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

DATE: MONDAY, August 30, 1993                   TAG: 9310280302
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO  
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Long

PROFITS SHOULDN'T BE PRIORITY

I am troubled about the recent talk regarding developments along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Having been born and raised in Roanoke, the parkway has been, and still is, an important fixture in my life. I have spent countless hours hiking, biking and simply enjoying such a treasure so close to home.

Plans to construct housing developments on properties adjacent to the parkway, within fuLL view, are simply beyond belief! With developments such as this, Roanoke would become known as a low point on the drive among parkway travelers. The interest in preserving the natural or pastoral state of the parkway is not simply a local one, it is of regional importance.

Roanoke Valley governments, developers and citizens need to look at the issue of development closely. Do we simply build without regard to the surrounding mountains, or do we try to preserve our home environment - an environment with character that separates Roanoke from other metropolitan areas? Sometimes dollars must take a back seat to other concerns.

If developers truly care about the integrity of the Roanoke Valley's environment, some areas should be left alone. The land adjacent to the parkway is one of those areas. It simply doesn't matter if it's the last tract of land in the county suitable for a subdivision. If we care about it, we will leave it undisturbed.

It seems that in our desire to grow and compete we lose sight of the things we value in our lives. In our wonderful corner of Virginia, the Blue Ridge Parkway is one of those things. Once the ground is broken, we will have lost the land and view forever.

DAVID F. CARROLL

BLACKSBURG

Could greed be the peril?

I AM WRITING in response to the recent articles entitled "Peril and Promise," dealing with the present economic situation in the Roanoke and New River Valley areas. I commend you for having the guts to tackle such an important and controversial subject.

First, I feel very strongly that comments and dialogue are needed regarding the local economy. Your Aug. 16 articles (``Everything is here, except the job ...'' by staff writer Laura Williamson, and "A familiar pattern: Finish school and leave" by staff writer Jeff DeBell) stated that many young people are leaving the area in record numbers for employment opportunities elsewhere. As a former professional pilot flying for the Virginia Tech Aviation Department, I can assure you that many highly qualified middle-aged professionals are following the same course.

Second, I sincerely hope what I have to say next will not fall upon deaf ears, especially employers and business leaders. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, our local area is between 30 and 40 percent lower in wages than those paid to employees working in seven different job categories throughout the North Carolina area. (Areas I surveyed included Winston-Salem, Greensboro, the Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte metropolitan areas.)

No one can convince me that the local cost of doing business is 30 to 40 percent higher in North Carolina. And until local business leaders realize this and attempt to rectify this situation, I'm afraid the exodus of highly qualified personnel from the area will not only continue, but will accelerate.

Many people with marketable skills have no other alternative than to leave this area. In my own case, in addition to my aviation qualifications, I have experience in radio and newspaper advertising, computer operations and extensive supervision and management experience. In addition to hundreds of others in the local area, I have not been offered even one interview.

I hate to mention this word, but I'm afraid greed has gotten the best of many local companies. Their attitude seems to be one of "take it or leave it," and they offer some of the lowest wages in the country. Contrast this with employers from out of the area who are offering prospective employees a livable salary and a bright future. I hope this area wakes up before it's too late.

STAN GATHERUM

BLACKSBURG

Apology owed to county's critic

AS A ROANOKE County resident, I don't appreciate actions by an appointed official (Aug. 6 letter to the editor by Elmer C. Hodge, "County isn't breaking the rules") that would tend to intimidate someone who criticizes the county administration. Anything less than an unqualified apology to David W. Sligh (July 22 letter to the editor, "A county's end-run around the rules") and county residents means such conduct is condoned as acceptable by county officials.

Certainly Roanoke County administration is not above criticism, and particularly in this matter of opening agricultural land along the Blue Ridge Parkway to high-density development.

I don't know Sligh, but any county resident who takes considerable trouble to present viewpoints and facts to the public regarding county actions, regardless of his sources, warrants our appreciation, and not a communication to his employer.

ARTHUR E. NEUBAUER

ROANOKE

by CNB