthly water pollution-discharge reports, and moves to pre-empt Clean Water Act penalties against large campaign contributors like Smithfield Foods, it appears that politics has replaced morality in priority.
Many Virginia newspapers, including this one, have written editorials calling Virginia's current policies ``wrongheaded'' and ``shortsighted.'' Your newspaper asked how credible are the administration's explanations, and why is the state Department of Environmental Quality's top management blocking normal enforcement of current regulations.
The recently released second report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission continued the criticism of the first report, which found that Becky Norton Dunlop, the secretary of natural resources, had crippled DEQ enforcement actions, fired dissident staff persons, and caused a plunge in morale within the agency. The report resulted from a two-year study, and included thousands of interviews with business leaders, citizens and scientists. It criticized Allen's policies and Dunlop's procedures, and offered more than 50 suggestions for reform of a watchdog agency that has been asleep on duty - or maybe drugged!
Citing instances of overlooked water pollution, permitted toxic discharges, blocked enforcement actions and unfiled violations, supporters of the report have called for the dismissal of some top officials and the firing of Dunlop for her lack of effectiveness in enforcing current laws and regulations. Following Allen's agenda for dismantling our state protections against despoilers doesn't excuse her for shirking her constitutional duty to protect our state's water quality.
BILL MODICA
SALEM
LENGTH: Medium: 82 linesby CNB