Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 31, 1993 TAG: 9311030400
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
I'm a Christian and, naive as it may seem, I view Halloween as a day my kids dress up in fun costumes and get lots of candy. Webster's Dictionary defines Halloween as ``The evening of October 31 observed especially by children in merrymaking and masquerading.''
Object to this event? Don't participate.
Where is the line going to be drawn? When are local, state and federal officials going to stay out of citizens' personal (legal) choices?
If we're to be ``fair,'' we should cancel it on Saturday since that's the Jewish Sabbath.
I realize some may see this as an exaggeration of our loss of freedom, but it's just indicative of the current politically correct attitudes that are smothering us in an attempt to make everyone happy.
Just a footnote: Sorry about Roberta Flack's long-scheduled appearance with the symphony, but we were told to trick-or-treat that night. And congratulations to those in the Bedford County administrator's office who stated that Halloween is Oct. 31 and they had no authority to change it!
NANCI C. BOOTH
VINTON
Stewart's courage is appreciated
REGARDING the Roanoke Times & World-News' Oct. 27 endorsement editorial for the Board of Supervisors District C candidate in Montgomery County (``In Montgomery, oust Joe Stewart''):
In your endorsement of his opponent, you make some very negative and wrongful statements against Stewart. Unfortunately, this type of attack has become the norm for this year's elections. As a voter and a citizen, I'm sick of this trend, and I am disgusted and disappointed in this newspaper's handling of this editorial. It's not only an insult to the work Stewart has done as a public servant and to him personally, but it's also an insult to those who elected him to office and supported him for the past 13 years.
Your editorial also insinuates that only those with Virginia Tech or Blacksburg interests, or those who would like to see this county developed into a mini-extension of Northern Virginia, deserve representation. There are many residents with different interests who are every bit as deserving of representation.
There are those who would like to see spending and taxation held within reason and held to a level that's affordable. There are those who would like to protect this area from becoming overly developed, and there are life-long residents who would like to have Montgomery County retain some of the quality that made it our choice for a home.
We are the voters and taxpayers who appreciate the common-sense approach Stewart has used in his tenure on the board and that he's had the courage to vote ``no'' to some of the follies proposed. Unfortunately, there are too many ``yes men'' in our government now. If there were more like Stewart, perhaps we wouldn't be in the trouble we are.
JULIA MILTON
CHRISTIANSBURG
Students support Mary Baldwin plan
MARY Cheh's Oct. 13 commentary entitled ``Mary Baldwin's women know: Separate isn't equal'' was inadequately researched. As a student at Mary Baldwin College, I'm tired of the public's ignorance and misconceptions about the proposed leadership program.
Ms. Cheh reported that students at Mary Baldwin plan to protest the planned program. This is untrue. The students overwhelmingly support this chance to advance women in leadership.
Yes, a few were upset because they felt they were not fully informed prior to the official announcement. But after further explanations, they also supported the plan.
We are not, as Ms. Cheh inferred, selling out to Virginia Military Institute. I believe strongly in single-sex education. The leadership program will provide a unique opportunity for women. It will give them a chance to get leadership training in a program designed especially for women, based on research about how women learn best, in a place already renowned for training women as leaders.
Ms. Cheh said that Mary Baldwin women ``know a fraud when they see it.'' Yes, and this commentary was a good example of one.
SABRINA RAKES
STAUNTON
Bowers has got the right ticket
I WOULD like to applaud Mayor David Bowers' efforts in trying to restore train service to Roanoke. Our city has two primary resources that we have not fully tapped - the natural beauty of our surroundings, and our location and history as a transportation hub. If we want to promote Roanoke as the gateway to the Blue Ridge and all its many attractions, we must make it easy and fun to get to Roanoke.
Potential increases in gasoline taxes and oil prices in the coming years make development of alternate means of travel imperative.
The first step in the process is restoring train service through Roanoke. Once established, we have the opportunity to develop a number of other tourist attractions that play off the theme of railroads. These might include creating a world-class rail museum and running steam trains to nearby cities such as Lexington, Danville or Appomattox.
We must be willing to take risks to ensure that Roanoke's future is healthy. I congratulate Mayor Bowers on his first steps toward envisioning our future. The entire valley needs to get on board this train.
ROBERT H. FETZER
President, Building Specialists Inc.
ROANOKE
by CNB