ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 2, 1997 TAG: 9704020007
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Firefighters had a duty to speak out
YOU SAID we should keep politics and firefighting separate (March 19 editorial, ``Keep firefighting safe from politics'').
When fire and city officials present their arguments to the citizens and Roanoke City Council, it's called informing the public. When firefighters - the ones who actually use the equipment and go into burning buildings - do the same, it's called politics.
I have been serving the citizens of Roanoke for close to 25 years. In that time, I've seen sights I didn't care to see, sights that will remain with me for the rest of my life. I've gone into burning homes searching for a member of someone's family, not knowing whether I would return to my own family.
Do I and other firefighters not have a right to speak out when we feel our safety and those we serve will be affected? We not only have the right, but an obligation - an obligation to our families, ourselves and those we serve.
At the last City Council meeting, the city administration and a downtown business leader spoke in favor of purchasing Quints. The firefighters, citizens, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and other civic leaders had problems with the purchase at this time. Three council members had the concern and courage to side with firefighters and citizens. We only hope other council members find that courage as well.
MICHAEL W. HANKS
HARDY
How to avoid phone slamming
I READ with interest Joe Keiningham's March 21 letter to the editor, ``Playing fast, loose with long distance.'' He asked: ``Have you been slammed recently?''
Indeed, I have been. I requested AT&T to be my long-distance carrier and requested that written authorization from me would be required to change my long-distance carrier. Bell Atlantic complied with my wish.
I don't wish to have slamming or anything else done without my written permission.
MARGARET A. HIGH
ROANOKE
Garland should write a book
I RETURNED from a weekend trip to learn with sadness that Ray Garland, after 632 columns, has decided to retire from the field (March 7 editorial, ``Taking a break from writing's rigors'').
When I moved to the Roanoke Valley 27 years ago, he was the first Virginia politician I met. Since that time, I haven't met any other who surpassed his affection for the state, his dedication to its best long-run interest, and his ability to explain its sometimes puzzling politics with deep knowledge and witty conservative spice.
He will be more than missed by me and my students in state and local government classes - he really isn't replaceable. I hope he will use the time off to write a book-length discourse on the Old Dominion, and return soon to the columns of this newspaper.
C. WILLIAM HILL JR.
Professor of political science
Roanoke College
SALEM
Let Salemites vote on golf course
I WAS one of a dozen or so Salem citizens who attended the Salem City Council meeting on March 10 and heard Aaron Smith's impassioned plea: ``Please don't help me anymore. I can't afford it.'' Smith urged City Council to consider lowering the tax rate from $1.18 per $100 assessed value of our real estate to $1.14.
Mayor Sonny Tarpley said (even before Smith finished speaking) that the tax rate couldn't be set before Salem's needs were known. Translation: We don't know how much the golf course will cost.
I urge Salem voters to insist on a referendum on the golf course. Restore Mowles Spring Park.
MARION D. LONG
SALEM
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB