Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9309300282
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: F2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
The governor's primary responsibility has been to look out for Virginia's interests, and your Aug. 4 editorial, ``Eschewing political self-interest,'' badly misinterpreted Gov. Wilder's responsibility to ensure that Virginia does not suffer needlessly from military base closures.
In June, Gov. Wilder made his second appearance before the Base Realignment and Closures Commission. He did not ask its members to keep every facility open, nor did he ask them to spare Virginia entirely. Furthermore, the governor did not ask them to give our commonwealth special treatment.
Gov. Wilder asked that the decisions be based foremost on the military value of the installations in question. But the commission, Congress, and the president also have a responsibility to be mindful of the people. Some bases must be closed, and some states will be hurt more than others. Some states can absorb it better than others.
But the base-closings process should not be allowed to damage entire sections or regions of the country. Everyone must share in the sacrifice. Of the half-million jobs this nation could lose during this round of base closures, 76 percent of those jobs are in only eight states - and Virginia stands to lose 7,489 of those jobs. This is devastating, and unacceptable.
Virginia has contributed throughout history to the defense of our nation. We've benefited from increases in defense spending, and we expect to feel the pinch of reductions in defense spending. But we cannot be expected to shoulder more than our fair share of the burden.
Real spending cuts require shared sacrifice - making sure that all segments of the population, all states and all regions share equally. Perhaps the Roanoke Times & World-News might be more sympathetic to the severe cuts to hit Virginians if the jobs were in your own backyard, and not in Northern Virginia and Tidewater.
Gov. Wilder will continue to perform his duty - to protect the interests of Virginia. Americans must sacrifice for the good of the nation, and Virginia always has. But that does not mean that others should expect too much of us, nor that we should do more than our fair share.
GLENN K. DAVIDSON
Director of Communications
Office of the Governor
RICHMOND
Taking no offense at the speedway
WE ARE DISTURBED by the articles that have appeared in the Roanoke Times & World-News since the raid on the Franklin County Speedway. Not that this letter is written in the defense of Whitey Taylor, but more on the defense of the attendees.
We have been attending the races for approximately one year to watch the progress of a car we sponsor. In this time span, the speakers on the start-finish side and turns one and two have not been working, so we cannot verify that the statement you printed, ``Get rid of the alcohol; the police are on the way'' was ever made. We did, however, hear them say, ``Put your alcohol away; we do not want any drinking.''
We agree with Taylor that if the authorities want to make an example of the raceway, then they should also make examples of the lake crowd. And what about New River Valley race track? We have made several trips to this facility and found that drinking there was as heavy or heavier than in Franklin County.
We are working adults and meet the public. We have found nothing offensive from anyone in attendance at the speedway. We mind our business, and so should other complainers.
NANCY and MIKE AYERS
BLUE RIDGE
\ It's not so jolly anywhere
WHILE watching the news on television, I saw that gang wars and street killings in Russia have risen drastically over the past few months. An American diplomat was killed in one European country by gun, machine-gun and handgun fire.
Crime in jolly old England is on the rise. Bobbies are carrying pistols on their hips and shotguns in their cars.
But wait, there is something wrong. I have been told for years there is no crime in Europe, because they have gun control. What went wrong?
GEORGE W. BUSH SR.
ROANOKE
\ Was Franklin a target?
REGARDING the state and local police invasion at Franklin County Speedway on July 31:
I have visited other race tracks - in Martinsville and the New River Valley - and witnessed alcohol being consumed. Due to the past history of Franklin County (Moonshine Capitol of the World), I feel the speedway was singled out.
For the past 15 years, I have enjoyed racing every Saturday night at the Franklin County Speedway. I am a nondrinker and have found Franklin County to be one of the most enjoyable places to go. I find no problems there. If the police are going to visit one track, please visit all Virginia tracks.
ELIZABETH CAMPBELL
ROANOKE
\ Will Tech two-time Roanoke?
A JULY 31 headline in your Sports section was ``Tech may move [2] games'' out of Virginia. What is Roanoke city thinking?
Moreover, what is Virginia Tech thinking about when it has the nerve to move two basketball games from Roanoke to Maryland, while at the same time asking citizens here to support its projects (``smart road,'' reopening of Hotel Roanoke, conference center)?
It seems as though the people of Roanoke don't want the profits that could be made from these games because they sit back and say nothing. Even the ``sports councilman,'' Delvis McCadden, has been quiet!
Virginia Tech has no problem in asking for our money on their pet projects, and old dumb Roanoke is trying its best to give it to them. Roanoke, wake up! Let the buyer beware! Is the moving of these games a forecast of Virginia Tech's ``major commitment to the success" of the Hotel Roanoke and conference center? After the center is opened and another ``grand lady'' appears, we will be left with the scars and expense while Virginia Tech dances with another. Could it be that the so-called power brokers of this city are afraid of Virginia Tech?
WILLIS W. COOPER
ROANOKE
\ In the valley's best interests
THAT CITIZENS outside Roanoke city are meeting with Mayor David Bowers is a signal to local leaders that unification is a major step toward valley prosperity.
No one disagrees that in times past the several governments served the needs of their respective localities. But continued fractionalization can only further atrophy economic growth. If we are to develop a community whereby future generations may find their share of the American dream, we must attract the commerce and industry to provide jobs.
Mayor Bowers and farsighted people who are meeting with him believe that can best be done by one government sensitive to the needs of all valley citizens.
RODNEY A. FRANKLIN
ROANOKE
\ Chosen doctors may make mistakes
I, TOO, bet my life on the ``doctor lottery,'' as did Evelyn Storr Smart (Aug. 6 commentary, ``You bet your life on the doctor lottery''). Picking my doctor based on the recommendation of a friend who is a registered nurse, I considered this informed decision-making. Yes, he was caring, personable and just what I wanted.
In 1989, a routine mammogram showed calcifications. I, like Ms. Smart, was told not to be concerned. Two years later, when I discovered a lump the size of a marble in my breast, I immediately went to my doctor. He diagnosed fibrocystic breast disease. The mammogram came back negative, and he reassured me that everything was all right. Knowing I was still concerned, he suggested a follow-up mammogram in three months. It, too, came back negative. His office called to give me the good news.
Eight months from the time I detected the lump, I was still very worried and called my doctor to ask for a referral to a surgeon. They gave me a name and I made the appointment.
I was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer. Two weeks later, I had a modified radical mastectomy, followed by six months of chemotherapy. Had my family doctor been a better diagnostician, my cancer could have been caught at an earlier, more treatable stage.
Ms. Smart stated, ``One of the greatest objections for a national health-care program is the fear that we won't be able to choose our own doctors.'' Surely, we could do just as well if we were assigned a doctor. I know I could not have done any worse. I played the ``doctor lottery'' and lost.
LAURA W. TURNER
VINTON
by CNB