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

DATE: TUESDAY, June 19, 1990                   TAG: 9006190383
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CITY WANTS COUNTY LAND FOR DEVELOPMENT

WHY IS the city so eager to consolidate with the county? Howard Musser stated it is because the county needs a broader commercial tax base to relieve the tax burden on homeowners.

This is an insult to every citizen with an IQ higher than a grape. If we need the city so badly and consolidation is such a bargain for the county, why are they willing to spend millions of dollars, almost give the Catawba District to Salem to buy their support, and force east county residents to become part of Vinton to ensure Vinton's vote for consolidation?

Now the pro-consolidators are attempting to buy the vote of county teachers by drafting a "statement of intent" assuring that teachers will remain in the schools where they now teach. They have admitted, however, that this statement is not binding with the proposed Roanoke Metropolitan Government school board. Like much of the consolidation agreement, it is not worth the paper it is written on.

Why won't the city admit its main interest is acquiring county land for development? Why would we be so foolish to share this valuable resource with a city with nothing to offer that we don't already have?

I urge all county residents to get the facts on how consolidation will affect their quality of life and the existence of Roanoke County, and take a stand against consolidation.

\ TRICIA WILLOUGHBY\ ROANOKE

by CNB