ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 17, 1997 TAG: 9703170090
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Glenvar doesn't need development
REGARDING your March 12 news article, ``Glenvar to get industrial park that's `environmentally friendly''':
I was appalled at the maneuvering the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors obviously went through to move forward with this project.
Two years ago, I moved to Viewpoint Avenue, across the way from the proposed site, because this was a peaceful and rural setting that I felt was ideal to raise my three boys. When board members make statements like ``we're doing this for the county's benefit,'' they're not speaking for me and a number of residents in the Glenvar area.
Why does it always come down to their saying this will increase our tax base, provide jobs and promote development in the county when a sizable number of people do not want the development and the hassles that come with it?
Many of us choose to live in the Glenvar area for a number of reasons - its pristine beauty, peace and quiet. But the main reason for me is that it lacks the problems that go along with a city - crime, garbage, slums, traffic, bars and other problems that businesses bring.
I believe Glenvar is a community that represents those traditional values associated with rural America. And I plan to fight to the end any incursion that will disrupt the tranquility of this area.
We didn't want this park last year, and we don't want it now! We will not sacrifice what we have bought and paid for (our community) so that someone else can make a dollar in the name of progress.
JAMES WEEKS
SALEM
Don't segregate disabled students
AS THE PARENT of a child with a disability, I read with great interest your Feb. 22 news article, ``Students learn the facts about their disabled peers.''
The article reported on a video presentation at Mason Cove Elementary School. The video was shown to students to help them better understand the needs and problems of people with disabilities. Guidance counselor Sallie Spiller stated that ``the students need to know how to react to those with handicaps'' and ``we want them to see that they can share activities and feelings.''
I applaud Roanoke County's use of the video to teach that ``people have the same feelings, even though they may look different.'' However, the county and most other school systems continue to send mixed signals. They attempt to teach students that everyone is equal, but continue the practice of putting disabled students into separate classrooms or school locations.
Can a 20-minute video replace the daily inclusion of disabled students in regular classrooms? Inclusive education prepares the disabled and the nondisabled student for the real world. As the wise little girl in the article stated, "They're a lot like us. ... You should treat them as ordinary people."
DAVID LAWRENCE
ROANOKE
The white majority's history of hostility
LOUIS P. Glenn's conclusion (Feb. 21 commentary, ``Aliens will destroy America'') that multiracial immigration will destroy this country is supported by seriously flawed, erroneous assumptions.
He assumes, for example, that maintaining a white majority has somehow prevented ``intolerance and hostility.'' It has not. One only has to look at the documented intolerance dished out to American Indians, Chinese immigrants, African-Americans and Mexican immigrants by the white majority.
He confirms that our European ancestors conquered the American natives and drove them onto reservations. Then he asks: ``Will history repeat itself?" Certainly, if people believe as he does - that whites are superior to any other cultural group - history will repeat itself!
ELAINE M. KENISTON
ROANOKE
Students need to train on IBM
I HAVE BEEN reading recent letters to the editor concerning the debate in our local schools about staying with Apple or going to an IBM platform. Most of these letters focus on Apple's financial stability rather than the real reason local schools should switch to the IBM platform. The reason is practicality.
Computers are being used more and more in the business world. The most important part of an educational system's responsibility is to prepare students to succeed in the business world. IBM Compatibles hold more than a 90 percent market-share in the business world. The only industry where Apple is even remotely competitive is in desktop publishing. So, if it's almost a given fact that students eventually will be asked to work on an IBM-compatible machine, why do our school systems insist on the Apple platform? Money.
What many don't know is that Apple gives substantial discounts on its hardware and software to educators. If your child's teacher has an Apple at home, what do you think she's going to recommend for use in the classroom?
The basis for taking Apple computers out of the classroom is the fact that our children are ill-prepared to face the working world or a college environment if they're taught with an Apple machine.
DOUG MARTIN
ROANOKE
Poor, elderly enjoy educational TV
I DISAGREE with James R. Tichenor III's comments (Feb. 19 letter to the editor, ``A taxpayer subsidy for television?'') about cable television.
Even though many folks are elderly, poor and/or disabled, we still have good minds. When I am in a home where there is cable television, I enjoy the 24-hour news channel, the Discovery channel, educational programs and ones aimed at women and health.
If and when cable television is available to me, I will find the funds. I worked for many years to help others. I do not begrudge any benefits that anyone receives through my taxes.
JUNE S. WETZEL
ROANOKE
They were not slaves by choice
NINA McCormick's questions and comments (Feb. 28 letter to the editor, ``Blacks should decry state song's demise'') reflected pure ignorance and racism.
Why does she ``never hear persons of African descent say they're proud of the part their forebears played in the making of this great country''? Would she be proud if her ancestors were lynched, raped and worked to death? Would she be proud of the scars lashed onto her predecessors' backs?
True, the slaves labored hard in the cornfields, but does she think they had a choice? Does she think they thought they were helping to build a great country? No. They had their minds on many other things. They worried about whether their spouses or children would be sold away from them, and they tried not to focus on hunger and thirst.
Although slavery shouldn't be forgotten, I see no reason whatsoever for people to be proud that slavery existed. McCormick needs to read a few history books.
BECCA DEPPENSMITH
BUCHANAN
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