
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 24, 1990                   TAG: 9005240517
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A16   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

LEAVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO PRIVATE SECTOR

LOCAL governments provide services such as fire and police protection, roads, trash pickup, schools, etc. They are not in the business of economic development. Members of local governing bodies should do those common-sense things - zoning, favorable taxes, provision of utilities - to promote development but should stay out of the business of economic development.

Economic development is the responsibility of the private sector. Business leaders who see the need for economic development should rally their own kind and put together packages to promote development in the Roanoke Valley.

Many who favor consolidation are of the opinion that a combined city and county government will present a favorable force for economic development. They are mistaken. Governments cannot develop economies. At a time when half the world is turning away from government involvement in economic development, the Roanoke Valley would be ill-advised to turn to it.

Consolidation for economic development is at best an abdication by the business community of its responsibility and at its worse is the creation of the illusion that the government will take care of everything.

\ JAMES BELL\ VINTON

by CNB