Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 11, 1993 TAG: 9310150384
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I seriously doubt U.S. 58 will bring prosperity to the rural areas to be impacted. Take a good look at rural areas with four-lane highways. Most show no benefits. In fact, many small-town business districts will dry up because the new four-lane will include bypasses around these towns.
The section from Hillsville to Abingdon, Alternative 2A, is one area of U.S. 58 that should never be constructed. This portion would only be two-tenths of a mile shorter than if traffic were routed onto the already existing interstate highway system. It would cost Virginia taxpayers at least $160 million.
If built, it would bisect the Mount Rogers National Recreation area with a four-lane superhighway. It makes absolutely no sense to destroy an area in which millions of taxpayers' dollars have been spent. Visitors are lured to the area by the rural setting. Annually, the estimated 1.5 million visitors are an economic asset.
The Virginia Department of Transportation said that $49 billion will be needed to fund transportation needs over the next 20 years. Of that, more than $24 billion is unfunded. Why waste money on Alternative 2A?
There are so many sensible needs. Politicians need to put a plug in the pork barrel and start acting responsibly.
MARK E. BARKER
ROANOKE
More evidence of liberal agenda
THE MEDIA often influence us to believe that type size, prominence of position on the page, and the page that a story is found on have something to do with the importance of that particular story. I continue to be disappointed with the issues your newspaper sees as important.
In the Sept. 29 edition of the Roanoke Times & World-News, the bottom one- fourth of the front page was dedicated to educating the public about the successes of outcome-based education (``2 school systems show how to achieve an outcome'' by staff writer Laura Williamson).
Have you forgotten that public outcry has caused this social experimentation to be tabled until the state Board of Education and the state superintendent of schools can regroup and rename this attempt to make our children politically correct and liberally indoctrinated?
As I finished reading the full-page endorsement that followed on page A4, I glanced at page A5 and found a one column, three-inch piece entitled ``Senate keeps curbs on abortion funding.'' The story, taken from The Washington Post, had its usual subtle pro-abortion slant, which was no surprise, but what struck me was the amount of relative importance placed on these two stories and issues. A small victory in the pro-life cause is only page A5 news.
I submit that, if the Hyde Amendment had been defeated, the story at the bottom of page A1 would have been dropped and that space, or even the top headline, would have reflected the joy your newspaper would have had with the great progress of the liberal agenda in this country.
DAVID E. BLACK
VINTON
Virginia's decline and fall?
THERE are so many more important things to take front-page news than trash like Elwood Gallimore's story. I didn't know that such filth could be allowed in Virginia, especially with a minor. What has this state come to?
OPAL PRICE
BLACKSBURG
\ The courage of their convictions
IN REPLY TO Randy Pizzino's Sept. 22 letter (``If they blocked church doors ... '') concerning Operation Rescue and Randall Terry's actions to stop abortion:
They have nothing to do with bombing clinics or shooting an abortionist, nor can they be blamed for any other violence when someone's anger or outrage goes too far!
Their purpose is to save lives, not destroy them. They are not fighting for their own rights, or for any selfish motive, but for the innocent and helpless who have no voice or choice in their destruction.
Terry and his organization have jeopardized their own safety, endured brutality and prison sentences to persistently stand up for pre-born humans, not just hunks of ``fetal tissue,'' as some would call them. Would you trespass on private property to save the life of a child if the building were burning? Well, they have courge of their convictions that puts many of us to shame in our complacence.
One day we will have to give an account for what f+iweo were doing while babies by the thousands were being destroyed in the American holocaust.
LAURIE FICKEY
BOONES MILL
No state tax on Social Security
DEL. DICK Cranwell's opponent has said that Virginia taxes Social Security benefits. That statement is inaccurate. The truth is that since 1983 the General Assembly has specifically exempted Social Security benefits from taxation by the state.
This provision is embodied in line 39 of the 1992 Virginia Income Tax form, which provides that these benefits be subtracted from federal adjusted gross income to arrive at Virginia adjusted gross income. This adjusted gross income is income taxed by the state. It seems to me it could not be clearer that the General Assembly has provided that Social Security benefits are not taxed.
In 1990 the General Assembly went a step further and provided an additional deduction for nearly all senior-citizen taxpayers. The deduction is weighed in favor of poorer taxpayers, i.e., those who receive lower Social Security benefits. It provides, under current indexing, a 1993 exemption of $12,994 for those over 65, to be reduced by the amount of Social Security benefits received.
However, this in no way means these benefits are being taxed. They merely serve as the measure that provides a higher exemption for a poorer senior citizen.
Each year a politically motivated bill to eliminate the $12,994 exemption makes its way through the General Assembly, only to die at the hands of Cranwell in his House Finance Committee. By killing the bill, he has ensured that thousands of poorer senior citizens in Virginia receive a well-deserved tax break.
JOSEPH L. BUSH JR.
Certified Public Accountant
VINTON
Boone plan promises jobs
THE BOONE, Boone, & Loeb proposal for a new residential community near the Blue Ridge Parkway should be approved immediately. New housing construction is essential to the growth of our valley's economy.
Economists say that 1.75 new jobs are created for each new home. When you think about all the fine building craftsmen, building-supply companies and appliance dealers in this valley, it's not hard to understand the impact housing construction can have. With this new community, those of us in the home construction industry can rest a little easier knowing that there will be opportunities for us.
I urge the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors to support this proposal.
SANDRA BRADLEY
President, Interiors Inc.
ROANOKE
An insult to teachers
I'VE JUST received my first paycheck for the 1993-94 school year from the Roanoke County school system, and I wanted to thank the powers that be for their generosity regarding this year's pay raise.
I'm bringing home a big 34 cents an hour more than I did last year. That's based on a 40-hour week, which is about 10 to 15 hours a week less than most teachers are expected to work.
I can't help but wonder what other ``professional'' group would tolerate such a pittance. This was not a raise but an insult.
PATRICIA S. MILLINGTON
MONTVALE
A positive note for Hollins district
WHEN I told neighbors I might write a letter to the editor urging support of Bob Johnson for re-election as Hollins district representative on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors, one exclaimed, ``How wonderful - a positive letter! I'm tired of negative comments. I'll look for it!''
Surely every person in the Hollins community is appreciative of the fine job Johnson has done. He's consistently defended our safety and peaceful way of life. He's been a ``protector'' in every positive way. He stands ready to hear us, to improve our schools, and to maintain a fine neighborhood park so that children and adults may continue to enjoy clean air and healthful recreation. He also recognizes cultural values Hollins College offers us. He's concerned for the preservation of the surroundings of that institution.
So, stand up and be counted on Nov. 2. Positively ensure a strong Hollins district in beautiful Roanoke County - re-elect Johnson.
SHIRLEY HENN
HOLLINS
by CNB