ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, April 17, 1997 TAG: 9704170008
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-16 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
Train-caused fires threaten lives of many
YOUR ARTICLE (April 4, ``Dry air spreads fires linked to NS train'') reporting on forest fires indicated that the General Assembly did away with a law requiring railroads to clear their rights of way. Frank Burchinal, regional forester for the Virginia Department of Forestry, said the change in the state law may have contributed to 18 recent fires that burned more than 100 acres.
That article hit close to home. In 1982, our entire development was seriously threatened by a fire that may have been caused by a train's faulty brakes and an uncleared right of way. The fire department gave up on saving our home and our neighbor's home, which were located nearly one-fourth mile uphill from the tracks. The homes were saved only by a last-minute shift in wind direction. The smell of wood smoke scares us to this day.
There have been far too many fires along railroad rights of way, even when the law required railroads to clear them. Families living near railroad tracks may live in constant fear. Through no fault of their own, their homes, possessions and perhaps their lives are in danger from fires set by trains on uncleared or poorly cleared rights of way. This applies to families whose homes lie one or more miles from tracks, as well as those who are closer.
How could any legislator vote to rescind the law requiring railroads to clear rights of way? Were legislators aware of the facts about such fires? Is this one more example of big-money interests overwhelming the interests (and safety) of the public? Must someone die in a fire caused by a train for our General Assembly to do the right thing?
MICHAEL W. and KAREN CRONIN
ELLISTON
Hospital is also a shining star
I HOPE Eldon C. Grover (March 10 letter to the editor, ``Hospital addition causes sore eyes'') will redirect his vision and negative thinking about the ``glass monstrosity tacked on to the otherwise attractive Roanoke Memorial Hospital.'' I suggest he turn his negative thoughts into prayers of thanksgiving for the ``monstrosity.''
Located behind the green glass are dedicated physicians, nurses, technicians and volunteers working 24 hours a day in the business of healing and saving lives. The structure is not only beautiful in design. It serves as a beacon of hope and assurance that medical assistance is always there in our time of greatest need.
The Roanoke Valley has two stars, the one atop Mill Mountain and the one just below known as Roanoke Memorial Hospital.
The next time Grover views this structure, perhaps he will thank God he is looking at it from the outside and will appreciate the dimension of care that is taking place on the inside.
BETTY GRAHAM
ROANOKE
Correction
A LETTER to the editor by Marcia Abell (April 16, ``Medicine is needed by AIDS victim'') should have said that her son receives Social Security disability payments, not Supplemental Security Income.
Even slobs at times enjoy what rhymes
MONTY LEITCH (March 31 column, "If poetry's but fool's gold, here's to gilded pleasures") says: "In the minds of the general public, poetry is a foolish pursuit.'' She goes on to assure us, however, that she isn't a member of this hapless group because she loves poetry.
Who are the people making up the general public? How alarming to hear that these unfortunates disdain songs, limericks, jingles, lullabies, hymns, the Psalms, Isaiah, Shakespeare, Whitman, Mother Goose, etc. Leitch would have to admit that most of us ordinary slobs seemed to enjoy the Burma Shave limericks of bygone days.
If we discount the general public, who is left to enjoy poetry? Only the intellectuals, the highly educated? In my opinion, such a position reveals only that one's own education has missed the mark.
HELEN A. STANLEY
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Medium: 79 linesby CNB