Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 21, 1993 TAG: 9307210313
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Democracy cannot be obtained by granting control of larger and larger areas and segments of population to a small number of politicians. Democracy is more than a vote. It means participation in self-governing. In a "megalopolis," a few can control a bureaucracy that increases their own wealth and ensures their incumbency. In a small local government, leaders must at least pay perfunctory attention to their constituency.
Bigger governments pay less attention to the problems of the increasing numbers of poor. Their only concern is to contain the homeless and beggars, out of sight and hearing.
Roanoke has had many opportunities to help the homeless and to lift the poor out of poverty. Empty structures exist that could provide homes, but they are often destroyed for parking lots or convenience stores. Meanwhile, the city embarks on a campaign to raise millions of dollars for a defunct hotel that will require endless tax dollars to maintain.
Total Action Against Poverty gives children opportunities where few exist. TAP's Head Start program, if implemented on a larger scale, could reverse the current trend of increasing numbers of poor. Where are the funds for this project?
Roanoke prefers its own version of "ethnic cleansing" - destroying old neighborhoods to build interstates in downtown. It's too late to bemoan the loss of a completely adequate bridge to the construction of Dominion Tower. Who profited in those ventures?
And who stands to profit from bigger city government?
Well, the mayor won't have to be concerned for re-election. Wealthy real-estate agents' and investors' pockets will ensure his incumbency. And those of us who don't live in Roanoke proper will relinquish control of our valley and our lives.
Cheaper government? Not on your life! Is the United States' government managed with less waste and impropriety than a state government's?
Please, Mr. Mayor, don't compare the valley with Bosnia. At least not until the poor are so multitudinous, impoverished and resentful that they rise up to take some of the "American dream" that was promised. Then, you may have a little Los Angeles on your hands.
But with more taxes, you could have a bigger police force to protect the wealthy, and with more promises, you may placate the public for another generation.
Give the people a chance! Let's keep our local governments. Imperfect as they are, it is better than the proposed alternative. Growth is not the only solution. Old hotels and tourists are no panacea. Real concern for the valley and its residents must look to maintaining a healthy bio-region. PAT PRATALI SALEM
by CNB