ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 2, 1997 TAG: 9703030010
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
Old photographs of Blacksburg sought
The town of Blacksburg will reach a significant milestone in its history next year: its 200th birthday.
To help the town celebrate its bicentennial and at the request of the mayor, several local citizens are writing a history of Blacksburg. Specific topics that will be covered in the book are colonial days, physical resources, business and industry, politics and government, transportation, education, society, homes and buildings, and the Civil War era.
In addition to text, the book will include photographs of Blacksburg. The "history book group" asks local residents to search their files for old photos that we could use. We will have the photos scanned and return them to their owners.
If you have old photos and are willing to share them, please call 552-5991 and leave a message. Someone will return your call and make arrangements to see your photos.
James I. Robertson Jr., chairman
Blacksburg
Teacher-oriented superintendent urged
When Montgomery County hires a new superintendent, it should find a person who will put the teachers first. Teachers should be treated and paid like professionals; their knowledge and wisdom about classroom issues should be respected.
The superintendent must be open, accessible and visible. Intimidation has no place in any business; any employee should feel comfortable commenting about the workplace. The superintendent should be visible at school functions around the county and be visible in the schools on a regular basis.
The superintendent must be well-spoken. Just because Montgomery County is in Southwest Virginia does not mean that bad Appalachian must be spoken in Richmond when the county is being represented. It should be represented as a top-notch system, not a third-world program adjacent to a top university.
The superintendent should ensure equal access to the best educational programs for all. The county was doing well five years ago with the inclusion programs and received much recognition in the film "Educating Peter." The dedication to that standard has slipped. The superintendent should also make a commitment to a real gifted and talented program as well as ensuring that the majority of students in the middle have the same opportunities offered to others.
The superintendent must be able to handle the county's diversity - specifically, the differences between Blacksburg and the rural areas. For example, there are people who aren't willing to pay for more than "readin', writin' and 'rithmetic." The superintendent must find a way to offer advanced classes based on needs of the students, not on what taxpayers think.
The superintendent should be able to plan and lay out the need for new schools. Some of the problems of the older schools are being addressed now, but there are more schools that will need to be considered soon such as Gilbert Linkous, Beeks, Belview and Prices Fork. Those plans should be in the works now, not when the facilities are in crisis.
The hiring should not take place until after the November elections to ensure that the selection is made by seven School Board members who represent their constituents by election, not by appointment.
Bruce B. Harper
Blacksburg
Time to stand up against sin
I think it is awful what we see in The Roanoke Times where two women in Norfolk got married. I think that is a disgrace to the paper. I get so upset at the things that are happening. People do what they want to do and leave God out of it - the one that does so much for us and gives us everything we have. He lets us breathe his air, see his light. I couldn't live without the Lord. I think it is time we stand up; there is so much sin in this world.
Ruth Lawson
Radford
LENGTH: Medium: 76 linesby CNB