ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 11, 1997 TAG: 9702110041
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-6 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Proposed tax cut is untimely
WE WERE shocked to read the headline on your Jan. 22 news article, ``Property tax rate may be cut.'' It was upsetting to learn that Roanoke City Council could consider a tax-rate decrease at this time when the city's needs are so great.
The city's capital-improvement needs are tremendous. The need for a new police facility, new fire and emergency-services buildings, economic development, neighborhood storm-drainage, greenways and park improvements are apparent. Maintenance of facilities, vehicles, bridges, sewer and water lines, curbs and gutter is costly.
In addition, the Roanoke City School Board is struggling to balance the school budget for the 1997-1998 school year.
Capital-improvement needs in city schools are tremendous. We must have the funds to continue with the middle-school renovation plan, our technology plan, air-conditioning system replacements and additions, and additions to elementary-school classrooms and gyms.
We're concerned that the proposed tax-rate decrease would mean little to the individual homeowner, but would greatly limit the amount of debt service the city could fund.
RUTH WILLSON
President, Central Council
Parent-Teacher Association
SHERRIE BOONE
Representative on the Roanoke City
School Budget Committee
ROANOKE
Editor's note: This letter was signed by 36 others.
King defended Americans' rights
IN RESPONSE to Donald R. Johnson's Jan. 27 letter to the editor, ``King's communist leanings recalled'':
I am glad Johnson has the right to express publicly his opinion that King wasn't worthy of having a national holiday in his honor. I am glad he can speak his mind without fear of political retribution or physical intimidation. If he votes, I am glad he has the freedom to do that as well.
And next year when I honor King's memory again, I will keep in mind how King and many others in the civil-rights movement struggled and even gave their lives so that all people could enjoy those same rights and freedoms.
ALAN RAFLO
BLACKSBURG
Special education: a valued resource
IN READING your Jan. 28 Extra section article, ``Saving Caleb,'' I felt compelled to write to defend special education in the Roanoke city schools and Bob Sieff, who is director of special services for the schools.
My 11-year-old son has been in special-education classes since the age of 21/2 due to autism. He has been in four different schools within the Roanoke Valley. These moves were a result of his mental and verbal progress. Sure, I've had to struggle for his education, but any parent who really cares about his or her child's education must stay involved.
In my son's case, I have the utmost respect for Sieff and Mountain View Elementary School, which my son now attends. There has never been a time that Sieff has let me down in a request for help. My son is a Roanoke city pupil, but is educated at Mountain View due to its federal program. He has made enormous strides in language and special skills.
I hope anyone who read the article will remember that autistic children are like snowflakes - no two are the same. This makes treating autism so difficult, and educating each one is different. What works for one may not work for all. Growth comes with patience.
We're very fortunate to have these educational resources available.
DEBBIE KINGERY
ROANOKE
City may be shooing away talent
REGARDING your Jan. 15 news article (``Wanted: 8 police applicants'') about the hiring difficulties of the Roanoke City Police Department:
My husband applied for a job with that department. In spite of the fact that he had already graduated from an out-of-state police academy and had several years of police experience, he was turned down. He was later hired by the Lynchburg Police Department, which is a nationally accredited department. He went through the Central Virginia Regional Academy and passed his exams, the physical tests, the polygraph and the background check with flying colors.
If Roanoke is turning down this kind of talent, then perhaps it should take a closer look at its screening procedures and personnel rather than put the blame entirely on the lack of good applicants.
ROSE MARY SHELDON
BUENA VISTA
LENGTH: Medium: 94 linesby CNB