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

DATE: SUNDAY, October 17, 1993                   TAG: 9310150219
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: LINDA FELTS, DAN FLEMING and LACY CUNDIFF
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

NEW HEALTH BUILDING WOULD HELP THOSE WHO NEED HELP MOST

On Nov. 2, the voters of Montgomery County will vote on a bond issue to build a $2.9 million health and human services building. It would be located off Pepper Street in Christiansburg and would house the Montgomery County Department of Health and the Department of Social Services.

The current offices, now in two locations, are overcrowded and just plain outdated. On a recent visit to the Health Department, one person commented he thought he had entered a time machine taking him back to the 1930s.

Together, the two departments will handle 50,000 client visits this year. The substantial rate of poverty in our county, further influenced by recent layoffs and a high rate of unemployment, has stressed the facilities of both agencies to a near-bursting point.

The Health Department offers 15 programs that primarily serve low-income clients but also provide immunization assistance and some medical testing for people of all incomes. The programs include maternal and child health, environmental health, dental health and home health.

The Social Services Department operates 15 programs such as adult care, foster care, child and adult protection services, day care for children, food stamps and Medicaid.

A major problem for both departments is the lack of privacy for clients. Professional staff are now operating in closet-like spaces, with little opportunity for confidential issues to be discussed in private. Records and equipment are jammed into tiny cubbyholes, with shabby restrooms doubling as storage areas. Often there are lines of people standing in the halls, accompanied by their young children. Anyone doubting the deplorable condition of these buildings is invited to visit.

A practical reason to support the bond proposal is that this is the best time in several decades to sell bonds because of low interest rates. After construction, the state will repay the county up to 80 percent of the cost of the building.

But the main reason to support the building is that it is badly needed for the economically disadvantaged members of our community.

Former Vice President Hubert Humphrey maintained that the quality of a civilized society should be judged by the way society treats and respects the dignity of the weakest of its members. Former U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, a great advocate of taking responsibility at the local level, urged that the way to avoid mandates and controls from the federal government was to do what is necessary at the grass-roots level. Both positions clearly support the need for Montgomery County residents to do what is right for our least-fortunate neighbors.

As members of the Montgomery County Human Services Commission, we urge you to vote "Yes" on Nov. 2 for a new health and human services building.

Linda Felts of Christiansburg, Dan Fleming of Blacksburg and Lacy Cundiff of Blacksburg are members of the Montgomery County Human Services Commission.

by CNB