ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, March 26, 1997 TAG: 9703260013
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-14 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Toll roads go in the wrong direction
I WAS shocked to see your March 13 headline, "Clinton supports road tolls.'' Reading this, I was stunned. (And I'm a Democrat.)
How in the world can a country that has spent billions of dollars perfecting the safest highway system in the world even entertain the thought of toll roads?
From the time the interstate system was envisioned, every detail of our road system has been painstakingly studied and restudied to provide the safest and quickest way to get from point A to any point in America. I'm often amazed at the time, effort and money spent to improve on earlier ideas. Extended off- and on-ramps, elaborate interchange signs and many other improvements are intended to move traffic along at a steady pace, which is the key to a safe road system.
Now Clinton wants to put up roadblocks and charge drivers to drive on their own roads. This is ludicrous! Toll booths are unsafe and time-consuming. They waste fuel and create more pollution. I won't even go into the subject of double taxation.
I know our president cannot be this stupid. Could there be a secret motive?
Strategically placed toll booths would ensure slow traffic. No one could speed, so fewer police would be needed. Slow traffic would cause drivers and passengers to exit more frequently to relieve themselves, thus buying more gas and more junk food, thus paying more sales taxes. The homeless could man the booths, get a cut of the profits plus have a roof over their heads.
Could this be his thinking? Do we have a genius in idiot's clothing? I don't think so.
RANDY NEWBERRY
BLAND
Taxed to the max in Roanoke County
THE PEOPLE of Roanoke County have just experienced the shock of having our real-estate values increased by an enormous amount. We continue to tolerate the arrogance of county officials' increasing taxes each year and placing the biggest burden on property owners.
We pay real-estate, personal-property, meals, lodging, sales, gas, roll-back and utility taxes. Also, we pay for an auto decal, which is just another tax. And let's not forget the enormous water bill. Considering the heavy financial burden on county residents, no wonder the bond referendum for Cave Spring High School failed last year.
County officials think that tax money is an endless supply. They must understand that money doesn't fall from the sky. I like County Administrator Elmer Hodge, but his salary is very close to Gov. George Allen's. If you take the salary and benefits of our county administrator, his assistant, the public-information officer and the ombudsman, the amount exceeds $300,000.
The job these people do was, at one time, done by our Board of Supervisors. And board members will probably vote themselves a pay raise this year. If they want one, let them earn it by lowering - not raising - taxes.
Government is supposed to work for the people. I think the people work for the government.
DAVID S. COUREY
ROANOKE
Garland is witty, urbane
WE CERTAINLY did hate to read (March 7 editorial, ``Taking a break from writing's rigors'') that our witty, urbane, knowledgeable, former House of Delegates member, Ray Garland, was taking a hiatus.
We trust that it won't be too long. We shall miss him greatly.
MELVIN L. and MARY BOONE SIMMONS
CHECK
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