ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 23, 1997 TAG: 9702240007
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
Downtown needs hotel
The Blacksburg Town Council's vote against a hotel at a downtown location on Prices Fork Road is a curious decision.
Blacksburg's downtown is full of empty storefronts and struggling shops. The remedy for a blighted downtown is to give people a reason to come there. In most cities, a good hotel would be considered a highly desirable downtown anchor providing employment and attracting people, money and activity. Here, a hotel is seen as a nuisance.
The reason seems to be a fantasy that parking is a problem, but Blacksburg probably has more parking places per resident than some of those coal-mine ghost towns - which downtown Blacksburg threatens to become. Not counting students, the customers on Main Street are few and far between. (I will make a small bet that I find a parking place in downtown Blacksburg closer to where I'm going than I can at the mall.)
I'm not a businessman, developer or Chamber of Commerce booster, but I would rather see Blacksburg a lively and living town than the northern appendage of the New River Valley Mall and Wal-Mart. Blacksburg's future is not to be helped by a Planning Commission and a Town Council who believe that an empty parking place is a noble achievement. They need to have their vision checked.
Larry Thompson
Blacksburg
Community helps in crisis
On Jan. 11, our daughter Ryane was involved in a tragic accident. Her friend, Dan Kelly, was killed, and Ryane was thrown 27 feet. Miraculously, she escaped with only minor injuries. In the hours and days following the accident, there were many caring people who assisted Ryane. Our heartfelt thanks go to:
Our daughter, Erin, whose love and support sustain us;
Matt Pierce, who arrived at the scene within moments of the accident and stayed with Ryane until she was released from the hospital;
Sears Young, who picked Ryane up from the hospital and provided emotional and physical support throughout the night;
Virginia Tech Police (particularly Lt. Harry Freer and Officer Debbie Morgan) who, with professionalism, caring and sensitivity, conducted the investigation, listened to Ryane's account of the incident, and answered our many questions;
Virginia Tech Dean of Students Cathy Goree and her staff, who responded to our questions about the impact of the accident on Ryane's academic program, promptly communicated information about the situation to Ryane's professors, and coordinated the memorial service for Dan;
Virginia Tech's emergency squad, which responded quickly;
The staff at Columbia Montgomery Regional Hospital, which examined Ryane following the accident;
Father Jim Cowles, who met with Dan's friends and conducted the memorial service Jan. 16; and our family, Lynne, Rick, Jesica, and Erica Leary, who continue to provide loving support.
Finally, and most importantly, we are deeply grateful for Dan and Ryane's friends. They have surrounded Ryane with love and supported her emotionally during this difficult time.
Ron and Pam Simpson
Blacksburg
Helping animals is only pay
I am a volunteer for the Humane Society and have been for years. The purpose of this letter is to share with the public a few facts about the local Humane Society that I am sure some of you are not aware of.
1) We receive no funds or help of any kind from local, state or federal governments.
2) There is no "Big Humane Society in the Sky" that funds our organizations.
3) Those who work for the Humane Society get no pay whatsoever.
4) Humane societies that have no shelters have to board animals with local veterinarians, which is very expensive.
5) We desperately need donations and volunteers.
We need people to understand and not get angry with us when we are unable to meet their needs. We work very hard and give our time and energy out of love for the animals. This letter has not been sanctioned by any humane society. It is strictly my own thoughts.
Carol Weyer
Radford
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