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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 21, 1993                   TAG: 9310280354
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A18   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOHN M. STROUD
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROANOKE HAS COME A LONG WAY

THERE IS much discussion in the region about what we are not doing. The purpose of this letter is to say that we, as a region, are doing much more than most realize.

Recent examples illustrate the point:

Construction of a regional landfill that has a planned life of 70 years.

Construction of new water capacity.

Renovation of Hotel Roanoke.

Plans to build a new conference center.

The recent announcement of an agreement for cost sharing of the Roanoke Regional Waste Treatment Plant.

There's more when you include two major new office buildings in downtown Roanoke; new construction throughout the region; new buildings at Virginia Western Community College; new facilities at the Veterans Medical Center, at Community, Roanoke Memorial and Lewis-Gale hospitals; new industries locating in the region; and other advances within the past few years.

In addition, the Roanoke area led the rest of the commonwealth in the creation of new jobs over the past year. Yes, we also took major hits and many, many people were affected. But look at the rest of the nation, especially those areas heavily dependent on defense.

The successes of the past few years have come at a time when the nation's economic growth, and even the world's, have been very slow.

We're "doing" more than any other area in Western Virginia and, maybe, in Virginia. And we're doing it at a time that is critical to our future economic growth. We're not moving backward as many areas are doing, but we're moving forward.

Do we need to do more? Of course! We can't sit on our hands and expect the world to come to our doorstep. We, as a region, have to compete, just like any business. And to do so, we must have a quality product to sell. This product is all that our communities in the region have to offer - skilled and knowledgeable people, schools from pre-school through higher education, quality government services, low crime, utilities, transportation, reasonable housing and living costs, cultural opportunities and a good quality of life.

Should we feel good about ourselves? Certainly! Should we pat ourselves on the back and say we've come a long way in a short period of time? Sure! To move forward, do we need to feel that we are moving forward? Yes.

Let's take pride in ourselves and talk about our successes instead of what we're not doing. Take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made; then decide what's important for our future and begin the task of working together to help achieve the future we want. We've been doing it, but just haven't given ourselves credit.

\ John M. Stroud is president of the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

by CNB