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

DATE: MONDAY, August 23, 1993                   TAG: 9312170265
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THIS BUSINESS COULD BE RISKY

THE ROANOKE Gas Co. provides natural-gas service to citizens of the city and Roanoke County at some of the lowest rates in the commonwealth. Rates for municipally owned gas systems are 8 percent to 25 percent higher than those we enjoy in Roanoke. Because of competitive pressure from other suppliers of competing products and the demands of its shareholders, Roanoke Gas Co. provides excellent personalized service to ensure customer satisfaction.

Apparently, certain persons in the city administration are not happy with such a system. Rather, they would have the citizens of Roanoke bear the expense of purchasing this company and the risk involved in operating it. One need only look at the recent bankruptcy of Columbia Gas to realize risks involved in the natural-gas business. A purchase by the city of the gas company's assets in the city also would result in there being a split system between residents and businesses served in the city and those served in the county.

There is an adage, ``If it ain't broke, don't fix it.'' With the Roanoke Gas Co., that adage should be, ``If it works great, keep your hands off it.'' If city administration had considered this, we wouldn't have spent $60,000 on a consultant's report.

RICHARD C. MAXWELL

ROANOKE

by CNB